Christian D. Searcy | Miami, Christian Searcy | Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley

CHRISTIAN D. SEARCY is President and CEO of the law firm of Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. For 46 years, he has litigated cases involving primarily catastrophic personal injury and death throughout Florida as well as in other states. At age 29, he received the distinction of being the youngest attorney in the United States to achieve a $1 million verdict in a single-plaintiff personal injury lawsuit.

In 2006, Mr. Searcy was one of only two attorneys nationwide selected to receive the Southern Trial Lawyers Association’s “War Horse Award” in recognition of his outstanding trial skills and extraordinary contributions to the cause of justice.

In 2005, the Florida Association for Justice, formerly known as the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers, presented him with the Perry Nichols Award, the highest honor given in recognition of his outstanding lifetime of service to justice.

Mr. Searcy is a past President of the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a worldwide organization which limits its membership to 500 lawyers by invitation only. Mr. Searcy is Vice President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Foundation and is named to The Best Lawyers in America, an independent study of Harvard University-educated attorneys. He is also recognized in Law and Leading Lawyers; he is listed as one of the “judicial elite” attorneys in Florida Trend magazine and is named as one of the top attorneys in the “ South Florida Legal Guide.” Mr. Searcy has been selected as one of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Inner Circle of Lawyers, which is by invitation only and limits membership to the top 100 trial attorneys in the United States. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is by invitation only. Mr. Searcy is a member of the International Society of Bars, which is by invitation only, to the top 500 international trial lawyers. He is a Fellow of Trial Lawyers of America, an honorary society of trial lawyers that limits its membership to less than one-half of one percent of lawyers in North America.

Mr. Searcy is a past President of the Florida Association for Justice, formerly known as the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers, and currently serves on the Florida Constitutional Review Committee. He is a Fellow of the American Association for Justice, formerly known as the American Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Searcy is a past President of the National Trial Lawyers Association. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an Emeritus Member of the Board of Overseers of Stetson University College of Law. He is an Emeritus Member of the University of Virginia College Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the Virginia Jefferson University Palm Beach Regional Student Selection Committee, a member of the University of Virginia Alumni Association Board of Directors, a member of the University of Virginia Rotunda Society, a member of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society Board of Directors, a Certified Trial Lawyer by the National Board of Special Certification formerly known as the National Board of Trial Advocates, a member of the Florida Bar Association, and a member of the National Center for State Courts.

Mr. Searcy writes and lectures extensively on the practice of civil litigation, personal injury and wrongful death.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Virginia he received his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, graduating in the top ten percent of his class.

His personal philosophy of advocating for those in need has left its mark on South Florida, where he supports numerous nonprofit organizations committed to helping the disabled, improving education and promoting the advancement of community causes.

Education

Stetson University, College of Law, 1970-1973, J.D.
University of Virginia, 1965-1970, B.A. WITH DISTINCTION

Employment

Shareholder, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO – 1989-present –
SEARCY DENNEY SCAROLA BARNHART & SHIPLEY, PA WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Shareholder and President, 1985-1989, MONTGOMERY, SEARCY AND DENNEY, PA WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Shareholder, 1976-1985, MONTGOMERY, LYTAL, REITER, DENNEY AND SEARCY, PA WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Associate, 1974-1976, HOWELL, KIRBY, MONTGOMERY, D’AIUTO AND DEAN, PA FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
Associate, 1973-1974, FRATES, FLOYD, PEARSON & STEWART, PA MIAMI, FL

Board Certification

Mr. Searcy is Board Certified by the Florida Bar Association as a Civil Trial Lawyer. He has held this certification since 1983.
Mr. Searcy is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a civil trial attorney.
Mr. Searcy is Board Certified by the American Board of Professional Tort Attorneys.

He has published articles on the following topics:

