by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
“I like what I do. It’s challenging, but also very satisfying,” said Robert Spohrer from the downtown law offices of Spohrer, Wilner, Maxwell & Maxwell where he is senior partner. “It’s nice to be able to make a living doing something like that and I don’t think many people can say the same thing.”
This week marked the beginning of a new chapter in Spohrer’s career. Joining the ranks of attorneys who include Johnnie Cochran and North Carolina senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, Spohrer is the newest member of the Inner Circle of Advocates.
The 100-member group includes plaintiff attorneys who have tried at least 50 personal injury cases and received at least one $1 million verdict. Spohrer has tried over 100 cases and his track record includes verdicts and settlements in excess of $100 million.
“It’s definitely a real honor and pleasure to be included,” said Spohrer. “I’ve known of the group for some time because it includes some of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the country who are known for their excellence in advocacy. It is my understanding that they look for pioneers in the legal community to join.”
In addition to his new status, Spohrer is a charter member of The Florida Board of Trial Advocates and is the current chair of the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar. Spohrer also serves as co-chair of the University of Florida College of Law Advanced Trial Advocacy Seminar and the American Board of Trial Advocacy Trial Masters Seminar, among others.
As a member of the Inner Circle, he will have the opportunity to attend annual conferences sponsored by the group that offer extended education to even the most skilled and experienced attorneys.
“I’m still learning more about the Inner Circle myself,” said Spohrer of the 30-year-old group, “but I understand that, as a member, I’ll be able to share my views with the other attorneys and hopefully learn new trial skills and new ways that can further benefit our clients.”
Spohrer, a New York City native, said he first decided to practice law because his family has always considered lawyers to be community leaders.
“After I graduated from law school, I was fortunate to get a job with a good firm doing trial work for corporations,” he said. “It was a great training ground, but ultimately I just wasn’t satisfied when I realized that I was only saving a corporation money at the end of the day. I wanted to represent individuals because that’s when you are really changing lives. I know many wonderful attorneys who concentrate primarily on things like real estate transactions and I think I would find that routine after a while.”
Spohrer has represented clients in personal injury cases against the U.S. government and insurance, pharmaceutical, aircraft and aviation companies.
“These are complex cases and they involve complex legal issues,” he said. “But I like that. It’s intellectually challenging. When I look back, I can see where we, as a firm, have made products safer on the market. These large corporations are bringing a lot of finances into these trials and I work to level the playing field. But I don’t work alone. I have wonderful partners and staff working with me. They make me look good.
“I can’t think of anything else that gets my adrenaline going like a complex case can. This is what I really enjoy and I don’t know what else to do. I don’t golf or go fishing on the weekends.”