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Thomas Lee Hunker

Appeals Attorney at Fort Lauderdale, FL

5.0   11 reviews

also known as Tom Hunker

  • State Years
    Illinois - IL 10 years
    Florida - FL 16 years
  • Licensed for 10 years
    State IL
    Acquired 2012
    Status
    Active and Authorized to Practice Law No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 16 years
    State FL
    Acquired 2007
    Status
    Member in Good Standing No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Thomas

Learn Thomas’s areas of practice.

1
Practice area

Tom Hunker is a Board Certified, AV Rated appellate attorney with many years of experience at the trial and appellate levels. Tom has successfully briefed and argued numerous appeals in state and federal courts in a broad range of practice areas. Throughout his career, clients and other lawyers and law firms have relied on Tom's knowledge and expertise in formulating litigation strategies and presenting winning arguments.

Prior to founding Hunker Appeals, Tom graduated law school magna cum laude, interned for the Florida House of Representatives, clerked for the Florida Supreme Court, served as in house appellate counsel for a motor vehicle insurance company, and led a successful team of appellate attorneys as a Partner at one of the largest law firms in Florida.

Tom currently serves as a member of the Florida Bar Appellate Practice Certification Committee, a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Claims Defense Network, and as General Counsel for an international manufacturing and production company. Tom focuses his practice on cases involving novel and intellectually challenging issues and employs his unique skill set in developing innovative solutions for his clients.

