- Biography
- A shareholder with King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A., Mr. Zehnder has practiced primarily as a commercial litigator in Orlando since he graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Law in 1995. Mr. Zehnder has represented both individuals and corporations in a wide variety of complex matters through trial in state and federal courts, in arbitration and on appeal. Throughout his legal career, Mr. Zehnder has been active in leadership positions with the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), first serving in the Young Lawyers’ Section, including as President in 2005-06. In 2011-12, Mr. Zehnder served as President of the OCBA, and in 2012 - 2013 he served as President of the OCBA Foundation. In 2006, Mr. Zehnder received the OCBA's highest honor awarded to a young lawyer: the Lawrence G. Mathews, Jr. Young Lawyer Professionalism Award. In 2004, Mr. Zehnder received The Florida Bar's Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Award, a statewide service award presented by the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar's YLD that recognizes extraordinary contributions in the provision of pro bono services. Recently, Mr. Zehnder was selected in Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year "Bet-the-Company" Litigation, 2023.
- Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1995
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- Education
- University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, J.D. with Honors, 1995
- Valparaiso University, B.S. in Business Administration with Finance Concentration, 1991
- Honors and Awards
- AV Preeminent Rating – Martindale-Hubbell
- Recipient of Judge J.C. "Jake" Stone Distinguished Service Award, The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, 2022
- Recipient of Award of Excellence, The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, 2009
- Recipient of the Orange County Bar Association's Lawrence G. Mathews, Jr. Young Lawyer Professionalism Award, 2006
- Recipient of The Florida Bar's Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Award, 2004
- Recipient of New Attorney Award of Excellence, The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, 2001
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers, multiple years including 2023
- Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers, multiple years including 2022
- Selected for inclusion in Florida Trend “Legal Elite,” multiple years including 2022
- Selected in Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year "Bet-the-Company" Litigation, 2023
- Professional Associations and Memberships
- The Florida Bar Civil Rules Committee, Member (2010-2013)
- Lawyer Advisory Committee on Rules for the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (2013-Present)
- Orange County Bar Association: Immediate Past President (2013); President (2011-12); President-Elect (2010-2011); Treasurer (2009-2010); Secretary (2008-2009); Executive Council (2005-2013); Co-Editor of "The Briefs"(2007-2009)
- OCBA Young Lawyers' Section: President (2005-2006); President Elect (2004-2005); Treasurer (2003-2004); Board Member (2001-2006)
- The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association: Board of Trustees (2005-2009)
- Orange County Bar Association Foundation: President (2012 - 2013)
- American Bar Association, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Orlando Chapter, Member
- Representative Cases
- Vielma v. Gruler, No. 18-15162, 2020 WL 1672778 (11th Cir. Apr. 6, 2020)
- Easter v. City of Orlando, 249 So. 3d 723 (Fla. 5th DCA 2018)
- Aracena v. Gruler, 347 F. Supp. 3d 1107 (M.D. Fla. 2018)
- Vielma v. Gruler, 347 F. Supp. 3d 1122 (M.D. Fla. 2018)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, No. 2012-ca-2842 (Fla. 2d Cir. Dec. 30, 2015) (judgment adopting CPS-4a, Florida Senate remedial plan proposed by Plaintiffs)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, 179 So. 3d 258 (Fla. 2015) (adopting CP-1, Congressional remedial plan proposed by Coalition Plaintiffs)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, 172 So. 3d 363 (Fla. 2015) (invalidating Congressional districts)
- Bainter v. League of Women Voters of Florida, 150 So. 3d 1115 (Fla. 2014)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Data Targeting, Inc., 140 So. 3d 510 (Fla. 2014)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, No. 2012-ca-412 (Fla. 2d Cir. July 10, 2014) (judgment declaring Congressional redistricting plan unconstitutional)
- LSQ Funding Group, L.C. v. EDS Field Services, 879 F. Supp. 2d 1320 (M.D. Fla. 2012) (granting summary judgment on breach of contract claim)
- Pierson v. Orlando Health et al., No. 6:08-cv-466, 2010 WL 14083391 (M.D. Fla. Apr. 6, 2010) (granting motion to dismiss defamation and conspiracy claims)
- United States ex rel. Shurick v. Boeing, No. 6:07-cv-1765, 2008 WL 5054739 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 21, 2008) (granting motion to dismiss false claims act claim)
- Born
- Yokohama, Japan
- Married
- Leigh Sigman Zehnder (JD ‘95)
- Children
- Ryan and Sarah
King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A.
