Born in Highland Park, Michigan, in 1943. Graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from Florida State University. As a Certified Public Accountant, worked for Price-Waterhouse before beginning the study of law. In 1971, graduated with honors from Florida State University College of Law. In 1971, assumed a position with the Public Defender's Office, where he was later named Chief Assistant. In 1973, went into private practice with an emphasis on criminal defense trial work. In 1975, he formed a partnership with George Estess and began to concentrate on personal injury litigation. Mr. Rankin, Mr. McLeod and Mr. Thompson later became partners in the firm as it is presently constituted.
One of nine trial lawyers selected by the Governor of the State of Florida to prosecute the State's claim for Medicaid recovery against the tobacco industry. The case settled during jury selection for, at the time, the largest civil judgment in the history of the United States.
Tried to verdict many capital murder and serious criminal cases. Obtained numerous multi-million dollar jury verdicts in civil cases including a national top 100 jury verdict in 2005 -- 25 million dollars for the death of a 17 year old young woman. A member of the American and Florida Justice Associations and is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. Legal advisor to the minority caucus of the Florida Senate during the Bush-Gore election controversy in Florida in 2000. A member of the Florida Association of Attorney - CPAs and a member of the International Bar Association.
Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and was named as one of Florida's Top Lawyers in Florida Monthly and Florida Trend designated him an Elite Florida Lawyer in civil litigation. Since 2006, named as one of the top 500 Lawyers in America by LawDragon, an independent listing of the nation's best lawyers. Martindale & Hubbell AV rated. Awarded the 2011 Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award by the Florida Bar.
Currently involved in the prosecution of international human rights cases as well as select accidental death and serious injury cases. He served as co-counsel in two recent ATVA and ATS trials, Ford v. Garcia and the Estate of Winston Cabello, et al. v. Armando Fernandez-Larios.
