Practice Areas: Family Law, Personal Injury, Business Litigation; view more
Licensed in Florida since: 1989
Education: University of Florida Levin College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2006 - 2024 Details
Mark A. Sessums formed the firm now known as Sessums Law Group, P.A., in April, 2008. The firm has six (6) lawyers and represents litigants in all types of civil matters in all courts throughout the State of Florida and in other jurisdictions. Mark A. Sessums is Double Board Certified in both Civil Trial Law and Marital and Family Law. Mark A. Sessums has been Board Certified in Marital and Family Law since 1997. Mark A. Sessums and has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law since 2010, and was Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 2015. Mark A. Sessums is recognized for excellence in Best Lawyers in America. Mark has been nominated each year as a “Super Lawyer” since the inception of the rating service in 2006. Mark A. Sessums and his firm are AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Mark A. Sessums’ rating through AVVO.com is ten out of ten. Mark Sessums served as an Eagle in the American Justice Association. Mark A. Sessums gained admittance to Litigation Counsel of America, a prestigious trial lawyer’s organization. The firm’s offices are in Tampa, Sarasota, Lakeland, and Sebring.
Practice areas
Family Law, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Business LitigationFocus areas
Divorce, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Wrongful Death
- 50% Family Law
- 30% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 20% Business Litigation
First Admitted: 1989, Florida
Professional Webpage: https://www.sessumslawgroup.com/attorneys/mark-a-sessums/
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- $6,000,000.00 RECOVERY-FRAUD CIVIL ACTION Sessums Law Group, P.A. successfully recovered $6,000,000.00 for a client in a fraud civil action. Prior to the client’s divorce, the client negotiated and executed an agreement with his wife’s boyfriend that sought that the boyfriend would have no contact with the client’s wife. The client paid a lump sum of $6,000,000.00 to his wife’s boyfriend for this no contact agreement. Almost immediately, the wife’s boyfriend commenced communicating with the client’s wife and ultimately the client and his wife divorced. Sessums Law Group, P.A. filed a civil breach of contract action against the then wife’s boyfriend ancillary to the divorce action seeking to recover the $6,000,000.00 paid to his wife’s boyfriend. Sessums Law Group, P.A. was successful in adding punitive damages and in defending an interlocutory appeal of this additional damage claim. Sessums Law Group, P.A. successfully added the wife to this civil action but dismissed her when she agreed to pay $3,000,000.00 in the divorce action to the client for his damages. After the divorce, the wife agreed to pay another $3,000,000.00 to obtain a dismissal of the fraud action against her boyfriend. The settlement did provide that the former wife would obtain a reduction the final $3,000,000.00 paid if she paid her boyfriend’s legal fees in the civil action (up to a ceiling of $200,000.00). Thus, Sessums Law Group, P.A. recovered at least $5,800,000.00 for the client in the civil action.
- $2,740,000.00—WRONGFUL DEATH HIT/RUN OF MOTORCYCLIST: Representation of the plaintiff hit from behind on his motorcycle by a driver who was allegedly drunk at the time of the accident. Sued the defendant; the bar that th4e defendant had been drinking and the defendant’s employer.
- $1,929,000.00 REAL ESTATE DEFICIENCY VERDICT: Representation of estate in real estate deficiency claim resulting in joint and several liability verdict against various doctors and chiropractors.
- $1,000,000.00 SETTLEMENT—COLLISION: Representation of estate in an automobile and tractor trailer collision that resulted in multiple deaths.
- $905,000.00 SETTLEMENT—COLLISION: Representation of professional individual who was rear-ended and forced into oncoming traffic and hit head-on by a hearse, resulting in hip fracture and ultimate hip replacement.
- $700,000.00 Confidential MEDICAL MALPRACTICE—SETTLEMENT: Failure to detect re-occurrence of rectal cancer resulting in wrongful death (suit against radiologist; clinic providing primary care; and joint venture between clinic providing primary care and employer of radiologist).
- $550,000 SETTLEMENT—WRONGFUL DEATH/BACK INJURY: Representation of both the estate of decedent and individual plaintiff in an auto collision case against driver of truck that T-boned plaintiffs’ vehicle at an intersection on U.S. 27. Incident resulted in death of one plaintiff and back surgery to second plaintiff. As main defendant was driving a state-owned vehicle, the recovery was arguably limited to sovereign immunity limits of $200,000.00.
