Jennifer Gentry Fernandez

Bar / Professional Activity

• The Florida Bar
• U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
• Hillsborough County Bar Association
• Florida Justice Association
• American Association for Justice
• Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association
• Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers
• Orange County (Florida) Bar Association
• Orange County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
• Citizens Dispute Resolution, Mediator, 1995 – 1997; 2000
• Orange County Bar Association, Fundraising Chair, 1997 – 1998
• Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association, Founding Member
• Orange County Bar Association, Fundraising Committee, 1996 – 1997
• Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers, Judicial Reception Committee, 2012
• Florida Justice Association (formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), President, 2008 – 2009
• Florida Justice Association, Constitutional Challenge Committee, 1999 – 2000
• Florida Justice Association (formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), Continuing Legal Education Committee Chair, 2002 - 2003
• Florida Justice Association (formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), Board of Directors, 1997 – 2000
• Florida Justice Association (formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), Young Lawyers Section
• Florida Justice Association (formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), Secretary, 1999 – 2000
• Florida Justice Association (formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), President-Elect, 2007 – 2008
• Florida Justice Association (formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), Women’s Caucus
• Florida Bar, Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee, 2007 – 2008
• Florida Justice Association (formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), Medical Malpractice Committee Member, 2011 – 2012
• Florida Justice Association (formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), Board of Directors, 2007 – 2009; 2000 – 2002
• Florida Bar, “First 150 Women Lawyers” Research Committee, 1999 - 2000
• Florida Bar, Code and Rules of Evidence Committee, 2000 - 2003
• Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 1999 – 2001
• American Association for Justice, Regional Coordinator, ATLA Student Trial Advocacy Competition, 2000

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• $3.5 million verdict against Lakeland Regional Medical Center for nursing negligence resulting in permanent nerve injury. The hospital appealed the jury's verdict, which was affirmed, per curiam, by the 6th District Court of Appeal.  In 2020, the plaintiff served a $1 million offer of settlement, which was rejected by the hospital. The jury's $3.5 million verdict, rendered after a 2-week trial, resulted in an additional award of $1,564,603 in attorneys' fees, taxable costs, and prejudgment interest, rendered after a multi-day evidentiary hearing in April 2025.
• $4.25 million settlement with a Central Florida hospital and physicians for delayed diagnosis and failure to timely treat ischemic stroke in a 46-year-old woman. The Defendants' alleged negligence resulted in permanent hemiparalysis and speech and cognitive impairment, 2023.

Pro bono / Community Service

• “Art-Lando,” Chair, 1996 – 1998
• Over 15 years as a sustaining law firm of Bay Area Legal Services, 2025
• Great Oaks Village “Day in the Park” Committee, 1996 – 1998
• Ybor City Chamber of Commerce

Educational Background

• The University of Florida, Bachelor of Science degree, Journalism, 1990
• Episcopal High School, Jacksonville, Florida, 1996

