Recognized as one of Florida’s most successful trial law firms, Coker, Myers revolves around the litigation of contested matters on behalf of business and individuals. Founded in 1976, the firm has grown to 13 attorneys at its offices on Bay Street. Daily Record staff writer Sean McManus met recently with Howard Coker, Wayne Myers, John Schickel and Charles Sorenson to discuss the firm.
PRACTICE AREAS?
Trial and appellate work in civil and administrative matters before state and federal courts and governmental agencies throughout Florida and beyond. “We focus on medical and professional negligence, the design and manufacture of products, railroad law [FELA], personal injury, workers compensation, intellectual property, property damage litigation, wrongful death, automobile and premises liability issues, toxic tort, family law, nursing home law, and some criminal law. Some attorneys have litigated matters in the area of ‘first impression.’” First impression means the first case of its kind being tried in the state, and the appellate court deals with the specific issue for the first time. It can be precedent-setting.
HOW DID THE FIRM BEGIN?
“Howard Coker and Wayne Myers met in law school and ended up working at the firm of Howell Kirby together in 1976 when they left to start the new firm. Jake [Schickel] and Charlie [Sorenson] started not far afterwards. We’ve grown steadily since then.”
LANDMARK CASES?
“We won $18.5 million from Waste Management in the famous Hipps Road class action case on the Westside. We have won numerous multi-million dollar cases. We’ve won against Winn-Dixie for premises liability, and we have automobile cases under our belt. Right now we’ve got major Firestone cases in the works.”
WHERE DID YOU GO TO LAW SCHOOL?
Coker, Myers and Schickel went to the University of Florida. Sorenson went to Mercer, Higginbotham attended FSU and Green graduated from Stetson.
FIRM-WIDE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Several members are listed in “Leading American Attorneys” and the firm has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Most attorneys are board certified in their respective areas of speciality.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Coker is a past president of The Florida Bar, published in the Florida Defense Counsel Journal and The Advocate and a fellow of The Florida Bar Foundation. He’s also a past member of the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) — charter member and president of the Jacksonville chapter. He’s on the board of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, the Chester Bedell Inns of Court and a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers (only 500 members each). He’s also an adjunct professor at UNF and on the boards of the Jacksonville Zoo and Spina Bifida.
• Schickel is on the board of JEA and was the past Chair. He’s on the Chamber’s executive committee, chairs the committee that certifies lawyers for the education section of The Florida Bar and serves on the board of the Alliance for World Class Education.
• Sorenson is past president of the Jacksonville Trial Lawyers Association, a member of the ABOTA, is Florida Supreme Court Certified and is in the Million Dollar club.
• Mark Green is the immediate past president of Bridge.
• Wayne Myers was on the executive council of the workers compensation section of The Florida Bar for over 15 years. He’s also handled workers compensation for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Earl Higginbotham is in the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and a board certified trail lawyer from The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. He also practices admiralty law.
IN THE CLASSROOM
“Howard and Jake are both teachers. Jake teaches at Florida Coastal. The firm sponsors the mock trial competition at UF.”
WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?
“Our client-base grows every day.”