Our History

America’s Top Personal Injury & Mass Torts Law Firm

In 1955, David Levin and Reubin Askew founded the law firm of Levin & Askew. The two were the sole attorneys in the firm, assisted by just one additional staff member. As did most young attorneys, David and Reubin accepted virtually every case regardless of the area of law involved.

In 1961, David’s brother Fred Levin joined the firm and quickly became recognized as one of America’s premier personal injury lawyers after achieving several multi-million dollar jury verdicts, including one in 1980 that was the largest compensatory damage verdict in U.S. history at the time.

Our Law Partners in 1970

70-Year Track Record of Success

During his legal career, Fred received more than 30 jury verdicts in excess of $1 million. At various points in his career, he held the national record for jury verdicts involving the wrongful death of a child, the wrongful death of a housewife, the wrongful death of a wage earner, the wrongful death of an African American, and the largest personal injury verdict in the state of Florida.

Fred was listed in every edition of the publication Best Lawyers in America; was a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates (limited to 100 of the nation’s top trial attorneys); and was inducted into the National Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame. Fred was best known, however, for rewriting Florida’s Medicaid Third-Party Recovery Act to allow the State of Florida to sue and recover billions of dollars from the tobacco industry for smoking-related illnesses.

In 2014, New York Times bestseller Josh Young published a comprehensive biography of Fred’s life. It’s called And Give Up Showbiz? How Fred Levin Beat Big Tobacco, Became a Chief of Ghana, Earned Boxing Manager of the Year & Transformed American Law. In 2015, Fred was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the National Trial Lawyers.

More than forty years ago, Mike Papantonio joined the law firm and started one of the most respected mass torts departments in America. His work in complex litigation involving prescription drugs and medical devices has placed Mike at the center of the nationwide mass torts and class action legal community.

In 2004, Mike helped launch a nationwide organization called Mass Torts Made Perfect. Today, this organization holds annual conferences attended by the top personal injury attorneys across America in an effort to develop successful litigation strategies for confronting wrongdoing by multi-national corporations.

Mike is listed in the publications Best Lawyers in America and Leading American Attorney. In 2008, he was selected by the Public Justice Foundation as a finalist for its Trial Lawyer of the Year. In 2011, he was awarded the Perry Nichols Award, the highest honor given by the Florida Justice Association. In 2015, he was inducted into the National Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame. Today, he hosts the international show “America’s Lawyer.”

 

Our Commitment to Our Clients

Much has changed for our law firm since it was formed more than sixty-eight years ago. Reubin Askew, one of the two founders, went on to become a two-term governor for the State of Florida and candidate for President of the United States.

The firm now has 45 lawyers; has successfully represented more than 100,000 clients throughout the country; and has helped to secure more than $80 billion in jury verdicts and settlements.

Our accomplishments in personal injury law have been featured on CNN, Fox, ABC, CBS & NBC. Our lawyers have appeared in The Wall Street Journal; The New York Times; Forbes magazine; Time magazine; National Law Journal; and US magazine.

One or more of our attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers in America; National Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame; America’s Elite Trial Lawyers; U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms; Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Woman Attorney; and SuperLawyers.

The one thing that has not changed with our firm, however, is that we know the importance of showing each and every client the individual attention and respect they deserve. And if you contact us, we always respond no matter how big or small your case might be.

You saved my life. I was in a state of fear. I was a lay person all alone. I was naïve and you all met with me and reassured me I was okay and a victim who needed to take care of my mental health caused by the trauma of a horrible car accident. I needed that support; the fear was unreal and without the year of counseling I would not have been able to be changed but whole again. Rachael Gilmer always took my calls and sent the letter that made the vultures back off and she sent me the letter that said it is over. You all are good people. I am grateful you are in our community protecting the vulnerable and wronged. I know you are heroes for many. I know there are far worse tragedies and I am soooo lucky, but for me this was a defining moment in my life and I am glad you were there to act with grace when I could not. It may not have seemed Like a big deal to you but it was to me. It really was!
Aisha A.

Aisha

On behalf of my father, Mr. José M Pérez, he wanted me to tell you that the entire process with Levin Papantonio had been very good. He was pleased with the end result and very grateful for your help. He also told me that the lawyer in Puerto Rico and his team were very professional and friendly.
Alejandro P.
The legal representation provided to my wife and I by the Levin Law firm in a recent class action suit was exceptional. Our attorney kept us up to date on the status of the suit and always answered our questions promptly. I would not hesitate to recommend the Levin Law firm to anyone needing legal representation.
David S.
I'm very grateful for the services received from the Levin Papantonio law firm and their excellent attorney, Peter Mougey, and his team. They were always focused on maximizing my claim during the mediation process with UBS and I was always kept informed throughout the whole process which made my life much easier.
Jose C.
We being persons not knowing anything about the law on these matters were very pleased to have someone in our corner we could count on. We thank them for their hard work. We would/do highly recommend Peter Mougey and his firm. We were very pleased with the outcome of our settlement.
Larry B.
The resources, number of attorneys and staff dedicated to our case was impressive. The research was flawless. The preparation and use of video equipment was phenomenal. Peter’s presentation and cross examination was as if scripted for television. At the end of the Arbitration, before a decision was rendered, I told the Team, that they had done a great job, that I was proud of their effort and that I was convinced that we had won. The result is that we won “Big”. There is no doubt in my mind that I had made the right decision in selecting Peter and his Team to represent me and I would highly recommend to anyone in need of great representation. Thank You Peter and Company.
Luis M.
When I received the GranuFlo/NaturaLyte settlement letter from your law firm I cried. Instead of being tears of sadness -it was a victory cry because it was legal validation that my husband didn't have to die so young. Words cannot express how much my son and I appreciate you and your team. Receiving the money will impact our future in all the right ways.
Rhonda B.