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F. Gregory Barnhart

Vice President-Secretary

GREGORY BARNHART, a senior partner at Searcy Denney Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley, P.A., is recognized as one of America’s leading trial lawyers.  He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar and regularly handles cases throughout the United States.

In addition to being named in The Best Lawyers in America for the past 25 years, Mr. Barnhart has been recognized as one of the Legal Elite in Florida Trend magazine, named a Top Lawyer in South Florida magazine, and listed in Top 100: Florida Super Lawyers. He was named Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year for 2010, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 in personal injury litigation and in 2017, 2018, and 2019 for medical malpractice litigation. 

Mr. Barnhart is an honors graduate of Vassar College and The Cornell Law School.  The Cornell Law Forum says of him, “Barnhart certainly is sharp – he is consistently recognized as one of the best trial lawyers in the country, and regularly takes on Big Tobacco, the pharmaceutical industry, and other corporate defendants in cases that have an impact on a national scale.”  Mr. Barnhart has over 96 million dollar and multi‑million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients in cases involving personal injury, product liability, auto and truck collisions, medical malpractice, aviation and railroad disasters, and large commercial and will contest cases.

Different Florida Governors have appointed Mr. Barnhart to sit on the 15th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission as well as on the Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission, where he served as chair of the Commission. He is a past president of the Florida Justice Association as well as a past president of the Federal Bar Association.

A frequent lecturer in Florida and other states, Mr. Barnhart has enjoyed teaching lawyers and law students about the intricacies of trial work. Recently, he taught a trial techniques course at the Cornell Law School. He has been honored with the Distinguished Lecturer award and the Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement award by the Florida Justice Association.

Mr. Barnhart also has been inducted into the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers, which is limited to the top 500 trial lawyers and barristers, as well as the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is limited to the top 1,000 trial lawyers and barristers.

To learn more about Greg Barnhart, see:

Publications & Presentations

Lectures & Books”

  1. Taped for Million Dollar Verdict Cassette Series: The Masters Series
  2. “Damages in Death Cases”, Palm Beach County Bar Association Seminar, Lake Tahoe, CA. Feb. 1983
  3. “Venue and Jurisdiction”, Palm Beach County Bar Association Seminar, Aspen, CO. March, 1984.
  4. “Personal Injury and Other Forms of Discovery” at Worker’s Compensation – A Topical Survey Seminar, Miami, August 1985; Tampa, August 1985 – Video taped and presented at five other Statewide locations.
  5. Seminar on “Accounting Malpractice” for East Coast Chapter of Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, West Palm Beach, Florida. January, 1986.
  6. “Improper Closing Arguments”, Palm Beach County Bar Association Seminar, Sun Valley, Idaho.  March, 1986.
  7. Moderator, “Paralegal Program”, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers’ Spring Seminar.  May, 1986.
  8. “Proving New and Old Theories with the Help of Consumer Statutes”, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Spring Seminar. May, 1986.
  9. “View From The Plaintiff’s Bar”, Good Samaritan Hospital Risk Management Seminar. Given to 280 physicians of Palm Beach County Medical Society. November, 1986.
  10. “How to Pass the Board Certification Exam.” Medical Negligence and Products Liability Seminar.  Tampa, Florida.  January, 1987.
  11. “The Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice Case.” Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Council.  Miami, Florida.  February 6, 1987.
  12. “Response to $450,000. Cap: Are Any General Damages Really Non-Economic?”  Palm Beach County Bar Association Personal Injury Seminar.  February 17, 1987.
  13. “Proving Damages in the Child Death Case”, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Spring Seminar. April, 1987.
  14. “The Use of Video Tape in Proving Damages”, State Convention of the Florida Legal Assistants (statewide group for paralegals). West Palm Beach. September, 1987.
  15. “Proving Medical Malpractice Losses in Jury Trials”, Lecture at Stetson Law School, St. Petersburg, Florida. January, 1988.
  16. “Patient’s Rights”, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and Ambulance Association. October, 1988.
  17. “Medical Negligence from the Plaintiff’s Prospective” Medical Update ’88, Palms West Hospital, West Palm Beach. December, 1988.
  18. “Probate Litigation: A Golden Opportunity for Plaintiffs’ Trial Lawyers” Snowmass, Colorado.  December, 1988.
  19. ”Medical Malpractice: A Plaintiff’s View of Risk Management” Palm Beach County Physician’s seminar.  West Palm Beach.  March, 1989.
  20. “Key Elements in the Medical Malpractice Expert’s Deposition – For the Plaintiff”, Winning Depositions Make Winning Trials, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  May, 1989.
  21. “Keeping the Verdict – Improper Closing Argument – How Far Can You Go?”, Trial Skills for the 1990’s, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Spring Seminar, Orlando, Florida.              March 22-23, 1990.
  22. “Closing Argument” – A Demonstration. Academy of Florida Trials Lawyers Convention.  Miami, Florida  October 24-26, 1990.
  23. “Closing Argument in Wrongful Death Cases.” “Maximizing Recovery in the Wrongful Death Case.”  Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale, January 30 and 31, 1992.
  24. “Proof of Damages” Palm Beach County Bar Association Ninth Annual Personal Injury Seminar, West Palm Beach, March 29, 1992.
  25. “Medical Malpractice Litigation Statutory and Case Law Update – Changes and Trends”, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Tampa, May 1, 1992.
  26. “Depositions and Admissions: How to Get the Defense to Say What You Want to Hear.”  1992 Star Track Seminar – Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, July 16 and 17, 1992, Palm Beach.
  27. “How to Combat and Defeat Defense Arguments (In Summation) During Plaintiff’s Opening Statement and Presentation of the Case in Chief” – Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, February 4 and 5, 1993, Orlando.
  28. “Trying the Case under Fabre/Messmer FM: Tactics Practical Problems and Solutions. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, September 21, 1993, Orlando.
  29. “1994 Legislative Overview and Recap” Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, April 28 and 29, 1994 Miami/Orlando
  30. “The Masters in Trial”. The American Board of Trial Advocates” October 28, 1994, Jacksonville.
  31. “Jury Selection in Medical Malpractice Cases” January 27 and 28, 1995. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  Workhorse Seminar.  Orlando.
  32. “Arguing Non-Economic Damages – The Art of Persuasion in Explaining Pain” May 12, 1995. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. 1995 Spring Advanced Trial Skills Seminar.  Orlando.
  33. “Strategies to Limit or Exclude Nonparties From the Verdict Form; How to Deal With Non-Parties, Phantom Vehicles and Immune Parties” August 11, 1995. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  1995 Auto Negligence & Insurance Seminar.  Miami.
  34. “Arguing Non-Economic Damages – The Art of Persuasion in Explaining Pain” September 14, 1995 and September 15, 1995. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  1995 Proof of Damages Seminar. Tampa/Ft. Lauderdale.
  35. “The Effect of Fabre and Subsequent Case law on your Trial”. 1995 Trial Masters. October 18, 1995.
  36. “Evidence and Jury Instructions” March 7 and March 8, 1996. The Florida Bar. Torts for Family Lawyers Seminar.  Tampa/Miami
  37. “Persuasion”. Broward County Trial Lawyers.  June 1996.
  38. “Planting & Harvesting Successful Openings and Closings”. Spring Advanced Trial Skills Seminar.  Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  May 23 – 24, 1996.
  39. “Closing Argument”. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Convention.  November 13 – 16, 1996.
  40. “The Power of Persuasion”. Lecture at Stetson Law School.  November 1996.
  41. “Dealing With Fabre – Strategies for Handling Fabre Issues Pre-Trial and at Trial” May 8, 1997. Spring Advanced Trial Skill Seminar. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. May 8-9, 1997, Orlando. Florida.
  42. “Creative Ways to Marshall Evidence in Your Courtroom Performance “. ‘97 Workhorse Seminar. February 19-22, 1997, Orlando, Florida. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.
  43. “Direct  and  Cross  Examination  of an Orthopaedist”  October 15, 1997.   1997 Annual Convention, October 15-18, 1997, Tampa.
  44. “Screening and Identifying Medical Malpractice Cases” December 4 and 5, 1997, Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale. 1997 Medical Malpractice Seminar.
  45. Speaker and Panel Member. Professionalism Seminar.  Cornell Law School Alumni Association.  Winter Meeting.  December 5, 1997, Ft. Lauderdale.
  46. “Preparing the Demand Package.” 1998 Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Annual Convention, June 28, 1998, Orlando.
  47. “Closing Arguments that Win Auto Cases.” Fall Advanced Trial Skills Seminar.  Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, November 19, 1998, Orlando.
