C. Richard Newsome | Orlando Accident & Injury Lawyer

Rich Newsome is the senior partner of the Newsome Melton law firm and represents families and individuals who have experienced catastrophic injuries caused by defective products. Rich is passionate about helping his clients and ultimately making products safer as the result of product liability litigation.

After graduating from the University of Florida College Of Law, Rich worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern and Middle districts of Florida. After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s office Rich worked briefly at a big products defense firm before leaving and becoming a plaintiffs’ attorney.

For more than 20 years, Rich has represented injured people against manufacturers who make defective products. During the past two decades, Rich has won numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients, has written countless articles and about product liability, is a regular speaker at trial lawyer conferences and events across the country, and is recognized by members of the Bar as a leading expert in product liability litigation.

Rich has not only advocated for safer products through the civil justice system, he has also spent substantial time helping to protect the justice system in Tallahassee and in Washington D.C. As a Past-President of the Florida Justice Association, a previous member of the Board of Governors of the American Association of Justice and a current member of the Executive Committee of the National Trial Lawyers, Rich has advocated to protect the rights of families and has fought efforts by manufacturers to limit access to courts and juries.

In addition to a long list of awards and accomplishments, Rich was recently honored by being invited to be a member of The Summit Council. He is also recognized in Best Lawyers of America, Florida’s Legal Elite, Best Plaintiff’s Lawyers in America, and Orlando’s Top Lawyers.

Rich is a husband and father of three children, lives in Orlando, and enjoys offshore fishing and diving.

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
Partner	Newsome Melton	Orlando, FL	1995 – Present

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
University of Florida Levin College of Law	JD	Law School	1989
Florida State University	Bachelor of Science	Economics/Political Science	1986

State / Court	Date
New Mexico	2009
U.S. Court of Federal Claims	1998
U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida	1992
U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida	1992
U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida	1992
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit	1990
Texas	2009
Florida	1989

• Florida Justice Association (FJA), President, 2010-2011
  Florida Justice Association (FJA), Executive Committee, 2005-2012
  5th District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission, Member and Chairman, 1999-2002
  Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association (CFTLA), President, 2004
  Orlando Federal Bar Association, President,1990-1996

• Best Lawyers' 2016 Orlando Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs "Lawyer of the Year"
  AAJ Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award, 2015
  The Summit Council, 2012-Present
  The Best Lawyers in America, 2003-Present
  Best Lawyers in Orlando, Orlando Magazine, 2004-Present
  AV Rated Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, 2004-Present
  Florida's Legal Elite by Florida Trends Magazine, 2005-Present
  ATLA Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  FL Lawyer’s Action Group, Chairman’s Outstanding Electoral Achievement Award, 1999
  United States Department of Justice Special Achievement Award, 1991
  Million Dollar Advocates
  US News “Best Law Firms”, 2011-Present
  The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2013-Present

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