UNITED STATES BAR THEME - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Education / Florida State University
• Member of the Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients' physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients' personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation. Mr. Cunningham has been certified by the Florida Bar as a Civil Trial Specialist since 1984 and achieved board certification as a Civil Trial Advocate with the National Board of Trial Advocates in 1985. In 1987 Jim was awarded the highest rating available for legal ability, ethics and diligence by Martindale-Hubbell, the Nation's oldest and most respected attorney rating system. Since 1987 Mr. Cunningham has been a member of the Bar Register of Preeminent Personal Injury Lawyers by Martindale Hubbell. He is also a life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Jim was again named a 2013 Florida Super Lawyer. Super Lawyers identifies the top 5% of attorneys in Florida, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. In 1989 Mr. Cunningham was admitted to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). ABOTA is a national organization comprised of lawyers who represent both individuals and insurance companies, health care providers and product manufacturers. Membership is limited to attorneys who have extensive jury trial experience and who exhibit "high personal character and honorable reputation." Although there are over 6000 attorneys practicing law in the Central Florida area, there are only 75 members of the Central Florida Chapter of ABOTA. Mr. Cunningham was a charter member of the Central Florida Chapter and served as Chapter President in 1996. He was elected and served on ABOTA's National Board of Directors from 1999-2005. In 2009, Mr. Cunningham was again selected as one of the Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America, as published by Law Dragon 3000. This recognition is given to less than one-half of one percent of America's 1.1 million lawyers. Mr. Cunningham has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Central Florida. He also holds a Seminary Degree in addition to his Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law. Jim and Joyce were instrumental in establishing a fund which provides scholarships for needy children to attend FCA camps in North Carolina . Jim and Joyce also served on the Board of Directors of Family First, an organization based in Tampa , Florida and dedicated to strengthening and improving Florida's families and they have been supporters of the local Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Cunningham and his experienced and helpful staff are available to meet with you to counsel you concerning your legal rights. There is no charge for the initial consultation and if Mr. Cunningham accepts your case, he will charge no attorney fees or legal costs unless you make a financial recovery for your losses. Please call for your free appointment and put the legal experience of James O. Cunningham, P.A. to work for you. Practice Areas Auto And Truck Accident

Job Titles:

• Award - Judge Thomas Kirk Founder

Job Titles:

• Education / St Thomas University School of Law

Matthew Dolman is a legal advocate for individuals who have suffered bodily harm as a result of negligent actions exhibited by an individual or corporation. Matthew is a proven fighter for the injured and has earned recognition from his peers and clients alike as a result of past successes. In fact, he recently obtained life membership into both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Membership is limited to attorneys who have obtained million and multi-million verdicts and/or settlements on behalf of their injured clients. Less than 1% of practicing lawyers in the U.S. are members. Further, Matthew was previously recognized by Florida Trends Magazine, as a "Legal Elite Up and Comer." The selection process consisted of notifying and inviting members of the Florida Bar to nominate top attorneys in practice less than 10 years or under 40 years old. Matthew was recognized by AVVO.com with a "Client's Choice for Personal Injury" award in 2012, based on feedback from former satisfied clients. Matthew has attained a perfect 10.0 rating from Avvo.com, a leading database for attorney rankings. Thus, Matthew has earned a tremendous reputation among his colleagues through his zealous work on behalf of his injured clients both inside and out of the courtroom. Matthew has extensive experience handling first- and third-party insurance claims of all types and, more specifically, claims in the following injury areas: automobile accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, plus violations of Florida's Consumer Collection Practices Act and asset protection for Florida physicians. Open lines of communication, along with his commitment to learning the intricate details of his personal injury cases, allows Matthew to provide personal attention to his active cases. To date, Matthew has recovered many millions of dollars for victims of personal injury such as motor vehicle collisions, tractor-trailer wrecks, boating mishaps, traumatic brain injury, among others. "Personal Service" is the mission and approach to Matthew's practice of personal injury law. In fact, he readily supplies all clients with his cell phone number along with his office contact information, so he is accessible to his clients each and every day. Matthew is often called upon by his colleagues to assist in litigating personal injury claims throughout the State of Florida. The process of selecting the best attorney for your case is not easy. Keep in mind it is so very important that your advocate is respected by defense lawyers and the Court. A common complaint we here from clients who previously retained a television law firm for a prior accident claim, is there attorney was often referred to as an "ambulance chaser" and did not have a reputation for litigating claims. Our goal remains to maximize the damages in your respective claim while maintaining a personal relationship with you. At many law firms, it is difficult to get your attorney on the phone. Hence, this is the reason why all clients are provided the cell phone number for our Managing Partner. Matthew A. Dolman graduated from the prestigious Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a dual focus in print journalism and screenwriting. He earned his Jurist Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law.