Arbitration
Anatomy of Medical Negligence and Risk Minimization
Rights letter
Compensation Plan for Neurological Injuries at Birth
Closing Arguments
Maximize Damage
Total Damages
Overcoming the Deception of the Accused Hospital in a Meritorious Case
Demonstrative Evidence: A Photo Is Worth a Thousand Words
The Use of Discovery in Trials
Turning a Complex Case into a Simple One Through Expert Testimony
Childbirth Basics in Obstetric Terms: How to Read the Chart; What You Need from the Chart
Perinatal Infections: Consequences for the Mother and the Newborn
Smear Tactics
Defendant’s Expert Statements in Medical Malpractice Cases
Dental Negligence
Key Elements in Medical Malpractice Expert Statements
Closed Head Injury
Initial Client Interview – Medical Malpractice Jury Selection – One Bad Apple Spoils the Rest of the Fruit – The Art of Getting a Fair Jury in the Unfavorable, Aftermath of 10th Amendment Orders
Jury Selection
Selection, Preparation, Direct Examination and Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses in a Difficult Liability Case
“Voir Dire” in Medical Malpractice Cases: Innovative Methods of Managing Level of Care and Causation
Introduction to Regulatory Action Cases
Using Videos to Prove Damages
Forensic Psychiatry: The Use and Abuse of Expert Testimony
Testimony of Opinions of Lay Witnesses
Evidence and Allegations of Damages in Medical Malpractice Cases
Immediate Cause
Recent Developments Regarding Parents’ Rights to Recover Non-Pecuniary Damages Due to Injury to Child Caused by Negligence
Recent Developments in Third Party Practices
Basic Litigation Tactics in Personal Injury Cases
Reviewing Cases of Possible Medical Malpractice: Seeing the Matter
Proving Economic Damages with a Wealthy Client
The Prosecutor’s Perspective on Using Experts Effectively
Testing Causality: The Case of the Brain-Damaged Baby
Evidence and Arguments in Catastrophic Injury Damage Cases
The “Sine Qua Non” Condition of Winning the Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice Case: The Use of the Teaching Expert ∙ Neonatal Infections – Causation Issues
Medical Jurisprudence
From Inadequate Coverage to Sixty Million Dollars in Coverage: What the Plaintiff Should Know in Trucking Cases
Using Statements in Court
“Voir Dire” Trial Tactics
Damages in Personal Injury Actions: Maximizing Damages
War Declared on Medical Experts
Preparing for Judgment: The Last 10 Days
The Death of a Child – The Greatest Pain of Human Beings
Format for the Physician in the Treatment of the Patient, Tests
Necessary for Causal Connection vs. Necessary for Future Harm
Vicarious Liability and Punitive Damages: The Difference Between $11,000,000.00 and $50,000,000.00
The Basics of Obtaining a Statement from the Accused Party’s Doctor
The Outrageous Behavior of the US Railroad and How to Prove It
Getting the Jury to Feel the Pain
“Voir Dire” – Choosing the Best Jury
Witness and Evidence Presentation Strategy, Direct Examination Technique and Cross-Examination of Experts and Other Witnesses
Factual Context
Presentation of Experts
Death and Destruction from Road Construction
Claiming Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Case
“Voir Dire”: The Core of a Fair Trial (Excuse for Cause)
Anatomy of Hunter v. General Motors: $25.4 Million Verdict for a Single Personal Injury
Jury Selection in Auto Case
Loss of Ability to Enjoy Life
Opening Statements: Developing the Issue and Preparing the Jury for the Case
Award Maximum Damages
Crushed Car Roof Cases – Don’t Reject Them (theory and basis of manufacturer’s liability when the occupant was injured because the roof crushed him when it rolled over)
Evidentiary Matters and the Expert Witness
Confusing the Witness During Cross-Examination
Effective Mediation Techniques
Prescription Drug Errors and Pharmacy Litigation – Hippley v. Walgreens Case Study and Summary: Prescription Drug Errors and the Hippley v. Walgreens Litigation – $25.8 Million Verdict
The Compassionate Gladiator: Maximizing Client Recovery
Wife/Mother Wrongful Death: Measuring Damages (Based on Compensatory Damage Verdicts in Wife/Mother Wrongful Death Cases of $21.5 Million; $25.8 Million and $14.5 Million)
Persuasion
Litigating the Perinatal Brain Injury Case
Hours of Service Violations: Testing/Conscious Indifference to Life and Safety
PRICELESS – How Do Our Clients Win When Medical Records Are Against Them? Based on Korzeniowski Vs. Bethesda Memorial Hospital Birth Injury Offer: $1,000 Each for Baby, Mother, and Father Verdict: $63,000,000.00
Evidence and Allegations of Damages in Catastrophic Brain Injury Cases
Closing Statements: When You Sit Down, They Say, “Yes.”
Last in Line. First to Die!
Winning Big Verdicts in Child Injury and Death Cases
Closing the Deal: Strategies for Delivering Powerful and Persuasive Closing Statements
The 9,000 Gallon Molotov Cocktail: Tanker Truck Accident

Membership in organizations, by invitation only

International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Inner Circle of Lawyers
International Bar Association
American Board of Trial Advocates
Roundtable of Trial Lawyers