Attorneys At Law
Named Top Small Litigation Firm in Florida by Super Lawyers
Selection is based on peer recognition, professional achievement and Super Lawyers' independent research. The result is an unsolicited and powerful endorsement of our firm.
Attorneys At Law
Dedicated to the practice of law
For over forty years, we've been handling a variety of complex business and civil litigation matters in state and federal court, both at the trial court level and on appeal.
Attorneys At Law
A lawyer’s law firm
Our clients include many lawyers and law firms, who turn to us to help them resolve their most difficult and trying challenges and to meet their most significant litigation needs.
Six lawyers, one commitment.
We take great pride in our work. As a leading boutique litigation firm, we provide a level of personal service and attention to our clients’ cases that we believe cannot be matched by larger firms.
- Biography
- Mr. Wermuth, a shareholder with King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A., has over 23 years of legal experience in which he has handled complex civil litigation from various perspectives – as a federal district court law clerk, as trial counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice, and as a private practitioner. Mr. Wermuth’s practice focuses on litigating complex commercial and governmental disputes at the trial court and appellate levels. Mr. Wermuth has handled a broad array of tort, contract, and statutory claims, including breach of contract, government procurement disputes, tortious interference, defamation, deceptive and unfair trade practices, legal malpractice defense, Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) defense, False Claims Act defense, discrimination, and claims under the Florida Constitution and United States Constitution. Mr. Wermuth handled cases through trial in both federal and state court in Florida, sought and defended against emergency injunctive relief in federal and state court cases, and has drafted dozens of successful dispositive motions in federal and state court cases.
- Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1999
- District of Columbia, 2005
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- Education
- University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, J.D., 1999
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif
- University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Gainesville, Florida, B.A., History, 1996
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
- Cambridge University, St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, J.D., 1999
- Judicial Clerkship
- Hon. Gregory A. Presnell, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 2003-2005
- Honors and Awards
- AV Rated – Martindale-Hubble
- Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, 2015-present
- Selected for Inclusion in Super Lawyers Magazine, multiple years including 2022
- Selected for Inclusion in Orlando Magazine's Woodward/White Best Lawyers list, 2018
- Selected for Inclusion in Florida Trend Magazine “Legal Elite,” 2019
- Professional Associations and Memberships
- Federal Bar Association, Orlando Chapter, National Delegate (2015), President (2014), First Vice President (2013), Member (2009-Present)
- Orange County Bar Association, Member
- Representative Cases
- League of Women Voters of Florida, Inc. v. Lee, 595 F. Supp. 3d 1042 (N.D. Fla. 2022) (judgment for declaratory and permanent injunctive relief on constitutional claims)
- Estate of Faull v. McAfee, No. 6:13-cv-1746, 2019 WL 1253840 (M.D. Fla. Mar. 19, 2019) ($25,008,482 judgment for wrongful death)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, No. 2012-ca-2842 (Fla. 2d Cir. Dec. 30, 2015) (judgment adopting CPS-4a, Florida Senate remedial plan proposed by Plaintiffs)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, 179 So. 3d 258 (Fla. 2015) (adopting CP-1, Congressional remedial plan proposed by Coalition Plaintiffs)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, 172 So. 3d 363 (Fla. 2015) (invalidating Congressional districts)
- Bainter v. League of Women Voters of Florida, 150 So. 3d 1115 (Fla. 2014)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Data Targeting, Inc., 140 So. 3d 510 (Fla. 2014)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, No. 2012-ca-412 (Fla. 2d Cir. July 10, 2014) (judgment declaring Congressional redistricting plan unconstitutional)
- MCO Airport Concessions, LLC v. Greater Orlando Aviation Auth., 508 Fed. App’x 920 (11th Cir. 2013) (affirming order granting motion to dismiss)
- MCO Airport Concessions, LLC v. Greater Orlando Aviation Auth., No. 6:11-cv-742 (M.D. Fla. Feb. 14, 2012) (granting motion to dismiss on discrimination claims)
- LSQ Funding Group, L.C. v. EDS Field Services, 879 F. Supp. 2d 1320 (M.D. Fla. 2012) (granting summary judgment on breach of contract claim)
- Pierson v. Orlando Health et al., No. 6:08-cv-466, 2010 WL 14083391 (M.D. Fla. Apr. 6, 2010) (granting motion to dismiss defamation and conspiracy claims)
- United States ex rel. Shurick v. Boeing, No. 6:07-cv-1765, 2008 WL 5054739 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 21, 2008) (granting motion to dismiss false claims act claim)
- Design Pallets, Inc. v. GrayRobinson P.A., No. 6:07-cv-655, 2008 WL 3200275 (M.D. Fla. Aug. 5, 2008) (granting summary judgment on RICO claims)
- Sheils v. Kuhn, No. 6:08-cv-1704 (M.D. Fla. June 11, 2010) (granting summary judgment on securities, fraud, and RICO claims)
- Born
- Rockford, IL
- Married
- Julie Ann Wermuth
- Children
- Beatrice and Jack
- Biography
- Mr. Mauser-Claassen is a shareholder of the firm and represents a wide range of businesses and individuals in complex commercial disputes in federal and state courts throughout Florida. Among other specialties, his practice includes trade secret misappropriation, non-compete enforcement, defamation, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, deceptive and unfair trade practices, and legal malpractice defense. Mr. Mauser-Claassen also regularly serves as local counsel for national brands in complex patent and trademark matters. Mr. Mauser-Claassen presently serves as an appointed member of the Grievance Committee for the Orlando Division of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He previously served as the President of the Federal Bar Association - Orlando Chapter; as an appointed member of the Bench Bar Fund Committee of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida; and as the Chair of the Federal Judicial Relations Committee for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida - Orlando Division. After graduating law school with high honors from the University of Florida, Mr. Mauser-Claassen served as a federal judicial law clerk to U.S. District Judge John Antoon II of the Middle District of Florida.
- Bar Admissions
- Florida, 2015
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- Education
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, J.D., 2015
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude; Order of the Coif; Florida Law Review, Executive Symposium Editor; Recipient of book awards in Tort Law, Property Law, Legal Writing, and Florida Law Review
- University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies – Environmental Science, 2011
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, J.D., 2015
- Judicial Clerkship
- Hon. John Antoon II, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 2015-2017
- Honors and Awards
- Rising Star, Florida Super Lawyers (2021, 2022, 2023)
- Professional Associations and Memberships
- Federal Bar Association, Orlando Chapter, Board Member (Present); Immediate Past President and National Delegate (2021-2022); President (2020-2021); Treasurer (2019-2020)
- Member, Grievance Committee for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division (Present)
- Member, Bench Bar Fund Committee for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (2020-2022)
- Chair, Federal Judicial Relations Committee (2020-2021)
- Member, Orange County Bar Association, Law Week Committee (2017-2020)
- Guardian Ad Litem (2017-present)
- Representative Cases
- Vielma v. Gruler, No. 18-15162, 2020 WL 1672778 (11th Cir. Apr. 6, 2020)
- Estate of Faull v. McAfee, No. 6:13-cv-1746, 2019 WL 1253840 (M.D. Fla. Mar. 19, 2019)
- Aracena v. Gruler, 347 F. Supp. 3d 1107 (M.D. Fla. 2018)
- Vielma v. Gruler, 347 F. Supp. 3d 1122 (M.D. Fla. 2018)
- Born
- Santa Ana, CA
- Married
- Megan Mauser-Claassen
- Children
- Quinn, Barrett, and Olsen
- Biography
- An associate with King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A., Ms. Healy focuses her practice on litigating business and commercial disputes at the trial court and appellate levels. Ms. Healy’s practice involves a broad array of tort, contract, and statutory claims, including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, deceptive and unfair trade practices, non-compete and trade secret actions, and legal malpractice defense. Ms. Healy also has experience with family law litigation, involving complex financial matters and parenting issues.
