
John Watson
Associate
Background Information
University
University of Utah (B.A., Sociology, 2007)
Law School
Ave Maria School of Law (J.D., 2011)
Admitted
Florida, 2011
Associations / Memberships
United States Supreme Court Bar Florida Bar George C. Young American Inn of Court Orange County Chapter
Awards / Achievements
Member of the Year Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court (2014) Supreme Court of Florida County Mediator (2011-2013) Certificate of achievement; February 2012, October 2012, March 2013, May 2013, and December 2013 Excellence Nominee D.U.I. Prosecution M.A.D.D. Florida chapter, 2014 DUI prosecutor award of excellence, Brevard County 2014 In-depth training in domestic violence, strangulation, in-depth DUI, DUI marijuana case from the road to the lab to the courtroom, Marijuana and Driving Trial and Tribulations, Death Notification delivering the news with Compassion, and trial techniques Student Liaison to the Collier County Bar Association, 2009/2010
Scholastic Achievements
Moot Court Board President Finalist (2nd place), AIPLA, Giles Southerland Rich Moot Court Competition, S.E. Region Quarter Finalist, Nationals of the AIPLA, Giles Southerland Rich Moot Court Competition Awarded 3rd place at State Bar of Michigan Annual 1L Oral Advocacy Competition Awarded Honorable Mention and perfect score, St. Thomas More Moot Court Competition Chairman of the Ave Maria International Moot Court Competition
Trial Team Experience
John is a fearless advocate in the courtroom and has over 40 Jury trials. John was given the nickname of the smiling assassin by local opposing counsel and the judiciary. He has the rare ability to connect with people, specifically jury members, in a common sense candid manor all while driving home the intricate and sometimes hard to swallow legal issues found in jury trials in a simple and reasonable way. John also uses a creative and relatable approach that catches the other side off guard. Ask him to share a story or two. With the highest individual jury trial conviction rate in the Brevard County Court, 2013 & 2014 you won’t be disappointed.
Biography
I strive to bring personalized representation to each of my personal injury clients. You can expect to be able to speak with me directly and have me manage your personal injury case.
I bring the skill of a Supreme Court of Florida County Mediator (2011-2013) to every one of my cases. This mixed with my legal background, charm, and sales prowess makes me a formidable foe in negotiations.
Early in my legal career I had the great pleasure to intern as a Law Clerk for the Hon. Cynthia A. Pivacek, then the Administrative Judge of Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Naples, FL. While working in this capacity, I researched and drafted orders as well as worked directly with the Judge to work through tough legal issues. I have also worked on the floor of the United Nations in New York, NY where I worked for an NGO and lobbied Nation States from around the world for individual rights and national sovereignty.
I graduated from the University of Utah by the way of Honors with a BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Ethics and a Minor in Philosophy in 2007, all while having a thriving and lucrative sales career selling motorcycles, ATVs, and boats. At the University of Utah, I was a member of the Student Sociology Advisory Committee and a member of Alpha Kappa Delta (Sociology National Honor Society). Additionally, I was the Vice President of Sigma Gamma Chi Rho. I received a Juris Doctorate in 2011 from Ave Maria School of Law, located in Naples, Florida. I was the Moot Court Board President. As the President it qualified me to become the Chairman of the Ave Maria International Moot Court Competition, and to correspond with such notables as United States Supreme Court nominee, Judge Robert Heron Bork.
My wife and I have been happily married for over 12 years and have four very active boys. When I am not enjoying time with my family, I swim daily, sculpt, create, go big game fishing, and work on wood-working projects with my father in Titusville. I am an Eagle Scout as well as an Award-Winning Painter and Sculptor; Commissioned Artist and Fine Arts scholarship recipient. Finally, I am a former amateur motorcycle road racer and former race license holder.