Lavaia, Marc A.

Since joining our firm in April 2002, Gretchen Van Liere has investigated, prosecuted and tried significant claims against both civilian and military physicians and hospitals for their neglect and carelessness in causing death or serious injury to our clients.

Ms. Van Liere earned her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Florida. After graduation, she trained as a court reporter as a means of gaining access to the courtroom and exposure to the litigation process. She subsequently sought a more active role in the field of law by working for local attorneys in the fields of criminal law, family law, worker's compensation, and real estate. In this capacity, Ms. Van Liere gained her first exposure to the field of medical malpractice litigation.
Intrigued by the complexities of medical malpractice litigation and the chance to learn new medicine with every case, Ms. Van Liere sought employment with a local boutique firm that specialized in medical malpractice and products liability cases. There she helped investigate these complex cases, located and consulted with expert physicians, prepared cases for trial, and helped new associates understand the practical side of litigation which was not taught in law school.

Wanting to do more than sit in the back of the courtroom once trial began, Ms. Van Liere attended the University of Florida's College of Law. She applied her strong work ethic to the study of law and earned book awards for achieving the highest grade in many courses. She graduated with High Honors, earning membership in the prestigious Order of the Coif for outstanding academic excellence in the study of law.

Upon graduation, Ms. Van Liere returned immediately to the field of medical malpractice litigation and joined a small Jacksonville firm as an associate attorney. Today, she focuses her practice almost entirely on medical malpractice, striving to help her clients through research and collaboration with nationally prominent medical experts. She often assists other attorneys in the firm on cases of products liability, complex personal injury litigation, legal research, and the negotiation and resolution of subrogation claims. She plays a key role in the recruitment and selection of the firm's Law Clerks. With her years of practical experience, she also acts as a valuable resource to our Legal Assistants in preparing cases for trial.

Ms. Van Liere is admitted to the Florida Bar and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, and the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.