  48. “Damages for the Plaintiff” Hunters Run Advanced Litigation Seminar (Ohio Trial Lawyers and Judges) November 8, 1999, Boynton Beach.
  49. “Strategies for Handling Comparative Fault Issues” Advanced Trial Skills Seminar. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, November 19, 1999, Orlando.
  50. “How the Legal System Makes This a Safer Country.” Safety Council of Palm Beach County. March 29, 2000, West Palm Beach.
  51. “New Approaches and Some Old Standby’s in Closing Argument.” Fall Convention.  Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  October, 2000. Orlando, Florida.
  52. “The Secret to Presenting a Persuasive Opening Statement.” Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers 2001 Annual Convention.  June, 2001.
  53. “How to Prepare and Present a Winning Closing Argument” Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers 2001 Advanced Trial Skills/2001 Fall Convention, October 2001, Orlando.
  54. “Effective Opening/Closing Themes” Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association – Strategies for Maximizing Your Award in a Soft Tissue Case Seminar, November, 2001, West Palm Beach.
  55. Opinion Testimony: “How to Get It In and How to Keep it Out”, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers 2001 Evidence and Technology Seminar, November, 2001, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
  56. “How to Bounce Back from Damaging Client’s Impeachment – Key Components and Strategies of Re-direct Examination”. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2002, Work Horse Seminar, February 20-22, 2002.  Tampa, Florida.
  57. “Jury Selection – Intervening Your Theme and Developing Rapport with the Venire”. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 2002 Jury Selection Seminar.  April, 2002, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
  58. “Maximizing Damages from Preparation through Presentation”. 2002 Annual Convention General Session:  Advanced Trial Skills Seminar. Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  July, 2002, Orlando, Florida.
  59. “Maximizing Damages from Beginning to End”. 2003 Proving Damages Seminar.  March, 2003.  Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
  60. “Bad Faith Under the New Law”. Medical Malpractice Legislative Update.  Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  October 10, 2003.
  61. “Consumer Arbitration Agreements and The Arbitration Experience” Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  January, 2004
  62. “Voir Dire”. 2004 Medical Malpractice Seminar.  Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.  Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  May, 2004.
  63. “Voir Dire in the Era of Tort Reform”. Association of Trial Lawyers of America Annual Convention.  Boston.  July, 2004.
  64. “Voir Dire in the Vehicular Crash Case.” Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers 2005 Voir Dire: Brain Storming with the Masters Seminar, April 7-8, 2005.  Orlando. 
  65. “Experts: Selection, Direct Examination and Cross Examination.”  Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, November 30, 2005.  West Palm Beach.
  66. “Trial Skills: Opening, Closing and Trial Motions” Florida Bar Board Certification Review Seminar for Civil Trial,   February 6-7, 2006.  Tampa.
  67. “Persuasive Points, Positions and Arguments to Debunk and Combat the Defense Arguments on Non-Economic Damages in the Plaintiff Attorney’s Rebuttal Summation.” Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers 2006 Annual Workhorse Seminar, February 8-10, 2006.  Orlando.
  68. “Themes for Opening Statement and Closing Argument in the Medical Malpractice Case” Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers       Medical Malpractice Seminar, April 21, 2006.  Orlando.
  69. “Bringing the Weight of the Plaintiff’s Case to Mediation” Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Mediation Techniques & Strategies Seminar, December 7, 2006. Orlando.
  70. “Trial Skills: Opening, Closing and Trial Motions” Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Review Course Seminar, February 12, 2007.  Tampa
  71. “Five Successes and Five Misses.” Florida Justice Associations Mid-year Convention.  Orlando, Florida.  November, 2007.
  72. “Proving Punitive Damages Against A Railroad.” American Association for Justice. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  July, 2008.  
  73. “Trial Skills: Use of Experts, Frye Motions and Trial Motions”  Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Review Course Seminar, February 10, 2009.  Tampa
  74. “The Art of the Cross Examination of the Defense Expert” FJA Medical Malpractice Seminar, November 13, 2009. Palm Beach
  75. “Lessons Learned at Trial” FJA and Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Associate Seminar, May 19, 2010. Palm Beach
  76. “Trial Skills: Opening and Closing” Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Review Course Seminar.  January, 2011.  Orlando
  77. “Prior Incidents: Notice and Negligence – The Key to Products Cases” Florida Justice Association 2011 Annual Convention, June 15, 2011.  Palm Beach
  78. “Direct Examination of an Expert Witness” Florida Justice Association Al Cone Seminar, August 26, 2011. Tampa
  79. “Advocacy in the State Legislature” Florida Justice Association, January 10, 2012. Ft. Lauderdale
  80. “Trial Skills: Opening and Closing” Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Review Course Seminar.   January, 2012. Tampa
  81. “Trial Skills: Opening and Closing” Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Review Course Seminar.  January, 2013. Orlando
  82. “Career as a Trial Lawyer” Cornell Law School, April, 2013. Ithaca, New York
  83. “Anatomy of a $12 Million Wrongful Death Verdict” Palm Beach County Justice Association, May 2013. West Palm Beach
  84. “Mediation or Arbitration – Preparation and Execution” Florida Justice Association Annual Convention, June 13, 2013. St. Petersburg
  85. “Trial Skills: Opening and Closing” Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Review Course Seminar.  January, 2014. Tampa
  86. “Trial Skills: Opening and Closing” Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Review Course Seminar.  February, 2015. Tampa
  87. “Trial Skills:    Opening and Closing” Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Review Course Seminar.  February, 2016. Tampa
  88. “Mediation Techniques and Strategy” Florida Justice Association, June, 2016. Palm Beach
  89. “Closing Argument” Palm Beach County Bar Association. June, 2016.  West Palm Beach
  90. “Trial Skills: Opening and Closing” Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Review Court Seminar.  January, 2017.  Tampa
  91. “Pursuing the Wrongful Death Case from the Plaintiff’s Side” Palm Beach County Bar Association Seminar. November, 2017.  West Palm Beach
  92. “Overcoming Challenges to Your Practice” Palm Beach County Justice Association.  Moderating Judicial Panel.  December, 2017.
  93. “Trial Skills: Opening and Closing” Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Review Court Seminar.  February, 2018.  Tampa
  94. Author of chapter entitled “Direct Examination” in Trial Advocacy, Academy Press 1991.