Memberships in other organizations and positions held

Florida Bar Association
Full member of the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers (now known as the Florida Justice Association)
American Board of Trial Advocates (Life Member) (ABOTA)
American Association of Justice (Presidential Club Member)
Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates (Life Member) (FLABOTA)
United States District Court Trial Lawyers Association, Northern District of Florida
United States District Court Trial Lawyers Association, Southern District of Florida
United States District Court Trial Lawyers Association, Middle District of Florida
Supreme Court of the United States
Academic in continuing education seminars in the field of law in the state, related to litigation practices, for the Florida Association of Justice
Academic in continuing education seminars in the field of law in the state, related to litigation practices, for the Committee on Continuing Education in the Field of Law, of the Florida Bar Association
Florida Supreme Court Historical Society (Patron and Life Member)
Florida Bar Foundation (Life Member)
Member of the Million Dollar Lawyers Forum
Diplomat of the American Board of Professional Attorneys Specializing in Civil Liability Cases. Attorneys specialized in the field of medical professional liability
Member of the National Advisory Board of APITLA (Association of Interstate Trucking Plaintiffs’ Lawyers of the United States)
Lifetime Fellow of the American Bar Association Foundation
PEOPIL (Pan-European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers) – (2010-2014)
Emeritus Member of the Stetson College of Law Board of Overseers
Trial Lawyers of America – Full and Advisory Board Member
Founding member of the Safety Attorneys Federation.
Trial Lawyers of the Nation
Public Justice Foundation (Collaborating Member)
National Board of Special Certification Law
American Bar Association – National CLE Program Advisory Committee
National Bar Association
Palm Beach County Bar Association
Kentucky Association for Justice
Birth Trauma Litigation Group, American Trial Lawyers Association
American Society of Law Enforcement Defenders
National Association of Distinguished Attorneys

Professional services and positions held

Florida Bar Association
- Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Civil Procedure Rules (1983-1984)
- Chairman of the Committee on Civil Procedure Rules (1984-1985)
- Civil Procedure Rules Committee (7/1/98-6/30/01; 7/1/08-6/30/11; 7/1/11-6/30/14)
- Presidente del Subcomité de Prevención y Descubrimiento de Abuso (1982-1984)
- Presidente del Comité de Análisis Judicial (1995-1996)
- Comité de Análisis Judicial (7/1/95-6/30/00)
- Presidente del Seminario del Subcomité de Profesionalismo (1995)
- Presidente del Comité Permanente de Profesionalismo (7/1/98-6/30/99)
- Comité Permanente de Profesionalismo (6/1/95-6/30/00)
- Comité de Profesionalismo (6/1/95-6/30/97)
  Comité de Reglas con Respecto a Pruebas (7/1/02-6/30/08; 7/1/14-
- 6/30/17; 7/1/15-6/30/17)
- Subcomité de Series de Videos Históricos
- Comisión de Profesionalismo (Ex-Officio)
- Ex miembro del Comité de Formación Continua en el Campo de Derecho
Academia de Abogados Litigantes de la Florida (actualmente conocida como Asociación de Justicia de la Florida)
- Expresidente inmediato (1987-1988)
- Presidente (1986-1987)
- Presidente-electo (1985-1986)
- Tesorero (1984-1985)
- Secretario (1983-1984)
- Junta Directiva (1979-actualidad)
- Presidente a nivel estatal del Programa Key Man (1980-1982)
- Presidente de Chairman of Medical Jurisprudencia (1981-1982)
- Comité de Planificación de Largo Alcance
- Comité de Derecho Constitucional
- Ex miembro del Comité de Formación Continua en el Campo de Derecho
Academia Internacional de Abogados Litigantes
- Expresidente (2011-2012)
- Presidente (2010-2011)
- Presidente electo (2009-2010)
- Decano (2008-2009)
- Secretario/Presidente de Relaciones Internacionales (2005-2008)
- Junta Directiva (1998-actualidad)
- Presidente, Comité Internacional de la Democracia (2005-2008)
- Comité Nominador (2010; 2011; 2012; 2014/2015)
- Presidente, Comité del Simposio Jurídico del National Judicial College (2012)
- Comité de Planificación de Largo Alcance (2003-actualidad)
- Comité del presidente a nivel estatal
- Comité de Programas Internacionales
- Comité de Admisiones
- Comité de Conferencistas en Memoria de Lee S. Kreindler
- Comité del Sitio
Fundación de la Academia Internacional de Abogados Litigantes
- Junta de Fideicomisarios (2014-2017)
- Secretario-Tesorero (2015)
Sociedad Histórica del Tribunal Supremo de la Florida
- Presidente (2011-2012)
- Primer vicepresidente (2010-2011)
- Segundo vicepresidente (2009-2010)
- Junta de Fideicomisarios (2006-2010)
- Comité de Historia Oral (2008-2009)
- Copresidente del Comité de Evolución de Justicia
Asociación del Colegio de Abogados del Condado Palm Beach
- Ex miembro del Comité de Práctica de Circuito y Civil
- Ex miembro del Comité de Relaciones Judiciales
Ex miembro del Comité de Profesionalismo
Comisión de la Resolución Alternativa de Disputas del Tribunal Supremo de la Florida (1987-1988)
Tribunal de Distrito de Estados Unidos, Distrito Sur de la Florida
- Comisión Nominadora Judicial (JNC, por sus siglas en inglés) (2011-2013)
Tribunal de Distrito de Estados Unidos, Distrito Medio de la Florida
- Comisión Nominadora Judicial (JNC, por sus siglas en inglés) (2014-2015)
Junta Asesora de Simposios Internacionales del Centro UC Davis para
- Medicina Perinatal y Derecho
Vicepresidente, Junta de Supervisores, Facultad de Derecho de Stetson University
Fideicomisario, Junta de Supervisores, Facultad de Derecho de Stetson University
Fundación Gary, Junta Asesora
American Board of Trial Advocates, Legal Committee (2011-2012; 2012-2013; 2013-2014)
Trial Lawyers of the Nation, Executive Committee, Nominated to serve in 2012
University of Virginia College of Trustees Foundation Board
University of Virginia Alumni Association, Board of Trustees (7/1/12-6/30/15) (Alumni Engagement Committee)
Alumni and Finance Committee)

