Jacksonville, Fla., Attorney Howard C. Coker is recipient of Pursuit of Justice Award
CHICAGO, May 12, 2011 — The American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section is honoring Howard C. Coker of Jacksonville, Fla., with the Pursuit of Justice Award, which recognizes lawyers and judges who have shown outstanding merit and who excel in providing access to justice for all.
The award will be presented to Coker during the TIPS Spring CLE & Leadership Forum at The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, Fla., on May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Welcome, Networking, Diversity, and Pursuit of Justice Award Reception.
“TIPS is honored to present Mr. Coker with the Pursuit of Justice Award. As one of the most successful trial attorneys in the area, his commitment to representing his clients exemplifies the pursuit of justice and one of the key attributes that this award stands for. Further, his dedication to serving a variety of professional and community organizations is extremely commendable,” said section Chair Jennifer “Ginger” Busby of Birmingham, Ala.
Coker is president and a founding partner of Coker, Schickel, Sorenson & Posgay, a Jacksonville trial law firm formed in 1976. His practice focuses on the representation of plaintiffs who have been seriously injured by accidents, product defects, premises liability and other forms of negligence. Coker has tried more than 250 jury trials to conclusion and handled thousands of mediated settlements.
In 1998, Coker served as president of The Florida Bar. He also served as a member of the ABA’s House of Delegates from 1997-1999, was president of the American Board of Trial Advocates in 1997 and served as president of the Florida Justice Association in 2002.
Coker has been honored with numerous prestigious awards from legal groups. He has been chosen by peers as a Florida Super Lawyer since 2006 and as a Top 100 Florida Super Lawyer. In 2009, Coker was honored by the Florida Justice Association with the Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2010, he was selected by Best Publications as Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year for Jacksonville, Fla.
Coker has served in several Florida legal organizations, including the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Florida Bar and Bar Foundation and others. In 2008 Coker was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and in 2010, to the Florida Innocence Commission.
Coker received both his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1969 and his Juris Doctor in 1971 from the University of Florida. During his time there, Coker was a member of Phi Delta Phi and Florida Blue Key.
The ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section unites plaintiff, defense, insurance, and corporate counsel to advance the civil justice system. TIPS is a national source of expertise in tort, trial and insurance practice and brings lawyers together to share information and speak out on issues of importance. The section has about 25,000 members and 32 general committees that focus on substantive and procedural matters in areas across the broad spectrum of civil law and practice. For more information about the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section visit the TIPS website, www.americanbar.org/tips.
With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.
Editors Note: Reporters are welcome to attend the award presentation at the TIPS Spring CLE & Leadership Forum.
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