First Admitted: 2003, Florida

Professional Webpage: https://www.meisterlawfirm.com/attorneys/

Bar / Professional Activity:

Brevard County Bar Association
Florida Association of Women Lawyers
Miami-Dade Justice Association
Florida Justice Association
Dade County Bar Association
Florida Admiralty Trial Lawyers Association, Vice Chair
The Florida Bar’s Admiralty Law Committee, Chair
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
American Association of Justice’s Admiralty Law Section, Chair
All Florida state courts
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
U.S. Supreme Court

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results):

$20,300,000.00 Verdict in Lisa Spearman v. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
$890,000.00 Settlement in Jerry Rankin, M.D., et. al. v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc.
$600,000.00 Final Arbitration Award for cruise line seafarer
$1,300,000.00 Final Arbitration Award for cruise line seafarer
$2,500,000.00 Verdict in Vicente Fernandes v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc.
$6,375,000.00 Settlement in boating incident case

Representative Clients:

Atlantic Sounding Co. v. Townsend

Special Licenses / Certifications:

Board Certified Expert in Admiralty and Maritime Law by the Florida Bar

Pro bono / Community Service:

International Seafarers Ministry of Miami
Space Coast Seafarers Ministry
Port Ministries International
Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute

Honors:

Barry University School of Law, Member, Student Trial Advocacy Team, Advocate in three trial competitions. In the 2000 AFTL competition, team advanced to the semifinals, Certified County Court Mediator and Mediation Internship at the Orange County Courthouse, Legislative proposal/legislative analysis submitted to Florida State Representative Haridopolos.
Florida Super Lawyer

Educational Background:

Southern Illinois University, Student Government Senator, Judicial Review Board, 1992
University of Central Florida, B.A., Legal Studies, Dean's List, Spring-Fall, 1997

Scholarly Lectures / Writings:

Punitive Damages Update: Jones Act, Maintenance and Cure, and General Maritime Law for the University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal
Co-authored Chapter 4: Personal Injury And Wrongful Death Of Passengers (5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Editions). Florida Maritime Law and Practice features the contributions of a of a group of authors and experts, and well as a dedicated steering committee. It is the ideal guide for Florida practitioners, with a focus on Florida-specific statutes, case law, and rules. The comprehensive source also cites to applicable secondary sources, as well as federal statutes and case law, and international law., Co-Author, Florida Maritime Law and Practice
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death of Passenger in the Florida Maritime Law and Practice book published by The Florida Bar
Update on the Eleventh, Eighth, Seventh and Sixth Circuits for a Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
Alumni Board of Directors for Barry University
Florida International University
University of Miami Law School
St. Thomas Law School
Causes of Action Under Bahamian and Panamanian Law in Seafarer Arbitrations and the Maritime Labor Convention for the Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Section Law Section
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death of Passengers for the Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law Section
Punitive Damages in Maritime Law Claims for the American Justice Association
Forum Non-Conveniens for the American Trial Lawyers Association (now American Justice Association)
Crew Arbitration for The Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law Section
Cruise Ship Law for The Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law Section
Update on Crew Injury Claims for The Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law Section

Industry Groups:

Admiralty & Maritime

Tonya J. Meister

Tonya J. Meister

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