Colson Hicks Eidson Partners Selected As Most Influential Trial Lawyers In America For Second Consecutive Year

January 23, 2014 / 10:21 am

Partner Mike Eidson Recognized among Nation’s Elite; Representing Two of Only Eight South Florida Lawyers Selected to Prestigious List

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2014) – The law firm of Colson Hicks Eidson is pleased to announce that partner Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson had been selected for the second consecutive year as America’s 100 Most Influential Trial Lawyers by The Trial Lawyer magazine, the official magazine of The National Trial Lawyers organization.

The selection places Eidson as a member of The RoundTable, an elite group of the top 100 civil plaintiff and criminal defense attorneys in the U.S. The Colson Hicks Eidson partners were two of only eight South Florida lawyers – and eleven lawyers from the State of Florida – selected to the prestigious list among the nation’s elite.

Selection to The Roundtable is based on extraordinary success in the courtroom and in the legal profession, including trial results and influence in the legal community. The honorees were selected from a pool of thousands of nominees, which were assessed by an attorney-led research team.

The attorneys were recognized at the 2014 Trial Lawyers Summit and awards luncheon on January 20th at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, in which Jeffrey Toobin, senior legal analyst for CNN and bestselling author, was the keynote speaker.

Eidson concentrates his practice on litigation, primarily in the fields of products liabilitymedical and legal malpracticeaviationclass action and multidistrict litigation. He has tried more than 125 cases to jury verdict during his career and is best known for his work in some of the largest automotive recalls in U.S. history, including the Ford Pinto; Chrysler Minivan; Ford Explorer/Firestone tire tread litigation, in which he served as that national co-lead counsel; and most recently with Toyota, in which he was appointed to serve on the plaintiff steering committee.

Eidson has volunteered on a multitude of professional boards, including serving as president of the American Association for Justice (formerly ATLA), president of the Dade County Trial Lawyers Association, and president of the Miami Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Recently, he was installed as chairman of the American Association for Justice Foundation and was awarded the Florida Justice Association’s Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award. Eidson endowed the renowned Emory Law School Kessler-Eidson Trial Technique Program and is a founding member of the Institute for Injury Reduction, a national organization dedicated to reducing injuries caused by defective products.

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About Colson Hicks Eidson

The Law Firm of Colson Hicks Eidson is a trial firm with more than 40 years of experience handling local, national and international litigation. Partners at the firm have had the distinction of holding the following offices: President of the 60,000-member American Association for Justice; President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; President of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers; President of the Dade County Bar Association; President of the Miami-Dade Florida Association of Women Lawyers; United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; and Chairman of the Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission. For more information, call 305-476-7400.

About The Trial Lawyer Magazine

The Trial Lawyer magazine provides progressive and educational news, information, and articles relevant to the trial lawyer profession. Our mission is to inform and inspire trial attorneys who represent injured individuals in civil cases or defend the accused as guaranteed under the United States Constitution. The Trial Lawyer strives to create innovative forum for understanding current trends and emerging opportunities for the civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial bar. Through passionate voices and provocative viewpoints, The Trial Lawyer encourages the generation and sharing of ideas through open dialogue among the finest trial lawyers in America.

About The National Trial Lawyers

The National Trial Lawyers is a professional organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from across the country who exemplify superior qualifications as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers. This national organization provides networking opportunities, advocacy training, and the highest quality educational programs for trial lawyers. The mission of The National Trial Lawyers is to provide networking opportunities, advocacy training, and the highest quality educational programs for trial lawyers. For more information, visit www.thenationaltriallawyers.org.

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Colson Hicks Eidson is pleased to announce that Zachary Lipshultz has become a partner with the firm.

Dean Colson, managing partner of the firm, commented: “Zach is a valued member of the firm and a respected figure in the South Florida legal community. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and products liability matters, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes disputes across a wide range of industries. He is known for his strategic judgment, rigorous advocacy, and ability to manage cases involving significant financial exposure and novel legal issues.”

During his six years at Colson Hicks Eidson, Zach has worked with Bob Martinez, Curtis Miner, and other firm partners to secure four nine-figure judgments against Fortune 500 companies, obtain dismissals with prejudice on behalf of multiple Fortune 500 defendants, and successfully represent clients before arbitral, state, and federal forums, at trial and on appeal.

According to Senior Partner Bob Martinez: “Zach has been the indispensable force behind our victories in several high-stakes matters over the past seven years, combining unique legal talent with exceptional dedication and service to our clients.”

“Having spent multiple weeks shoulder-to-shoulder with Zach in trial, I am eager to have him as a teammate on any type of trial we need to suit up for,” added partner Curtis Miner.