- $460,000.00 SETTLEMENT—SLIP AND FALL: Representation of plaintiff in a slip and fall case due to leaky roof at major retail chain resulting in herniated disc and loss of job.
- $425,000.00 SETTLEMENT—FAILURE TO INTUBATE: Representation of plaintiff against nursing home for failure to follow life-care instructions of surviving daughter regarding intubation of her father, thereby resulting in father’s death.
- $400,000.00 SETTLEMENT—NEGLIGENT CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT: Representation of estate of deceased for negligent chiropractic treatment that resulted in total disability and suicide.
- $400,000.00 SETTLEMENT—SLIP AND FALL: Representation of estate of individual who fractured skull and died due to negligent design and placement of traffic stop in pavement.
- $400,000.00 SETTLEMENT—NEGLIGENT MENTAL HEALTH CARE: Representation of estate of deceased for negligent mental health treatment of suicidal individual resulting in individual’s death.
- $250,000.00 SETTLEMENT—BAD FAITH REFUSAL TO SETTLE: Representation of plaintiff in lawsuit against automobile insurer for bad faith refusal to pay on uninsured motorist coverage claim involving injured ankle and lost earnings due to inability to work.
- $250,000.00 —ARBITRATION AWARD: Representation of plaintiff in an arbitration claim against a franchise.
- $225,750.98 VERDICT—PERSONAL INJURY: Representation of plaintiff for personal injury-automobile negligence and underinsured/uninsured motor vehicle insurance.
- $200,000.00 SETTLEMENT—BORROW PIT: Representation of plaintiff against landowner for defective borrow pit that enticed and drowned minor child.
- $180,000.00 RECOVERY-REDUCED WORKER’S COMPENSATION LIEN: Yes—automobile case: Client T-boned in automobile accident and required to have rotator cuff surgery. No significant permanent injury, but significant medical/hospital expenses.
- $175,000.00 SETTLEMENT—SLIP AND FALL: Representation of plaintiff in slip and fall resulting in knee replacement.
- $170,000.00 SETTLEMENT—DAMAGE TO PROPERTY: Representation of plaintiff against insurance company for damage to crane.
- $150,000.00 SETTLEMENT—DEFECTIVE DRUG/MISCARRIAGE: Representation of plaintiff against a drug manufacturer for a defective drug that resulted in a miscarriage.
- $140,000.00 SETTLEMENT – AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT: Client was in a rear end car accident resulting in exacerbation of a pre-existing neck injury requiring surgery. Case involved the tortfeasor and the underinsured motorist carrier.
- $135,000.00 VERDICT—COLLISION: Representation of plaintiff in lawsuit against automobile insurer for uninsured/underinsured automobile case.
- $125,000.00 SETTLEMENT—ELECTROCUTION: Representation of estate in claim against electric company due to claim that they had not properly trimmed tree limbs resulting in plaintiff’s death; claim against homeowner’s insurance company for premises liability.
- $125,000.00 SETTLEMENT—LEGAL MALPRACTICE: Representation of individual against their former lawyer for negligent representation.
- $113,067.14 VERDICT—NEGLIGENCE/ STRICT LIABILITY ACTION: Representation of plaintiff against food manufacturer for negligence/strict liability action.
- $110,000.00 SETTLEMENT – AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT: Client was injured when the at fault driver failed to yield and turned across traffic causing the collision. Case involved the tortfeasor and the underinsured motorist carrier.
- $110,000.00 SETTLEMENT—AUTOMOBILE NEGLIGENCE: Aggravation of knee injury in automobile accident.
- $100,000.00 SETTLEMENT—NEGLIGENT FAILURE TO PROPERLY INCARCERATE SUICIDAL INDIVIDUAL: Representation of estate of former inmate who died in jail after prison failed to properly provide treatment for obviously suicidal individual.
- $100,000 SETTLEMENT – CAR ACCIDENT Head on collision with temporary injury to left wrist, hand, neck and back with minimal wage loss.
- $100,000.00 RECOVERY: Client was hit head-on and required to have cervical fusion and rotator cuff surgery. Significant medical/hospital expenses. Case was settled for the policy limits.