Job Titles:

• Education / University of Florida

Scott Distasio is a personal injury lawyer that focuses on helping injured people. Scott founded Distasio Law Firm in February of 2006 based on the idea that law firms should focus on providing outstanding service to their clients. His practice includes all types of personal injury cases. He has tried cases in both state and federal courts involving nursing homes, medical malpractice, civil rights, auto accidents, slip and falls, and products liability. Scott is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer in Florida, an accomplishment achieved by less than 1% of all Florida lawyers. An attorney must have extensive trial experience and must pass a trial law proficiency test in order to become a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. The distinction allows Scott to call himself an expert trial lawyer. Scott is also rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, a preeminent national legal publication. An "AV" rating is the highest ranking attainable by an attorney for ability and ethics in the practice of law and is based on evaluations by judges and other lawyers. He is also a member of "The Million Dollar Advocates Forum," a group of trial lawyers that have won million dollar verdicts and settlements. Less than 1% of all lawyers are members. Scott began his legal career at a prominent Tampa defense firm in 1990 as an associate, defending Hospitals, Doctors, Nursing Homes, jail medical providers, and all types of corporations and individuals accused of causing personal injuries. He became a Shareholder of the firm in 1998 and was in charge of the nursing home defense practice until 2000 when he decided to fire all his defense clients so he could help injured people. In January of 2000 he helped start a prominent Tampa plaintiff's personal injury law firm where he practiced law until February of 2006. Scott received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1986 and his Juris Doctorate from the University Of Florida Levin College Of Law in 1990. While at the University of Florida, he was a member of the Moot Court and Vice Chancellor of the Student Honor Court. Scott is licensed to practice law in Florida and Pennsylvania. He is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. He is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Florida Justice Association, American Association For Justice, and The American Bar Association. Scott lives in Hillsborough County Florida in a subdivision called Westchase. However, his law practice covers the entire state of Florida. Practice Areas Auto And Truck Accident

Job Titles:

• Education / University of Florida

William D. Umansky or "The Lawman" as he is affectionately known by his peers has almost two decades of experience offering "Second Chances" to clients who have either been injured as a result of someone else's negligence or who have, unfortunately, been charged with a crime. His practice is based in Central Florida and he advocates for his clients throughout Florida. He is the Managing Partner of the Umansky Law Firm where he directs a team of lawyers dedicated to success and to working hard to try and achieve the results the firm's client's desire. He has appeared or been quoted in many national media outlets including USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, People Magazine, NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX affiliates around the country. Recently, Bill was named a Top Criminal Lawyer by Orlando Home and Leisure Magazine. Bill is a lawyer, entrepreneur, business owner and number one Amazon best selling author of "Power Principles of Success". In addition to his role as a lawyer, Bill has been involved with teaching others about the law. He has also been a Police Academy Instructor, former Police Legal Advisor, an Adjunct Professor at Florida Metropolitan University and a Legislative Assistant to a United States Senator. Bill Umansky is active in the Orlando community. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Bar Association, Teen Court and Teen Alternatives, Inc. and previously served as a board member for the YMCA of Central Florida, Rotary Club of Avalon Park and the Orange County Legal Aid Society. Bill is actively involved in a number of legal organizations including The Florida Justice Association and Central Florida Trial Attorney Association. Aside from his legal contributions, Bill has served the youth of the community coaching and serving as a volunteer for youth soccer, basketball and football teams in the Orlando area. Bill is married to his wife Zahra Umansky, who is also an accomplished criminal trial lawyer, and he is the proud father of two great boys. He lives life with the motto of "Carpe Diem" and truly believes that every day needs to be lived to its fullest with passion and intensity-- because every day could be the last day one has on earth. Practice Areas Criminal Defense