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- Thomas Jerla
Thomas Joseph Jerla Jr.
- Boca Raton, FL
- Licensed for 18 years
About Thomas
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.
Practice areas
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Languages spoken
English
Photos and videos
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Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| FL | Member in Good Standing | 2002 | 06/11/2021 |
| Legal answers | 35 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2017 |
| Top Lawyers of Tampa | The Tampa Tribune | 2016 |
| Florida Rising Star | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2016 |
| AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 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 |
| Case Note and Comment Editor, Pace Law Review | Pace University School of Law | 2002 |
| National Trial Competition Team | Pace University School of Law | 2002 |
| National White Collar Crime Trial Competition Team | Pace University School of Law | 2001 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Justice Association | Eagle Member | 2017 - Present |
| The 22 Project | Board of Directors | 2016 - Present |
| Palm Beach County Bar Association | Member | 2017 - 2018 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Eltringham Law Group Website | What is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance and Why You Should Have It. | 2017 |
| Eltringham Law Group Website | What you need to know before embarking on your next cruise vacation | 2017 |
| Pace University School of Law Land Use Law Center | Preserving Natural Resources Through Local Environmental Laws: A Guidebook for Local Government | 2001 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Pace University School of Law | Law | 2002 |
| Temple University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1999 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Excellent attorney
Posted by Roberta
Thu Apr 30 2020
Excellent Experience
Posted by Savannah
Thu Jun 08 2017
Expert Witness
Posted by Dr. W T
Fri May 22 2015
Federal investigation for wire fraud
Posted by David
Wed Jul 10 2013
Returning Client
Posted by anonymous
Thu Jun 25 2009
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Attorney endorsements
(25)David Datny, Personal injury Attorney on May 25, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Tom is an extremely skilled litigation attorney that fights for his Clients rights.
William Sheslow, Litigation Attorney on Apr 3, 2018
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.
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Jerla is a highly respected attorney with a reputation for excellence in the advocacy of his clients.
Christian Panagakos, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 17, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
David Eltringham, Personal injury Attorney on Jul 1, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Shiobhan Olivero, Car accident Attorney on Jun 11, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Tracee Ivins, Litigation Attorney on Jun 11, 2015
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.
Joel Wilson, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 6, 2014
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.
John Ralls, Litigation Attorney on Jul 22, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this talented and knowledgeable attorney, who is well-respected in the legal community.
Michael Waddington, Personal injury Attorney on May 29, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Thomas. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Elizabeth Panagakos, Litigation Attorney on Sep 17, 2013
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.
Geoffrey Gilbert, Personal injury Attorney on Apr 29, 2013
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.
I have known Sean since he was in law school. He is very smart and very people-driven. I recommend him without reservation.
Ergio Fernandez, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 20, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Rachelle Bocksch, Litigation Attorney on Mar 5, 2013
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.
I endorse this lawyer.Thomas is a dedicated and hard working advocate for his clients.
Jason Pensky, Litigation Attorney on Feb 12, 2013
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!!!
Robert Whittel, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 27, 2013
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.
Evan Oshan, Car accident Attorney on Jan 23, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse this lawyer. great work ethic and very sharp
Cost
- Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.25%-40%
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