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Thomas Joseph Jerla Jr.

Car accident Attorney at Boca Raton, FL

5.0   5 reviews
  • Licensed for 21 years
    State FL
    Acquired 2002
    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.

5
Practice areas
  1. Car accident
    30%
    Mr. Jerla is an experienced trial attorney who represents accident victims in claims for bodily injury. In addition, Mr. Jerla represents victims in auto accident claims for uninsured and underinsured motorist claims against insurance companies.

  2. Personal injury
    25%
    Mr. Jerla primary area of practice involves representing individuals that have been injured in automobile accidents, slip and falls, trips and falls as well as individuals who have been victims due to inadequate security on commerical properties such as shopping malls, parking lots, gas stations, etc.

  3. Litigation
    20%
    Mr. Jerla is an experienced trial attorney. Over the past ten years, Mr. Jerla has handled thousands of cases from their inception through resolution which includes more than 50 trials to verdict.

  4. Wrongful death
    15%
    Mr. Jerla is also dedicated to representing families who have lost a loved one due to the negligence of an individuals, business, nursing home or hospital.

  5. Slip and fall accident
    10%
    Mr. Jerla spent over five years representing shopping centers and other commercial businesses in slip and fall actions. He now brings his defense perspective to Whittel & Melton to help those victims of negligence.

Mr. Jerla has been a resident of South Florida for the past eighteen years.  He focuses his practice on both pre-litigation and litigation of personal injury matters (including but not limited to automobile accidents, premises liability, negligent security), truck accidents and wrongful death cases as well as select criminal defense matters.  Mr. Jerla does not believe in a one size fits all approach.  He and the team at the Whittel and Melton firm work to develop individual strategies for every client's case.  This enables the attorney's and the firm to provide relentless protection as advocates for injured victims.  Mr. Jerla also beliefs that each client should be treated with respect and ideally have their case handled as if it were a family member, close friend or colleague.    

After a brief stint with a South Florida personal injury firm, Mr. Jerla rejoined Whittel and Melton to continue with his persistent and aggressive representation of injured victims.  Prior to dedicating his practice on helping the injured, Mr. Jerla spent more than five years defending insurance companies, individuals and businesses in personal injury, first-party and third-party insurance claims and general commercial matters including matters involving claims for breach of contract against condominiums and homeowners associations, claims for professional and executive liability against realtor and officers and directors of condominiums and homeowners associations, and construction litigation. 

After graduating law school, Mr. Jerla worked as an Assistant State Attorney in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office from August of 2002 through January of 2007. During that time, he tried approximately 45 cases to verdict. Prior to leaving the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, he was assigned to the Economic Crimes Division where he was responsible for the investigation and prosecution of investment fraud, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, healthcare fraud, embezzlement and identity theft.

Tom has been listed as AV® Distinguished™ Peer Review rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell. He was also selected as Superlawyers Rising Star and named as one of Best Lawyers in Tampa Bay in 2015.  Tom is an Eagle Member of the Florida Justice Association.  He is also a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.  He is the former Chair of the Florida Registered Paralegal Committee and previously served on the Florida Bar Association Student Education/Admissions.  Tom also has the honor and privilege to serve on the Board of Directors for The 22 Project - a non-profit dedicated to helping veterans suffering from PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries.

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Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  5 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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Posted by Roberta | April 30, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent attorney
I was referred to Tom Jerla, Attorney by my Accountant. He was our selected attorney that handled my car accident case. Tom was informative and keep me posted every step of the way. He really detailed and he is quick to respond to my calls. Tom would go over things in non-lawyer terms di I would understand. He fought hard and as we went through mediation. He did get me a substantial settlement. I would definitely use and highly recommend Tom Jerla to anyone.
Read less
Posted by Savannah | June 8, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Experience
I was involved in a slip & fall. Mr. Jerla of Eltringham Law represented me in my case. He was knowledgeable, trustworthy and efficient. I highly recommend Mr. Thomas Jerla if you are looking for fast results and dependability!
Posted by Dr. W T | May 22, 2015
Expert Witness
I have been retained as an expert witness by Attorney Tom Jerla on cases dating back to 2007. In each case, I found him to be an excellent attorney. His attention to detail and dedication to his client was unsurpassed. I rate him as "Excellent" in the fields of trust, responsive to clients, knowledge and being kept informed. I would strongly recommend him to potential clients seeking representation in his areas of practice. This posting only allows five stars....I would gladly give him ten stars if possible.
Read less
Posted by David | July 10, 2013
Federal investigation for wire fraud
I received a letter from the US attorney stating I was a target of a investigation for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. I hired Toms firm to represent me and from the first meeting to the very end they guided me, informed me and represented my intersts every step of the way to a very successful outcome. With their representation the Federal Prosecutor declined to press charges.
Read less
Posted by anonymous | June 25, 2009
Returning Client
I have worked with a number of attorneys in the South Florida area and Tom is one of the best when it comes to having a working knowledge of the case and keeping his client informed during the process. He has worked on several cases for our company and has always provided a quality service.