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• 1996 Psychological Injury Claims, presented Med Psych Corporation, Peter B. Silvain, Ph.D., June 1996.
• 1995 Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Diagnosis and Treatment, presented by the Claims Analysis Center for Brain Injury and Mental Disorders, Michael E. Howard, Ph.D., August 1995.
• 1995 Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Committee Annual Seminar, presented by the FMMCC, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, September 1995.
• 1999 Insurance Seminar, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Members Only, September 1999.
• 1997 Collateral Sources Seminar, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, March 1997.
• 1997 Annual Convention, presented by the American Trial Lawyers Association, San Diego, California, June 1997.
• 1997 Direct and Cross Examination of Experts, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, October 1997.
• 2015 29th Annual Workhorse Seminar, presented by the Florida Justice Association, February 2015.
• 1999 Advanced Trial Skills, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, June 1999.
• 1999 Annual Convention, presented by the American Trial Lawyers Association, San Francisco, California, June 1999.
• 1999 Constitutional Analysis & Practical Considerations for Practicing Under the Tort Reform Act – for AFTL Members Only, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, September 1999.
• 2000 Medical Malpractice, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, April 2000.
• 2003 Medical Malpractice Seminar, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, June 2003.
• 2005 Collateral Sources Seminar, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, January 2005.
• 2011 Greatest Secrets to Our Success, presented by the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association, May 2011.
• 2011 Annual Convention, American Association for Justice, New York, New York, July 9 – 13, 2011.
• 2012 Medical Malpractice Seminar, presented by the Florida Justice Association, Orlando, Florida, December 2012.
• 2013 E-Filing Training, presented by the Florida Justice Association, Tampa, Florida March 2013.
• 2013 Winter Convention, American Association for Justice, Miami, Florida, February 2013.
• 2013 Legislative and Case Law Update, presented by the Florida Justice Association, St. Petersburg, Florida June 2007.
• 2017 Annual Review: Legislative and Case Law Update, presented by the Florida Justice Association, St. Petersburg, Florida, June 2017.
• 2015 Annual Review: 2015 Legislative Changes, presented by the Florida Justice Association, June 2015.
• 2016 Written Discovery: How to Draft to Get What You Need, presented by the Florida Justice Association, St. Petersburg, Florida, March 2016.
• 2017 Women’s Caucus Retreat, presented by the Florida Justice Association, St. Petersburg, Florida, June 2017.
• 2017 Advanced Trial Skills Seminar, presented by the Florida Justice Association, June 2017.
• 2018 Masters of Justice – Technology Seminar, presented by the Florida Justice Association, Tampa, Florida, October 2018.
• 2017 National Pretrial Competition, presented by the Florida Justice Association, Florida, October 2017.
• 2018 Social Media Discovery, Ethics, Evidence & Sanctions, presented by the Avalon Investigative Services, Tampa, Florida, February 2018.
• Doing It All, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Women’s Caucus, February 2001, Speaker/Panelist – Florida injury Attorney Jennifer Gentry Fernandez.
• 2018 Masters of Justice – Medical Malpractice, presented by the Florida Justice Association, Tampa, Florida, October 2018.
• 2019 Damages in Medical Negligence Cases, presented by the Florida Justice Association, Tampa, Florida, December 2018.
• Women’s Caucus Seminar, presented by the Florida Justice Association, West Palm Beach, Florida, June 2019.
• Advanced Trial Skills Seminar, presented by the Florida Justice Association, West Palm Beach, Florida, June 2019.
• State of Florida v. Big Tobacco, an associate’s perspective, lecture presented at Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, March 1999, speaker – Florida injury Attorney Jennifer Fernandez.
• Medical Malpractice, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, April 1999, Moderator/Speaker – Florida injury Attorney Jennifer Fernandez.
• The Practicalities of Being a Young Lawyer, lecture presented at Barry University College of Law, Orlando, November 1999, Speaker/Author – Tampa injury Attorney Jennifer Fernandez.
• Evidence for the Litigation Paralegal, hosted by the Institute for Paralegal Education, May 2000, Speaker/Author – Tampa injury Attorney Jennifer Fernandez.
• 2000 Legislative and Case Law Update, – for AFTL Members Only, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, May 2000, Moderator – Florida injury Attorney Jennifer Fernandez.
• Civil Litigation for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, October 2000, program Chairperson/moderator – Tampa injury Attorney Jennifer Fernandez.
• Handling Awkward Tasks and Client Problems in Front of the Jury, 2002 Workhorse Seminar, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, February 2002, voting members only, Moderator – Tampa injury Attorney Jennifer Fernandez.
• 2002 Collateral Sources Seminar, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, January 2002, program Chairperson/ Moderator – Tampa injury Attorney Jennifer Fernandez.
• Innovations in Trial Advocacy, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, June 2003, program Chairperson/Moderator – Florida injury Attorney Jennifer Gentry Fernandez.
• New Lurking Disasters with Pretrial Stipulations, Exhibits Lists and Witness Lists, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, February 2003, Workhorse Seminar, voting members only, Speaker/Author – Tampa injury Attorney Jennifer Gentry Fernandez.
• Cross Examination of the Defense Medical Expert, presented by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, May 2004, Medical Malpractice Seminar, Speaker/Author – Florida injury Attorney Jennifer Gentry Fernandez.
• Florida Justice Association, AFTL Journal Articles Editor, 1998 – 2000
• Fear: Dealing with it and Using it to your Advantage in Trial, presented by the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association, May 19, 2011, Greatest Secrets to Our Success seminar, Speaker/Author – Tampa injury Lawyer Jennifer Gentry Fernandez
• Service of Process, Subpoenas and Jurisdictional Issues Involving Foreign Defendants, Out-of-State Witnesses and Cruise Line Excursions, presented by the Resort Tort Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice, July 11, 2011, AAJ 2011 Annual Convention, Speaker/Author – Florida injury Attorney Jennifer Gentry Fernandez
• Law Week, Participant/Presenter, 1995 – 1999
• Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association, Publications/Newsletter Co-Chair, 1999 – 2001

Other Outstanding Achievements

• Together with partner Frank Fernandez, recipient of the Florida Justice Association Krupnick Award.  Named after FJA Founder Jon E. Krupnick, this prestigious award recognizes efforts on behalf of a particular client, reflecting relentless commitment, perseverance, and fortitude in seeking justice through all obstacles and roadblocks. The award capped a 20+ year battle on behalf of a catastrophically injured victim of medical negligence and punitive conduct by an Orlando-area physician and OB/GYN clinic. The lawsuit was filed in 2003, tried to a $36 million verdict in 2011, the subject of numerous appeals (of an erroneous dismissal, of the verdict, and on subsequent issues in the execution/collection phase), and finally settled and dismissed in 2022. At the final hearing approving the settlement, Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Judge Karen Jennemann commented, "The only part of the legal system that did not fail the plaintiff was her attorneys, Frank and Jennifer Fernandez.", 2022 

Honors

• Stetson University, College of Law, Best Advocate in the 1993 Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) Southeast Regional Student Trial Advocacy Competition
• Phi Delta Phi Honorary Society
• “Who’s Who Among Business and Professional Achievers”, National Register, 2012
• Stetson University, College of Law, named Champion of the 1993 Chester Bedell Memorial Mock Trial Competition
• Stetson University, College of Law, Member of the College of Law’s award-winning 1993 National Trial Team
• Ralph Harris Farrell Competition Award from Stetson College of Law
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Bronze EAGLE Award, 2001

Awards

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Distinguished: This award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 3.0 to 4.4.

Industry Groups

• American Association For Justice
• FJA Women's Caucus
• Florida Association Of Women Lawyers
• Florida Justice Association (FJA)