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Attorney Aaron Watson is an "AV" rated lawyer from Pensacola, Florida. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest rating given by America's largest and oldest attorney rating service, Martindale-Hubbell. The ranking of "AV Preeminent" is a significant rating accomplishment, and a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. Mr. Watson received his Bachelor of Arts degree from The Florida State University and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Stetson University College of Law. While at Stetson, he was a member of Stetson's nationally ranked trial team where he was recognized as a regional champion in trial advocacy. He was later recognized as a national champion when he finished first in the nation of 248 teams from 148 law schools in the American Association for Justice trial competition. The competing teams were judged by other lawyers and judges on their trial advocacy skills, opening statements, examination of witnesses, use of facts, and closing arguments. During this time, Mr. Watson was also named Who's Who Among American Universities & Colleges.
Mr. Watson has served as president for the Black Law Students Association, interned with the United States Department of Justice, and volunteered with the Florida Attorney General's office. He was selected for the Stallworth Trial Team Award by faculty at Stetson for his achievement of excellence in trial advocacy. He was inducted into The National Order of Barristers for attaining high honor in the art of courtroom advocacy. Mr. Watson currently serves on the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice and the Florida Justice Association and has recently been named one of the National Black Lawyers Top 100.
In 2008, Mr. Watson participated in multi-billion dollar litigation alongside famed civil litigator, attorney Willie Gary. In 2009, the Pensacola News Journal recognized his achievement by naming him a "Panhandle Personality.” In 2010, Mr. Watson served as lead counsel in a high profile civil rights case against the City of Pensacola. The Steen case received national attention through news agencies such as CNN and the St. Petersburg Times, and resulted in one of the largest civil rights settlements to date against the city of Pensacola.
In 2013, he and his mentor Fred Levin recovered one of the largest verdicts to date in the national Yamaha Rhino litigation on behalf of a Pensacola resident who was seriously injured while operating a defective Yamaha Rhino vehicle. After nearly three weeks of trial, a Montgomery County jury returned a verdict of $3.3 million dollars as compensation for his clients.
In 2014, Mr. Watson obtained a jury verdict of $12.6 million dollars for his clients for injuries sustained in a trucking accident in Pensacola, Florida. The verdict was named in the National Law Journal as one the Top 50 Trial Verdicts in the nation in 2014. Additionally, in recognition of his achievements both inside and outside the courtroom, the National Trial Lawyers Association recognized Mr. Watson as one of the top trial lawyers in the nation under the age of 40 in 2014. Membership into “Top 40 Under 40” organization is by invitation only and is extended to individuals who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership. Mr. Watson was also invited to become a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a prestigious organization for those who have obtained million and multi-million dollar verdicts. Less than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members.
Mr. Watson credits his award-winning style of advocacy to his church background and his experience listening to his father's impassioned sermons. Locally, he serves on the board of directors for the YMCA of Northwest Florida, and as choir director for the Englewood Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Watson also enjoys public speaking at local colleges, high schools, and churches.