- $86,569.00 JURY VERDICT—UNINSURED MOTORIST: Case involving plaintiff with 8 prior motor vehicle accidents with similar injuries. Plaintiff had inconsistent complaints of pain, but significant past medical expenses the jury found reasonable and necessary.
- $84,875.77 VERDICT—BREACH OF CONTRACT: Representation of plaintiff in lawsuit for breach of contract.
- $80,000 Settlement – COLLISION: Obtained settlement for tortfeasor’s limits of liability and all available stacked UM insurance in automobile accident in which client T-boned resulting in fractured wrist. Fracture resulted in surgery and inability of college student to continue with restaurant server position.
- $77,815.00 SETTLEMENT—SLIP AND FALL: Representation of plaintiff in slip and fall incident. An additional recovery was made for fees pursuant to proposal for settlement.
- $77,100.00 VERDICT —FRAUD: Representation of individual defrauded by Mississippi former judge and paralegal wife who obtained forged signature of plaintiff that resulted in his fraudulent removal from title to beach condominium. Motion for fees and cost pending.
- $75,000.00 RECOVERY: Client was t-boned at intersection and required to have surgery on left knee. Moderate amount of medical/hospital expenses, without permanent impairment.
- $58,000.00 SETTLEMENT—CATTLE BROKERAGE CASE: Representation of cattle broker against corporation refusing to pay amounts due to him under contract.
- $50,000 OUTCOME – Motorcycle Accident: Rear end accident with exacerbation of pre-existing injuries.
- $50,000.00 RECOVERED-TORTFEASOR LIMITS: Client sideswiped while in turning lane by erratically driven vehicle. Client suffered significant soft tissue injuries. Presuit offer $17,000.00. UM claim remains pending.
- $35,000 AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. CONTESTED LIABILITY: Client allegedly violated right of way. Client contended that opposing party failed to have on headlights. Obtained settlement for limits of liability on tortfeasor’s bodily injury coverage and client’s underinsured motor vehicle insurance.
- $30,000 SETTLEMENT-PREMISES LIABILITY / BAR FIGHT INJURIES: Representation of Plaintiff in a premises liability controversy. The Plaintiff was enjoying a holiday evening at a local bar and grill establishment when another patron punched the Plaintiff in the face, causing the Plaintiff to suffer a broken jaw and to require reconstructive dental work. The Plaintiff’s Complaint alleged that the Defendant bar and grill employees continued to serve alcohol to the other patron after it was apparent that the other patron was intoxicated; and, that the bar and grill Defendant failed to provide adequate security on the premises to protect the Plaintiff against a foreseeable risk.
- $29,000.00 RECOVERY: Client was t-boned at intersection. Minimal medical/hospital expenses, without permanent injury.
- $27,499.00 SETTLEMENT – INJURY AT SCHOOL School Board and individual student sued for negligent supervision as student was physically assaulted on school premises by another student. The student client suffered a broken bone that healed without incident.
- $19,000.00 RECOVERED-FOR ALL 3 FAMILY MEMBERS: Father and 2 children injured in T-bone accident. No permanent injury. Treated and released at hospital.
- $10,499.00 RECOVERY: Client was t-boned while crossing an intersection. Injuries consisted of an exacerbation of prior condition. Minimal medical/hospital expenses, without permanent impairment.
- $9,999.00 SETTLEMENT – INJURY AT SCHOOL: School Board sued for negligence for supplying skate board to child at P.E. class that led to broken ankle that healed without incident.
- DEFENSE VERDICT—ZERO DAMAGES—LOTTERY CASE: Representation of defendant who won $3,000,000.00 lottery ticket holder in suit by plaintiff who claimed she had given him money to buy lottery ticket.
- MEDICAL MALPRACTICE; CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT: Client’s renal artery was negligently clipped causing the death of her kidney.
- MEDICAL MALPRACTICE; CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT: Client was burned with a hot pack after delivering her son via Cesarean section.
- HIT & RUN; CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT: Sessums Law Group was recently successful in settling a case for a hard working Polk County man whose hit and run accident resulted in a need for a knee replacement. The defendant argued that our client had caused the accident. We were able to prove through expert accident reconstruction testimony that the accident happened as our client testified despite the minimal damage involved. The recent conviction for drugs and the hit and run facts we were able to demonstrate caused an attractive settlement for our client. We are proud of the settlement as the knee replacement will likely cause an ultimate loss of the plaintiff’s relatively high paying job.
