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Derrick R Connell
About Derrick
Biography
Call Derrick on his cell phone at to discuss your case.
Derrick R. Connell manages the Melbourne, Florida office of Morgan & Morgan, P.A.
Derrick’s practice focuses on representing clients injured in serious automobile accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, general personal injury cases and other forms of negligence. Derrick believes that everyone deserves the best possible representation no matter how big or small their case.
Over the years, Derrick has obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients. He is no stranger in the courtroom. His most recent trial victory involved a complex premises liability case against a large corporation. In 2015, he obtained a $1.14 million verdict in an automobile crash. And prior to that, Derrick prevailed in a complex product liability case against a major corporation. The trial, which lasted more than two weeks, was the first successful trial of its kind against the defendant corporation. Derrick has also secured excess verdicts in numerous motor vehicle collision trials.
Derrick has been named Top 40 under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers for three straight years; named a “Rising Star” by Florida Super Lawyers magazine—an annual publication that recognizes the top 2.5% of the state’s young lawyers; and given an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell - this rating signifies that his peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence for his legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Derrick is a member of the Brevard County Bar Association and the Florida Justice Association. He is a recipient of the Bronze Eagle Award, presented by the FJA; recipient of the Judge T. Mitchell Barlow Young Lawyer Professionalism Award; received the 10 Best of 2015 in Client Satisfaction from the American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers and was named as one of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel in 2015. Derrick also serves on the Stetson College of Law – Stetson Lawyers Advisory Council and is a past BCBA Young Lawyers Board Member.
Derrick, a Lanier County Georgia native, earned his Bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University in 2004 and his Master of Business Administration from Stetson University in 2009. He earned his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law with a Concentration in Advocacy. While in law school, Mr. Connell was a teaching assistant, Stetson Ambassador, Student Bar Association Member and recipient of the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award.
As a member of Stetson’s nationally ranked Trial Team, Mr. Connell was a two-time National Trial Champion. He first won the AAJ STAC, beating over 240 teams from law schools around the country. Then in 2009 Mr. Connell won the National Civil Trial Competition, where he was named the Best Advocate in both the preliminary and final rounds – a first for this event. He was also a Moot Court Board Associate Justice – winning the 2009 E. Earle Zehmer Moot Court Competition.
Mr. Connell was a Judicial Intern to the Honorable Judge D. Horrox and the Honorable Judge D. Demers, a Certified Legal Intern in The Sixth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office and a Legal Intern for the United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida.
Upon graduation from Stetson University College of Law, Mr. Connell was honored as a recipient of the Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award, inducted into The National Order of Barristers and awarded the prestigious Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award. In 2015, Valdosta State University presented Derrick with the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus award.
Derrick is married to Kelly R. Connell and together they have a son.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
20%-40%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 15 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2010
No misconduct found
Location
Morgan & Morgan
940 South Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL, 32901
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Derrick R Connell's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 16 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Valerie | June 11, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Lawery
Derrick Connell took excellent care of me. He didn't just settle for what they wanted to give me even after going to court. He didn't settle for what was ruled on and I did get more money.
Posted by Jonathon | June 10, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great lawyer
One of the most intelligent and empathetic people, let alone lawyers, I’ve ever met. Was there for me throughout the entirety of my case and never left me in the dark. If any of my friends or family ever needed a lawyer I would recommend him in a heartbeat.
Posted by anonymous | April 3, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Loved working with Derrick Connell
Mr. Connell and his staff made my car accident case settle in a timely manner that made healing comfortable and worry-free. They contacted me through email and phone calls to eliminate unnecessary travel. They made correspondence easy and quickly. My settlement covered all expenses, with some left o...
Posted by Alberto | August 2, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Slip and Fall Case
Derrick and his assistant Teresa worked very hard on my case. I appreciate the personal attention provided throughout the entire process. I would not hesitate to contact Derrick again in the future.
Posted by Katherine | July 29, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Highly Recommended
Derrick has been by my side through my case every step of the way. He is honest, trustworthy, reliable, patient and persistent. He has had my best interest at mind and is producing the best possible outcome.
Derrick R Connell's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Derrick is a family man, a leader in the community and a heck of a trial lawyer... I would be proud to call him my lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I fully endorse Derrick."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington
Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I highly endorse Mr. Connell. He's a true go-getter and an extremely gifted lawyer who gives 110% to all of his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer for being an advocate for clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Derrick has an excellent reputation. He also shares the same phone number as my office: 444-4444."
"I know Mr. Connell to be an excellent lawyer. He exhibits the greatest of core values of character, competence and commitment to the legal profession"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Connell is an excellent trial lawyer, and zealously advocates for his clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Mr. Connell. He is a both respected by clients as well as by colleagues in the legal field. He is a proven asset to the legal profession."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse attorney Derrick Connell. He donates his time to provide excellent legal answers on Avvo from citizens seeking advise. A respected member within the legal community."
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Experience
Honors
2017
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2017
40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2017
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2015
40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2015
10 Best, American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers
2015
Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
Distinguished Alumni, Valdosta State University
2015
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2014
Professionalism Award, Brevard County Bar Association
2014
40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2014
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2011
Bronze Eagle Award, Florida Justice Association
2009
Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award, Stetson University College of Law
2009
William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award, Stetson University College of Law
2009
Foreman Award, Stetson
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Managing Attorney, Morgan & Morgan
2014 - 2015
Founder, Connell Law Group
2014 - 2014
Partner, Plaintiff Law Firm
2010 - 2013
Associate, Plaintiff Law Firm
2009 - 2009
Certified Legal Intern, State Attorney's Office
2008 - 2008
Legal Intern, United States Attorney's Office
2008 - 2009
Judicial Intern, Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Associations
2012 - Present
Stetson Lawyers' Association, Advisory CouncilMember
2010 - Present
Brevard County Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
Florida Justice AssociationEagle Member
2010 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
American Association for JusticeMember
2010 - Present
Stetson Lawyers' AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Order of BarristersMember
2011 - 2013
Brevard County Bar Association, Young Lawyers DivisionBoard Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Bartley vs. LM General
$160,000 verdict
Chaires vs. Cocoa Expo
Verdict: $150,000
Barnes vs. Fitzpatrick
$1.14 million
Behlke vs. McCauley
Plaintiff's Verdict of $106,433.14
BROWN vs. WITT
$550,000 verdict
Comella vs. Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
$2,894,627.00
Education
2009
Stetson University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2009
Stetson University
MBA - Master of Business Administration
2004
University of Georgia, Valdosta State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
Annual Breakfast
Premises Liability
Languages
Spanish
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
I went ER for poison snake bite, the ER did nothing , I was given a sheet of paper that said , NO treatment,what to do???
06 Nov 2014
Q&A
Should i sign 3 affidavits for a car accident that i caused i had a low blood sugar
03 Nov 2014
Q&A
Is there a range of what a settlement for herniated disk should be?
07 Oct 2014