- Bar Admissions
- Florida, 2002
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- Education
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, J.D., with Honors, 2002
- University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, B.A., with Honors, 1999
- Honors and Awards
- New Attorney Award of Excellence, The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association (2008)
- Professional Associations and Memberships
- Federal Bar Association, Orlando Chapter, Member
- Orange County Bar Association: Member; Editor of “The Briefs” (2009-2010); Associate Editor of “The Briefs” (2008-2009)
- Born
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Married
- Todd Healy
- Children
- Megan and Kate
- Biography
- An associate with King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A., Mr. Ritter focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation in federal and state court. After graduating with highest honors from Florida State University College of Law, Mr. Ritter practiced law in Pensacola. There, he worked on a wide variety of matters, including insurance defense, civil rights, construction defect, and employment discrimination cases. Mr. Ritter then served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Mark E. Walker, Chief United States District Judge for the Northern District of Florida. While clerking, Mr. Ritter worked on diverse cases ranging from proceedings supplemental, to complex ERISA matters, to significant free speech, voting rights, and Second Amendment cases.
- Bar Admissions
- Florida, 2019
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- Education
- Florida State University College of Law, J.D., 2019
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude; Order of the Coif; Florida State University Law Review, Executive Editor
- Florida State University, B.S., Political Science, 2015
- Florida State University College of Law, J.D., 2019
- Judicial Clerkship
- Hon. Mark E. Walker, United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, 2020–2022
- Born
- Lubbock, TX
- Married
- Michelle Snoberger (Fiancée)
- Children
- Fur baby - Marshall
- Biography
- As an associate with King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A., Mr. Small focuses his practice on litigating complex commercial disputes and civil rights cases arising under the United States Constitution and Florida Constitution. During his time at Vanderbilt University Law School, Mr. Small was admitted to the Tennessee Bar as a student-attorney and practiced as a member of the law school’s Criminal Practice Clinic in which he defended indigent individuals throughout felony proceedings. Mr. Small also served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Vincent Falcone III, Circuit Judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, Orange County, Florida. While interning, Mr. Small worked on civil cases involving equitable claims, challenges to tax assessments, and extensive third-party practice. Prior to his internship, Mr. Small worked as a law clerk focused on administrative appeals and federal lawsuits arising from denials of claims for government benefits.
- Bar Admissions
- Florida, 2023
- Education
- Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 2023
- Honors: Moot Court Board
- Florida State University, B.S., Political Science, 2019
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude; Golden Key International Honour Society; Honors Certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security
- Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 2023
- Professional Associations and Memberships
- Federal Bar Association, Orlando Chapter, Member
- Orange County Bar Association, Member
- Born
- New Brunswick, NJ
David B. King [1941 – 2020]
![David B. King [1941 – 2020] KING, BLACKWELL, ZEHNDER & WERMUTH, P.A.](https://kbzwlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/KBZW_King_large.jpg)
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- Biography
- Mr. King was the founding shareholder of King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A. Board certified by The Florida Bar as a Civil Trial Lawyer since 1983, Mr. King devoted a significant portion of his practice to complex commercial litigation, legal malpractice defense, and personal injury and wrongful death cases, in both state and federal courts. Originally, from Cookeville, Tennessee, Mr. King graduated with an LL.B. from Vanderbilt University in 1965. While at Vanderbilt, Mr. King was on the Board of Editors of the Vanderbilt Law Review. After serving in the United States Marine Corps and completing a tour of duty in Vietnam, Mr. King moved to Orlando in 1968, joined the Orange County Bar Association and served on its Executive Council from 1977-1982, and as its President from 1980-1981. In 1986, Mr. King was Chair of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, and he served on the Board of Governors for The Florida Bar from 1988-1992, where he co-chaired the Disciplinary Review Committee overseeing lawyer discipline statewide. In May of 1994, Mr. King was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Orange County Bar Association’s highest award: the William E. Trickel, Jr. Professionalism Award. In 1998, Mr. King was inducted as a Fellow into the America College of Trial Lawyers, the premier professional trial lawyer organization in America.
- Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1965
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Certifications
- Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, The Florida Bar.
- Education
- Vanderbilt University School of Law, LL.B., 1965
- Vanderbilt University Law Review, Member, Board of Editors, 1963-1965
- Tennessee Technological University, B.S., 1963
- Honors and Awards
- AV Rated – Martindale-Hubbell
- Recipient, Orange County Bar Association William E. Trickel, Jr. Professionalism Award, 1994
- Selected for inclusion in Chambers USA, Band 1, Leading Individuals in Commercial Litigation, 2010-2020
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America in Civil Litigation and Bet-the-Company Litigation since 1991
- Recognized by Florida Super Lawyers as one of Florida’s Top 100 lawyers, 2007-2015
- Recognized by Florida Super Lawyers as one of the Top 10 Attorneys in Florida, 2008
- Recognized by Florida Trend Magazine as a member of the Legal Elite Hall of Fame, 2012-2020
- Recognized by the American Board of Trial Advocates, Central Florida Chapter as Plaintiff's Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2017
- Professional Associations and Memberships
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- American Bar Association, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Orlando Chapter, Member
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Central Florida Chapter; President (1994-95)
- Orange County Bar Association: Executive Council (1977-1982); President (1980-1981)
- Representative Cases
- Vielma v. Gruler, No. 18-15162, 2020 WL 1672778 (11th Cir. Apr. 6, 2020)
- Estate of Faull v. McAfee, Case No. 6:13-cv-1746, 2019 WL 1253840 (M.D. Fla. Mar. 19, 2019)
- Easter v. City of Orlando, 249 So. 3d 723 (Fla. 5th DCA 2018)
- Aracena v. Gruler, 347 F. Supp. 3d 1107 (M.D. Fla. 2018)
- Vielma v. Gruler, 347 F. Supp. 3d 1122 (M.D. Fla. 2018)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, No. 2012-ca-2842 (Fla. 2d Cir. Dec. 30, 2015) (judgment adopting CPS-4a, Florida Senate remedial plan proposed by Plaintiffs)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, 179 So. 3d 258 (Fla. 2015) (adopting CP-1, Congressional remedial plan proposed by Coalition Plaintiffs)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, 172 So. 3d 363 (Fla. 2015) (invalidating Congressional districts)
- Bainter v. League of Women Voters of Florida, 150 So. 3d 1115 (Fla. 2014)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Data Targeting, Inc., 140 So. 3d 510 (Fla. 2014)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, No. 2012-ca-412 (Fla. 2d Cir. July 10, 2014) (judgment declaring Congressional redistricting plan unconstitutional)
- MCO Airport Concessions, LLC v. Greater Orlando Aviation Auth., 508 Fed. App’x 920 (11th 2013) (affirming order granting motion to dismiss)
- Pierson v. Orlando Health et al., No. 6:08-cv-466, 2010 WL 14083391 (M.D. Fla. Apr. 6, 2010) (granting motion to dismiss defamation and conspiracy claims)
- United States ex rel. Shurick v. Boeing, No. 6:07-cv-1765, 2008 WL 5054739 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 21, 2008) (granting motion to dismiss false claims act claim)
- Born
- Cookeville, TN
- Married
- Marilyn McDaniel King
- Children
- David B. King, Jr. (deceased), Michael Houston King, and T. Christopher King
Bruce B. Blackwell [Retired]
![Bruce B. Blackwell [Retired] KING, BLACKWELL, ZEHNDER & WERMUTH, P.A.](https://kbzwlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/KBZW_Blackwell_large.jpg)
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- Biography
