Tonya J. Meister

Tonya J. Meister founded Meister Law, LLC. She handles maritime personal injury, sexual assaults and wrongful death claims. Mrs. Meister represents injured crew and passengers from all types of vessels, including cruise ships, recreational boats, cargo ships, tugs/barges, casino boats and others. She assists crew members obtain unpaid wages, disability and retirement benefits. She also represents businesses and individuals that suffer losses from maritime disasters including the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. She is legal counsel for Port Ministries International. Mrs. Meister has presented seminars on various maritime topics including Update on the Eleventh, Eighth, Seventh and Sixth Circuits for a Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute; Update on Crew Injury Claims for the Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law; Cruise Ship Law for the Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law; Crew Arbitration for a Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law; and Forum Non Conveniens for an American Trial Lawyers Association (now American Justice Association). In addition she has taught classes and/or given presentations at St. Thomas Law School, University of Miami Law School, and Florida International University.

Mrs. Meister wrote an Amicus Brief in the Atlantic Sounding v. Townsend case and attended the oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court. This was a landmark decision protecting seafarers.

Advisory Board, Space Coast Seafarers Ministry. Alumni Board of Director for Barry University.

(Board Certified Admiralty and Maritime Law Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education)