John Elliott Leighton
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John Elliott Leighton
Biography
Nationally recognized personal injury trial lawyer representing only victims in serious injury and death cases throughout Florida. Repeatedly selected as a Top 100 Florida SuperLawyer, Best Lawyers in America, "Florida Legal Elite" (Florida Trend Magazine), "Top Lawyer" (South Florida Legal Guide) and "Orlando Legal Elite" (Orlando Style magazine). Offices in Miami and Orlando to cover the state of Florida. Mr. Leighton has won some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Florida, including $49.3 million and two $24 million verdicts. Mr. Leighton recently received the Daily Business Review 2015 “Verdicts Hall of Fame Award” for his wrongful death verdict He is often retained by lawyers from around the country to try their catastrophic cases, and has handled cases in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky and New York. He is a national lecturer and author of the leading text book "Litigating Premises Security Cases" (West Publishing, 2006).
Many of Mr. Leighton’s cases are high profile or have wide reaching social implications. Several cases have resulted in policy or procedure changes on the part of the businesses or governmental entities sued. He is often called upon by local and national media to comment on legal issues, including NBC’s Today show, CNN, Inside Edition, and many other news programs.
Having served as Chairman of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America’s Motor Vehicle, Highway and Premises Liability Section, Mr. Leighton currently chairs the association’s Inadequate Security Litigation Group and for 7 years sat on the Executive Committee of the National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees. He is also the Chairman of the Academy of Trial Advocacy, an invitation-only association of some of the nation’s leading catastrophic injury trial lawyers.
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
Medical Malpractice
Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
Products Liability
Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts
Insurance Claims
Bad Faith Insurance, Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance
Legal Malpractice
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Fees
- Free Consultation
- Contingent Fees
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Languages
Professional Experience
Senior Partner Leesfield Leighton & Partners
Year: 1985 - 2008
Description: Trial lawyer handling catastrophic personal injury and death cases throughout the United States.
Summer Associate Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine
Year: 1984 - 1984
Description: Summer Associate for large New York-based international law firm. Worked in Litigation and Corporate departments. Worked on corporate takeover, major bond default litigation, product liability and commercial cases.
Managing Partner Leighton Law, P.A.
Year: 2008 - Current
Description: Founding partner of statewide personal injury and wrongful death trial law firm. The firm has two offices (Miami and Orlando) to serve clients throughout Florida. We help people who have suffered serious injury or a death of a loved one.
Professional Associations
Association of Trial Lawyers of America Chairman, Motor Vehicle, Highway and Premises Liability Section (1996 - 1997)
National College of Advocacy Executive Committee (2011 - 2014)
Florida State Bar  # 507921 Member (1985 - Current)
American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America) Chairman, Inadequate Security Litigation Group (1996 - Current)
Cooperative Association of Medical Malpractice Attorneys Charter Member (1999 - Current)
National Crime Victim Bar Association Board of Advisors, charter member (2000 - Current)
American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section Vice Chair, Product, General Liability and Consumer Law Committee (1987 - 1988)
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) member (2010 - Current)
Academy of Trial Advocacy Chairman (2006 - Current)
Awards
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Best Lawyers, personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability
Best Lawyers in America 2018.0
Note: Selected 2008-2018
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Top 100 SuperLawyer
Florida Superlawyers 2018.0
Note: Selected 2006-2018 to SuperLawyers
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Verdict Hall of Fame - Wrongful Death
Daily Business Review 2015.0
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Orlando Legal Elite
Orlando Style Magazine 2017.0
Note: Selected 2014-2017
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Florida Legal Elite
Florida Trend Magazine 2018.0
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A-V Preeminent rating
Martindale-Hubbell 2018.0
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10/10 "superb" highest rating
Avvo.com 2018.0
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Top Lawyers in South Florida
South Florida Legal Guide 2018.0
Note: Selected 2003-2018
Education
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University of Florida B.A. (1981) | Political science/criminal justice
Year: 1977 - 1981
Honors: B.A. with honors, Deans List, President's List, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Activities: Florida Blue Key, Omicron Delta Kappa (President), Student Senate majority leader, Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity (graduate advisor)
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University of Florida J.D. (1985) | Law
Year: 1983 - 1985
Honors: American Jurisprudence Awards for Torts and Civil Procedure, Who's Who Among American Law Students, Dean's List/President's List, J.D. with Honors Activities: Florida Law Review (Editor), Trial Competition Team, Jurisprudence Instructor, Faculty - Teaching Fellows Program
Speaking Engagements
Demonstration of Cross Examination of a Defendant, Superlawyers CLE, Miami, FL, June 16, 2012, Dade County Bar Association
Demonstration of Cross Examination of a Defendant, Superlawyers CLE, Miami, FL, June 16, 2012, Dade County Bar Association
Certifications
- Board certified Civil Trial Specialist: Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization
Websites
http://www.Leightonlaw.com
Website
Leighton Law, P.A.
121 South Orange Avenue, Suite1270, Orlando, FL 32801
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Leighton Law, P.A.
1401 Brickell Avenue, Suite 900, Miami, FL 33131
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
(305) 675-0123