P IS FOR PRINCIPAL PARTNER
Joseph Milton spent 21 years as a trial lawyer at Howell, Liles & Milton prior to establishing the firm with four lawyers in 1990. “Now, we have 10,” said Milton. “Howell, Liles & Milton disintegrated. Howell retired; Liles joined another firm and various lawyers in that firm went their separate ways.”
WHO HAS SENIORITY?
In 1993, Eric Leach became the first partner. James D’Andrea became the third partner three years later, followed by the merger with the Law Offices of Joshua Whitman in 2002.
WHAT IS THEIR AREA
OF PRACTICE?
Maritime law, railroad defense, medical malpractice, general negligence and product liability are their specialities.
WHY THESE AREAS?
“When I first started in Jacksonville, the firm I was with did that type of work,” said Milton. “The firm has a very diverse practice base so a change in one area of the law will not affect us so much as if we focused on one area. Diversity of practice has been the cause of our growth.”
WHAT IS THEIR BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY?
“We enjoy a reputation as an aggressive, proactive firm,” said Milton.
“Half of our business is railroad defense,” said Leach. “It’s a highly specialized area that requires significant knowledge of federal and state case law. The cases are very challenging.”
“Because the federal statutes are so permissive,” explained Josh Whitman. “They favor the plaintiff.”
“We try to be creative and aggressive in our defense to produce results for the client,” added Leach.
MILTON UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
After graduating from the University of Florida, Milton practiced at the now-defunct law firm of Toole, Taylor, Moseley & Milton. In the past, he has been affiliated with the National Railroad Trial Counsel, the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar, the National Board and Diplomat of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, The Florida Bar Board of Governors and the Admiralty & Maritime Law Board of Certification Committee of the Florida Bar. Milton grew up in central Florida. He is a fellow of the International Society of Barristers and the American Bar Foundation, on the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and a master in the Chester Bedell Inn of Court. During his career he has received accolades from The Jacksonville Bar Association, ABOTA and was the Financial News & Daily Record lawyer of the year.
LEACH AND THE LAW
Upon graduation from the University of Florida, Leach joined the firm of Ulmer, Murchison, Ashby & Taylor. He grew up in Plantation, Fla. and currently resides in Mandarin.
AND THEN THERE
WERE THREE . . .
Joshua Whitman is also a Florida graduate. He clerked for Judge Harvey Schlesinger in the mid-1980s prior to entering private practice with Peter Fryefield, who is now a judge.
THE REST OF THE PARTNERS
D’Andrea, another alumni from the University of Florida, is originally from Beaver Creek, Ohio. This is his first job out of law school. Nicholas Charek went to the University of Miami prior to practicing with Corlett & Killian in South Florida. Joe’s son, Michael Milton, graduated from Mercer University School of Law. A Jacksonville native, this is also his first job.
THE ASSOCIATES
Sean Mulhall received his law degree from St. Thomas University in Miami. Before joining the firm, he served as an assistant public defender. Alan Mizrahi, a Jacksonville native, graduated from the University of Miami. Previously, he was employed at the the State Attorney’s Office. Ted Bailey Jr., also from Jacksonville, went to Florida State University College of Law. Subsequent to two clerkships, he practiced with Smith, Clark, Delesie, Bierley, Mueller & Kadyk in Tampa. John Carlisle came on board in January as a law clerk. He takes the bar exam this month.
HOW’S BUSINESS?
“We’ve experienced significant growth on the railroad side in the past 12 years,” said Leach. “Every year there is an increase in railroad defense cases due to injury claims, pedestrian or trespassing accidents, etc.”
“Currently we have the highest census [number of total cases] that the firm has ever had,” added Whitman. “We’re almost equal parts plaintiff and defense work at this point.”
THE GREATEST CHALLENGE?
“The proliferation of firms advertising and the limited number of cases available,” said Whitman. “We’re overcoming that by building our case load based on referrals.”
WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THE FIRM?
“To continue working like this — to be aggressive, creative and still very collegial,” said Milton.
GOING THROUGH THE CHANGES
“In my 20-year career, it was unusual to see firms doing both plaintiff and defense work,” said Whitman. “It should not matter whether it’s a plaintiff or defense case. You advocate for the client. That’s been a huge change.”
— by Monica Chamness