Overview
Deborah FitzGerald has devoted a substantial portion of her practice to the defense of professionals in malpractice cases, including lawyers, certified public accountants, realtors, and appraisers. Ms. FitzGerald also has extensive experience in general commercial and personal injury litigation. She has substantial jury, non-jury and arbitration experience in both state and federal courts, as well as appellate experience.
Practice Areas:
- Professional Liability, including the defense of lawyers, certified public accountants, realtors and appraisers
- Commercial Litigation
- Insurance defense in personal injury and property damage claims
- Appellate Practice
- Governmental Entities
- Medical/Professional Negligence
Admitted to Practice:
- Member of the Florida Bar 1979
- Supreme Court of the State of Florida 1979
- Fifth Circuit, Federal Appellate Court
- Southern and Northern Districts of Florida, Federal District Courts
Education:
- University of Kentucky School of Law, JD, Moot Court National Team
- Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky B.A., Graduated with Highest Honors
Professional or Trade Affiliations:
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) (Ft. Lauderdale Chapter President, 2011)
- Council on Litigation Management (CLM)
- Broward County Bar Association (President, 2012-2013)
- The Federal Bar Association (Ft. Lauderdale Chapter, Past President 1992)
- Member of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Court Annexed Mediation for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (2000-Present) (Chair, 2013-16)
- Member, The Federal Court for the Southern District Florida Bench & Bar Conference Committee, 2010 and 2012
- State of Florida Certified Arbitrator
- American Bar Association (including the Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability)
- American Bar Association
Honors & Awards:
- First recipient of the Judge Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. Unsung Hero Award which was voted upon by the Federal Judges of the Southern District (Broward Division), awarded in August 2009
- A-V Preeminent Rating by Martindale Hubbell
- Co-Chair, Broward County Bar Association Legal Malpractice Summit, 2014 and 2015
- Served on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (including position of Vice-Chair)
- Nominated into The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation