Thomas Joseph Jerla Jr.
About Thomas
Biography
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
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
25%-40%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 23 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Location
Whittel & Melton, LLC
3700 Airport Road, Suite 401, Boca Raton, FL, 33431
Whittel & Melton, LLC
11020 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill, FL, 34608
Whittel & Melton, LLC
One Progress Plaza, 200 Central Ave, #400, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701
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Thomas Joseph Jerla Jr.'s Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Roberta | April 30, 2020 | 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 unde...
Posted by Savannah | June 8, 2017 | 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, knowled...
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 outc...
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.
Thomas Joseph Jerla Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is an extremely skilled litigation attorney that fights for his Clients rights."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"Tom is a hardworking knowledgeable attorney who cares about his clients and the outcome of their cases. Strongly endorse and recommend this attorney."
"I endorse this talented and knowledgeable attorney, who is well-respected in the legal community."
"I endorse Thomas. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal 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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"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!!!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is a great advocate for his clients. He works harder than anyone I know for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. great work ethic and very sharp"
Personal injury lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Brain injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Slip and fall accident lawyer
Unknown lawyer
Insurance lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Construction and development lawyer
Experience
Honors
2017
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Top Lawyers of Tampa, The Tampa Tribune
2016
Florida Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Top Lawyers of Tampa, The Tampa Tribune
2015
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Chair Registered Paralegal Committee, Florida Bar
2013
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
Student Education and Admission to Bar Comittee, Florida Bar
2002
Case Note and Comment Editor, Pace Law Review, Pace University School of Law
2002
National Trial Competition Team, Pace University School of Law
2001
National White Collar Crime Trial Competition Team, Pace University School of Law
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Partner, Whittel & Melton, LLC
2015 - 2018
Attorney, Eltringham Law Group, P.A.
2012 - 2015
Attorney, Whittel & Melton, LLC
2009 - 2012
Attorney, Litchfield Cavo LLP
2007 - 2009
Attorney, Bunnell Woulfe & Keller, P.A.
2002 - 2007
Assistant State Attorney, Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office
Associations
2017 - Present
Florida Justice AssociationEagle Member
2016 - Present
The 22 ProjectBoard of Directors
2017 - 2018
Palm Beach County Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Not Guilty
Trial Court Reversed with Instructions to Dismiss Action
Education
2002
Law
1999
BS - Bachelor of Science
Publications
2017
2017
2001
Languages
English
Activity
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