My friends call me Bill.  I'm proud to be a plaintiff's attorney.  I’m particularly proud of the fact that my brother and I have been able to practice successfully together for over 20 years and the fact that we represent helpless victims of others' misconduct.  I strongly believe in the civil justice system and the right to retain an attorney on a contingency fee basis.  These fundamental elements of trial law level what would otherwise be an imbalanced playing field, weighted heavily in favor of the liability insurance industry and corporate America.  I’ve been Board Certified by The Florida Bar since 1983, and by the American Trial Lawyers National Board of Trial Advocacy.  As President of the local bar association, I founded a legal clinic for the poor and organized local attorneys to provide pro bono services.  I’ve received a variety of awards for my practice over the years, but I’m perhaps most proud of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Silver Eagle Award for Outstanding Leadership and Martindale-Hubbell's recognition of my practice in its Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers.

I’m an avid tennis player, golfer, and fan of Florida State University football.  My roots run deep in the Volusia County justice system.  My maternal grandmother was the county’s first court reporter in 1936, and my father was appointed by the Governor to succeed her as the Official Court Reporter in 1960.

Our firm aggressively pursues the interests of our clients within the rules and law of the State of Florida.

Vitae:
Born on September 11, 1946.

Career:
Admitted to  bar, 1973, Florida; 1975, U. S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; 1976, U. S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit and U. S. Supreme Court. 

Education:
Florida State University (B.S. 1968) Omicron Delta Kappa; Gold Key; Stetson University (J.D., cum laude 1973). 

Distinctions and Honors:
Recipient:  American Jurisprudence Awards for Contracts and Criminal Law; 1982 The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Award; Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Silver Eagle Award for Outstanding Leadership, 1989, 1991.  Member:  Editorial Board, Stetson Law Review, 1972-1973, Listed in Martindale-Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.  Founder, Volusia County Volunteer Lawyer's Project, 1982.  Member, 1992 - Current, and Chairman, 1994-1995, Judicial Nominating Commission for the 5th District Court of Appeals.  Member:  Seventh Judicial Circuit (Chairman, Grievance Committee, 1985-1986) and Volusia County (President, 1982) Bar Associations; The Florida Bar (Member:  Trial Lawyers Section; Board of Governors, Young Lawyers Section, 1976-1981); The Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Sustaining Member:  1978 - Current; Diplomate:  1983 - Current); Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (Diplomate:  1983 - Current; Board of Directors:  1988-1993; Chairman, Perry Nichols Award Committee, 1988-1989; Member:  Amicus Curiae Committee; Legislative Committee; Judicial Awards and Compensation Committee); Volusia Civil Trial Attorneys Association (Member:  1986 - Current, President:  1986-1987).  Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.  [Lt., USNR, 1968-1975].  (Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education).