- HUNDREDS OF AUTOMOBILE CASE SETTLEMENTS: Representation of hundreds of individuals in settlements in all types of automobile accident cases for sums less than $100,000.00.
- CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT AMOUNT-MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT Representation of the estate of a motorcycle driver who was hit from behind by a drunk driver and ultimately died as a result of the injuries.
- CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT—DENTAL MALPRACTICE: Representation of plaintiff in a dental malpractice case due to negligent implantation of mini-implants and negligent follow-up up care, resulting in the failure of all six (6) mini-implants in plaintiff’s maxilla (upper jaw).
Representative Clients:
- Johnson v. Johnson, 663 So. 2d 663 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995).
- Campbell Soup Co. v. Roberts, 676 So. 2d 435 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995)
- Ohio Cas. Ins. Co. v. Fennell, 686 So. 2d 1 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995)
- Polk County v. Sofka, 702 So. 2d 1243 (Fla. 1997)
- Stoler v. Stoler, 679 So. 2d 837 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996)(not listed as appellate counsel in opinion)
- Polk County v. Sofka, 675 So. 2d 615 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996)
- Carlton v. Carlton, 670 So. 2d 1129 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996)
- Polk County v. Sofka, 730 So. 2d 389 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999)
- Clark v. Polk County, 753 So. 2d 138 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000)
- Williams v. Williams, 923 So. 2d 606 (Fla. 2d DCA 2006)
- Harrell v. Mayberry, 754 So. 2d 742 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000)
- Hutto v. Hutto, 842 So. 2d 994 (Fla. 2d DCA 2003)
- Worley v. Worley, 855 So. 2d 632 (Fla. 2d DCA 2003)
- Skone v. Skone, 870 So. 2d 230 (Fla. 2d DCA 2004)
- Massam v. Massam, 993 So. 2d 1022 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008)
- Rushiwal v. Rushiwal, 971 So. 2d 190 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007)
- Jones v. State Farm Mutual Insurance Company, 988 So. 2d 1100 (Fla.2d DCA 2008)
- Muse v. Muse, 27 So. 3d 232, (Fla. 2d DCA 2010)
- Franklin v. Franklin, 988 So. 2d 125 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008)
- Four Corners Ins., Inc. v. Sun Publications of Florida, Inc., 5 So. 3d 780 (Fla. 2d DCA 2009)
- P.V. v. T.M., 25 So. 3d 1239 (Fla. 2d DCA 2009)
- Benevides v. Benevides and Gerard, P.A., 46 So. 3d 53 (Fla. 2d DCA, 2010)
- Mahalak v. Mahalak, 36 So. 3d 669 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010)
- McGhee v. McGhee, 48 So. 3d 848 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010)
- Long v. Long, 49 So. 3d 245 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010)
- Negron v. Negron, 90 So. 3d 288 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012)
- N.H. v. JET, 66 So. 3d 1056 (Fla. 2d DCA 2011)
- Browning v. Poirier, 128 So. 3d 144 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013)
- Madonia v. Madonia, 96 So. 3d 896 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012)
- Holmes v. Holmes, 100 So. 3d 745 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012)
- Phillips v. Phillips, 110 So. 3d 456 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013)
- Flaherty v. Flaherty, 128 So. 3d 920 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013)
- Driggers v. Driggers, 127 So. 3d 762 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013)
- Jensen v. Jensen, 172 So. 3d 878 (Fla. 2d DCA 2015)
- Jayne v. Jayne, 112 So. 3d 456 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013)
- Campbell v. Campbell, 138 So. 3d 445 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014)
- Card v. Card, 122 So. 3d 436, (Fla. 2d DCA 2015)
- Browning v. Poirier, 165 So. 3d 663 (Fla. 2015)
- Johnson v. Johnson, 162 So. 3d 1026 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015)
- Allegro v. Allegro, 203 So. 3d 164 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016)
- Pagano v. Pagano, 2016 WL 6637704
- Pagano v. Pagano, 205 So. 3d 601 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016)
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Sarasota Family Law Section, monthly luncheon (2018), How To Bullet Proof And Challenge Prenuptial Agreements.
