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Awards & Recognition

Florida Justice Association' Crystal Eagle Award
Recipient: Attorney Edward M. Ricci

Edward M. Ricci was selected as a 2003 Crystal EAGLE Award recipient for his dedication to the success of the Florida Justice Association’  EAGLE program and for his unwavering commitment to protecting the civil justice system. Ricci has made a lifetime individual commitment of $100,000 to the Academy of Florida EAGLE program. Through Ricci’s leadership efforts the EAGLE is today one of the most successful annual giving programs in Florida. The funds from the endowment foster continuing law education programs throughout the State, scholarships for students, and provide grants for specific programs to schools of law in Florida.

Florida Justice Association' Jon E. Krupnick Award
Recipient: Attorney Edward M. Ricci

The Academy of Florida Trail Lawyers Edward M. Ricci the Jon E. Krupnick award for his 17 years of focused and relentless work without compensation to secure the rights of a Cuban American and his small business against major insurance companies, the Federal EPA, the Florida EPA and “Big Sugar”. The honor recognized Ricci's perseverance and unrelenting efforts to obtain insurance coverage for his client. The annual award recognizes and honors a Consumer Justice Attorney who has championed an important case on behalf of a client. The award focuses on a recipient whose efforts reflect relentless commitment, perseverance and fortitude to seek justice and achieve success despite all obstacles and legal roadblocks encountered.

American Jewish Committee's Judge Learned Hand Award
Recipient: Attorney Theodore J. Leopold

The American Jewish Committee's Judge Learned Hand award was presented to Theodore J. Leopold (2003) in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the profession and his contributions to many of the institutions, which enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County. The AJC bestows the Judge Learned Hand Award to leaders in the legal profession who exemplify the thoughtful and humane spirit of Judge Learned Hand. Judge Hand served on the U.S. District Court of Appeals, Second Circuit for more than 25 years and was a distinguished jurist and scholar.

Best Lawyers In America
Recipient: Attorney  Edward M. Ricci
Recipient: Attorney  Theodore J. Leopold

Best Lawyers in America has recognized attorneys Edward M. Ricci for the 11th consecutive year (1996-2006) and Theodore J. Leopold for his second recognition (2005-2006) as Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers in America has been published biennially since 1983 and is widely regarded as the preeminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States The Best Lawyers lists 27 specialties in all 50 states and Washington D.C. are compiled through a comprehensive peer review survey in which 15,000 leading attorneys throughout the country confidentially asses and vote on the legal abilities of other attorneys in their specialty. For more information on Best Lawyers in America, visit www.BestLawyers.com.

Public Justice - Trial Lawyer of the Year
Nominee's: Attorney's Edward M. Ricci and Theodore J. Leopold

Attorney Edward M. Ricci and Attorney Theodore J. Leopold  won the largest verdict on behalf of an individual claimant in Florida, $79.5 million, in Chipps v. Humana. In 2000, they were recognized for their groundbreaking work as on of only eight groups of lawyers in the United States nominated as Trial Lawyers of the Year by Public Justice, the nation's oldest public interest law foundation.