John F. Lakin, Esq.
John has extensive trial experience, having acted as lead counsel in over 40 trials in state and federal courts. He is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, which includes less than 2% of all Florida lawyers. Every board certified civil trial lawyer has practiced law for at least five years and been substantially involved — 30 percent or more — in the area of civil trial law during the three years preceding application. To be certified, the lawyer is required to have conducted at least 15 contested civil cases in courts of general jurisdiction during the lawyer’s practice, including cases before a jury and as lead counsel.
In 2007 and 2008, John was selected as one of the Florida Super Lawyers. Only 5% of the attorneys in the State of Florida are selected for inclusion. The attorneys selected have to have a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. In 2008, John was one of only 35 insurance coverage lawyers to be named as a Florida Super Lawyer.
John is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates forum, which is limited to American lawyers who have obtained a settlement or jury verdict in excess of $1,000,000.00. (See www.milliondollaradvocates.com). The Million Dollar Advocates is a prestigious group of trial lawyers, comprised of less than 1% of all lawyers in the United States, with approximately 3,000 members.
John has extensive experience in insurance litigation, representing policy holders in coverage disputes and the appraisal process, and in breach of contract and bad faith claims in both state and federal courts. As a former claims adjuster with Liberty Mutual, John has considerable experience in and an in-depth knowledge of the claims process. John has also represented clients in complex business and commercial litigation for many years, in state and federal courts and before the American Arbitration Association. In addition, he has litigated numerous condominium cases and represents condominium associations throughout Florida. John has extensive experience in criminal defense work, representing clients in serious felonies for many years in Massachusetts and Florida.
John is a frequent guest on Court TV and MSNBC as a legal analyst for both civil and criminal trials. John has been interviewed on BBC international radio regarding the American legal system. He is a frequent lecturer for numerous organizations, including the American Bar Association, National Business Institute, Florida Windstorm Conference, Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and Florida Association of Property Insurance Professionals. Recently, John was a speaker at the Bermuda Bar Association discussing hurricane claims. John’s presentations have addressed hurricane and mold claims, insurance and business litigation, and criminal law.
John is a former adjunct professor at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida where he taught Business Law and Constitutional Law for seven (7) years. He has also taught criminal law at Manatee Community College.