You see the billboards everywhere. Smiling attorneys with catchy slogans. Some of them are fine lawyers. Some of them are not lawyers at all — they are advertising firms that collect cases and refer them out to others for a fee, without your knowledge. This distinction matters enormously for your case.

What “board-certified” means: Florida Bar board certification in civil trial law is not purchased. It is earned through a rigorous process: minimum years of trial experience, a written examination, peer review, and continuing education requirements. It means the attorney has proven litigation competence — not just the ability to settle cases or run TV commercials. Phillips, Hunt & Walker attorneys are board-certified trial attorneys.

The referral lawyer problem: Many high-volume advertising firms sign clients and immediately refer those clients to another law firm, keeping a referral fee. You may never meet the attorney in the ad. The firm that actually handles your case may have very different resources and trial experience. Ask directly: will you be handling my case, or will you be referring it?

Contingency fees explained: Personal injury lawyers in Florida work on contingency — meaning they are paid only if you recover. A typical contingency fee is 33% pre-suit, 40% if litigation is necessary. You pay no upfront fees. This aligns the lawyer’s incentive with yours: they earn more when you recover more. It also means a legitimate lawyer will only take your case if they believe in it.

Key Takeaways

• Ask whether your attorney is Florida Bar board-certified in civil trial
• Ask explicitly: will you handle my case, or will you refer it to someone else?
• Contingency fees are standard — no upfront costs, attorney paid from recovery
• Avoid “signing” with high-volume advertising operations that may never try a case
• Your attorney should be reachable and communicative throughout the case
• Never give a recorded statement to any insurance company before consulting an attorney