Titans of Trial – Steve Pajcic

12/06/19 • 35 min

The Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation

On today’s program, something different. We feature someone who is as well known for his political life as his distinguished trial career. Steve Pajcic served Jacksonville in the Florida House of Representatives for six terms in the 1970’s and 80’s, nominated by the St. Petersburg Times as the Most Valuable House Member seven years in a row. As a lawmaker, he shepherded expansion of the property tax Homestead Exemption from $5,000 to $25,000. In 1986, he was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida, losing to Bob Martinez in a tight race. A self-described “Florida Cracker”, Steve Pajcic is half of the original Pajcic and Pajcic law firm. His brother Gary passed away in 2006, but the practice remains a family firm, with Steve’s son and Gary’s three sons. Together, the Pajcic family has been a tremendous force in philanthropy and social equality. Steve Pajcic, now in his 70’s, sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in December 2017 to share how he’s remained politically active, his resilient idealism, and his personal brand of civil justice. Show Notes: Steve Pajcic is with The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic in Jacksonville, Florida – www.pajcic.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

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Titans of Trial – Dale Swope

Dale Swope jokes that he’ll pay a thousand dollars to anyone that can prove they’ve been more broke than he’s been. He had to take losing cases no one else would touch and find a way to win them. He did, including his first personal injury case, a case that he never dreamt he would face. Along the way, he not only made a living, but has built a vibrant law practice from the ground up, that today has 11 lawyers with its offices in a remodeled old Tampa brewery. He is a recent past president of the Florida Justice Association and is in the Eagle Hall of Fame for his lifetime of contributions. He’s a recipient of the Mickey Smiley award for mentorship. In fact, it was through the FJA – and a special mentor - that Dale Swope saw an opportunity to create a niche, practicing Bad Faith law. Dale Swope sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in May of 2019 to talk about his love of courtroom battle, breaking the money cycle, and building and running a law firm that he has designed to survive him. Show Notes: Dale Swope is with the Swope, Rodante law firm in Tampa, Florida – www.swopelaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

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Titans of Trial – Greg Barnhart

Greg Barnhart refers to trials as “the ultimate game.” While certainly a competition between two sides, he insists that juries expect to be entertained. To be a successful trial lawyer, as you’ll hear, you have to be entertaining and tell a story. He’s won more than $90 million to date in verdicts and settlements for his clients, including at one point, the largest personal injury verdict in Florida history. Along the way, he served as president of the Florida Justice Association and he’s won the Al J. Cone lifetime achievement award from the association. He’s a law school professor and a former chair of the 4th District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. Greg Barnhart sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in July 2018 to share his in-depth trial technique, the importance of a having a healthy ego, and the story of the widow who refused to settle that inspired him to the biggest victory of his career. Show Notes: Greg Barnhart is with the Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley law firm in West Palm Beach, Florida – www.searcylaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.