Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation

Working in a sausage factory while attending college taught Troy Rafferty the value of hard work and sacrifice.  Which helped him become what he is today: one of the top trial lawyers nationally who police the pharmaceutical industry by trying and winning complex mass tort cases. But as the old adage goes about sausages and laws – that you should never see them being made – Troy’s early experience also provided the fortitude for an important future battle with the Florida Legislature.  Before, during and after Troy's time as President of the Florida Justice Association, he worked tirelessly to prevent and ultimately help overturn the legislature’s decision to adopt the Daubert Standard on expert witness testimony. Troy Rafferty sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in January 2019 to share some of his winning strategies… and his twin concerns that legal practice has become too contentious and is run too much like a business. Show Notes: Troy Rafferty is with the Levin Papantonio law firm in Pensacola, Florida – www.levinlaw.com   Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

He describes himself as a trial lawyer, cowboy, hog hunter, and red fisherman.  And not always in that order.  But then Bruce Kaster is not your typical trial lawyer.  His niche practice of suing tire manufacturers over tread defects is an esoteric and technical field of law.  He’s folksy and full of funny stories, as you’ll soon hear – but dead serious when it comes to tire and auto safety. Some of his corporate opponents dismissed him as a country bumpkin from Ocala, but they did so at their own peril.  His tenacious consumer advocacy led to an enormous recall of millions of Firestone tires and convinced carmaker Ford to change its product.  He’s earned a national reputation including testimony before Congress, fighting for more open records. Bruce Kaster sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in July 2018 to share his incredible tale of corporate lies, deceit and cover-ups and how his optimism about the practice of law keeps him going. Show Notes: Bruce Kaster is with the Kaster & Lynch law firm in Ocala, Florida – www.kasterandlynch.com   Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

The Coral Gables firm of Colson, Hicks, Eidson was instrumental in the development of personal injury law in Florida, with its roots in firms with legendary founders such as Perry Nichols, Bill Colson, Bill Hicks, J.B. Spence, and others.  So it should come as no surprise that Mike Eidson has had the success he’s had and continued the momentum of the firm’s founders – his mentors.    Mike was one of the first practitioners of the law of strict liability in tort.  He helped change the standard used in product design and liability cases in Florida – and eventually many other states – and literally wrote the textbook on it for other lawyers.  Cars are much safer today, thanks to Mike Eidson and those who followed him.   His achievements earned him the Florida Justice Association’s Al J. Cone Lifetime achievement award in 2013. Mike Eidson sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in July 2018 to share his mentors’ lessons - and his own on personal injury law, the importance of empathy, and the special influence his wife has had in his career. Show Notes: Mike Eidson is with the Colson Hicks Eidson law firm in Coral Gables, Florida – www.colson.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Growing up as a kid, one of Mike Papantonio’s favorite books was To Kill a Mockingbird, with its sympathetic lawyer hero Atticus Finch.  Today, he’s a champion of the abused and victimized.  Mike has become known as the “King of Mass Torts” for his innovative approach to maximizing his cases and client recoveries.  It’s earned him the Defender of Justice award by the American Association for Justice, among many other awards. Mike Papantonio sat down with FJA Radio host Harvey Bennett in late August 2017 to discuss the keys to his success, his keen concern about fellow lawyers - both plaintiff and defense, and the connection between personal innovation and your quality of life. Show Notes: Mike Papantonio is with the Levin Papantonio Law Firm in Pensacola, Florida – www.levinlaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Imagine working on a big case with your team and then leaving town – without them – to try to settle the case before the trial starts.  Well that’s the situation that Mike Maher of Orlando found himself in back in 1997.  As Chairman of the so-called “Group of Nine” Dream Team of Florida trial lawyers, Mike negotiated the $13 plus billion settlement from Big Tobacco to the state of Florida for Medicaid recoupment costs on sick smokers.  In just a few minutes, you’ll hear his story of what happened behind the scenes with Governor Chiles and those Big Tobacco lawyers. But if not for his father’s untimely death, Mike would have most likely become an engineer.  Instead, he headed to Stetson Law School and became one of Florida’s top trial lawyers, by engineering innovative solutions for his clients.   Mike is a former President of The American Association for Justice, as well as a former President of the Florida Justice Association.  An EAGLE founder, Mike has been honored with the Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award and the B.J. Masterson Award. On the eve of his 50th anniversary practicing law, Mike Maher sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in February 2018 to talk about his remarkable career, his view of the legal profession, and his surprising advice on the best way to get new clients. Show Notes: Mike Maher is with the Maher Law Firm in Winter Park, Florida - www.maherlawfirm.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Admittedly, his practice of law seems like one disaster after another.  But that’s okay for Bob Spohrer of Jacksonville who specializes in aviation and maritime law.  Disaster has become his specialty.  He and the firm he founded have recovered more than $1 billion for victims and their families, and achieved safety improvements that benefit all of us.  His notable cases include the sinking of the El Faro cargo ship with all 33 souls aboard during a tropical storm in 2015.    Bob Spohrer is also a motorcycle-riding, airplane piloting attorney who knows about risks.  He has a reputation for taking on tough cases against major opponents with long odds – and winning.  