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About Robert
Biography
I have practiced Personal Injury and Criminal Trial Law in the Tampa Bay area for 41 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
5
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
50%
29 years | 500 cases
Criminal Defense
20%
44 years | 2,500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 43 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1983
No misconduct found
Location
Heyman Law Firm
111 2nd Avenue NE, Suite 1001, Suite 1001, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701
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Robert Edward Heyman's Reviews
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | June 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Highly Recommend Bob Haymand
I highly recommend Bob Haymand. He assisted my husband a year ago. I appreciate his immediate response and willingness to listen. He stayed on top of things and got the job done within a timely manner. Thank you, HM
Posted by gary | June 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
felony arrest
Bob is without a doubt a atty that you want working for you. After the free consult he told me of the options that were open for a disposition in my case. After explaining to me that out of all options he would prefer to work to get it dropped I knew he was one of the GOOD guys that actually fight ...
Posted by Wayne | March 10, 2014
Great Lawyer. Will go above and beyond for you.
I just wanted to post a very thankful note for Bob. I contacted through this website and he was extremely helpful through the whole process. i couldn't thank him enough for what he had done with my case and has made my life much better. A very big Thank You Mr. Heyman. My wife and kids Thank You also...
Robert Edward Heyman's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington
Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
"This attorney strives to always represent clients the best way possible. I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"I endorse Robert. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal 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"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"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."
"I have known Robert Heyman for many years. He is a highly respected attorney in our community. I endorse him without reservation."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
"I endorse Robert Heyman. I consider Robert to be a very skilled and knowledgable."
"I have known Bob in the community for many years. He has a stellar reputation as an excellent and ethical trial lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2015
"Premier 100" Florida Trial Attorneys, American Academy of Trial Attorneyslawyers
2012
Florida's "Top 100" Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2010
"Tampa Bay's Best Lawyers", Tampa Bay Magazine
2007
AV Rated attorney, Martindale Hubbell
1989
Order of Kentucky Colonels, State Of Kentucky
1988
Commendation, U.S. Department of Justice
1988
Commendation, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Work Experience
2001 - 2008
Shareholder / Attorney, Zimmet,Unice, Salzman & Heyman, PA
1997 - 2001
Associate Attorney, Tew, Zinober, Barnes, Zimmet & Unice, PA
1982 - 1997
Assistant State Attorney, Pinellas County State Attorneys Office
Associations
2015 - Present
American Academy of trial Attorneys
2012 - Present
National Trial Lawyers Association
2008 - Present
Florida Justice Association ( Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers)
2006 - Present
Pinellas County Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
2000 - Present
St. Petersburg Bar Association
1982 - Present
Florida Bar
Sample of Legal Cases
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)
Education
1982
Stetson College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1979
Eckerd College
BA
Speaking Engagements
2020
ABC "Nightline"
James Dailey murder trial
1999
MSNBC "Internight" Program
ValueJet crash
1998
MSNBC "Internight" Program
Marv Albert Trial
1997
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
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
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Q&A
How much longer should I wait after 3 years to fire my attorney?
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Q&A
Can police break open a safe (rendering it unusable) without a warrant during a traffic stop if they claim probable cause in FL?
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