Mr. Howard Coker is the President and a founding partner of Coker Law. Recognized by his peers as a prominent Florida trial attorney, he is a passionate and active advocate. In the pursuit of justice, Mr. Coker has tried over 350 jury trials to conclusion and handled thousands of mediated settlements – a top record for results.
For his tireless service and consistent commitment to both professional and community organizations, Mr. Coker has received a number of significant awards and honors. He holds multiple lifetime achievement awards, including the Jacksonville Business Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2017), and the Florida Justice Association’s Perry Nichols Award (2006) and Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award (2009). He has been named as one of Florida Trend Magazine’s top 1% “Legal Elite”, listed as a Florida Super Lawyer every year since the program’s inception in 2006, and consistently chosen as a Top 100 Florida Super Lawyer.
Among Mr. Coker’s numerous professional affiliations are his 2008 appointment by the Florida Governor as a member of the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and his 2010 appointment by the Florida Supreme Court to the Florida Innocence Commission. He was awarded the ABA-TIPS Award for Lifetime Pursuit of Justice in 2011, named Best Lawyers’ Jacksonville Personal Injury Litigator of the Year in 2014, received the 2016 Compassionate Gladiator Award for Strength, Skill, Drive and Heart from the Florida Justice Association and the 2017 Ultimate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jacksonville Business Journal. Aside from these distinguished accomplishments, Mr. Coker continues to volunteer his time and efforts to a long list of civic and nonprofit organizations, even receiving the 2017 Bob Hayes “Man of the Year” Community Service Award.
“Independence of the Judiciary” — Speaker, Clearwater Bar Association, March, 1999.
Speaker, State Mock Trial Competition, Tallahassee, March, 1999.
“Professionalism – It Counts”– Speaker, St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, April 1999.
“Preparing & Presenting the Effective Opening Statement”– Speaker, 1999 Advanced Trial Skills Seminar, Orlando, November 1999.
“The Role of the Judicial Assistant with Lawyers”– Speaker, 2000 JAAF Winter Educational Conference, Jacksonville Beach, February, 2000.
The Florida Bar’s Professionalism Seminar, Panelist, Florida Bar Convention, Boca Raton, June, 2000.
“Successful Jury Selection Techniques” — Speaker, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, General Session Annual Convention, West Palm Beach, June 2001.
“The Nuts & Bolts of Final Argument” — Speaker, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Al J. Cone Trial Advocacy Institute, Orlando, August 2001.
“Presentation of Voir Dire Examination in Areas of Pre-Existing Injuries and General Damages” — Speaker, Jacksonville Trial Lawyers Association, Jacksonville, May 2002.
“Voir Dire/25 Mistakes Made by Attorneys”– Speaker, Inaugural Raymond Ehrlich Trial Advocacy Seminar, Jacksonville, June 2002.
“Navigating the Minefield: Avoiding and Reacting to Improper Statements During Closing Arguments”– Speaker, The Florida Bar 2004 Advanced Evidence Seminar, Orlando, April 2004.
Masters in Trial Seminar, Direct of Plaintiff’s Expert, Speaker, The American Board of Trial Advocates, June 2007.
“Lessons from Courtroom Experience”– Panelist, Florida Justice Association, Jacksonville, September 2007.
Delegation Member and Group Leader, People to People, Russia, November 2007.
Diversity Symposium, Moderator, Jacksonville Bar Association, February, 2009.
“Products Liability: Danger in the Marketplace”– Speaker, 2009 Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, June 2009.
" What clients can expect from me and the entire firm is total commitment. We try cases. You won’t get top dollar in a settlement or verdict unless your lawyer is willing and able to try cases. "