Cost

Rates
  • Contingency 25%-40%
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • Whittel & Melton, LLC
  • 2018 - Present
  • Attorney
  • Eltringham Law Group, P.A.
  • 2015 - 2018
  • Attorney
  • Whittel & Melton, LLC
  • 2012 - 2015
  • Attorney
  • Litchfield Cavo LLP
  • 2009 - 2012
  • Attorney
  • Bunnell Woulfe & Keller, P.A.
  • 2007 - 2009
  • Assistant State Attorney
  • Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office
  • 2002 - 2007
View all work experience

Education

  • Pace University School of Law
  • Law
  • 2002
  • Temple University
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 1999

Legal Cases

  • State v. LaRue - Lake County Florida
  • Not Guilty
  • Intracoastal Point Condomium v. Horowitz, 54 So.3d 528 (Fla. 3d DCA)
  • Trial Court Reversed with Instructions to Dismiss Action

Associations

  • Florida Justice Association
  • Eagle Member
  • 2017 - Present
  • The 22 Project
  • Board of Directors
  • 2016 - Present
  • Palm Beach County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2017 - 2018

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2017
  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2016
  • Florida Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2016
  • Top Lawyers of Tampa
  • The Tampa Tribune
  • 2016
  • Top Lawyers of Tampa
  • The Tampa Tribune
  • 2015
  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2015
  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2014
  • Chair Registered Paralegal Committee
  • Florida Bar
  • 2013
  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2013
  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2012
  • Student Education and Admission to Bar Comittee
  • Florida Bar
  • 2010
  • National Trial Competition Team
  • Pace University School of Law
  • 2002
  • Case Note and Comment Editor, Pace Law Review
  • Pace University School of Law
  • 2002
  • National White Collar Crime Trial Competition Team
  • Pace University School of Law
  • 2001
View all awards

Publications

  • Pace University School of Law Land Use Law Center
  • Preserving Natural Resources Through Local Environmental Laws: A Guidebook for Local Government
  • 2001

Attorney endorsements

Received (25)
Given (29)
Endorse Thomas
Personal injury Attorney | May 25
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is an extremely skilled litigation attorney that fights for his Clients rights."
Litigation Attorney | Apr 03
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is a litigation master. He is tenacious and methodical in his craft and approach to his cases."
Unknown Attorney | Mar 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Jerla is a highly respected attorney with a reputation for excellence in the advocacy of his clients."
Personal injury Attorney | Dec 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Personal injury Attorney | Jul 01
Relationship: Co-worker
"I endorse this lawyer."
Car accident Attorney | Jun 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Litigation Attorney | Jun 11
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Tom for a little over a year. He is very knowledgeable about the law and civil procedure. He wants to best for each of his clients and is willing to work to get them a good result."
Criminal defense Attorney | Aug 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Tom is a hardworking knowledgeable attorney who cares about his clients and the outcome of their cases. Strongly endorse and recommend this attorney."
Litigation Attorney | Jul 22
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this talented and knowledgeable attorney, who is well-respected in the legal community."
Personal injury Attorney | May 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse Thomas. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
Litigation Attorney | Sep 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is a very smart, diligent and natural litigator. His understanding of the law and his professionalism make him a tremendous value to the legal community."
Personal injury Attorney | Apr 29
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"What sets Tom apart from all other attorneys is his level of preparation. His thorough understanding of the subject of the law or the particular issue at hand, and his regard to every detail of a particular matter that he is working on, is simply not rivaled. I personally observed his commitment to excellence in this manner when we worked together as prosecutors. I endorse this lawyer and highly recommend Thomas Jerla for personal injury and wrongful death matters."
Unknown Attorney | Apr 22
Relationship: Other
"I have known Sean since he was in law school. He is very smart and very people-driven. I recommend him without reservation."
Criminal defense Attorney | Apr 20
Relationship: Co-worker
"I endorse this lawyer."
Litigation Attorney | Mar 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Jerla is an experienced lawyer who is passionate about his clients. He maintains a high level of ethics, while fighting vigorously to defend his client's postion."
Unknown Attorney | Mar 05
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I endorse this lawyer.Thomas is a dedicated and hard working advocate for his clients."
Litigation Attorney | Feb 12
Relationship: Friend
"Tom and I have known each other for more than ten years. We attended law school together and represented clients in the Bronx County, New York Criminal Court in law school. After law school, Tom and I were roommates and worked across the aisle from each other at State Attorney and Public Defender. Tom is the hardest working lawyer I know. His attention to detail is hands down tops in the legal profession and doubt that you can find any better. He has now joined the practice of Whittel & Melton and I know he will do well for them and his clients. If you need an attorney to handle any civil litigation matter especially Personal Injury than he is the one you should hire!!!"
Personal injury Attorney | Jan 27
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is a great advocate for his clients. He works harder than anyone I know for his clients."
Car accident Attorney | Jan 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Unknown Attorney | Jan 06
Relationship: Co-worker
"I endorse this lawyer. great work ethic and very sharp"
View more endorsements
Personal injury
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Personal injury
Personal injury
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Slip and fall accident
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Construction and development
Boca Raton Car accident Lawyer Thomas Joseph Jerla Jr.
Thomas Joseph Jerla Jr.
Car accident Attorney
Boca Raton, FL
Licensed for 21 years