He’s a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only organization of the top 100 trial lawyers in the country, as well as the International Association of Barristers.  Bob has been honored with the Florida Justice Association’s B.J. Masterson Award, for high ethical standards and professionalism.  He’s also a Crystal Eagle Award winner. Bob Spohrer sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in December 2017 to discuss his trial focus on mastery of the facts, the keys to success that he shares with others, and how he’s kept his 1960’s idealism in changing times. Show Notes: Bob Spohrer is with the Spohrer Dodd law firm in Jacksonville, Florida - www.sdlitigation.com   Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast.  The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Imagine working on a big case with your team and then leaving town – without them – to try to settle the case before the trial starts.  Well that’s the situation that Mike Maher of Orlando found himself in back in 1997.  As Chairman of the so-called “Group of Nine” Dream Team of Florida trial lawyers, Mike negotiated the $13 plus billion settlement from Big Tobacco to the state of Florida for Medicaid recoupment costs on sick smokers.  In just a few minutes, you’ll hear his story of what happened behind the scenes with Governor Chiles and those Big Tobacco lawyers.          But if not for his father’s untimely death, Mike would have most likely become an engineer.  Instead, he headed to Stetson Law School and became one of Florida’s top trial lawyers, by engineering innovative solutions for his clients.   Mike is a former President of The American Association for Justice, as well as a former President of the Florida Justice Association.  An EAGLE founder, Mike has been honored with the Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award and the B.J. Masterson Award. On the eve of his 50th anniversary practicing law, Mike Maher sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in February 2018 to talk about his remarkable career, his view of the legal profession, and his surprising advice on the best way to get new clients: Show Notes: Mike Maher is with the Maher Law Firm in Winter Park, Florida - www.maherlawfirm.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast.  The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Bill Wagner hasn’t tried a case since 2008.  But he’s very engaged in – and concerned about – the practice of trial law.  At age 84, he still goes into the office on most days and is actively involved in helping fellow lawyers recover from mistakes in their careers.   If you’re a lawyer and not particularly happy about being one, Bill says you’re not alone. He’s been involved in petitions before the Florida Supreme Court to amend the rules on lawyer ethics.  He advocates for a complete review of those rules, arguing that the Court needs to examine the conflict between a lawyer’s economic interest and those of the client – and together, weighed again the interests of the public at large. Bill Wagner sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in February 2018 to discuss his humble beginnings with his mentor Perry Nichols, changes in the trial law profession over his nearly 60 years in practice, and his view on why current legal practice regulation is failing: Show Notes: Bill Wagner is with the Wagner McLaughlin law firm in Tampa, Florida - www.WagnerLaw.com   Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast.  The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Bob Kerrigan is as irrepressible as the sunrise over the Pensacola Bay that his law office has overlooked for the past 45 years.  Bob is one of the nine trial lawyers who brought – and settled – the famous Big Tobacco lawsuit by the state of Florida back in the mid 1990’s.  At $13 billion, it was the largest civil judgment at the time in the nation. Among his many achievements is the Florida Bar’s Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award.  He’s currently in pursuit of international human rights violators. Bob Kerrigan, with his admitted luck-of-the-Irish and devil-may-care attitude, sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in late August 2017 to discuss the keys to his success, his struggles, and his concern that big money too often is now driving the practice of trial law. Show Notes: Bob Kerrigan is with the Kerrigan Estess Rankin McLeod & Thompson law firm in Pensacola, Florida - www.kerrigan.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

There’s an old saying that “Lawyers change the world one case at a time.”  Dianne Weaver of Jacksonville is certainly proof of that.  She’s earned a reputation both in the courtroom representing her injured clients, but also on the boards of state and national brain injury associations as a compassionate expert. Dianne Weaver is not only a top trial lawyer, she’s a pioneer.  She was the only woman practicing jury trial law in Fort Lauderdale for more than five years back in the 1980’s.  Rather than focus on being a woman, she focused instead on the law.  Today, she’s a preeminent brain injury specialist. Dianne Weaver sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in December 2017 to discuss her trailblazing career, the process she uses during trial that she credits with her success, and how to handle losing a case with grace: Show Notes: Dianne Weaver is with the Weaver & Weaver law firm in Jacksonville, Florida - www.weaverandweaverlaw.com  Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Barely in his 40’s at the time, Steve Yerrid was the youngest member of the so-called “Dream Team” of Florida lawyers who took on Big Tobacco in the mid-1990’s - and won.  The idea to add racketeering and conspiracy charges – tripling the potential damages that could be awarded – contributed to the tobacco companies’ $13 billion settlement to reimburse Florida’s state Medicaid costs for ailing smokers.   Steve is still fighting Big Tobacco, helping to win a $15 million jury verdict against RJ Reynolds in 2017. But there is so much more to Tampa’s Steve Yerrid than one single case.   They include his long-shot “Act of God” defense that exonerated the harbor pilot whose ship struck the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, leading to its deadly collapse.  In all, he’s won more than 250 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more: several, record-setting.  