Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys - General Defense
- Telephone: 407-422-4310
- Fax: 407-648-0233
- Website: www.DRML-law.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2928, Orlando, FL 32802
Established: 1978
Practice Areas
- Casualty
- ERISA
- Health
- Life Insurance
- Surety
- Workers' Compensation
- Civil Rights
- Personal Injury
- Product Liability
- Wrongful Death
- Medical Malpractice
- Employment Practices Liability
- Trucking Law
- Business Law
- Amusement and Recreation Law
- Police Misconduct
About Us
Our firm was founded by Goble D. Dean, Andrew L. Ringers, Dale O. Morgan and William E. Lawton. Under the leadership of its managing partner, William Lawton, the firm grew as its attorneys remained loyal to their founding principles and to their commitment to providing aggressive, professional, efficient and ethical legal services.
Today, with our main office in Orlando and satellite offices in Tampa, Jacksonville, Ft. Lauderdale, Panhandle and Miami, Dean, Ringers, Morgan & Lawton is comprised of a diverse team of attorneys and staff whose interests are reflected in their various legal practices. Our practice has expanded into areas of law important to our clients as well as most insurers, businesses and individuals. Historically, the firm provided representation in the areas of workers’ compensation and insurance defense. While maintaining this core practice, the firm has become a recognized authority in the area of governmental entity defense. Our firm has represented virtually all of the municipalities located within the three hundred mile radius of Orlando. Our lawyers are admitted to practice in all State and Federal trial and appellate courts. We have also established specific departments for civil rights and labor and employment law, comprised of attorneys who devote their practice to these areas and who are highly qualified to effectively defend these unique and demanding claims.
A natural outgrowth of our core practice has been the development of unique and specialized departments defending car rental companies, trucking companies, professional employer organizations (PEOs), and recreation and amusement parks among other types of businesses. Our attorneys routinely attend, participate and lecture at our clients’ trade association meetings and write legal articles for trade journals. From our participation we are well versed in creatively responding to their respective challenges.
In addition to our professional commitment to our clients, our attorneys are deeply devoted to our community. We have served as board members for various civic groups, proudly sponsored civic organizations such as 100 Black Men of Orlando, and have provided charities with legal assistance. Both the firm and individual attorneys have been recognized for their pro bono services. We will continue to zealously represent our clients and be of service to the community in which we reside.
Client Information
Insurance Clients
- AIG
- American Empire Surplus Lines Insurance Company
- American Specialty Insurance Company
- Argonaut Insurance Company
- Broadspire
- Cambridge Integrated Services
- Celtic Insurance Company
- Central Mutual Insurance Company
- Claims Management Services, Inc.
- CNA Claim Plus
- Crawford & Company
- FCCI Insurance Group
- FFVA Mutual Insurance Company
- Florida Farm Bureau General Insurance Company
- Florida Municipal Insurance Trust
- Florida Municipal Liability Self Insurers Program
- GAB Robins North America, Inc.
- GatesMcDonald
- Grange Insurance Association
- Hanover Insurance Company
- Independent Order of Foresters
- Indiana Insurance Company
- Jefferson-Pilot Corporation
- Johns Eastern Company, Inc.
- Medmarc Insurance Group
- Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company
- North American Risk Services
- Ohio Casualty Group
- Progressive Insurance Company
- Risk Enterprise Management, Ltd.
- St. Paul Property & Liability Insurance
- Sedgwick James
- Specialty Risk Services, Inc. (SRS)
- Unisource Insurance Company
- United Self Insured Services
- York Claims Service, Inc.
- Zurich Insurance Group
Non-Insurance Clients
- Abbott Laboratories
- Adventist Health Systems
- Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, Inc.
- Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC
- BP Company
- Central Florida YMCA
- City of Altamonte Springs
- City of Sanford
- Coca-Cola Bottling Company
- Collis Roofing, Inc.
- Covenant Administrators, Inc.
- Dollar General Corporation
- Dollar-Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.
- Estes Express Lines
- Florida League of Cities
- Florida Roofers Association, Inc.
