Thomas Joseph Jerla Jr.

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.