About the Firm
Levin Papantonio Thomas Mitchell Echsner & Proctor, P.A.: Leading American Personal Injury and Civil Litigation Law Firm
In 1955, David H. Levin and Reubin Askew founded the firm of Levin & Askew. The two were the sole attorneys in the firm, assisted by just one additional staff member. As did most young attorneys, David and Reubin accepted virtually every case that offered itself, regardless of the area of law involved.
Much has changed for the firm in the half century since it was formed. Reubin Askew went on to become a two-term governor for the State of Florida and candidate for President of the United States. The firm, now known as Levin Papantonio Thomas Mitchell Echsner & Proctor, P.A. presently has twenty-nine attorneys and has represented more than 100,000 clients and currently litigates cases throughout the United States.
Unparalleled Experience
In the past twenty-five years, the firm has received more than seventy-five jury verdicts in the amount of one million dollars or more, including twelve jury verdicts in excess of ten million dollars, and two in excess of $450 million. Additionally, the firm’s total settlements have exceeded one billion dollars. In its July, 2002 edition, the National Law Journal recognized Levin, Papantonio as the fourth most successful law firm in America based on total jury verdicts. The firm’s attorneys have been profiled by the New York Times, Forbes, Time Magazine, George Magazine, Newsweek, ABC News, CNN, The American Lawyer, Lawyer Weekly and the National Law Journal.
Fred Levin
In 1961 David Levin's brother Fred Levin joined the firm and quickly became recognized as one of America’s premier trial attorneys. Fred Levin has received more than twenty-five jury verdicts in excess of $1,000,000 (including six in excess of $10,000,000). At various points in his career, he has held the national record for jury verdicts involving the wrongful death of a child, the wrongful death of a housewife, the wrongful death of a wage earner, and the largest personal injury verdict among Florida personal injury litigation lawyers.
Levin is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an organization limited to 100 members throughout the country, and has been listed in every edition of the publication Best Lawyers in America. He received the "Perry Nichols Award" in 1994, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, and is given in recognition for a person's lifetime achievements in the pursuit of justice. For the year 1999, the National Law Journal named Mr. Levin as one of the "Top Ten Litigators for 1999", which included both plaintiff and defense counsel. Additionally, in 1998, the University of Florida College of Law was renamed to the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law.
Mike Papantonio
More than twenty years ago, Mike Papantonio joined the firm and developed one of the most respected mass torts and complex litigation departments in America. His work in asbestos, breast implant litigation, pharmaceutical drug litigation involving Fen Phen and Rezulin, and other cases firmly places Mr. Papantonio at the center of most mass torts litigation. In 2004, Papantonio helped launch a nationwide organization called “Mass Torts Made Perfect.” The organization has attracted the top lawyers across America, and has helped law firms develop successful litigation strategies for confronting wrongdoing by multi-national corporations.
Papantonio’s leadership in the field of environmental law and his close friendship with “Riverkeepers” founder Bobby Kennedy, Jr. has been instrumental in building the firm’s environmental law department. Papantonio is listed in the publications Best Lawyers in America and Leading American Attorney. He has represented ten of thousands of mass tort victims, and has received numerous jury verdicts in excess of $1 million.
Practice Areas
Levin, Papantonio concentrates its practice in areas involving mass torts, stock fraud, medical malpractice, and serious personal injury / wrongful death, including catastrophic injury claims and wrongful death settlements and trials. (Visit our Practice Area Overview for a full list)
For assistance in anything from serious accident injury claims to pharmaceutical drug litigation, please contact the firm. In mass torts, commercial litigation and other areas, the firm operates on a national scale. In product liability, catastrophic injury claims, and other areas, the firm’s Florida personal injury litigation lawyers serve Pensacola, FL, Santa Rosa County, Panama City, Escambia, Calhoun, Gulf, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington Bay, Jackson, Tallahassee, FL, Mobile, Alabama, and other communities in the southeastern United States.
