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FEATURED PRESENTATION:
Course Description:
It can happen in an instant—a slip and fall, a car crash, or a medical mistake. How do you navigate the legal aftermath? What medical bills can you claim, and to what extent? What other expenses related to your injury are covered? As an attorney, what do you need to know to competently advocate for you clients’ rights, whether they are the injured person, the property owner or at-fault driver, or the insurer? In this presentation, a panel of experts with many decades of personal injury law and insurance experience will discuss what you need to know about dealing with personal injury and insurance claims in Florida, recent changes in Florida law, and future events that could impact your rights.
Speaker Bios:
Sarah Roberge is an associate at the appellate law firm, Brannock Berman & Seider. In her first year there, Sarah briefed and argued a case at the Fifth District Court of Appeal, winning a reversal for her client on criminal wiretapping charges in a precedent-setting opinion. Sarah’s first job after graduating college was as a high school English teacher. Later, she worked at a large community association management firm, where she trained association board members and managed operations for several communities. Sarah then attended law school, on a full scholarship, while continuing to work part-time. During law school, Sarah received 14 book awards, interned at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, and ultimately graduated in the top 1% of her class. Before joining BB&S, Sarah was an Assistant Public Defender for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
For over 30 years, Mike Hancock has dedicated his career to helping people who’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence. As a seasoned personal injury attorney, Mike has earned some of the highest honors in the legal profession, including a prestigious AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, has been recognized as one of Florida’s Super Lawyers, and named one of Tampa’s Top Rated Lawyers. In 2016, Hancock Injury Attorneys was recognized as the 54th fastest-growing law firm in the U.S. by the Law Firm 500. Mike has served as President of the North Tampa Bar Association (2016–2017) and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Carrollwood Area Business Association (CABA), Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association, Hillsborough County Bar Association, and Florida Justice Association.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and raised in Tampa, Florida, Matias Cordoba brings a unique cultural perspective and a deep commitment to justice to his legal practice. He earned his undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of South Florida before earning his Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. While in law school, Matias honed his advocacy skills through moot court competitions and internships that laid the foundation for his career in injury law. He gained early experience at a personal injury firm, where he developed a strong interest in helping accident victims seek the compensation they deserve. He later interned at the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, where he was able to provide legal services to underserved members of the community. Before joining the firm, Matias worked at a well-known personal injury law firm in Tampa, where he handled a large and diverse caseload.
After completing his undergraduate and legal education at the University of Florida, R.G. “Mack” McCormick was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2000. He first became professionally affiliated with Robert Bleakley in November of 2001. As a young trial lawyer, McCormick’s practice initially involved defending workers’ compensation and auto negligence claims. As time passed, McCormick continued to branch out into numerous other areas of civil litigation, including premises liability, medical malpractice, insurance coverage, commercial trucking & cargo damage, and commercial transaction cases. McCormick is also an appellate attorney with extensive experience representing clients in state and federal appeals to Florida’s district and supreme courts, as well as the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Having recently rejoined the firm as a partner, McCormick is delighted to offer his diverse skillset to the valued clients of Bleakley, Bavol, Denman & Grace.
Born and raised in Central Florida, Mr. Slater has deep roots in Florida and takes pride in helping other Floridians with their legal problems. Mr. Slater focuses his practice on two types of cases: (1) personal injury and wrongful death cases; and (2) defending lawyers in legal malpractice and ethics disputes. In his personal injury and wrongful death practice, Mr. Slater helps individuals and families who have been seriously injured or killed due to someone else’s negligence. Prior to co-founding Slater | Grant, Mr. Slater was a shareholder at the well-respected Tampa firm of Hill Ward Henderson. Mr. Slater founded Slater | Grant in 2017 with his partner, Javan Grant, to give people the skill and knowledge of a large law firm, but with the personal attention and care of a small law firm. Slater | Grant prides itself on strong advocacy for our clients, tempered by professionalism and a common-sense approach to resolving cases.
August 21: Summer Social
September 11: Next CLE Luncheon
