Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq.

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Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq.: Attorney with Merlin Law Group
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

As Managing Attorney, Mary Fortson participates in the Merlin Law Group’s most complex legal cases and projects, and provides litigation and appellate support and guidance to the attorneys, overseeing and ensuring the quality of the legal work conducted. She coordinates and supervises the attorneys of the firm, and participates in law office operations including case assignment, hiring, supervision and professional development of the firm’s attorneys.

Mary directs the attorneys and their legal staff in effective and efficient use of resources while servicing the client. She assures that services are in compliance with professional standards, and state and federal regulatory requirements. Mary supplies advice and guidance to the Firm attorneys on all matters of procedure, practice, and policy. She provides administrative and technical oversight for attorney activities and coordinates with other internal staff and external entities and organizations.

Phi Delta Phi. Valedictorian. Recipient: West Publishing Corporation Award for Outstanding Achievement, 1994-1995 and 1995-1996. Co-Author: "Colossus: Taking on a Giant," Trial Magazine, September, 2000.
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Areas of Practice (11)

  • Insurance Coverage
  • Appellate Practice
  • Products Liability
  • First and Third Party Insurance
  • Insurance Bad Faith
  • Insurance
  • Insurance Litigation
  • Property Insurance Coverage
  • Property Insurance
  • Property Damage
  • Property Loss

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Cedar Crest College, B.S., magna cum laude, 1989
Law School Attended:
Stetson University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1997; Stetson University College of Law, J.D., Class Valedictorian, 1997; Stetson University College of Law, J.D., Dean's List Each Semester, 1997; Stetson University College of Law, J.D., West Publishing for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement, 1997; Stetson University College of Law, J.D., Corpus Juris Secundum Award for Scholastic Excellence, 1997; Stetson University College of Law, J.D., Civil Procedure, 1997; Stetson University College of Law, J.D., Lazan & Trute, 1997; Stetson University College of Law, J.D., P.A. Trusts Award, 1997
Year of First Admission:
1997
Admission:
1997, Florida; 2009, Texas; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Memberships:
Hillsborough County (Member, Appellate Practice Section) and American (Member, Sections on: Torts and Insurance Practice; Litigation) Bar Associations; The Florida Bar (Member, Sections on: Appellate Practice; Trial Lawyers); Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (Member: Appellate Practice Section; Amicus Curiae Committee); The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Tampa Bay Inn of Court; Florida Justice Association (Member, Amicus Curiae Committee); American Association for Justice; Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, FAPIA (Associate Member); National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, NAPIA (Associate Member); Windstorm Insurance Network (Chair, Conference Committee, 2012; First Party Claims Conference, Education Committee, 2009-Present); Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (Associate Member).
ISLN:
912881537

Peer Reviews

4.8/5.0 (12 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.8/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.8/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.8/5.0

  • Communication

    4.8/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.8/5.0
Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact Ms. Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq.

Contact Information:

656-228-1605  Phone

813-229-3692  Fax

www.merlinlawgroup.com

www.merlinlawgroup.com

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