Attorney Aaron Watson is an "AV" rated lawyer from Pensacola, Florida. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest rating given by America's largest and oldest attorney rating service, Martindale-Hubbell. The ranking of "AV Preeminent" is a significant rating accomplishment, and a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. Mr. Watson received his Bachelor of Arts degree from The Florida State University and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Stetson University College of Law. While at Stetson, he was a member of Stetson's nationally ranked trial team where he was recognized as a regional champion in trial advocacy. He was later recognized as a national champion when he finished first in the nation of 248 teams from 148 law schools in the American Association for Justice trial competition. The competing teams were judged by other lawyers and judges on their trial advocacy skills, opening statements, examination of witnesses, use of facts, and closing arguments. During this time, Mr. Watson was also named Who's Who Among American Universities & Colleges.

Mr. Watson has served as president for the Black Law Students Association, interned with the United States Department of Justice, and volunteered with the Florida Attorney General's office. He was selected for the Stallworth Trial Team Award by faculty at Stetson for his achievement of excellence in trial advocacy. He was inducted into The National Order of Barristers for attaining high honor in the art of courtroom advocacy. Mr. Watson currently serves on the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice and the Florida Justice Association and has recently been named one of the National Black Lawyers Top 100.

In 2008, Mr. Watson participated in multi-billion dollar litigation alongside famed civil litigator, attorney Willie Gary. In 2009, the Pensacola News Journal recognized his achievement by naming him a "Panhandle Personality.” In 2010, Mr. Watson served as lead counsel in a high profile civil rights case against the City of Pensacola. The Steen case received national attention through news agencies such as CNN and the St. Petersburg Times, and resulted in one of the largest civil rights settlements to date against the city of Pensacola.

In 2013, he and his mentor Fred Levin recovered one of the largest verdicts to date in the national Yamaha Rhino litigation on behalf of a Pensacola resident who was seriously injured while operating a defective Yamaha Rhino vehicle. After nearly three weeks of trial, a Montgomery County jury returned a verdict of $3.3 million dollars as compensation for his clients.

In 2014, Mr. Watson obtained a jury verdict of $12.6 million dollars for his clients for injuries sustained in a trucking accident in Pensacola, Florida. The verdict was named in the National Law Journal as one the Top 50 Trial Verdicts in the nation in 2014. Additionally, in recognition of his achievements both inside and outside the courtroom, the National Trial Lawyers Association recognized Mr. Watson as one of the top trial lawyers in the nation under the age of 40 in 2014. Membership into “Top 40 Under 40” organization is by invitation only and is extended to individuals who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership. Mr. Watson was also invited to become a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a prestigious organization for those who have obtained million and multi-million dollar verdicts. Less than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members.

Mr. Watson credits his award-winning style of advocacy to his church background and his experience listening to his father's impassioned sermons. Locally, he serves on the board of directors for the YMCA of Northwest Florida, and as choir director for the Englewood Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Watson also enjoys public speaking at local colleges, high schools, and churches.

Everyone is entitled to justice. Compassionate Car Accident and Personal Injury Attorney.

Practice Areas

Car Accident 35%

17 years

35%

Personal Injury 25%

17 years

25%

Civil Rights 10%

17 years

10%

Motorcycle Accident 10%

10%

Trucking Accident 10%

10%

Social Security & Disability 5%

Wrongful Death 5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Contingency

33%-40%

Pro bono

10 %

Awards

2015

Avvo Client's Choice Awards

The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Silver Client Champion

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service.

This attorney has received at least 3 client reviews, and has an average score of 4.0 or higher.

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

An elite group of attorneys who have been rated highly by their peers as having Very High Ethical Standards and an A grade (4.5 or higher).

This is the highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 16 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2009

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

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Location

The Watson Firm, PLLC

850 S Palafox St., Suite 202, Pensacola, FL, 32502

watsonfirm.com/

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The Watson Firm, PLLC

165 Brooks Street, Suite C, Fort Walton, FL, 32548

watsonfirm.com/

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Online Presence

Other places you can find Aaron online.

