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BRETT A. PANTER has a passion for flying and uses it to serve the community as well as his clients. Brett Panter is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and primarily practices in the area of Complex Civil Litigation including but not limited to Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Neglect, Product Liability, Premises Liability, and Aviation Litigation. At age 30, Brett Panter was lead counsel in the case of Stark, West and Clay v. Alamo Rent A Car, wherein a jury rendered a $7.7 Million Dollar Verdict, which was upheld on appeal in Clay v. Alamo, 586 So.2d 394 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1991). Mr. Panter was also lead counsel in Del Risco v. Industrial Affiliates, Ltd., 556 So.2d 1148 (Fla. 3d DCA 1990). Mr. Panter obtained a jury verdict for his client in the amount of 1.5 Million Dollars in this case. Mr. Panter also was lead counsel in American Aerial Lift, Inc. v. Perez, 629 So.2d 169 (Fla. 3d DCA 1993), rev. denied, 637 So.2d 233 (Fla. 1994), wherein a jury rendered a 1.7 Million Dollar verdict. This case was litigated to the Supreme Court. Mr. Panter's closing arguments in the cases of Stark and American Aerial Lift, Inc. were published nationally. Mr. Panter has achieved many other settlements in complex claims resulting in recoveries greater than 1 Million Dollars.
Mr. Panter obtained a $3.6 million jury verdict for Gustavo Garcia and Jorge Mejia, who were working as temporary employees at a Miami construction site. In December 2006, while helping a crane operator lift large concrete beams to be used on an apartment building, Mr. Mejia was knocked unconscious, had a heart attack and suffers memory loss. Garcia lost his right arm and the use of two fingers on his left hand.
Most recently, Mr. Panter obtained an $8.5 million jury verdict for the twin sons of Clementina Brown of Miami, who never regained consciousness after a delayed abdominal surgery in 2005, and who died in a nursing home in 2007.
In 2006, Mr. Panter obtained a settlement of $20 million in benefits for the family of a six-year old girl who suffered hypoxic brain injury and remained severely damaged and most likely will remain that way the rest of her life.
Mr. Panter's litigation experience is not limited to trial advocacy. Mr. Panter has also worked extensively in a range of other adversarial contexts, including arbitrations. Like trial advocacy, arbitrations often require lawyers to carefully draw testimony out of the opposing party's witnesses. Mr. Panter recently put these skills to work to effectively cross-examine an adverse expert witness in a medical negligence case.
Successful advocacy requires lawyers to possess extensive hands-on experience with litigation skills in a variety of situations. For example, cross-examinations occur in both courtroom trials and arbitrations. In either scenario, the most effective cross-examinations occur when a lawyer is able to tell a client's story by questioning the other side's witness.
In this real world example of a successful cross-examination, Mr. Brett Panter, one of the firm's founding partners, put his advocacy experience to work while questioning an adverse medical expert witness. The defense hired this expert as a liability witness - he is a board-certified vascular surgeon. During the arbitration, Mr. Panter cross-examined the witness on several co-morbidity issues involving diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, pressure ulcers and physical examinations.
Brett Alan Panter has been extended an invitation to become a Fellow in the American Academy of Trial Counsel (2006). The membership in the Trial Counsel is limited by invitation only. The Academy is comprised of 2,500 Fellows nationwide, carefully selected based upon evaluations of effectiveness and accomplishments in litigation, and superior ethical reputation. The Academy represents the best in law among its membership, as selected by clients, lawyers, judges and business leaders throughout the United States.
Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers-Eagle Sponsor, contributing member of FLAGG. President of Bench and Bar B'Nai Brith (1995-1996). Appointment to serve on the Florida Bar, Continuing Legal Education Committee 1998-2001. Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education.
BRETT A. PANTER is the founding and principle partner of the firm of Panter, Panter and Sampedro. The firm currently consists of 4 attorneys and 11 support staff and multiple independent contractors. The firm has handled cases throughout the southeastern United States. The Firm has had significant involvement in class action cases as follows: (1) Total Health Care of Florida (Marie Guillaumine) v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.; (2) Total Health Care of Florida (Juan Iglesias) v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.; and (3) Todd Sussman v. Bank of America, Case No. 03-04963 CA 25. Mr. Panter has also been involved in Multi District Litigation regarding Baycol a cholesterol lowering drug against Baycol, In Re Bayer Corp., (MDL - 1431 D. Minn.) and is currently involved in Multi District Litigation involving Vioxx against Merk Corp., In Re Vioxx Products Liability Litigation (MDL -1657 E.D.La.)
Testimonials From Colleagues
It was a beautiful Friday afternoon as we started out the 2011 year. I had just finished drafting a Tax Appeal of a $6.3 million IRS assessment for a real estate developer client who paid all his taxes in 2006 when business was very good and now uncle Sam refuses to give him a tax refund for his 2008 losses which he carried back to 2006. My Outlook calendar indicated that I had a date with destiny to fly the friendly skies over Miami, Miami Beach and places yet to be determined with my colleague Brett Panter.
We flew out of Tamiami Airport on Brett's Piper, Turbo Aztec, at 3pm. The takeoff was as smooth as a baby behind. Instantly I knew that Brett not only loved flying but was also actually very good at it. We flew over Pinecrest, Miami, Miami Beach, then south over key Biscayne, briefly doing a no touch and go at Homestead Air Force Base and then a beautiful landing at Tamiami Airport. It was a beautiful afternoon with good company as we took our leisurely flight through the air and forgot all about our challenges and responsibilities and just enjoyed being in the moment, flying 2000 feet in the air.
Thanks for the experience Bret! Next time it's fishing on the ss "TaxAid."
Your friend and colleague, Ronald A. Marini, Esquire
I also wanted to take a minute and thank Brett for a great PP&S “networking meeting.” I too was part of the airborne triumvirate with Brett and Ron last Friday. Although not the typical networking event since we were travelling a couple thousand feet in the air at about 175 miles per hour, it was truly a great time. I would definitely recommend other members take Brett up on any future offers to go up in Piper. It is a great break from the daily pressures we all have in the office. I know Brett is a true pro in the courtroom, but he is also a true pro in the pilot’s seat as well. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that it was great to meet Ron Marini, with whom I have spoken to on the phone many moons ago, but never met in person. It was great to put a face with a name.
It’s truly a great network that we have and I’m proud to be a part of it. Thanks to Brett and everyone at PP&S for putting this together and I look forward to meeting more of you in the future. -Peter Sautter, Esquire
A Testimonial written by a person who bid for a flight with Brett Panter. All proceeds went to charity
"I thoroughly enjoyed my flight. The pilots were not only the agents of a surprisingly smooth ride, but also instructive, and informative. Although a South Florida resident, I was introduced to landmarks and areas that I had neither seen nor heard of before. My horizon has literally been broadened. I recommend this trip to anyone looking for an adventure style getaway. You won't be disappointed."
-Martin Banks
Another Testimonial from folks Brett Panter took up for a flight they bid on at a "Make a Wish" auction. The money they paid at the auction for the flight went directly to the "Make a Wish" foundation.
We had a wonderful day! It was amazing, a completely clear morning; then it clouded up in the afternoon. I took some great photos. Thanks so much for your most pleasurable trip! And, we are a little familiar with pilots' checklists, and it was very comforting before taking off with you that you were so conscientious with following your checklist. Made us feel very secure. You are professional, informative, and friendly! Great, great trip! Thanks, again! Susan and Rich Groden
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
Medical Malpractice
Nursing Home Neglect
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