Fja Research And Education Foundation

Barely in his 40’s at the time, Steve Yerrid was the youngest member of the so-called “Dream Team” of Florida lawyers who took on Big Tobacco in the mid-1990’s - and won.  The idea to add racketeering and conspiracy charges – tripling the potential damages that could be awarded – contributed to the tobacco companies’ $13 billion settlement to reimburse Florida’s state Medicaid costs for ailing smokers.   Steve is still fighting Big Tobacco, helping to win a $15 million jury verdict against RJ Reynolds in 2017.But there is so much more to Tampa’s Steve Yerrid than one single case.   They include his long-shot “Act of God” defense that exonerated the harbor pilot whose ship struck the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, leading to its deadly collapse.  In all, he’s won more than 250 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more: several, record-setting.  Along the way, he’s been honored with the Florida Justice Association’s Perry Nichols Award, our highest honor.  He’s a member of the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocate