Michael Bittner is the newest associate at Marks Gray law firm on the Southbank.
WHEN DID YOU COME
ON BOARD?
“I came to work here the beginning of March as a law clerk. I started here right after I took the bar in February. I was just sworn in two weeks ago [as an attorney].”
EDUCATION
For his law degree, Bittner graduated from the University of Florida in December. His undergraduate degree was in athletic training and sports medicine from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
WHY PURSUE
SPORTS MEDICINE?
“When I first went to college, I thought I wanted to practice physical therapy. I came to Florida for a master’s degree in sports medicine. I worked for the university as an athletic trainer. It was a long and strange path [to a legal career]. I wanted the challenge of law school. I thought I could use my background in a medically-related field to transition into law. My intention going to law school was to get into some sort of medically-related law or health-related law. By working here, I use that background in what I do.”
WHAT TYPE OF LAW DO
YOU PRACTICE?
“I do a lot of workers’ compensation defense and we do a lot of medical malpractice defense. So, on a daily basis I deal quite a bit with medical records and medical conditions that are in litigation. My background is helpful in understanding the symptoms and the causes of medical issues we deal with here.”
WHAT CLIENTS DO
YOU SERVICE?
“My clientele is very broad because I’m so new. I don’t have a particular practice area, although, I primarily do a lot of workers’ compensation where we represent insurance carriers and employers. And, I do some employment law.”
WHAT’S MOST REWARDING FOR YOU?
“I love the challenge of it. I enjoy figuring out a problem and finding a solution. Probably the thing I enjoy most is that every day I learn something new that I knew absolutely nothing about.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING?
“For me, it’s challenging in that it’s something new. Especially when I do legal research in an area that I’ve never experienced before, I enjoy figuring out what that problem is, putting the whole picture together and determining the best way to proceed for the client.“
HOMETOWN
Butler, Penn.
FAMILY
Bittner resides on the Southside with his wife Lori Ann.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU
TO FLORIDA?
“I came to Florida to go to graduate school. They have an excellent program at the University of Florida. The graduate assistant positions there are really excellent. They pay for your school and give you a stipend to live on. Then I fell in love with Florida, met my wife at the university and haven’t left since.”
WHERE ELSE HAVE
YOU WORKED?
“In law school, I spent one summer working for the staff attorneys at the Duval County Courthouse.”
WHY JOIN MARKS GRAY?
“Here, there is a very good environment to work in. The attorneys and the staff are really nice people. They make you feel part of the team right from the very beginning. It’s just a comfortable, approachable place.”
OF WHAT GROUPS ARE YOU A MEMBER?
“I do some volunteer work with the Teen Court program. Once a month I act as a volunteer judge. Through the firm, I’ve also done a little work with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.”
HOBBIES
A water baby, Bittner enjoys strolling along the beach, driving to St. Augustine for seafood and offshore fishing. Other guilty pleasures include golfing, taking in a movie or reading biographies.
ANY BRUSHES WITH FAME?
“When I was an undergraduate, I was a student athletic trainer for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That was a lot of fun.”
—by Monica Chamness