Along the way, he’s been honored with the Florida Justice Association’s Perry Nichols Award, our highest honor.  He’s a member of the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group of the best 100 trial lawyers in America.  He’s on the Board of Governors of the Fellows of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  And he is a key contributor to the Endowment Fund of the FJA Research & Education Foundation, our charitable entity. Steve Yerrid sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in February 2018 and revealed his one key to courtroom success, words of wisdoms that have proven true along the way, and his advice to other lawyers on how to avoid letting trial law get the better of you. Show Notes: Steve Yerrid is with the Yerrid Law Firm in Tampa, Florida - www.yerridlaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast (http://floridajusticeassociation.org/CM/Member_Resources/Titans_of_Trial.aspx). The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Howard Coker of Jacksonville is a trial lawyer with a teacher’s heart.  From that one morning in fourth grade he woke-up and declared he wanted to be at trial lawyer, he also very much wanted to be an athletic coach.  In his law career, he’s created the perfect blend of his two huge talents. He’s been recognized with the Mickey Smiley Award, given by the Florida Justice Association, for the terrific amount of counsel he’s given to newer lawyers throughout his four decades plus career.  Along the way, he’s also won just about every other award there is, including the Perry Nichols Award, this association’s most prestigious – along with the B.J. Masterson Award for professionalism and high ethical standards.  He’s also a past president not only of this association, but also of the Florida Bar.  Howard Coker sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in December 2017 to talk about the big cases he’s won and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Show Notes: Howard Coker is with the Coker Law firm in Jacksonville, Florida -  www.cokerlaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. (http://floridajusticeassociation.org/CM/Member_Resources/Titans_of_Trial.aspx) The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Howard Coker of Jacksonville is a trial lawyer with a teacher’s heart.  From that one morning in fourth grade he woke-up and declared he wanted to be at trial lawyer, he also very much wanted to be an athletic coach.  In his law career, he’s created the perfect blend of his two huge talents. He’s been recognized with the Mickey Smiley Award, given by the Florida Justice Association, for the terrific amount of counsel he’s given to newer lawyers throughout his four decades plus career.  Along the way, he’s also won just about every other award there is, including the Perry Nichols Award, this association’s most prestigious – along with the B.J. Masterson Award for professionalism and high ethical standards.  He’s also a past president not only of this association, but also of the Florida Bar.  Howard Coker sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in December 2017 to talk about the big cases he’s won and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Show Notes: Howard Coker is with the Coker Law firm in Jacksonville, Florida -  www.cokerlaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. (http://floridajusticeassociation.org/CM/Member_Resources/Titans_of_Trial.aspx) The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Every trial lawyer in Florida – and their clients – owe a debt of gratitude to Sammy Cacciatore of Melbourne.  It was back in the early 1970’s, fresh out of law school, that he made his most successful argument before the Florida Supreme Court: that damage awards should not be disallowed simply because the victim bore some fault; but rather, awarded based on each party’s percentage of fault for the act in question.  The standard of Comparative Negligence has been the law of the land ever since, not only here in Florida but afterward in a majority of other states. Sammy’s early success resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts for his clients and a distinguished career that includes many awards and titles.  He’s a Past President of the Florida Justice Association and has served on the Florida Bar’s Board of Governors.  He’s also the current Chairman of the Fellows of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. Sammy Cacciatore sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in February of 2018 to talk about that most famous case of his career to date, the importance he places on reading, and his advice for lawyers who not only want to get ahead – but be successful.  Show Notes: Sammy Cacciatore is with the Nance|Cacciatore law firm in Melbourne, Florida -  www.nancelaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Every trial lawyer in Florida – and their clients – owe a debt of gratitude to Sammy Cacciatore of Melbourne.  It was back in the early 1970’s, fresh out of law school, that he made his most successful argument before the Florida Supreme Court: that damage awards should not be disallowed simply because the victim bore some fault; but rather, awarded based on each party’s percentage of fault for the act in question.  The standard of Comparative Negligence has been the law of the land ever since, not only here in Florida but afterward in a majority of other states. Sammy’s early success resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts for his clients and a distinguished career that includes many awards and titles.  He’s a Past President of the Florida Justice Association and has served on the Florida Bar’s Board of Governors.  He’s also the current Chairman of the Fellows of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. Sammy Cacciatore sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in February of 2018 to talk about that most famous case of his career to date, the importance he places on reading, and his advice for lawyers who not only want to get ahead – but be successful.  Show Notes: Sammy Cacciatore is with the Nance|Cacciatore law firm in Melbourne, Florida -  www.nancelaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:Visit the Florida Justice Association Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words.  Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate.  Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.