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Thomas Hunker
110 SE 6th Street
Suite 2330
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  11 customer reviews
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Posted by anonymous | September 24, 2014
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Verified Review Avvo verified that the reviewer consulted or engaged this lawyer
Business advice session
Thomas Lee Hunker was very professional and very helpful to me. He even offered me the name of an attorney in my area, to go ahead with my issue.
Posted by Mitch | May 17, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great advice on FLSA Issue
Mr. Hunker worked through my FLSA related questions, provided great and punctual legal advice concerning, and communicated it so a layman could understand it. I feel much more confident and knowledgeable about the issue after receiving his services than before. His expertise was a big help to my defense of the matter. I would not hesitate to consult with his firm again if the need arises.
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Posted by anonymous | April 21, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Honest, Knowledgable and Professional
Mr. Hunker took my case promptly. He was able to negotiate the payment terms and conditions according to what was fair and made sure my rights were protected. He did it expeditiously. He was always available for questions, non judgemental and easy to work with.
Posted by anonymous | February 26, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
An Enthusiastic Recommendation
Mr. Hunker provided me with incite and meaningful information during an hour's consultation. I hired him immediately to represent me in a commercial dispute. Despite being a small case, Mr. Hunker was promptly and totally responsive to my timetable and to questions on legal matters. He provided a demand letter within a few days which led to mediation backed up by a contingency approach to litigation. My dispute was resolved in mediation within six weeks of first talking to Mr. Hunker. Mr. Hunker provided me with sound legal advice and was an enthusiastic advocate for my position. Billing was reasonable and without padded hours. I highly recommend him.
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Posted by Einar Jordan | February 26, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very effective Lawyer
After interviewing several lawyers that basically told me I am screwed. I employed Mr. Thomas services to represent me. With his help I didn't have to go to court, didn't even have to negotiate, he achieved an uncontested settlement on my behalf under three weeks. This saved me traveling expenses, stress, and missing work. I can't say enough good things about him. Thank you Thomas for all your help.
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Posted by Missie | May 24, 2015
Exceptional Care
I was first impressed with his research in the case. I was secondly impressed with his knowledge of the laws regarding the difficult topic of the case. I was pleasantly surprised at his concern for the well-being of ALL others this case may affect in the future. I found him compassionate to the case. His integrity is unmatched compared to other attorneys I had interviewed. You cannot beat his level of experience or passion for the best outcome for all considered. If you are looking for an attorney, your search is over.
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Posted by Marielena | October 11, 2014
Excellent
Mr. Thomas Hunker is an amazing attorney. He's is very thorough, competitive and knowledgable in his field. He dedicated a substantial amount of time with my case and we closed the case successfully. Mr. Hunker is also a reasonable attorney and I highly recommend him.
Posted by Marvin | October 9, 2014
Professional, Exceptional and One of the BEST in South Florida!!
I've had several "Not So Great" experiences with attorneys and I said to myself, I just hope one day I will find an attorney who's not just after my hardworking money. After hiring attorney Thomas Hunker, I immediately regain FAITH again. Mr Hunker listens to your situation carefully, make sure he understands it, and gives you his honest feedback. Once he is hired, HE SURELY GOES TO WORK!!! He communicates very well to keep you updated on everything. He is very professional. He is simply worth the investment!!
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Posted by anonymous | September 28, 2014
The Lawyer you can Trust
Attorney Thomas Hunker is very trustworthy and knowledgeable in his field. He handled a misdemeanor case for me and through the process his communication was very consistent. Mr Hunker kept me informed on any issues and positive changes on the case. His knowledge, research and communication is what makes Mr Hunker the lawyer I will use and recommend. His advise were to the point, and very supportive to the case. Thank you
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Posted by anonymous | July 10, 2014
MR. HUNKER, THE MIRACLE WORKER: Major League Attorney in the Making
What Mr. Hunker did for me is nothing short of a miracle. I had an open case and a bench warrant. I had no idea what to do or where to start. Fortunately, I was referred to Mr. Hunker for a consultation. Despite not specializing in criminal defense, he dove into my case and got to work. If I didn't know better, I would have no trouble believing he had 20+ years of experience working criminal defense cases. Within hours of our first conversation he developed a plan of action which included assigning me homework (a "to-do" and document request list), placing several phone calls to the State Attorney and my prior public defender, and pulling all of my records. Mind you, this all happened after "regular working hours" on a Friday, and without asking for a penny. He treated me as if I was his best friend and even kept my parents in the loop (with my consent, of course). Without going into too much detail, the odds were stacked against me. Upon surrender, I was likely going to see the judge, be processed, spend a day or two in jail, post bond, and serve community service with a conviction ending up on my record . That was the best case scenario. However, Mr. Hunker discovered and presented a little-known FL Statute which applied to my case and convinced the Stare Attorney's office to withhold adjudication. I didn't even have stand before a judge! Mr. Hunker negotiated a plea that kept me out of jail and a conviction off my record. I firmly believe that by the Grace of God Mr. Hunker was able to help me. His work allowed me the opportunity to have second chance at life and not be permanently affected by the results of a poor decision. I feel as if a huge weight was lifted and I can finally move on with my life. If Mr. Hunker would have colored between the lines and just went through the motions like so many other attorneys do, I'd have a criminal record right now which could impair my ability to get a decent job in the future. He didn't judge me or my circumstances, and instead offered sound advice and genuine, sincere support. Mr. Hunker actually cared about me, my case, and most importantly, my future. From what I understand and the research I've done, Mr. Hunker is primarily an appeals attorney, and a stellar one at that with considerable accomplishment in that field. Even so, I would trust him with any of my legal matters in the future. Mr. Hunker is the kind of versatile attorney that could excel in any arena due to his superb research ability, insight, and ability to present a compelling, fact-based argument. In closing, I highly recommend Mr. Hunker for your consideration. He is honest, tenacious, energetic and creative. His fees are reasonable and he is an all-around good and caring person (Not to be confused with soft and weak; I'm sure he can be a bulldog when he needs to.) But you don't have to take my word for it, if you give him a chance, he'll prove it to you and make you a client for life. You can thank me later for the introduction; I'm still thanking the person who did the same for me.
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Posted by lawrence | July 2, 2014
sharp, knowledgeable and incredibly diligent
Mr Hunker helped our family secure prompt reimbursement from a private school our nephew had been enrolled on and, before his involvement, was unwilling to remit payment. He kept us informed of all developments and was very diligent in contacting and following up with this out-of-state school, and was very much knowledgeable of the law regarding this matter.
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Contact for Details

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Managing Partner
  • Hunker Appeals
  • 2021 - Present
  • Partner
  • Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A.
  • 2016 - 2021
  • President and Managing Partner
  • The Hunker Law Group, P.A.
  • 2014 - 2016
  • Appellate and Litigation Attorney
  • United Automobile Insurance Company
  • 2008 - 2015
  • Law Clerk/Staff Attorney
  • Florida Supreme Court
  • 2006 - 2008
  • Legislative Intern
  • Florida House Of Representatives
  • 2005 - 2006
View all work experience

Education

  • Florida State University College of Law
  • Juris Doctor
  • 2006

Associations

  • Florida Bar Appellate Practice Certification Committee
  • Member
  • 2018 - Present
  • Broward County Bar Association
  • Member
  • N/A

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • The Florida Bar
  • Board Certified in Appellate Practice
  • 2016
  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2014
  • 10 out of 10
  • Avvo.com
  • 2014
  • Client's Choice Award
  • Avvo.com
  • 2014
View all awards