- A fifth generation Floridian, Bruce B. Blackwell was raised in rural Marion County, graduated from Florida State University (FSU) with a B.A. in 1968, and served as an Officer in the United States Air Force from 1968-1972. In 1974, Mr. Blackwell graduated from FSU’s College of Law with Honors. Before entering private civil trial practice in 1981, Mr. Blackwell was an attorney for Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Co., and later an antitrust attorney with AT&T. He was a founding shareholder of King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A., and devoted his practice to complex civil litigation. He has been admitted to practice in Florida, Georgia (presently inactive), and New York. Mr. Blackwell has served as President of the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), as a member of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar, overseeing the disciplinary system statewide, and as President of The Florida Bar Foundation and The Supreme Court Historical Society. He is listed in Best Lawyers, in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame, and has received numerous local, statewide and national awards for his service to the legal profession. In 2003, Mr. Blackwell received the OCBA’s highest award, the William E. Trickel, Jr. Professionalism Award, and in 2011, he received The Florida Bar Foundation’s Medal of Honor, the highest award bestowed upon a Florida lawyer. In 2014, Mr. Blackwell retired from the active practice of law and currently serves as CEO/Executive Director of The Florida Bar Foundation.
- Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1975
- Georgia, 1977
- New York, 1980
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- Education
- Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, Florida, J.D. with Honors, 1974
- Florida State University, B.A., 1968
- Honors and Awards
- AV Rated – Martindale-Hubbell
- Recipient, American Jurisprudence Book Awards
- The Florida Bar Award of Merit for Runner-up-Best Single Member Project Statewide, 1983
- Judge J.C. "Jake" Stone Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award, 1996
- Friend of FAWL Annual Award, Florida Association for Women Lawyers, 1997
- The Florida Bar President's Ninth Circuit Pro Bono Service Award, 1997
- The Florida Bar Foundation President's Award, 2002
- OCBA William E. Trickel Jr. Professionalism Award, 2003
- American Bar Association’s (ABA) Grassroots Advocacy Award, 2008
- Florida Council of Bar Association Presidents, Outstanding Voluntary Bar President Award 2008
- Judge James G. Glazebrook Memorial Outstanding Member Award, 2008
- The Florida Bar Foundation 34th Medal of Honor, 2011
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, 2006-Present, 2009-2012 in the categories of Commercial Litigation, Bet the Company Litigation, and Litigation Real Estate
- Selected for inclusion in The American Lawyer as a Top Commercial Litigator, 2006-2011
- Recognized by the Orlando Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar”, 2006
- Selected for inclusion in Florida Trend Magazine, 2004-2012, Legal Elite Hall of Fame, 2009-2012
- Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers Magazine, 2007-2012
- Professional Associations and Memberships
- Orange County Bar Association: President (1987-1988); Executive Council (1983-1986); Member, Judicial Relations Committee (1992-1994); Gender Bias Committee Chair (1991-1993); Fair Judicial Campaign Practices and Co-Chair (1998-2001)
- The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association: Board of Trustees (1984-1987)
- American Bar Association, Member
- The Florida Bar: Board of Governors (1994-1998); Supreme Court of Florida Pro Bono Service Committee (1995-1996); Annual Meeting Chair (1997); Access to Courts Committee Vice-Chair (1996-1997); Special Committee on Solo/Small Firm Practice Chair (1997-1998); Supreme Court Special Committee on Need for Add'l Courts of Appeals (1998-1999); Statewide Disciplinary Review Committee Co-Chair (1997-1998); Ancillary Business Law Firms Special Committee (1998-1999); Ninth Circuit Fee Arbitration Committee Chair (1993-1994); Mid-Year Meeting Chair (1986)
- The Florida Bar Foundation: President (2007-2008); Board of Directors (1998 - Present); Secretary (2005-2006); Treasurer (2004-2005); Administration of Justice Committee and Executive Committee Chair (2000-2003);
- Florida Supreme Court Historical Society: President (2010-2011)
- Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers, Member
- First Central Florida Inns of Court #123, Master and Counselor
- Central Florida Corporate Counsel Association, President (1980-1981)
- Grievance Committee Panel "D" Chair, Ninth Circuit, (1985-1986)
- Florida State University Alumni Association, National President (1985-1986)