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Aaron L Watson's Reviews

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Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

5.0 /5.0

21 Client Reviews

Avvo

5.0

(17)

Lawyers.com

5.0

(4 )

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Star rating

5 stars 17

4 stars 0

3 stars 0

2 stars 0

1 star 0

Practice Areas

Personal Injury (6) Lawsuits & Disputes (4) Car Accidents (2) Litigation (2)

What Clients Mention

Case Results (8) Recommendation (7) Responsiveness (6) Advocacy (5) Character & Conduct (5) Communication Style (5) Professionalism (5) Compassion (4) General Knowledge (4) Staff & Support (3) Practice Area Knowledge (2) Payment Plans (1)

Showing 6 - 10 of 17 reviews

Posted by JamesMattson | March 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney

Not Your Typical Attorney

Aaron Watson takes your case very seriously and will work to resolve it,Aaron Watson cares deeply for each client very sincerely and is always available to keep you updated or answer your questions!

Posted by Erick | March 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents

The Best

"He is the best trial Attorney I have ever worked with and I've been here 38 years!" When I was in a car accident a few years ago I chose a law firm with the reputation as the best in the area and that is when I met Aaron Watson. When Mr. Watson decided to open The Watson Firm I had a choice to ma...ke. Do I stay with the firm with the extensive history of success or continue on with Mr Watson? The above quote responding to my query of should I stay or go affirmed my decision to continue with Mr Watson. After seeing his effectiveness speaking on my behalf and life changing settlement I truly believe he is the very best lawyer in Pensacola..... Period!!!

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Posted by J.R. | November 18, 2015 | Hired Attorney

Awesome laywer

Aaron was very professional and very knowledgeable. He answered every question i had and kept me updated on everything dealing with my case. I will definitely recommend him to other individuals i come across who are in need of legal assistance.

Posted by Heaveny | October 23, 2015 | Hired Attorney

“Caring, Personable, and Professional”

“Mr. Watson was very knowledgeable and well prepared. His ability to communicate was amazing. He was straightforward and very adaptable. He made me feel very comfortable. He helped me to understand the process with ease.”

Posted by Benjamin | May 27, 2015 | Car Accidents

Superb Attorney

Attorney Watson did a tremendous job in helping to settle my auto accident claim. He is extremely knowledgeable in his area of expertise. I am completely satisfied with the thoroughness of his work. I wholeheartedly recommend Attorney Watson as a capable, trustworthy, loyal Esquire. He'll definitely ...get the job done!

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Aaron L Watson's Lawyer Endorsements

Received

Given

Endorse Aaron

M. James "Jim" Jenkins

Personal injury lawyer | Mar 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Aaron is not only a great courtroom advocate and “communicator’ for people he represents, he is also a man of integrity and compassion in his everyday life. He appreciates that even "small" cases are not small to his clients. He helped a client of mine recently receive an extraordinary outcome based upon an aggravation of a pre-existing injury - no small feat. Aaron is a very hard worker who understands the need to be exceptionally prepared. He is also extremely intelligent and remarkably socially adept, both attributes that make him not only likable but credible. Credibility, in my view, is a lawyer’s most important asset. Aaron is also an extraordinary speaker, probably no doubt influenced by his minister Father, confirmed by his law school successes in “Moot Court” as well as his courtroom victories. His credibility and work ethic also result in extremely successful out of court settlements for his clients. I recommend Aaron without hesitation."

Virginia Buchanan

Litigation lawyer | Jun 05

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. Good at all he does!"

Travis Lepicier

Car accident lawyer | Apr 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jason Williams

Car accident lawyer | Jul 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Aaron is hard working, diligent, thorough and ethical."

Wayne Stephenson

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 01

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Louis Brown

Personal injury lawyer | Mar 03

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer."

Antoine Daniels

Personal injury lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Derrick Connell

Unknown lawyer | Jul 02

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer."

Wesley Bowden

Unknown lawyer | Dec 12

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

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Edward Langford

Personal injury lawyer

Marlon White

Personal injury lawyer

Travis Lepicier

Unknown lawyer

Jason Williams

Car accident lawyer

Perry Cameron

Personal injury lawyer

Wayne Stephenson

Litigation lawyer

M. James "Jim" Jenkins

Criminal defense lawyer

Derrick Connell

Litigation lawyer

Antoine Daniels

Litigation lawyer