About Robert
The Heyman Law Firm - 37 Years of Personal Injury and Criminal Trial Law: Local, Experienced, Trial Tested
I have practiced Personal Injury and Criminal Trial Law in the Tampa Bay area for 37 years. I take pride in giving my clients prompt, professional and personal care of their legal issues. I have extensive trial experience which I have gained by working as a prosecutor, in a large civil firm, and now as a sole practitioner in St Petersburg. While not all cases proceed to trial, I am prepared to do so in all my cases and I believe that has enabled me to obtain more favorable settlements and dispositions in both civil and criminal cases.
As far as my personal background, I grew up in Barrington Rhode Island and moved to Florida in 1975 to attend Eckerd College in St Petersburg, where I graduated with a BA degree in Political Science in 1979.
I thereafter attended Stetson College of Law and obtained my JD degree in 1982. Upon graduation, I was hired as an Assistant State Attorney for Pinellas County and remained in that position for 14 1/2 years. While serving as a prosecutor, I personally tried over 100 jury trials, including 25 1st Degree Murders, together with other complicated cases involving drug trafficking, bank robbery, sexual battery and arson. I served as a felony division director from 1990 to 1997, at which time I entered private practice in Clearwater, where I limited my practice to criminal defense and insurance defense cases. I later gravitated towards Plaintiff Personal Injury cases as well.
Since entering private practice I have appeared on numerous occasions as a legal commentator on "Nightline", Court TV and MSNBC's "Internight" show, analyzing cases of national significance, most often from the perspective of a former prosecutor.
In 2008, I formed the Heyman Law Firm,PA in St Petersburg, Fl and limit my practice to Plaintiff's Personal Injury , Medical Malpractice and Criminal Defense cases. I offer free consultations and pride myself in providing personal attention to each of my clients, through trial if necessary.
I live in St Petersburg with my wife Lorrie and have two adult daughters, Lindsay is a graphic designer in Greenville, SC and Kylie is an actor residing in New York City.
Practice areas
- Personal injury: 50%
In 1997 I began my civil practice primarily representing insurance comanies and self-insured corporations in liability claims. I gradually turned my focus to represent injured parties. My civil practice is now 100% focused on plaintiffs' claims involving Auto Accidents, Premises Liability and Medical Malpractice cases. I personally manage each case from the initial interview through litigation and trial if necessary.
24 years, 500 cases
- Criminal defense: 20%
15 years as a prosecutor, 12 years as a criminal defense attorney. I have personally tried over 125 jury trials, ranging from DUI to Sexual Battery, White Collar Crime, Bank Robbery and Capital Murder.
39 years, 2,500 cases
- Car accident: 20%
- Medical malpractice: 5%
Languages spoken
English
Photos and videos
Contact
Heyman Law Firm
111 2nd Avenue NE, Suite 1001
Suite 1001
St. Petersburg, FL, 33701
- Office (727) 822-3700
- Office (727) 339-5570
- Fax (727) 822-3710
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| FL | Member in Good Standing | 1983 | 06/11/2021 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| "Premier 100" Florida Trial Attorneys | American Academy of Trial Attorneyslawyers | 2015 |
| Florida's "Top 100" Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2012 |
| "Tampa Bay's Best Lawyers" | Tampa Bay Magazine | 2010 |
| AV Rated attorney | Martindale Hubbell | 2007 |
| Order of Kentucky Colonels | State Of Kentucky | 1989 |
| Commendation | U.S. Department of Justice | 1988 |
|---|---|---|
| Commendation | Federal Bureau of Investigation | 1988 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Shareholder / Attorney | Zimmet,Unice, Salzman & Heyman, PA | 2001 - 2008 |
| Associate Attorney | Tew, Zinober, Barnes, Zimmet & Unice, PA | 1997 - 2001 |
| Assistant State Attorney | Pinellas County State Attorneys Office | 1982 - 1997 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| American Academy of trial Attorneys | N/A | 2015 - Present |
| National Trial Lawyers Association | N/A | 2012 - Present |
| Florida Justice Association ( Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers) | N/A | 2008 - Present |
| Pinellas County Criminal Defense Attorneys Association | N/A | 2006 - Present |
| St. Petersburg Bar Association | N/A | 2000 - Present |
| Florida Bar | N/A | 1982 - Present |
|---|
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Stetson College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1982 |
| Eckerd College | BA | 1979 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| ABC "Nightline" | James Dailey murder trial | 2020 |
| MSNBC "Internight" Program | ValueJet crash | 1999 |
| MSNBC "Internight" Program | Marv Albert Trial | 1998 |
| MSNBC"Internight" program | "Melissa Drexler" -The "Prom Mom" murder case | 1997 |
| MSNBC "Internight" Program | Aisenberg baby disappearance investigation | 1997 |
| MSNBC "Internight" Program | Jon Benet Ramsey murder investigation | 1997 |
|---|
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Buitrano v. Feaster 2014 WL 749831( Fla. 2nd DCA 12/31/14) | Affirmed in part, reversed in part |
| Bellamy v State 977 So2d 682 (Fla 2d 2008) | 2nd Degree Murder conviction reversed |
| Shuttleworth v State 927 So2d 975 ( Fla 2d DCA 2006) | Motion to Suppress granted |
| State v Roess 451 So2d 879 ( Fla 2d DCA 1984) | |
| Zelman v State 666So2d 188 ( Fla 2d DCA 1995) |
felony arrest
Posted by gary
Tue Jun 14 2016
Great Lawyer. Will go above and beyond for you.