Zach joined the firm following a federal judicial clerkship with the Honorable Robert N. Scola, Jr., former United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida. Zach is a 2016 graduate of the University of Miami School of Law. He completed his undergraduate studies at Oberlin College in 2011 and earned a master’s degree in marine affairs and policy from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in 2012.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

Colson Hicks Eidson, a leading trial law firm, is proud to announce its relocation to the Penthouse of the South Tower at Douglas Entrance in Coral Gables. This move marks an important milestone for the firm, which has represented clients in local, national, and international matters for more than 55 years. The new office is located within Douglas Entrance, home to the historic gateway La Puerta del Sol (“The Gate of the Sun”), and is surrounded by Mediterranean-style architecture, lush landscaping, and expansive courtyards. With its picturesque, Spanish-walled-city appearance, Douglas Entrance provides a distinctive office environment in Coral Gables, and the firm’s name will soon adorn the top of the South Tower.

The space holds personal significance for Managing Partner Dean Colson, who explains: “For those of us who grew up in the Gables in the ‘50s and ‘60s, the original Douglas Entrance was very much a part of our lives – it was the working home for many of the doctors, lawyers, architects, and other professionals who lived south of downtown Miami. Our move reflects not only our firm’s growth, but our ongoing dedication to our clients and the Coral Gables community. It is reminiscent of our decision 25 years ago to restore the building that is now Books & Books and secure its historic designation—a choice that helped preserve the character of Coral Gables. The firm remains committed to doing the right thing for our community.”

Colson Hicks Eidson moved into its new space in December 2025 with the assistance of Will Morrison of CBRE. According to Dean, “Will’s expertise, vision, and patience made this deal possible. G. Alvarez Studio ensured that the design of our floor was executed perfectly.”

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 55 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

We are pleased to announce that three of our partners have been named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America guide. Congratulations to Curtis Miner, Julie Braman Kane, and Joseph J. Kalbac Jr.

They were recognized for excellence in Litigation and White Collar (Curtis Miner), Plaintiff Class Action Litigation (Julie Braman Kane), and Plaintiff Personal Injury (Joseph J. Kalbac, Jr.).

Lawdragon recognizes this exceptional group for leading the way for clients, communities, and their firms, while shaping the law for decades to come.

This guide is based on a record number of submissions, combined with journalistic research and vetting with the nation’s leading lawyers.

Click here to read the full guide.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

Colson Hicks Eidson is proud to share that Managing Partner Dean C. Colson has been recognized in Florida Trend’s 2025 edition of the Florida 500, which features the 500 most influential executives across various economic sectors in the state.

Dean was honored for his major client wins over a 40-year career and his lasting contributions to Florida higher education, with the firm describing him as “the only person to have chaired the State University System in Florida, the Board of Trustees of Florida International University, and the Board of Trustees of the University of Miami.”

He served 18 years as a UM trustee, chairing a $1.4-billion capital campaign, and was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to the state’s ethics commission and Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission. Dean also chaired committees that secured the 1999 and 2007 South Florida Super Bowls, clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice William H. Rehnquist and Fifth Circuit Judge Peter T. Fay, and remains a trustee for FIU and Miami’s Institute of Contemporary Art.

A renowned U.S. trial lawyer, Dean handles complex civil litigation, personal injury, product liability, and professional malpractice matters. He has successfully represented large plaintiff classes and handled multimillion-dollar cases, including high-profile litigation such as the AeroPeru airplane crash and a Ponzi scheme settlement.

Click here to read the full edition.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

Colson Hicks Eidson has been named to the 2026 edition of the “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers®, recognized at both the national and metropolitan levels. Ten of the firm’s attorneys were also named to the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers® across multiple practice areas.

Best Lawyers® ranks top lawyers and law firms through a peer review process, using feedback from lawyers, clients, and professional references, along with firm data. We’re proud to be recognized in the following categories:

National

  • Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Plaintiffs

Miami

  • Bet-the-Company
  • Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Insurance Law
  • Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Plaintiffs
  • Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
  • Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  • Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
  • Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

Colson Hicks Eidson is proud to announce that partner Roberto Martinez has been selected to receive the 2025 Miami-Dade Bar Circle of Excellence Award for Civil Litigation, which honors attorneys and paralegals who demonstrate exceptional performance within Florida’s legal profession.

Bob, a renowned trial lawyer with a distinguished record in high-profile cases and public service— including his tenure as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida—has made significant contributions to advancing the legal profession and facilitating the administration of justice. His leadership and mentorship have had a lasting impact on the broader legal community.

The award will be presented at the Miami-Dade Bar’s Annual Award Ceremony in Coconut Grove on November 19. Colson Hicks Eidson is a proud sponsor of the event.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.