Awards

  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow. Limited to the top 500 Trial Lawyers and Barristers. By invitation only
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow. Limited to the top 1% of Trial Lawyers. By invitation only
  • Listed in THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA – All Editions to date, including: Automobile Collision, Medical Malpractice, Products Liability, Plaintiffs, Personal Injury
  • Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year 2020 for Personal Injury Litigation
  • Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year 2019 for Medical Malpractice Plaintiff
  • Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year 2015 for Personal Injury Litigation
  • Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year 2010 for Personal Injury Litigation
  • Best Lawyers’ 2005 West Palm Beach Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year”
  • Top 100 Florida Super Lawyers, All Editions to date
  • Top 100 trial lawyers The American Trial Lawyers Association
  • Top 100 trial lawyers National Trial Lawyers Association
  • Top Lawyers and Law Firms South Florida Guide, All Editions to date
  • Selected as one of the Top Lawyers in Florida, Florida Trend, All editions to date
  • Selected as one of the Top Lawyers in Florida, Florida Legal Elite, All editions to date
  • Selected as one of “Florida’s Top Lawyers”, Florida Monthly, All editions to date
  • Selected as one of Top Lawyers of Florida, Super Lawyers Publication
  • South Florida Legal Guide, 2008. Top Lawyers
  • Listed in Tampa Bay Magazine’s Top Lawyers of Florida
  • Listed in Guide Book to Law and Leading Attorneys, Florida Edition
  • Al Cone Lifetime Achievement Award, Florida Justice Association, Sarasota, 2017
  • Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney 2015. The American Lawyer
  • Lawyer of the Year 2010, American Trial Lawyers Association
  • Leadership Award Presented by the President of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1991
  • Award of Excellence for Work Above and Beyond the Call of Duty, October 1991
  • E.A.G.L.E. Hall of Fame, 1991
  • Silver Eagle Award, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1989
  • Leadership Award, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1988
  • Distinguished Lecturer in Jurisprudence, Presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. 1988

Prior Cases

Greg has achieved 93 multi-million dollar jury verdicts and settlements.  Some of his most important achievements for his clients and their families include:

Pena v. Miraglia, et al. $9,650,000.00 (September, 2019)

Burgman v. Pediatric Associates, et al. $13,000,000.00 (December, 2018)

Delgado v. Fuel Barons $25,500,000.00 (January, 2015)

Wilcox v. RJ Reynolds, et al. $15,500,000.00 (September, 2014)

Matthew Davies v. C & W Trucking $37,159,053.00 (April, 2012)

Estate of Curtis v. Bygel, et al. $12,065,000.00 (March, 2013)

Pena v. Braun, et al. $13,490,000.00 (April, 2009)

James v. Granite Hotel, et al.  $16,800,000.00  (November, 2008)

Zelinka vs. Regional Medical Center $18,250,000.00 (September, 2002)

Palank v. CSX Transportation $50,000,000.00 (July, 1997)

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Our Fee Promise:

No Recovery? You Owe Us Nothing.
No Fees. No Costs.

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"The attorneys and staff at Searcy Denney are some of the most compassionate and caring individuals I have met in the legal field. They work tirelessly on behalf of their clients to ensure the best possible outcome. I would highly recommend them for anyone who is seeking excellent legal representation."
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