Thomas S. Edwards, Jr.

Thomas S. Edwards Jr. is a co-founder of Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., located in Jacksonville, Florida. Focusing his practice exclusively on civil litigation, he represents clients throughout the state who have been harmed by the negligent or willful acts or omissions of others in cases involving nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, defective products, premises liability and construction accidents. Certified in civil trial law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, Mr. Edwards has helped his clients obtain numerous substantial awards and settlements, including a $178 million jury verdict in a 2012 medical malpractice action.

After graduating in 1981 from Sewanee: The University of the South with a bachelor's degree, Mr. Edwards attended Stetson University College of Law, earning his Juris Doctor in 1983. While in law school, he served as president of its Moot Court Board. Admitted to practice law in the state of Florida, Mr. Edwards is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. Highly regarded by his peers, he has received an AV Preeminent* rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is included in Best Lawyers in America**.

Mr. Edwards is an active participant in several professional organizations, including the American Bar Association and the American Association for Justice, and he is the past president of the Jacksonville Bar Association, the Florida Justice Association and the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. A fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, he was also a member and former chairman of the Grievance Committee of The Florida Bar, where he was responsible for investigating possible lawyer misconduct and assisted in the drafting of a judicial code of ethics.

^{*AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.}

^{** The Best Lawyers in America® 2010. Copyright 2009 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC}