Robert E. Turffs
Background and Philosophy:
"The first time I met a lawyer I was about 10 years old. My
parents were having their wills executed, so I tagged along. I
remember the smell of books, ink and paper, and something clicked
in my head. From that point on, I knew deep down that I wanted to
be a lawyer. In high school I read about Earl Rogers and Clarence
Darrow. Back then, being a lawyer was something to be proud of as
we watched Thurgood Marshall, Robert Kennedy, and Edward Bennet
Williams fight their good fights.
Great trial lawyers have the ability to navigate the
obstacles between the client's problem and rightful solution. As I
study their arguments, I realize that their true greatness lies in
their ability to inject humanity into the law and the judicial
process. They bring out the common thread of humanity that weaves
through our country's history and into the courtrooms. They help
judges and juries to understand that the person standing before
them is just like them; a human being with similar problems,
concerns and rights; and that the relief they are seeking is
reasonable, understandable and just.
My aspiration is, to the extent of my ability, to follow
that example."
Profile:
Robert E. Turffs was born in Elmhurst, Illinois on April 10,
1949. He graduated from New College in 1976 with a B.A. and received
his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law, Samford University in
Birmingham, Alabama in 1982. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in
1983 and received his Board Certification from The Florida Bar in
Civil Trial Law in 1991. He was admitted to practice in all Florida
State Courts, Florida Federal District Courts, with Circuit Court of
Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
He serves on the Board of Directors for the Community AIDS
Network/Comprehensive Care Clinic. He is a member of the Insurance
and Tort Section of the American Bar Association and Trial Section
of the Florida Bar. From 1991 - 1993 he was Chairman of the Florida
Bar Grievance Committee 12C, and he has authored "function of
Grievance Committee", "The Docket", February 1993. He is also a
member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and both an
Eagle and Presidents Club Member of the Academy of Florida trial
Lawyers.
He has been involved in HIV litigations since 1999 and has
handled transfusion-associated AIDS and HIV/AIDS related civil
rights and disability cases. From 1991 to 1996, over 50% of his time
has been devoted to Hemophiliacs and their families in claims
against fractionators. He is a member of the Plaintiff's Steering
Committee in the class action on behalf of hemophiliacs filed
against the manufactures of clotting factor, and a member of the
Plaintiff's Steering Committee in the related multi-district
litigation. | 
