Shutts & Bowen LLP is pleased to announce that Bernard “Bernie” Pastor has joined the firm’s Miami office as a Partner in its Business Litigation Practice Group.
Bernie is Florida Bar Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and has extensive first-chair experience in federal and state courts. A seasoned trial attorney with more than three decades of experience, he focuses his practice on complex civil litigation including civil rights, wrongful death, tort and commercial disputes. Over the course of his career, Bernie has successfully tried dozens of federal and state jury trials to verdict and has handled numerous appeals and oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
“Bernie is a highly respected trial lawyer with exceptional courtroom experience,” said Frank Rodriguez, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Shutts & Bowen. “This hire represents Shutts’ commitment to our growth, community and clients. Bernie’s background, including his extensive trial skills, will surely be an asset to our clients as we continue to maintain preeminent governmental relations and litigation practices across Florida.”
Prior to joining Shutts & Bowen, Bernie spent more than two decades with the Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office, where he represented Miami-Dade County in federal and state court defending wrongful death, constitutional, civil rights and tort claims. He served as Chief of Federal Litigation & Appeals and, concurrently for more than three years, as Chief of the Tort and Malpractice Section, overseeing high-profile and complex matters through trial and appeal.
“I’m excited to join Shutts & Bowen and collaborate with such a talented group of litigators,” said Bernie. “The firm’s professionalism, integrity and dedication to client service align perfectly with my practice, and I look forward to contributing my experience to help clients navigate their most challenging disputes.”
Active in the legal community, Bernie is a former President and current Board Member of the South Florida Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and an elected member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami School of Law and as faculty for the Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section’s Advanced Trial Advocacy Seminar.
Bernie earned his undergraduate degree from Fordham University, his Juris Doctor from Temple University School of Law and a master’s degree from Florida International University. He is admitted to practice in Florida, New York and New Jersey, as well as before multiple federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
About Shutts & Bowen LLP
Shutts & Bowen LLP, established in 1910, is a full-service business law firm with approximately 280 lawyers in offices in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Learn more about Shutts & Bowen at www.shutts.com.