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Merlin Law GroupOf Counsel
Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq.
Pro

Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq.

4.8
12 reviews

777 South Harbour Island Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602-5747

Insurance Coverage, Appellate Practice, Products Liability and 8 more

About Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq.

As Managing Attorney, Mary Fortson participates in the Merlin Law Group’s most complex legal cases and projects, and provides litigation and appellate support and guidance to the attorneys, overseeing and ensuring the quality of the legal work conducted. She coordinates and supervises the attorneys of the firm, and participates in law office operations including case assignment, hiring, supervision and professional development of the firm’s attorneys.

Mary directs the attorneys and their legal staff in effective and efficient use of resources while servicing the client. She assures that services are in compliance with professional standards, and state and federal regulatory requirements. Mary supplies advice and guidance to the Firm attorneys on all matters of procedure, practice, and policy. She provides administrative and technical oversight for attorney activities and coordinates with other internal staff and external entities and organizations.

Phi Delta Phi. Valedictorian. Recipient: West Publishing Corporation Award for Outstanding Achievement, 1994-1995 and 1995-1996. Co-Author: "Colossus: Taking on a Giant," Trial Magazine, September, 2000.

 

Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq. (Tampa, Florida) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq. got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq.

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Overall Rating
4.8
See All Reviews
12
Lawyers.com
Not yet reviewed
4.8
Martindale
12
Avvo
Not yet reviewed

Services

Areas of Law

  • Appellate Practice
  • Products Liability
  • Insurance 2
    • Insurance Bad Faith
    • Property Insurance
  • Property Damage
  • Other 5
    • Insurance Coverage
    • First and Third Party Insurance
    • Insurance Litigation
    • Property Insurance Coverage
    • Property Loss

Practice Details

  • Firm Information
    Position
    Of Counsel
    Firm Name
    Merlin Law Group
  • Pro Bono Services

    General Counsel for Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, June 2008-June 2011; Florida Bar Grievance Committee 13C, 2009-2011; Counsel for Texas Association of Public Adjusters, 2009-Present.

  • Additional Links
    http://www.merlinlawgroup.com

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1997, Florida
    2009, Texas
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
    U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
    Memberships
    Hillsborough County (Member, Appellate Practice Section) and American (Member, Sections on: Torts and Insurance Practice
    Litigation) Bar Associations
    The Florida Bar (Member, Sections on: Appellate Practice
    Trial Lawyers)
    Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (Member: Appellate Practice Section
    Amicus Curiae Committee)
    The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
    Tampa Bay Inn of Court
    Florida Justice Association (Member, Amicus Curiae Committee)
    American Association for Justice
    Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, FAPIA (Associate Member)
    National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, NAPIA (Associate Member)
    Windstorm Insurance Network (Chair, Conference Committee, 2012
    First Party Claims Conference, Education Committee, 2009-Present)
    Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (Associate Member).
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Stetson University College of Law
    Class of 1997
    J.D.
    magna cum laude

    Stetson University College of Law
    Class of 1997
    J.D.
    Class Valedictorian

    Stetson University College of Law
    Class of 1997
    J.D.
    Dean's List Each Semester

    Stetson University College of Law
    Class of 1997
    J.D.
    West Publishing for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement

    Stetson University College of Law
    Class of 1997
    J.D.
    Corpus Juris Secundum Award for Scholastic Excellence

    Stetson University College of Law
    Class of 1997
    J.D.
    Civil Procedure

    Stetson University College of Law
    Class of 1997
    J.D.
    Lazan & Trute

    Stetson University College of Law
    Class of 1997
    J.D.
    P.A. Trusts Award
    Other Education
    Cedar Crest College
    Class of 1989
    B.S.
    magna cum laude

Contact Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq.

Of Counsel at Merlin Law Group
4.8
12 reviews

Suite 950, 777 South Harbour Island BlvdTampa, FL 33602-5747U.S.A.

Show on map
Fax: 813-229-3692
Office Hours:
  • Monday 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tuesday 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wednesday 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thursday 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Friday 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Saturday By appointment
  • Sunday By appointment

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq. is admitted to practice in Florida and Texas.
  • Does this attorney maintain a professional presence on any social networks?
    Yes, Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq. has a professional profile on LinkedIn and Twitter.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq. has a 4.8 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Merlin Law Group has 48 attorneys at this location.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Merlin Law Group was established in 1985.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

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