Awards and Recognition
Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Rafferty & Proctor, P.A.
Named one of America's most winning law firms by the National Law Journal . The firm's employees have been profiled in (among others) Time Magazine, George Magazine, Forbes Magazine, Florida Trend, US Magazine, American Lawyer, Lawyer Weekly and National Law Journal. Additionally, Attorneys Fred Levin, Mike Papantonio, Troy Rafferty and Leo Thomas are listed in the publication Best Lawyers in America.
Fred Levin
He 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." Mr. Levin 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. Top Ten Litigators for 1999, National Law Journal, 1999. For the year 1999, the National Law Journal named Mr. Levin as the top civil litigator in Florida. in 1999, Mr. Levin was honored at the United Nations by being made a Chief in the Republic of Ghana, one of only two non-Ghanians ever so honored. This honor was bestowed on Mr. Levin because of his lifetime of dedication to equal justice for people of all races. At the same time, Mr. Levin received a citation honoring him by the United States Congressional Black Caucus. In 2007, Mr. Levin was voted the #1 most influential and powerful man in Northwest Florida by the Independent News. In 2009, Mr. Levin was inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame by the American Trial Lawyers Association. At the time, he was one of only nine living members. In 2012, Mr. Levin was selected as a trustee for the Florida Democratic Party.
Mike Papantonio
In 2008, Papantonio was selected by the Public Justice Foundation as a finalist for its Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. In 2011, Papantonio was awarded the Perry Nichols Award, the highest honor given by the Florida Justice Association. The award recognizes individuals who fight valiantly and with distinction for justice throughout their lives. In 2012, Papantonio became President of the National Trial Lawyers Association.
Papantonio is listed in the publications, Best Lawyers in America, SuperLawyers, LawDragon and Leading American Attorney. He is a Fellow, International Society of Barristers. Papantonio is also a political commentator frequently appearing on MSNBC and other major networks, as well as hosting his own nationally syndicated radio show Ring of Fire.
Martin Levin
Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association President's Award for Dedication to Quality and Professionalism in the Legal Community, 2001
Received The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award for Escambia-Santa Rosa Counties, 1993
Selected as 1 of 20 Attorneys in the Country to Make a Difference in the Legal Profession, American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, 1992
Robert Blanchard
Recipient, Florida Trial Lawyers Association Essay Award
Robert Price
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Award
Troy Rafferty
Mr. Rafferty has been recognized as one of the country's top lawyers through inclusion in the publication, The Best Lawyers in America, as well as The Legal 500. He has also been recognized as one of Florida's top lawyers by Florida Super Lawyers. Mr. Rafferty has been awarded an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell legal directory, the highest rating for competence and ethics issued by that publication, and reserved for attorneys designated as outstanding in their field. Mr. Rafferty has been selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association.
Aaron Watson
Mr. Watson was later recognized as a national champion when he finished 1st in the nation of 248 teams from 148 law schools in the American Association for Justice trial competition. He was selected for the Stallworth Trial Team Award by faculty
Kim Lambert
Named the 2012 President of the National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40.
Leo Thomas
Mr. Thomas is listed in the publication "Best Lawyers in America", and is certified as a Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is also certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in Criminal Trial Law and has an AV rating in the Martindale-Hubbell law directory.
Matt Schultz
He has been peer-nominated and selected as a Florida "Super Lawyer" every year since 2009. He is rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell.
Peter Mougey
He was given the ARC President's Award as Volunteer of the Year for 2006.
Virginia Buchanan
Ms. Buchanan has been selected as a member of Florida Super Lawyers, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Brandon Bogle
Mr. Bogle was recognized as instrumental in DUI defense litigation and selected as the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers DUI scholarship recipient for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit for 2009.
Rachel Gilmer
Honors: Regional Championship Winner in the AAJ Trial Competitions in 2003
Honors: National Quarter-Finalist Winner in the AAJ Trial Competitions in 2003
Honors: Recipient, George Peach Taylor Award for Trial Advocacy
Honors: Dean's Community Service Award
Timothy O'Brien
Mr. O'Brien is rated "A-V Preeminent", by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell lawyer peer-rating service (the "A-V Preeminent" rating is the highest rating an attorney can receive). Mr. O'Brien has been frequently chosen as one of the Super Lawyers by the annual publication of the same name. Further, in 2011, he was named by Florida Trend as one of the 2011 Florida Legal Elite, an honor bestowed upon fewer than 100 civil trial attorneys in the State of Florida. University of Florida College of Law Award for Appellate Advocacy.