- Florida Workers' Compensation Fund
- Hernando County Government
- Hubbard Construction
- Hughes Supply, Inc.
- Hyatt Corporation
- Interstate Hotels and Resorts
- Morgan Tire Company
- MV Transportation, Inc.
- Oakley Transport
- Oasis Outsourcing
- Orange County Government
- Orange County Sheriff
- Pacific Cycle, Inc.
- Pinnacle Benefits, Inc.
- Protegrity Services, Inc.
- Regis Corporation
- Rollins College
- 7-Eleven, Inc.
- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
- Universal Orlando, Florida
- UPS Freight
- Water Mania
- Wyeth
Personnel Information
Shareholders
William E. Lawton
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: wlawton@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Insurance Defense
- Product Liability
- Malpractice
- Insurance Coverage
- Business Law
- Corporate Law
- Construction Law
- Life and Health
- Disability
- Professional Liability
Admitted
- Florida, 1973
- District of Columbia, 1993
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1973
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1979
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal and Eleventh Circuits, 1985
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, 2004
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, 2004
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Northern Districts of Arkansas, 2005
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Washington, 2005
Memberships:
- American and Orange County Bar Associations
- The Florida Bar
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Defense Research and Trial Lawyers Association
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
- International Association of Defense Counsel
Certifications:
- Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, National Board of Trial Advocacy
Education:
- University of Florida, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1971
- University of Florida, J.D. (cum laude), 1973
Fraternity Information:
Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi
Born: 1949
John D. Robinson
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: jrobinson@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Life and Health
- Disability
- Insurance Law
- Insurance Litigation
- Personal Injury
- Property Damage
- Product Liability
- Business Law
- Corporate Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment Law
- Construction Law
- Real Estate
Admitted
- Florida, 1984
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1984
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1987
Memberships:
- American and Orange County Bar Associations
- The Florida Bar
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- University of Central Florida, B.A. (cum laude), 1978
- Mercer University, J.D., 1982
Honors:
American Jurisprudence Award, Administrative Law, 1982
Born: 1957
Frank C. Wesighan
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: fwesighan@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Workers' Compensation
Admitted
- Florida, 1983
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
Certifications:
- Florida Bar Board Certified Workers' Compensation Lawyer
Education:
- Florida State University, B.A., 1980
- University of Florida, J.D., 1982
Honors:
Award of Excellance, Orange County Legal Aid/Guardian Ad Litem Program
Born: 1958
Jeffry J. Branham
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: jbranham@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Workers' Compensation
Admitted
- Florida, 1982
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1982
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1986
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
Certifications:
- Florida Bar Board Certified Workers' Compensation Lawyer
Education:
- Florida State University, B.S., 1978
- Florida State University, J.D. (with honors), 1982
Born: 1957
Joseph R. Flood, Jr.
