Patterson, Jeffrey D.

Derrick Connell joined Nance Cacciatore in January 2010. His practice focuses on representing clients injured in serious automobile accidents, general personal injury cases and other forms of professional negligence.

Derrick, a Lanier County Georgia native, earned his Bachelor's degree from Valdosta State University in 2004 and his Master of Business Administration from Stetson University in 2009. He earned his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law with a Concentration in Advocacy. While in law school, Mr. Connell was a teaching assistant, Stetson Ambassador, Student Bar Association Member and recipient of the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award.

As a member of Stetson's nationally ranked Trial Team, Mr. Connell was a two-time National Trial Champion. He first won the AAJ STAC, beating over 240 teams from law schools around the country. Then in 2009 Mr. Connell won the National Civil Trial Competition, where he was named the Best Advocate in both the preliminary and final rounds - a first for this event. He was also a Moot Court Board Associate Justice - winning the 2009 E. Earle Zehmer Moot Court Competition.

Prior to joining Nance Cacciatore Mr. Connell was a Judicial Intern to the Honorable Judge D. Horrox and the Honorable Judge D. Demers, a Certified Legal Intern in The Sixth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office and a Legal Intern for the United States Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida.

Upon graduation from Stetson University College of Law, Mr. Connell was honored as a recipient of the Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award, inducted into The National Order of Barristers and awarded the prestigious Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award.