Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh

Bios

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  David L Goldman

  Attorney

  Graduating from Hamilton College during 1983, David L. Goldman continued on to Tulane University School of Law, where he graduated in 1987. The Florida Bar admitted him the same year he graduated. He began building his experience right away. After he was admitted to the Bar, he began practicing in wrongful death and personal injury. He has been exclusive to this practice since his bar acceptance. Mr. Goldman was a managing partner in a successful, bustling personal injury practices that held offices up and down the West Coast of Florida before joining our law firm. He has also been a managing attorney in a number of law offices as far back as 1989. He received a direct appointment from the Governor of Florida for the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Manatee, DeSoto, and Sarasota Counties. David L. Goldman has a list of impressive awards, associations and activities in addition to his impressive professional career. He is a long-time member in the American Association of Justice, the Southern Trial Lawyers Association,and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He has had the honor of being named among the “10 Best Attorneys / Client Satisfaction” in the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys for the years 2015 and 2016. Attorney David L. Goldman has received the illusive Legislative Leadership Award from the Florida Justice Association and The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, where he is an Eagle Member. Mr. Goldman has had a long relationship with the community, serving on a number of different civic organizations on the boards. Currently, he is the President on the Executive Board of Second Chance Last Opportunity, which is a community-based organization, offering classes in life management skills to low income, homeless families with at-risk teens since 1995. His extensive work with the Westcoast Center for Human Development as well as the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce is notable. In the past, he also served the Board of Directors for the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Community Center, as well as being the director for the Endowment Fund in the local synagogue. Goldman prides himself on being a spokesperson for Floridians for Fair Elections, helping enact an amendment to the state constitution reforming election laws for the state of Florida. He is active in various independent politics, has been State Chairman of the Reform Party of Florida, and has been General Counsel for the Reform Party of the United States of America. When he's not busy winning cases or advocating, he is a guest columnist with The Bradenton Herald. He was also co-publisher with the Sarasota County Watchdog, which was a newsletter for consumers promoting accountability for the government. He has penned many guest columns for magazines and newspapers around Florida, including the Tampa Tribune, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, the St. Petersburg Times, and the Sarasota Herald Tribune. David L. Goldman fights for the injured to get what they are owed. Our attorneys have the firm belief that justice pays.

  Services:

  Link: David L Goldman

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  Michael Babboni

  Attorney

  Attorney Michael J. Babboni received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of Wisconsin in 1984. In 1987, he proceeded to graduate from Stetson University of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor degree. This helped lay the foundation for his extensive, impressive career. In October 1987, Babboni began practicing criminal and civil litigation in and around St. Petersburg, FL. His career has included being lead counsel for jury trials everywhere, from Sarasota County to Pasco County, and from Sebring in the center of the state to Sanford in the South. Mr. Babboni has litigated extensively in front of the Second District of Appeals, where he won reversals on a number of essential appellate decisions. This lawyer has been successful in arguing before Georgia's 11th Circuit Court of Appeals during the Louis Elam v. Railroad Retirement Board case. This was a turning point in the Federal Government, as it established refreshed guidelines for determining permanent disability regarding federal employees. Mr. Babboni's awards, activities and associations reflect on his passions and terrific talents. He was selected as a charter member by the city council in St. Petersburg for their Nuisance Abatement Board. He helped this board develop polices that are models for similar large municipalities all over Florida state. He has also served for the City of St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Baseball Committee, where he helped bring a major league ball team into the city. This produced commerce and increased tourism, thanks to his advocacy. Michael J. Babboni became certified through the Supreme Court of Florida in 1997 as a Circuit Court Mediator. 2006 found Mr. Babboni certified with the National Football League as one of their Player Representatives, Contract Advisors, and Agents. Currently, he represents a number of different NFL players. Michael J. Babboni found himself named on the Mayor's Stadium Task Force in 2014 to assist in evaluating the viable options and economic impact for the construction of a brand new stadium for baseball in the city of St. Petersburg. He is currently a member of the Florida Justice Association, as well as the St. Petersburg Bar Association. Appearing on many different local news channels to offer advice and commentary in legal matters has won him a form of local celebrity. He has also been interviewed often regarding cases on which he's worked. He advocates for the city while helping the citizens through his craft with poise and confidence. Michael J Babboni fights for the injured to get what they are owed. Our attorneys have the firm belief that justice pays.

  Services:

  Link: Michael Babboni

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  Stephen Fernandez

  Attorney

  Professional Experience Since becoming a member of the Florida Bar in 2004, Stephen Fernandez has spent his career representing accident victims in personal injury and wrongful death cases. His experience includes handling cases related to automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, commercial trucking crashes, wrongful death claims, construction accidents, electricity/electrocution accidents, aviation accidents, trip-and-falls, watercraft accidents, nursing home and ALF negligence, and homeowner’s insurance claims. Education Mr. Fernandez received his law degree, with honors, from the University of Florida College of Law. While in law school he focused on courses relevant to the field of personal injury and trial practice. Mr. Fernandez was also an active member of the University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy. Prior to studying law, he graduated with high honors from the University of Florida with a degree in Political Science. He earned a minor in Business Administration and Environmental Studies. Activities, Associations and Awards Mr. Fernandez has built a reputation as a skilled litigator and zealous advocate for his clients. He is a member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has been consistently recognized by Florida Super Lawyers a "Rising Star" in the State of Florida. This distinction is awarded to no more than 2.5% of attorneys and is based on factors such as academic achievement, peer recognition and professional accomplishments. Mr. Fernandez has a "Superb" rating by Avvo which is that organization’s highest rating for attorneys. Mr. Fernandez is on the Board of Directors for the Manasota Trial Lawyers Association. He is a member of the Florida Justice Association, the American Association of Justice, the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association, the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, and the Association of Plaintiff’s Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. An avid fisherman and fly-fisherman, Mr. Fernandez is a lifetime member of the International Game Fish Association. He has published fishing and conservation articles in Fisheries Magazine, Florida Sportsman and Salt-Water Fly Fishing. His article Captive-bred Exceptions: An Unconventional Approach to Conservation Under the ESA" won the Barbara W. Maker award and was published in the UF Journal of Law and Public Policy. Stephen Fernandez fights for the injured to get what they are owed. Our attorneys have the firm belief that justice pays.

  Services:

  Link: Stephen Fernandez

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  Bernie Walsh

  Attorney

  An AV Rated Civil Trial attorney with more than 30 years of experience, Bernard F. Walsh first began his career protecting the rights of the public as an attorney for the State of Florida. For the next three years, as a trial attorney for the State of Florida, Mr. Walsh handled numerous high profile trials concerning serious felony crimes. Since 1982 Bernie has exclusively practiced personal injury law and helped accident victims in and beyond Sarasota and Manatee Counties in Florida. Mr. Walsh has won the largest playground recovery (2008-$1,900,000.00), motorcycle recoveries (2006-$6,000,000.00), motor vehicle v commercial truck (2016-$4,700,000), auto accident recovery (2018-$1,050,000.00), and a daycare center recovery (2010-$1,000,000.00) in the State of Florida. Several additional recoveries include a bicycle v truck ($1,000,000.00), auto v van ($1,000,000.00), MVA – single car ($500,000.00), motorcyle v truck ($950,000.00), auto v semi ($475,000.00) and Private Property/fall down ($750,000.00). Bernard Walsh is on the Board of Governors for the Florida Justice Association (PAC), as well as on the Board of the Florida Justice Association (Florida Trial Lawyers), the Board of the National Trial Lawyers, the Board of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA), and on the Board of Manasota Trial Lawyers Board. Mr. Walsh has been named in Florida Legal Elite, has a "Superb Rating" by AVVO – widely recognized by the legal community for superb professional conduct and experience, and an "AV Preeminent Rating" by Martindale-Hubbell – the pinnacle of professional excellence earned through a strenuous Peer Review Rating process, highest ranking this organization bestows on an attorney. Mr. Walsh is firmly committed to community service. His volunteer efforts to help all levels of law enforcement have benefited both private citizens and law enforcement personnel. He gives back, supporting many churches, organizations and the arts of Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Education Juris Doctorate (Law Degree), 1978 – Cumberland Law School Selected as a Research Clerk - Intern for a Federal Judge and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Awarded the National Book Awards for Constitutional Law and Professional Responsibility Bachelor Degree (Undergraduate), 1975 – University of South Florida Bernard F. Walsh fights for the injured to get what they are owed. Our attorneys have the firm belief that justice pays.

  Services:

  Link: Bernie Walsh

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  Daniel Murphy

  Auto Accident Injury Attorney

  Daniel Murphy's passionate belief in upholding the Florida justice system by defending the rights of the public against corporate interests, has lead him to become one of Florida's most effective young attorneys. Daniel Murphy carries his enthusiasm for fighting for the rights of the injured outside the courtroom by staying involved in legal and community organizations. Education Daniel A. Murphy received his Bachelors’ Degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida December, 2009. Mr. Murphy attained his law degree, Cum Laude, from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School – Tampa Bay Campus, April of 2015. Associations & Memberships Mr. Murphy is a member of the Florida Bar since October, 2015. The Florida Bar is the organization of all lawyers licensed by the Supreme Court of Florida to practice law in the state. Daniel is also a member of the Sarasota County Bar Association which advances professionalism, promotes practice development, encourages public service, fosters fellowship and supports access to legal services for all. Attorney Daniel Murphy is a member of the Florida Highway Advisory Board. Daniel is an EAGLE member of the Florida Justice Association, a statewide organization of trial lawyers who are dedicated to strengthening and upholding Florida’s civil justice system and protecting the rights of Florida’s citizens and consumers. Mr. Murphy was also named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers Association, a “Rising Star 2018” by the American Institute of Legal Advocates and was selected for Membership as one of the “10 Best Attorneys” in Florida by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, organizations that extend memberships to top attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results and leadership as a Civil Plaintiff trial lawyer. Mr. Murphy is also a member of the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board, a local organization composed of some of the foremost trial lawyers in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Daniel is active with local associations such as Manatee County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals and Manatee High School Booster Club. Daniel was invited to be on the Young Lawyers’ panel at the FJA/Cooley Law School’s Outreach Program in 2016 & 2017. Daniel advised students in a group and then individually about all areas of preparing to become an attorney. His community activities include two intramural sports, Softball and Flag Football, with the Manatee County Parks and Recreation. Daniel Murphy fights for the injured to get what they are owed. Our attorneys have the firm belief that justice pays.

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  Link: Daniel Murphy