Activities and Distinctions

Stetson University College of Law
- Graduated in the top ten percent of his class
  Law Review
- Winner of the Mock Trial Competition in his first year
- Interstate Mock Trial Competition
- Dana Foundation Scholarship
- Grant for studies, based on academic average
- “Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges”
- President International Law Society
- Scholarship Grant for Helping to Establish a Civil Legal Aid Practice in Clearwater, Florida
- Executive Advisor of the Student Bar Association
- Phi Delta Phi Legal Society
Accelerated Study Program
University of Virginia
- Graduated “with distinctions”
- Honor Roll
- Honor roll with only “A” grades
- Lawn Resident
- Virginia Players
- Delta Psi Society
- Basketball team in the first year
- Varsity tennis team
- Light heavyweight boxing champion

Professional achievements and recognitions

Christian D. Searcy was the youngest attorney in the United States to achieve a $1 million verdict in a single-plaintiff personal injury trial, in the case of Bernard v. Florida East Coast Railway in March 1978, at the age of 29.
In October 2005, Christian D. Searcy received the Perry Nichols Award from the Florida Association for Justice. This award is the highest recognition given by the Florida Association for Justice to recognize a lifetime of outstanding service and excellence in the pursuit of justice. In February 2006
, Mr. Searcy was one of only two attorneys in the country to receive the War Horse Award from the Southern Trial Lawyers Association, which honored his outstanding skills as a trial lawyer and his extraordinary contributions to the pursuit of justice.
In October 2007, Mr. Searcy was selected from among thousands of former students to be inducted into the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame for having been a profound and positive influence on the life of the College and the legal world. In October 2008,
Mr. Searcy received the Ironman Award for his decade-long support of the Coastal Conservation Association, which protects our fishing industry.
In November 2008, Mr. Searcy was named the 2009 West Palm Beach Personal Injury Trial Lawyer of the Year.
In May 2010, Mr. Searcy was selected as one of the 2010 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America.
In 2007, Mr. Searcy received the highest number of votes of any Florida civil litigation attorney from Super Lawyers.
In 2012, Mr. Searcy received the highest number of votes of any Florida civil litigation attorney from Super Lawyers.
In 1997, Mr. Searcy received the A.L. J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Association for Justice, recognizing his career of leadership, dedication, devotion and courage.
Continually selected as one of Florida’s Top Lawyers by: Florida Trend Legal Elite and Florida Super Lawyers.
In 2015, Mr. Searcy was inducted into the National Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame.
Selected as one of the best civil litigation lawyers in the United States, in a book called, “The Best Lawyers in America,” which was the result of an independent study and survey conducted by several Harvard alumni, and has been selected to appear in all editions.
Appeared in “Who’s Who in American Law.”
Selected by the Stetson University College of Law Society of Trial Lawyers as one of ten outstanding trial lawyers in the state of Florida, 1982.
Selected by the Stetson University College of Law Society of Trial Lawyers as Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the United States, 1983.

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