Clark to lead AFTL (Florida Bar News, September 1, 2001)
West Palm Beach attorney Mark W. Clark has been named president of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, and former Florida Bar President Howard Coker has become president-elect.
The academy also named other officers and directors for the coming year at its recent annual convention.
Clark, a third generation Floridian who grew up and practices in West Palm Beach, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his law degree in 1992 from Mercer University. He has handled virtually every kind of personal injury case, from medical malpractice, to product liability, to insurance bad faith.
"The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers was established to preserve the role that our legal and court system plays in protecting Florida citizens from corporate abuse and from those businesses that put profit above their safety and welfare," Clark said. "I am proud that I have been afforded the opportunity to serve as president of such a dedicated and caring organization."
Coker, a Jacksonville attorney, was the 1998-99 Bar president and will assume the presidency of the organization next year.
In addition to their election, the AFTL named Richard M. Shapiro of Bradenton as treasurer and A. Clark Cone of West Palm Beach as secretary.
Named to the academy's Executive Committee were C. Wayne Alford of Jacksonville, Alexander M. Clem of Orlando, and Web E. Brennan of Tampa. They will serve on that panel along with the AFTL's officers and immediate past President Lance J. Block and academy Executive Director Scott Carruthers.
Elected to two-year terms on the academy's Board of Directors were Alford, Lou Battista of Ft. Lauderdale, Brennan, Fred Cunningham of Palm Beach Gardens, Don Fountain of West Palm Beach, Michael Haggard of Coral Gables, Betsey Herd of Tampa, Daryl Parks of Tallahassee, Ed Ricci of West Palm Beach, Bob Roselli of Ft. Lauderdale, Diana Santa Maria of Ft. Lauderdale, and Edward Zebersky of Hollywood.
