BIOGRAPHY
Honorable Judge Mark W. Klingensmith

Judge Mark Klingensmith picture

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Florida (1982)
  • Juris Doctor, University of Florida (1985)

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE

  • Appointed by Governor Rick Scott, commissioned on July 17, 2011; elected 2012.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

  • Florida Bar Board Certified (Civil Trial 2001; recertified 2006, 2011)
  • AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Florida Super Lawyers (2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010)
  • Adjunct Professor, Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration, Nova Southeastern University (Winter 1997)
  • Shareholder, Sonneborn Rutter Cooney & Klingensmith PA, West Palm Beach, FL (1992-2011)
  • Junior Partner, Metzger Sonneborn & Rutter PA, West Palm Beach, FL (1990-1992)
  • Associate, Metzger & Sonneborn PA, West Palm Beach, FL (February 1986-1990)

LEGAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • Florida Bar (admitted 1986)
  • State Bar of California (inactive) (admitted 1986)
  • United States Supreme Court (admitted 1991)
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Florida (Trial Bar)
  • United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • Florida Conference of Circuit Judges (2011-present)
  • Martin County Bar Association
  • Palm Beach County Bar Association
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Justice Major Harding Inns of Court (Master)
  • Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, University of Florida (President 1984-1985)

FLORIDA BAR INVOLVEMENT

  • Rules of Judicial Administration Committee, The Florida Bar (2003-2009)
  • Rules of Civil Procedure Committee, The Florida Bar (1997-2003)
  • Steering Committee, Florida Civil Trial Practice, The Florida Bar Publications (1997-present)
  • Grievance Committee for 15th Judicial Circuit (1997-2000; 2003-2005) (Chairman, 2000)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • Town of Sewall's Point, FL
    • Mayor (2010-2011)
    • Vice-Mayor (2009-2010)
    • Commissioner, (2008-2009)
  • University of Florida Law School Board of Trustees (2011-Present)
  • University of Florida Law Alumni Council (President 2006-2007)
  • Florida Blue Key, University of Florida
  • University of Florida Alumni Association (Life Member)
  • District Chairman, Treasure Coast District, Gulf Stream Council, Boy Scouts of America (2008-present)
  • Executive Board, Gulf Stream Council, Boy Scouts of America (2008-present)
  • Children's Services Council of St. Lucie County (2011-Present)
  • Executive Roundtable of St. Lucie County (2011-Present)
  • Board of Directors, Palm Glades Girl Scout Council (1993-1999)

PUBLICATIONS

  • Editor-in-Chief, Florida Journal of International Law, University of Florida College of Law (1984-1985).
  • Author: Opening Statements, Florida Civil Trial Practice (8th Ed., 2010), The Florida Bar Publications.
  • Author: Attorney-Client Relationship, Florida Civil Practice Before Trial (7th Ed., 2004; 8th Ed., 2009; 9th Ed. 2011; 10th Ed. 2013), The Florida Bar Publications.
  • Author: Deposing the Plaintiff's Economic Damages Experts, The Defense Speaks: FDLA Defense Manual (1st Ed., July 2006).
  • Author: Compensatory Damages Slashed by Florida Court: The Impact of First Healthcare Corp. v. Estate of Barnes, Nursing Home Legal Insider, Vol. 1, Issue 1 (September 1999).
  • Author: The Five Myths of Nursing Home Litigation, LRP Publications (1998).
  • Author: Addressing the Younger Person in Jury Selection, Personal Injury Verdict Reviews, Vol. 6, Issue 8 (April 13, 1998).
  • Author: Ten Years of Medical Malpractice Reform: Brickbats and Bouquets, FDLA Trial Advocates Quarterly (Winter 1997).
  • Author: Medical Malpractice Litigation, Florida Keystone, Lawyer's Desk Library of Practice (1996).
  • Co-author: The Hospital's Risk From Innkeeper to Insurer, Florida Bar Journal (July-August 1986).