- Sarasota Family Law Section, monthly luncheon (2020), Alimony: Past, Present, and Future.
- AAML Webinar on Tax Returns and Financial Affidavits with Monica Ospina, CPA (2018).
- Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Trial Advocacy Workshop (2017), Direct and Cross Examination of Experts.
- Florida Bar Certification Marital and Family Law Review Speaker: Evidence (2019 and 2020); Attorney’s Fees (2018); Practice & Procedure (2017); Agreements (2016); Alimony (2014); Equitable Distribution (2012; 2013); Modification of Alimony and Child Support (2010; 2011); Final Judgments (2008).
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer Institute: Torts and Family Law (2015); Evidence (co-presented with Elisha Roy, Esq. 2020).
- Alimony: Then and Now, Jacksonville Bar Association (2015).
- Taming the Evidentiary Beast In Family Law with Retired Judge John C. Lenderman, AAML Webinar (2015).
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Speaker: Winning the Battle of the Experts: How to Get Paid (2013).
- A Wrinkle In Time: Personal Jurisdiction’s Evolution—Pleading, Proving and Defending Personal Jurisdiction Issues. 87 Fla. Bar J. 16 (Nov. 2013).
- Family Law Fees, The High Points and the Current State of the Law, LXXIII, No. 4, Florida Bar Journal, April (1999).
- You Can’t Make Me! Oh, Yes, I Can! – Motions to Compel, Motions for Contempt, and Sanctions, Florida Bar Family Law Section Telephonic Seminar Series (May 2012).
- “Professionalism,” (Co-Authored with Caroline Black Sikorske, Esq.), Family Law Commentator (Spring 1993).
- What Are Wives’ Contributions Worth Upon Divorce: Toward Fully Incorporating Partnership Into Equitable Distribution Vol. 41 University of Florida Law Review, No. 5 (Fall 1989).
- View from the Soapbox: The Case for Permanent Alimony, Florida Law Commentator, (Winter 2013).
- Halfway Houses and Mental Health Treatment Facilities-Establishing Duty In Tort, LXXVII, No. 6, Florida Bar Journal (June 2003).
- Legislative Update, Florida Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer’s Institute (2007).
- Floridom’s Annual Case Law Update (2009-2012).
- Rule 4-3.3, Candor Towards the Tribunal, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer’s Institute (2011).
Bar/Professional Activity:
- AAML Foundation, Executive Committee (2019-present); Board of Directors (2018-present); AAML Florida Chapter: President (2020-present) President Elect (2019-present); Vice President (2018-2019); Treasurer (2017-2018); Secretary (2016-17); Board of Managers (2014-present); Institute Committee (2014-present; Chair, 2017); Legislation Committee (2017-present); Co-Chair, Legislation Committee (2005-08); Co-Chair, Membership Committee (2006-11); Amicus Committee Chair, 2006.
- Sarasota Bar Association Member (2016-present).
- The Florida Bar: Civil Procedure Rules Committee (1990-93);
- Lakeland Bar Association Member (2008-present).
- Highland’s County Bar Association Member (2008-present).
- Polk County Family Lawyers Association: President (2002-03);
- Tenth Judicial Circuit, Grievance Committee (1999-2000); Chair (2000-01);
- Hillsborough County Bar Association: President-Elect Young Lawyers Section (1994-95); Chair & Various Committees (1990-95); Member.
- The Florida Bar, Family Law Section: Executive Council (2004-11); Secretary of Legislation Committee (2005-06); Co-Vice Chair of Legislation Committee (2006-11); Family Law Rules Committee (1994-98); Vice-Chair of Family Law Rules Committee (1996-97).
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Double Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Martial and Family Law
Honors/Awards:
- Rating of 10 out of 10 - highest rating from AVVO.com, the world's largest legal directory
- Fellow, Public Service Law
- AV firm, the Highest Rating from Martindale Hubbell
- Fellow, Litigations Counsel of America Trial Lawyers Honorary Society
Educational Background:
- University of Florida, B.A., 1982
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D., Cum Laude, With Honors, 1989
Selections
19 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2006 - 2024
Certificates and credentials
Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization
Civil Trial
Civil Trial
Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization
Marital & Family Law
Marital & Family Law
