Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
21 Client Reviews
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.
7
Practice Areas
17 years
17 years
17 years
33%-40%
10 %
State: Florida
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Other places you can find Aaron online.
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Character & Conduct
Posted by Tai | July 04, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Excellent Experience
Dependable, Determined, Knowledgeable, Compassionate, Understanding, and Experienced, these were the things that I was looking for, while searching for an attorney to help me with my personal injury case, and all of these things, were the things that I found in Aaron Watson. It was a long process, se...
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 Kimberly | February 24, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes
One of the best personal injury attorney's in Florida
Aaron Watson is a wonderful attorney. He is a bulldog in the court room and thinks outside of the box when preparing for trial. He has several multimillion dollar verdicts under his belt and always gives his clients 110%. He is very knowledgeable, wonderful to work with and is empathetic to each clie...
Posted by Larry | February 24, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes
A++ Lawyer and Staff
Mr. Watson did a wonderful job on my case. He spoke with me on my level. He returned my phone calls and he was very pleasant to talk to. Each time I met with him in his office, he would would greet me with a smile and ask about my family. He gave me personal attention and made me feel like he cared...
Posted by James | January 23, 2015 | Personal Injury
One of Us
Aaron Watson isn't just an Attorney,He represents all of us,who may feel like your situation is a David vs Goliath.Aaron Watson has stood against the Goliaths and with Faith and Courage that comes from his upbringing.When I was looking for representation,I knew Aaron was the one I needed not just for...
"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."
Personal injury lawyer
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Car accident lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Litigation lawyer
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2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2016
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2016
AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale Hubbell
2016
Top 100 US Black Attorneys, National Black Lawyers
2015
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2015
Living The Dream Award, Studer Group
2014
Top 50 Verdicts in US - Hendrix v. Burford's Tree, National Law Journal
2014
Million Dollar Advocates Inductee, Life Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2014
Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association
2009
National Champion Trial Competition, American Association for Justice
2016 - Present
Owner, The Watson Firm, PLLC.
2009 - Present
General Counsel, Englewood Baptist Church
2009 - Present
Shareholder, Levin Papantonio Thomas Mitchell Echsner & Proctor, PA
2009 - 2009
Law Clerk, Willie Gary Law
2008 - 2008
Legal Intern, Ruden McClosky
2007 - 2007
Intern, Florida Attorney General's Office Of Statewide Prosecution
2006 - 2006
Intern, Criminal Defense Law Firm
2019 - Present
Stetson University College of LawBoard of Governors Member
2015 - Present
Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of AmericaMember
2011 - Present
American Association for JusticeBoard of Governors
2011 - Present
Florida Justice AssociationBoard of Directors
2009 - Present
Order of BarristersMember
2009 - Present
Florida BarMember
2009 - Present
Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Phi Alpha DeltaMember
2003 - Present
Phi Beta SigmaMember
2010 - 2014
YMCABoard of Directors
$12.M Verdict
$3.3M
$500,000.00
$192,000.00
2009
Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor
2005
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2005
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2016
2015
2013
2013
2015
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
English
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