Publications

  • Daily Business Review
  • The Value of Litigation Support Counsel in Preserving the Record for Appeal
  • 2015
  • Daily Business Review
  • Practice Focus: New Standard of Evidence May Create Opportunities
  • 2013
  • Daily Business Review
  • Practice Focus: PIP Rulings May Have Far Reaching Consequences
  • 2013
  • Daily Business Review
  • Practice Focus: Decision Changed the Legal Game on PIP Benefits
  • 2013
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Annual Conference
  • When to Defend: Common Coverage Defenses and When to Raise Them
  • 2019
  • Annual Conference
  • Medicare Secondary Payer and Medicaid Third Party Liability
  • 2019

Attorney endorsements

Received (14)
Given (10)
Endorse Thomas
Lawsuits and disputes Attorney | Apr 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Hunker is a phenomenal attorney. He is well spoken, well versed and exceptionally competent."
Appeals Attorney | Nov 05
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Tom for the past 5 years. He is an excellent attorney who is detail oriented and very knowledgeable of the law. I would not hesitate to recommend his services to anyone looking for representation regarding a litigation and/or appellate matter."
Unknown Attorney | Oct 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Hunker is an extraordinary lawyer! I have had the opportunity to work with him in the insurance industry for 6 years He is reliable and dependable, always promptly responding to legal matters and requests He is overwhelmingly knowledgeable and skilled in legal research and writing I have read countless briefs and motions authored by Mr. Hunker and I have relied on them to argue my own cases His writings and oral arguments are clear and concise, I recently watched his oral argument in front of the 3rd DCA and it was excellent! He has had tremendous success in the legal field and has earned the respect of his clients and peers in South Florida I endorse Thomas Hunker!"
Appeals Attorney | Oct 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Hunker is a very well respected appellate attorney who I believe to be one of the best in the state. I am so confident in Mr. Hunker's skills that I have referred my own clients to Mr. Hunker in the past and will continue to do so. I highly recommend his services."
Appeals Attorney | Oct 22
Relationship: Co-worker
"I have known and worked with Thomas for many years and have always found him dependable, efficient and provides great work product. I endorse this lawyer."
Appeals Attorney | Oct 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Thomas Hunker is an excellent attorney. Not only is he knowledgable about so many topics, but if he is unsure of an answer he will take the time to research the answer with you despite having other work pending. I have watched Mr. Hunker argue in front of the 3rd DCA, and other courts, and read his briefs. His arguments are cogent and do not dance around the issues. Mr. Hunker is an excellent appellate attorney with skills beyond his years."
Appeals Attorney | Oct 16
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Hunker is a intelligent and intuitive attorney. His problem solving skills are excellent. I highly recommend him for any appellate or research and writing endeavor."
Appeals Attorney | Oct 13
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom Hunker is an excellent researcher and writer and is extremely knowledgeable about insurance matters."
Appeals Attorney | Aug 21
Relationship: Co-worker
"I endorse Mr. Hunker with no reservation because he is an extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community. I’ve had the unique opportunity to work with him on numerous appellate issues and he has shown to be very knowledgeable, hardworking and diligent. With a considerable amount of experience litigating the most complex appellate issues, Mr. consistently achieves superior results, knows the law well and truly cares about protecting the rights of clients and achieving the most favorable result possible."
Appeals Attorney | Aug 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have read Mr. Hunker's appellate briefs and I have watched him argue in court. He is very knowledgeable in appellate procedure and is always well prepared. I highly recommend him for any legal need."
Car accident Attorney | Jul 18
Relationship: Other
"Mr. Hunker has provided practical and helpful information to individuals on AVVO. His comments show that he is knowledgeable and concerned for their all-around well being. Mr. Thomas Hunker is an asset to the AVVO community and his clients are in company of responsible counsel. I endorse this lawyer."
Appeals Attorney | Jul 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Thomas Hunker is very knowledgeable and can always articulate his points clearly and intelligently. He's thorough in his research and always someone I go to for assistance when I'm troubled on a legal issue."
Appeals Attorney | Jul 02
Relationship: Friend
"I've known Thomas since law school. You can't find a more capable and trustworthy attorney."
Insurance Attorney | Jul 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Hunker is an excellent attorney with a vast knowledge of appellate and insurance law, as well as many others areas of law. He is extremely professional, with a phenomenal reputation in the local community and beyond. I strongly endorse Mr. Hunker."
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Fort Lauderdale Appeals Lawyer Thomas Lee Hunker
Thomas Lee Hunker
Appeals Attorney
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Licensed for 16 years