Veteran trial attorney Robert L. Parks, principal and founding partner of The Law Offices of Robert L. Parks, has been designated a Distinguished Fellow by the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL).
This prestigious designation has only occurred on 10 occasions since the founding of the Academy in 1954. Additional living Distinguished Fellows include Bob Josefsberg, Ray Tam, and George Tompkins.
Recognized as the most prestigious organization of trial lawyers in the world, the Academy limits Fellowship to 500 active trial lawyers from the United States, and includes over 150 Fellows from nearly 40 countries across the globe. Fellowship in the Academy is by invitation only, and trial lawyers become Fellows only after an extremely rigorous vetting process, which includes both peer and judicial review.
The Academy seeks out Fellows who have achieved a career of excellence as shown by their skills in trial, and as demonstrated by their integrity and professionalism. Members are often heavily involved in pro bono efforts and contribute generously of their time and resources to their local communities.
A nationally recognized trial attorney with more than 50 years of experience, Robert L. Parks is a highly respected advocate in the courtroom and a leader in the community. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 1964, Parks has represented hundreds of plaintiffs in personal injury, wrongful death, aviation, large manufacturing and automobile cases in the Americas and around the world.
A native of the Bahamas, Parks has enjoyed boating, diving and other water activities all his life, and is deeply familiar with marine equipment, as well as safety standards and practices. He brings that knowledge and experience to his legal practice, representing plaintiffs in litigation involving drownings, watercraft deaths and injuries, in both U.S. and offshore resort litigation. Parks has been an effective advocate in bringing negligence-related death or catastrophic injury cases to trial in U.S. courts rather than offshore jurisdictions.
Throughout his storied career, Parks has earned numerous awards and accolades. In 2017, he was the recipient of the Plaintiff Lawyer of the Year Award, a prestigious award given by the Florida Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (FLABOTA). In 2015, Parks received the Legal Legends Award from History Miami’s 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society. The award recognized members of the legal community who made significant contributions to the law, legal system or the administration of justice in the 11th Judicial Circuit for at least 25 years or more.
In 2012, Parks received the Perry Nichols Award from the Florida Justice Association, given annually to a Floridian who has fought with distinction for justice throughout his life. The prestigious award was established in 1977 as a permanent tribute to Perry Nichols, an FJA founder and nationally renowned Florida trial attorney.
In 2011, Parks was honored by The Southern Trial Lawyers Association and received the prestigious War Horse Award, its highest honor, for extraordinary contributions to the cause of justice. All nominees for this award are acknowledged leaders in their communities who have been actively practicing for more than 30 years, demonstrated outstanding skill as trial advocates and shown exceptional contributions to furthering the cause of justice. ational Judicial College.
A leader in the South Florida community, Parks also served for nearly 20 years under three governors in leading efforts to restore the Miami River culminating in serving as the first chair of the Miami River Commission in 1998. Parks serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for Florida International University’s College of Law, and he is a past member of the Board of Trustees for HistoryMiami. He is an active member of Legal Services of Greater Miami, where he has dedicated countless pro-bono hours to fundraising campaigns designed to assist the less fortunate.
For more information, visit www.rlplegal.com or call 305-445-4430.