- Florida State University College of Law Alumni Association, President-Elect (2005-2006)
- Orlando Touchdown Club, Inc., President (1996-1997)
- Born
- Gainesville, FL
- Married
- Julie McMillan Blackwell
- Children
- Blair Allison Blackwell and Brooke Blackwell Castino
Firm Overview
Located in downtown Orlando, we represent plaintiffs and defendants in both state and federal court in complex business and commercial litigation, arbitrations, appeals, and significant personal injury and wrongful death matters. The firm has a wide range of clients, from local individuals, families and small businesses, to large publicly traded companies. We are also often retained by lawyers and law firms to represent them and are proud of our reputation as a lawyer’s law firm.
Our attorneys are actively involved, not only in their local bar, but statewide as well, with past presidents of the Orange County Bar Association, past presidents of the Orlando Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and past members of The Florida Bar Board of Governors. The firm’s attorneys have also held leadership roles in The Florida Bar Foundation and The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. We are grateful for our success and believe in giving back.
We have received local and statewide recognition for our pro bono service, and we continue to devote significant time and resources to providing pro bono legal services to those most in need through the OCBA’s Legal Aid Society.
Areas of Practice
For over forty years, our clients have turned to us to resolve their most trying problems and meet their most significant litigation needs. At King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A., we handle a variety of complex and complicated civil matters in state and federal court, both at the trial court level and on appeal.
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Complex Business and Commercial Litigation
We represent plaintiffs and defendants in complex business disputes and bet-the-company litigation
Our clients include local individuals and businesses, many high-profile local and national lawyers and law firms, international defense contractors, major financial services companies and banking institutions, and Fortune 500 corporations. We have enjoyed great success obtaining large verdicts and substantial settlements on behalf of our clients. We provide the highest quality legal representation and have a strong reputation for handling the most difficult and complex matters.
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Appeals
We are often retained to handle high-stakes, complicated appeals in both state and federal court
Unlike most law firms, we also typically handle any appeals arising from the cases in which we served as trial counsel. This efficiency is passed on to our client, who benefits from our historical knowledge of the cases and avoids the unnecessary expense of bringing appellate counsel up to speed. We are also often retained to handle appeals of matters litigated by predecessor counsel, typically receiving those referrals from other attorneys and law firms.
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Legal Malpractice Defense
We represent lawyers and law firms when they require legal services
Our firm has a long history of being retained by other lawyers and law firms, enhancing our reputation as a lawyer’s law firm. Over the years, we have represented law firm clients ranging from multi-national firms to solo practitioners, and in a variety of practice areas, from estate planning to family law to complex commercial litigation. We are proud to assist our colleagues whenever the need arises.
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Significant Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
We have recovered large, including multi-million dollar, verdicts and settlements for our clients
We represent the victims of significant personal injuries, as well as the family members of those who have lost their lives due to the fault of others. We have been in the practice of personal injury law in Florida for over 40 years.
KING, BLACKWELL, ZEHNDER & WERMUTH, P.A.
Attorneys At Law
Tel 407 422 2472
Fax 407 648 0161
Email