Christopher James O'Toole

Christopher James O'Toole

4.6
Rating: 8.2

Licensed for 28 years

Personal injury Lawyer at Fort Lauderdale, FL
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Criminal Defense

1132 SE Third Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL

About Christopher

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Personal Injury 60%

28 years | 2,500 cases

60%
Criminal Defense 40%

29 years | 5,000 cases

40%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Contingency

25%-33%


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 28 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1997

Member in Good Standing

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2006

Location

Justice Law Firm

1132 SE Third Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33316

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Christopher James O'Toole's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

11 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (11) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Robert | May 08, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury

Mr. O'Toole got me over $200,000 on a minor car accident case

Mr. O’Toole had represented me for a few minor driving violations. I told him I had a minor car accident and that my car needed to be fixed. He offered to help me free of charge. When he found out the person that hit me was driving for a pizza company, Mr. O’Toole asked if I was injured. I told h...im I had some neck and back pain. He told me to go to a specialist and if I followed through with my treatment, he would get me a lot of money. A year later, he came through. He ended up settling my case for over $200,000!!! I would never have made a claim if it was not for him. He is the nicest lawyer I ever met. He is easy to talk to and always available. He is a master of personal injury!

Posted by Steven | May 26, 2015 | Personal Injury

Very nice, extremely knowledgeable, and patient. Great attorney!!

I was hit by a car and was in the hospital for a few days. I had so many lawyers come to the hospital to see me while I was there. I have no clue how they found out about me or knew my information (I suspect the hospital staff) but it was kind of annoying. My friend recommended Christopher O'T...oole and I called him. He came to the hospital on a Sunday and spent a few hours with me. The other lawyers only sent their "runners" to come and see me. I was able to speak with Mr. O'Toole almost every day on his cel phone as I had a lot of questions about my health insurance, car insurance, disability, medicaid, etc. He was very nice and patient with me. I know he has several offices and secretaries, but I always spoke with him - not his staff. When it came time to settle my case, he came to my house and made sure I understood all of the paperwork. I would never have guessed he has over 17 years of experience because he looks younger. By the way, he got me the maximum money as I am sure every other lawyer could have. The difference was that he gave me personal attention and service.

See All Client Reviews

Christopher James O'Toole's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Christopher
William Todd Direnzo headshot
William Direnzo

Personal injury lawyer | May 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I had the opportunity to work with Chris at the State Attorney's Office in the late 90's. Since then, we have worked together on many Personal Injury cases. In working with Chris, his knowledge of personal injury law is impressive. He has always had a great personality and that carries over to his dealings with his clients. He explains legal matters in a way a non-lawyer can understand, always returns telephone calls and emails, and always gives a bit more time to clients than need a little further explanation. His trail skills and ability to think on his feet in the courtroom make him a great trial lawyer."

Gary Stephen Ostrow headshot
Gary Ostrow

Personal injury lawyer | May 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Chris is among the top prosecutors I have tried cases against despite the hundreds I have opposed. Chris then focused on Personal Injury and was awarded one of the largest multi-million dollar verdicts against a city gaining attention on a national level. Having been in the jury trial arena for over 30 years, I bring Chris in on a co-counsel basis despite the countless civil lawyers I have been exposed to. My trust in Chris knows no bounds and because of this I will continue to maintain both a professional and personal relationship with this litigator. There is little I can say further to sing the praises of such a determined, successful and unselfish guy. Chris O'toole would be an extreme asset to any case or cause of action requiring an outstanding advocate. I cannot say enough about this top professional litigator and civil trial co counsel as it relates to his professional talents and abilities."

Dave L. Simmons headshot
Dave Simmons

Personal injury lawyer | Jul 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Warren Scott Kirschbaum headshot
Warren Kirschbaum

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 25

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Otoole at the State Attorney's office in 1998 and 1999. He was the first of our group of attorneys who started together to be moved up to the Felony division. I found his trial skills to be excellent and he always seemed to really care. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for criminal or civil representation."

Corey Adam Leifer headshot
Corey Leifer

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Chris O'Toole for over ten years and we worked together as prosecutors at the Broward County State Attorney's Office back in 1998 & 1999. Chris has a work ethic that is second to none and is easily one of the most talented trial lawyers in South Florida. Chris has served as lead counsel in numerous high profile criminal cases and also has extensive civil litigation experience. Chris is highly respected throughout the legal community in South Florida and takes pride in his work regardless of how big or small a particular case may be. I have worked with Chris as co-counsel on various criminal and personal injury matters and I would highly reccomend him to anyone seeking a criminal defense or personal injury attorney."

View All Endorsements
William Todd Direnzo headshot
William Direnzo

Criminal defense lawyer

Gary Stephen Ostrow headshot
Gary Ostrow

Criminal defense lawyer

Dave L. Simmons headshot
Dave Simmons

Criminal defense lawyer

Corey Adam Leifer headshot
Corey Leifer

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.2 (Excellent)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2006.

Admonishment issued in FL, 2006

updated on 05/09/2016

An admonition means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The Bar gives the lawyer an admonition in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Work Experience

1999 - 2000

Litigation Associate, Baker & Zimmerman, P.A. , P.A.

1997 - 1999

Prosecutor, Broward County State Attorney's Office

Associations

2007 - Present

Broward County Bar Association

Member

1999 - Present

Federal Bar Association District Court

Member

1997 - Present

Florida Bar

Member

1998 - 2001

American Trial Lawyers Association

Member

1997 - 2001

Florida Justice Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Sakharoff v. Boca Raton Police and Stephanie Lynn

$3 Million Dollar Award

State v. Hall

Not Guilty

State v. Thompson

Not Guilty

State v. Sakharoff/Sakharoff v. City of Boca Raton

Criminal Case Dismissed - City Settled for Maximum

See More Legal Cases

Education

1997

Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law Center

Juris Doctor

1993

Florida Atlantic University

Bachelors

Languages

English

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2006
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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