Patrick Russell

Patrick Russell is a Trial Partner at Lydecker | Diaz and has been practicing law since 1994. He practices out of the firm’s Miami office where he maintains an active trial practice throughout the State of Florida. In addition to his trial work, Patrick is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Civil Mediator and leads the Mediation practice group at the firm. Patrick Russell is available to mediate matters involving commercial litigation, contract disputes, first-party insurance claims, and personal injury/premises liability matters. Patrick’s philosophy for mediation is based on the four core principles of active listening, proper speech, impeccable actions, and empathy for all the participants. The goal is to have a meaningful mediation for all the parties that results in mutual respect, understanding, and ultimately a resolution for the dispute.

Prior to joining Lydecker | Diaz, Mr. Russell was a Bar Counsel and ethics trial lawyer for The Florida Bar. He has more than two decades of previous legal experience in private practice, and this diverse legal experience includes business entities and startups, commercial litigation, condominium associations, debt collection and judgment enforcement, insurance law, personal injury, product liability, and real estate law matters.

Professional Experience

Patrick Russell is a native of the State of Wisconsin and has resided in Florida since 1990 upon moving here to attend law school. Upon graduation from the University of Miami School of Law, he joined a national check guarantee company as general counsel and handled all of its commercial litigation claims. Mr. Russell later mentored under a prominent member of the Florida House of Representatives where he was actively involved in Hurricane Andrew insurance claims on behalf of homeowners as well as co-counsel for commercial evictions, probate matters, and transactional work involving business licensing and sales. Afterwards, Mr. Russell formed his own law firm which he managed for over eighteen years. During this time, he maintained a busy and diverse practice that included both litigation and transactional work involving insurance law, business law, contracts, and real estate. Past clients have included the State of Florida, Aries Insurance Company, American Skyhawk Insurance Company, Virginia Tech University, Aljoma Lumber, ARI Shipping, Bay View East Condominium Association, Patricia Condominium Association, Premiere Center for Cosmetic Surgery, PuroClean of South Miami, Stones Supplier of the World, Sundial Towers Condominium Association, and .

Professional and Community Involvement

The Florida Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Chair-Elect, Past Secretary
The Florida Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Executive Council
The Florida Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Chair – Health and Wellness Committee
Florida Supreme Court Certified Civil Circuit Court Mediator
Director for the nonprofit Making History Project ()
Former Bar Grievance Committee Member, 11th Judicial Circuit
Past volunteer as a Guardian Ad Litem for minor settlements, 11th Judicial Circuit

Education

University of Miami School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1993
Intern – Athletic Department for NCAA compliance
Entertainment & Sports Law Society
Employment & Labor Law Society
Marquette University, Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, 1990
Founder – MU Pre-Law Society
Vice-President – Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Society
Secretary – Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
Senator – ASMU student government

Admissions

State of Florida
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Recent Presentations

“Mindfulness Negotiation Techniques: Getting to We”, Collaborative Family Law Institute, Coral Gables, Florida, November 2019.
“Law and Ethics Update for Insurance Adjusters”, York Risk, Boca Raton, Florida, June 2019.
"Technology Competence and Legal Ethics", Legal Malpractice and Professional Liability Roundtable, University of Miami School of Law Center for Ethics and Public Service, Coral Gables, Florida, April 2019.
“Mediation Skills and Ethical Advocacy for Trial Lawyers”, The Florida Bar, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Live Webinar, August 2018.
“Technology Ethics”, National Legal Aid & Defender Association, Litigation and Advocacy Leader Conference, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, July 2018.
“From Hello to Goodbye, Legal Malpractice and Professional Liability Roundtable”, University of Miami School of Law Center for Ethics and Public Service, Coral Gables, Florida, May 2018.
“How to Avoid a Bar Complaint”, Meland Russin & Budwick, Miami, Florida, April 2018.
“Ethical Implications of Social Media and Technology”, ABA Entertainment Law Symposium, Miami Beach, Florida, April 2018.
“How to Avoid a Bar Complaint and (Gasp!) What to Do if You Get One”, GALLA Luncheon, Miami, Florida, March 2018.
“Professionalism and Ethics”, Professional Responsibility & Ethics Program, University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida, January 2018.
“Mediation and Lawyer Ethics”, Advanced Mediation Training 8.0 Hour CME, Effective Mediation Consultants, Miami, Florida, December 2017.