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: jflood@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Civil Rights
- Insurance Law
- Law Enforcement Liability
- Bad Faith
- Personal Injury
- Property Damage
- Product Liability
- Liquor Liability
- Dram Shop
Admitted
- Florida, 1983
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1988
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1993
- U.S. Claims Court, 1981
Memberships:
- American, Brevard County and Orange County Bar Associations
- The Florida Bar
- Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- Florida State University, B.S. (cum laude), 1979
- Florida State University, J.D., 1982
Born: 1957
Douglas T. Noah
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: dnoah@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Public Entities
- Employment Law
- Civil Rights
Admitted
- Florida, 1990
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1990
- U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida, 2005
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
Education:
- Florida Southern College, B.S., 1984
- Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 1990
Born: 1962
G. Clay Morris
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: cmorris@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Insurance Defense
- Personal Injury
- Product Liability
- Civil Litigation
- Insurance Law
- Property
- Dram Shop
Admitted
- Florida, 1988
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1993
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2001
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County and Seminole County Bar Associations
- Volie A. Williams Inns of Court
- Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Education:
- Florida State University, B.S., 1982
- Memphis State University, J.D., 1987
Fraternity Information:
Phi Delta Phi
Born: 1959
S. Renee Stephens Lundy
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: rlundy@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Medical Malpractice
- Civil Rights
- Negligence
- Wrongful Death
- Insurance Law
- Law Enforcement Liability
- Bad Faith
- Personal Injury
- Property Damage
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
Admitted
- Florida, 1985
- U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida, 1986
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1986
- U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida, 2004
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- University of Florida, B.A., 1982
- University of Florida, J.D., 1985
Born: 1962
John M. Joyce
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: jjoyce@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Workers' Compensation
- Business Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Employment Law
- Fraud
- General Defense
- Corporate Law
- Real Estate
Admitted
- Florida, 1992
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1994
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
Certifications:
- Board Certified Workers' Compensation
Education:
- University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1982
- Florida State University, J.D. (with high honors), 1991
Born: 1960
Michael A. Lowe
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: mlowe@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Workers' Compensation
- General Liability
Admitted
- Florida, 1999
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1999
Memberships:
- Orange County Bar Association
Education:
- Brigham Young University, B.A., 1996
- Mercer University, J.D., 1999
Language:
- Spanish
Born: 1971
Bryan A. Lowe
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: blowe@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Workers' Compensation
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment Law
Admitted
- Florida, 2003
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2007
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
Education:
- Brigham Young University, B.S., 2000
- University of Florida, J.D., 2003
Language:
- Spanish
Born: 1977
Gloria A. Carr
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: gcarr@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Employment Law
- Insurance Coverage
- Personal Injury
- Property Damage
- Civil Rights
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Administrative Law
Admitted
- Florida, 2002
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2007
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
Education:
- University of South Florida, M.A.P.A., 1993
- Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 2001
Born: 1962
Gail C. Bradford
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: gbradford@DRML-Law.com
Practice Areas
- Civil Rights
- Municipal Liability
- Employment Law
Admitted
- Florida, 2000
- U.S. District Court, Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
Education:
- Goucher College, B.A., 1992
- University of Baltimore, M.S., 1995
- Roger Williams University, J.D., 1998
Patricia M. Rego Chapman
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: prego@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Insurance Law
- Governmental Entity Defense
- Employment Law
Admitted
- Florida, 2010
- U.S. District Court, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
Education:
- University of Florida, B.A. (cum laude), 2007
- University of Florida, J.D. (cum laude), 2010
Born: 1984
- Meredith L. McAvoy
Associate
- Brandon T. Acevedo
Of Counsel
Dale O. Morgan
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: dmorgan@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Insurance Defense
Admitted
- Florida, 1971
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1971
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1979
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal and Eleventh Circuits, 1986
Memberships:
- American and Orange County Bar Associations
- The Florida Bar
Certifications:
- Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer
Education:
- University of South Florida, B.A. (with honors), 1968
- Stetson University, J.D., 1971
Born: 1943
Lamar D. Oxford
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: loxford@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Insurance Defense
- Workers' Compensation
- Appellate Practice
- Employment Law
- Personal Injury
- Property Defense
- Product Liability
Admitted
- Florida, 1977
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1977
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, 1981
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1981
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1981
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- Princeton University, A.B. (cum laude), 1971
- University of Florida, J.D. (cum laude), 1976
Language:
- Latin
Born: 1949
F. Scott Pendley
Orlando, FL
- E-Mail: spendley@drml-law.com
Practice Areas
- Civil Rights
- Negligence
- Wrongful Death
- Trucking Law
- Product Liability
- Personal Injury
- Property Damage
- Law Enforcement Liability
Admitted
- Georgia, 1981
- Florida, 1982
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1982
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1984
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1987
Memberships:
- The Florida Bar
- State Bar of Georgia
- Orange County Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
Certifications:
- Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer
Education:
- University of Florida, B.A., 1978
- Mercer University, J.D., 1981
Born: 1956
Service Areas
Daytona Beach, Florida, USA 55 miles
Tampa, Florida, USA 85 miles
(All Attorneys are Members of Florida Defense Lawyers Association)
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