Mark R. Antonelli, a partner with the firm, is the consummate defense lawyer, respected in the legal community for his toughness, fairness and ethics. Mr. Antonelli represents insured and self-insured clients in all aspects of civil litigation matters, with a primary emphasis in personal injury and wrongful death claims in the areas of premises liability, construction related accidents, product liability and all aspects of municipal liability claims including police civil rights litigation.

As panel counsel for a number of carriers, he regularly serves as a statewide Florida litigation attorney in the representation of their insureds while also serving in the same role for a number of corporate clients.

Mr. Antonelli has tried more than 100 jury trials, handling cases through the appellate level. In addition, his practice has included non-jury trials, arbitration proceedings and hundreds of mediations. His arbitration practice has included the representation of insured, self-insured and corporate clients in voluntary and contractual arbitration proceedings, and proceedings before the American Arbitration Association, as well as serving as a defense appointed and agreed upon neutral arbitrator.

His client relationships have included working with the risk management department of a food store chain in all aspects of the claim process. Close involvement included claims prevention techniques, handling and coordinating pre-suit claims as well as trial and appellate practice. Together, Mr. Antonelli and the company established an aggressive defense strategy of fighting questionable liability suits, even in cases involving plaintiffs with serious injuries.

Mr. Antonelli is a frequent lecturer and has authored in areas of trial practice including trial preparation, opening statements and the taking of depositions. He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings fall into two categories, legal ability and general ethical standards. He has also been selected for inclusion in editions of the Florida Super Lawyers, the annual List of the Top Lawyers in Florida, the South Florida Legal Guide and Best Lawyers in America.

 
Areas of Practice
-Catastrophic & Personal Injury

-Civil Litigation

-Class Actions

-Commercial Litigation

-Construction Accident & Defect Litigation

-Mass Torts

-Municipal Liability

-Personal Injury

-Police Civil Rights Litigation

-Premises Liability

-Product Liability

-Professional Liability

-Security Negligence

-Vehicle Negligence

-Wrongful Death

 
Admitted to Practice Law or Bar Admissions
-All Florida Courts

-United States Supreme Court

-United States Federal District Court – Southern and Middle Districts of Florida

-United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

 

Education
-University of Miami, School of Law – (J.D., Cum Laude, 1982)

-Biscayne College n/k/a St. Thomas University – (B.A., Accounting, Summa Cum Laude,
1979)

 

Honors
-Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated – AV Preeminent

-Super Lawyers, Florida 2010-2023
             -Personal Injury Defense

-Best Lawyers in America, 2012-2021
             -Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation-Defense, Products Liability
                Defense (2012-Present)
             – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Defendants (2014-Present)
             – Lawyer of the Year, Miami, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions 2016, 2019 & 2021

-South Florida Legal Guide, Top-Rated Lawyers, 2012-2022
             – Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Defense & Premise Liability – Defense

-America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators, 2018-Present

 
Professional Memberships
-The Florida Bar

-International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)

-Fellow of the Litigation Council of America
             – The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
             – Trial Law Institute
             – Diversity Law Institute
             – Barrister in the Order of Justitia
             – Advocate in the Order of Certus

-Florida Defense Lawyers Association
             – President 2000-2001

-Defense Research Institute (DRI)
             – Florida State Representative, 2005-2008; 2014-2017
             – Florida State Membership Chair 2017-2019

-The Federal Bar Association

-Coral Gables Bar Association

-Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, Premium Member (CLM)

 

Community Activities
-Boy Scouts of America, South Florida Council
             – Council President 2012-2014
             – Board Member since 2004
             – Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor Member
             – South Dade YMCA
             – Board of Managers, Chair 2000
             – Board member for 21 years

-FHSAA Contest Official (Basketball) Since 2008

-College Contest Official (Basketball) Since 2018

 

Contact Information
420 South Dixie Highway, Third Floor
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
Telephone: (305) 667-0223
Facsimile: (305) 284-9844
E-Mail: mantonelli@gaebemullen.com