Posted by Wayne
Mon Mar 10 2014
Highly Recommend Bob Haymand
Posted by anonymous
Wed Jun 21 2017
Attorney endorsements
(24)I endorse this lawyer.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 13, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
This attorney strives to always represent clients the best way possible. I endorse this lawyer.
Frank Tylman, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 26, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Bob is an outstanding personal injury attorney. I have known Bob for several years and would not hesitate to recommend him.
Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 2, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Robert. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Guy Haskell, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 3, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Heyman is a dedicated and skillful attorney who gives thoughtful and insightful guidance in his Avvo answers. He is a valued member of the Avvo community who is generous in sharing his time and expertise by spending considerable time participating on this site. It is my pleasure to endorse him
I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse Attorney Heyman. From his answers and time on Avvo, it is clear he is dedicated to serving those in need and his clients. It's rare that lawyers spend so much valuable time helping the community, for free, and I applaud him for doing it to such a great level. Kudos
Dean Tsourakis, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 12, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Matthew Dolman, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 10, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Robert is a tireless worker and has a reputation as one of the elite attorneys in the greater Tampa Bay area. When selecting a personal injury attorney, it is essential that your lawyer actually litigates cases and has a reputation with the insurance carriers for taking cases to trial. Robert has a reputation for both and this is an essential criteria in selecting the best attorney for your injury claim. Further, he does a fine job of providing personal attention and I have yet to hear anyone complain of his services.
Jeff Lucas, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 7, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Charles Gallagher, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 27, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Bob is the best of the best when it comes to personal injury matters and high end litigation. He is very sharp and an amazing advocate. He is a gifted trial attorney and litigator and obtains very favorable results for his clients. Without hesitation, I endorse Robert Heyman.
Loren Pincus, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 31, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I am a fellow Eckerd College Graduate/Baseball Player and I have interacted with Mr. Heyman both in the courtroom and at our Alumni Baseball Events. He is a consummate professional and well respected by fellow attorneys, prosecutors and judges. I would not hesitate to recommend his services.
Eric Ludin, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 15, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have known Robert Heyman for many years. He is a highly respected attorney in our community. I endorse him without reservation.
Christopher Frey, Personal injury Attorney on Sep 11, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Robert for my entire 20 plus year career. Mr. Heyman is a superior lawyer with great trial skills, possessed of vast knowledge and dedication to his work. I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse this lawyer.
Marc Plotnick, Criminal defense Attorney on May 16, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Mr. Heyman. Bob Heyman is a tremendous advocate for his clients, bringing numerous years of experience to the courtroom and ensuring that his clients receive the highest level of representation. Extremely thorough, well-versed in the law and a tenacious attorney, his clients are lucky to have him steering them through their legal troubles.
Stephanie Bolton, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 19, 2010
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Linda Ramirez, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 27, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Robert Heyman. I consider Robert to be a very skilled and knowledgable.
Joseph Saunders, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 3, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Bob in the community for many years. He has a stellar reputation as an excellent and ethical trial lawyer.
Cost
- Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs30 minutes
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