| Aaron L Watson: | Member at The The Watson Firm, PLLC |
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850 S Palafox St. Suite 202 Pensacola, FL 32502 |
| Website: | https://www.watsonfirm.com/ |
| Phone: | 850-607-2929 |
| Fax: | 850-607-2055 |
| Office Hours: |
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| Offices: |
The Watson Firm, PLLC
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| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phi Beta Sigma | Member | N/A |
| Phi Beta Sigma | Member | N/A |
| Phi Alpha Delta | Member | N/A |
| Phi Alpha Delta | Member | N/A |
| Order of Barristers | Member | N/A |
| Florida Bar | Member | N/A |
| Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association | Member | N/A |
| Order of Barristers | Member | 2009 - 1900 |
| Order of Barristers | Member | N/A |
| Florida Bar | Member | N/A |
| Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association | Member | N/A |
| YMCA | Board of Directors | 2010 - 2014 |
| American Association for Justice | Board of Governors | N/A |
| Florida Justice Association | Board of Directors | N/A |
| American Association for Justice | Board of Governors | 2011 - 1900 |
| Florida Justice Association | Board of Directors | 2011 - 1900 |
| American Association for Justice | Board of Governors | N/A |
| Florida Justice Association | Board of Directors | N/A |
| Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America | Member | 2015 - 1900 |
| Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America | Member | N/A |
| Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America | Member | N/A |
| Stetson University College of Law | Board of Governors Member | 2019 - 1900 |
| Stetson University College of Law | Board of Governors Member | N/A |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2016 |
| Top 100 US Black Attorneys | National Black Lawyers | 2016 |
| AV Preeminent Rating | Martindale Hubbell | 2016 |
| Living The Dream Award | Studer Group | 2015 |
| Top 40 under 40 | National Trial Lawyers Association | 2014 |
| Million Dollar Advocates Inductee, Life Member | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2014 |
| Top 50 Verdicts in US - Hendrix v. Burford's Tree | National Law Journal | 2014 |
| National Champion Trial Competition | American Association for Justice | 2009 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2005 |
| Florida State University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2005 |
| Florida State University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2005 |
| Florida State University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2005 |
| Stetson University College of Law | Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor | 2009 |
| Stetson University College of Law | Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor | 2009 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Hendrix v. Burford's Tree | $12.M Verdict |
| McMahon v. Yamaha | $3.3M |
| Scott v. Boswell | $192,000.00 |
| Steen v. City of Pensacola | $500,000.00 |
| State | Number | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FL | 71091 | Member in Good Standing | 2009 | 04/25/2019 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ring of Fire Radio | Firefighters Sue Manufacturers For Top Heavy Helmet | 2015 |
| Ring of Fire Radio | A Deadly Weekend For Young Drivers | 2013 |
| Ring Of Fire Radio | Car Accidents Surge In 2012 Costing Over $250 Billion | 2013 |
| Ring Of Fire Radio | 3 Wounded in Another Campus Shooting | 2013 |
| Ring Of Fire Radio | Cops to Congress: We Want Their Text Messages | 2013 |
| Ring Of Fire Radio | New Data Shows Increase In Violent Crimes in 2012 | 2013 |
| Ring Of Fire Radio | Red Bull Energy Drinks Named In 21 Reports to FDA | 2013 |
| Ring Of Fire Radio | Steubenville Teens Must Register As Sex Offenders | 2013 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| American Association for Justice Winter Convention | Arguing, Proving, and Theming Damages in Motor Vehicle Cases | 2016 |
| Workhorse Conference | My First Trial Series | 2015 |
| Trial LAwyers Summit | Media Management In High Profile Cases | 2013 |
| Local High Schools | End Distracted Driving | 2013 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Intern | Criminal Defense Law Firm | 2006 - 2006 |
| Intern | Criminal Defense Law Firm | 2006 - 2006 |
| Intern | Florida Attorney General's Office Of Statewide Prosecution | 2007 - 2007 |
| Intern | Florida Attorney General's Office Of Statewide Prosecution | 2007 - 2007 |
| Legal Intern | Ruden McClosky | 2008 - 2008 |
| Legal Intern | Ruden McClosky | 2008 - 2008 |
| Shareholder | Levin Papantonio Thomas Mitchell Echsner & Proctor, PA | N/A |
| General Counsel | Englewood Baptist Church | N/A |
| Law Clerk | Willie Gary Law | 2009 - 2009 |
| Shareholder | Levin Papantonio Thomas Mitchell Echsner & Proctor, PA | 2009 - 1900 |
| General Counsel | Englewood Baptist Church | 2009 - 1900 |
| Shareholder | Levin Papantonio Thomas Mitchell Echsner & Proctor, PA | N/A |
| General Counsel | Englewood Baptist Church | N/A |
| Law Clerk | Willie Gary Law | 2009 - 2009 |
| Owner | The Watson Firm, PLLC. | 2016 - 1900 |
| Owner | The Watson Firm, PLLC. | N/A |
| Owner | The Watson Firm, PLLC. | N/A |
