Jack Fine | Gainesville Personal Injury Lawyer

I built a successful practice by asking the best lawyers I knew to be my partners. Together we worked hard through the years on behalf of clients. It is important to fight hard but in a manner consistent with the best ethical practices. We always tried to keep the interests of the clients front and center. We always believed in what we did; fighting for justice on behalf of people injured through no fault of their own is incredibly rewarding and uplifting. Consistent effort on behalf of our clients helped establish our reputation. Currently the lawyers in our practice fight professionally and hard, but also believe in giving back to the community.

Clients should look for a lawyer who is smart, capable, and experienced in the legal area in which representation is sought. It is important that the lawyer be a good listener, who can establish a bond of trust with the client. Ideally the lawyer should have the time to devote adequate attention to each matter brought to him. The lawyer also needs to have adequate resources to pay for the experts and costs that a litigation often requires. In personal injury practice, it is essential that the lawyer has litigation experience, as it has been our experience that by far the best results occur if a lawsuit is filed.

Local knowledge is vitally important. In personal injury matters, it is very important to make sure that the treating physician is someone who will bolster the plaintiff's case. This is particularly significant in Florida given that the "No Fault" statute does not allow claims for pain and suffering in auto accident cases without a doctor's conclusion that the plaintiff has sustained a permanent injury. Local ties also helps with jury selection and the hiring of appropriate expert witnesses including follow up medical specialists.

In a free phone consultation we can provide a wealth of information. A prospective client is typically unfamiliar with the legal process. We are happy to discuss all the variables that can affect a claim or case, including which law firm would be appropriate for the legal issue which concerns the potential client, the attorney fee contract, the medical issues-including the appropriate doctors if needed, resolution of a traffic ticket, and in certain types of cases, guardianship and probate issues. We handle probate filings in house for wrongful death cases, and will find appropriate specialists for guardianship or trust issues. A prospective client further needs to know about the experience and ability of the lawyer who will be handling his case, and the chances for success. There are certain procedural pitfalls and critical dates which cut off or restrict benefits so it is important to advise the client of any negative consequences of failure to promptly act.

There are many good lawyers in our community. Our law firm is distinguished by our willingness to litigate (file suit) to get the best results for our clients. We are willing to hire the best experts, and do whatever is necessary to act in the best interests of the clients. From a personal point of view, I have years of experience and still fight hard for my clients. I have been appointed as adjunct faculty at the University of Florida law school for more than 25 years, I have served as the chair of the bar grievance committee, I have edited personal injury publications, and have been selected by my peers as for positions such as a Master of the Inns of Court, and the President of our local ABOTA chapter. I have achieved million dollar verdicts in jury trial, and successfully argued appellate cases before the Supreme Court of Florida and various District Courts of Appeal. When our Chief Circuit Judge recently retired, she chose our law firm to become ""of counsel."" Another member of our firm, Cherie Fine, is currently serving as President of our local Bar Association.

The most rewarding aspect of our job is to change the lives of our clients for the better. We have handled numerous catastrophic injury cases, and it is extremely uplifting and inspiring to see our clients triumph over sudden, unexpected adversity. Whether we are obtaining innovative life care plans for the brain injured clients, or guiding individuals to special needs trusts experts, we take great satisfaction from a successful result. Obviously, a great trial verdict is extremely satisfying, particularly when the insurance company has been unreasonable. In the past year, we have obtained six figure verdicts more than ten times higher than the pre-trial offer. To speak frankly, kicking the butt of the insurance companies is great fun. I must caution that we cannot always achieve these great results, but it is wonderful when it happens.

My major community involvement is focused on my teaching at the law school. I have been on the board of directors of Historic Gainesville, and other community organizations in the past. Frankly, my better half (wife and law partner Cherie Fine) is the most involved member of our firm. She is on the Board of the University of Florida Foundation, is the President of our local Bar, has been the President of the music booster organization for UF, is a current Master of the Inns of Court, and has served on the Board for the Humane Society of North Florida for the past ten years.

• Member | Florida State Bar Association
  Member | The Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association
  Local Chapter President | American Board of Trial Advocates
  Master/Emeritus | The James C. Adkins, Jr. Chapter American Inns of Court

• Holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating* (AV)  
  Grievance Committee Chairman for the Eighth Judicial Circuit for 2006-2008

• Kellner v. David, Fla: Dist. Court of Appeals, 5th Dist. 2014
  James J. Kellner and Patricia R. Bergerson ("Appellants") appeal the lower court's final judgment after a jury returned a verdict in favor of Cynthia A. David and Frank David ("Appellees"). Appellants raise three issues: (1) the exclusion of Kellner's testimony about his measurements at the accident scene; (2) the denial of Appellants' motions contesting the $420,000 award to Cynthia David ("David") for loss of future earning capacity; and (3) the admission of testimony about Kellner's prescription drug use. We affirm the trial court's decision to exclude Kellner's testimony regarding the accident scene measurements. We reverse on issue two because the evidence only supports an award of $390,000 for David's loss of future earning capacity. Finally, because we find Appellants' argument concerning the prescription drug testimony to be without merit, we affirm the trial court without elaboration on that issue.

• Criminal Trial Practice in Florida, Chapter “Objections to Evidence”, Florida Bar, 1984
  Florida Personal Injury, Editor LexisNexis Practice Guide, 2006

• Avvo | Jack Fine
• Jack Fine