Edward Montoya Founder

With over three decades of trial and litigation experience, Edward has successfully resolved numerous multi-million dollar cases in state and federal courts related to personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, and air disasters. He maintains a balanced clientele portfolio, including plaintiff and defense cases, and represents several companies and airlines in commercial contracts, liability claims, and FAA-related matters. Edward also leads and manages the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practice and offers global settlement conferences, mediation, and arbitration services. He is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator for Circuit Civil cases, meaning he is a licensed expert in resolving complex and challenging disputes.

Edward's academic journey is marked by notable achievements. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Vermont Law School, where he not only served as the editor of The Forum newspaper but also received the prestigious Debevoise Scholarship. His time at Vermont was further enriched by his clerkship at the U.S. Department of Justice—Civil Environmental Division and his induction into Phi Delta Phi, a national honor society.

Additionally, Edward earned a Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia University in New York. This experience allows him to diversify and elevate his skillset, allowing him to better serve his clients.

Edward is also passionate about social justice and equality and works tirelessly to protect immigrant families from being separated and deported. As past chairman of the board and current secretary of CASA, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Edward’s hard work, diligence, and dedication have helped the CASA board and staff expand the organization’s range of services and explore grants and fundraising opportunities.

Edward's unwavering commitment to serving others is evident in his role as a respected member of the South Florida legal community. Since 2001, he has taken on the responsibility of training and mentoring numerous paralegal interns for Miami-Dade Community College, many of whom have gone on to become successful attorneys. Edward has also played a significant role in the development of law clerks and law firm associates.

  • Florida Bar, 1993
  • District of Columbia Bar, 2020
  • The U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • The U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • Certified Federal Mediator, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator, Circuit Civil
  • Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator
  • Certified Spanish Speaker, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
  • Vermont Law School, Juris Doctorate
  • Columbia University, Master of Science, summa cum laude
  • Florida International University, Bachelor of Arts
  • CASA
  • American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Florida Justice Association (FJA)
  • Colombian Bar Association (COLBAR)
  • Miami-Dade County Trial Lawyers Association (MDTLA)
  • Miami Dade County Bar Association 
  • National Trial Lawyers Association
  • Florida Legal Network
  • "Top Rated Lawyer in Product Liability Litigation, Plaintiffs" by Best Lawyers in America (2018 - present)
  • "Superb” (10 of 10)" by Avvo.com (2009 - present)
  • "A.V. Preeminent Rating" by Martindale.com and Lexis-Nexis (2002 - present)
  • "Top Rated Lawyer in Aviation Law and Air Disasters" by SuperLawyers, Florida (2019 - present)
  • "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" by National Trial Lawyers’ Association (2016 - present)
  • "Top Rated Lawyer in Product Defects" by the Miami Herald (2013 - present)
  • "Best Law Firm and Best Lawyer" by U.S. News and World Report (2018 - present)
  • "Top 100 Lawyers for Florida" by the American Society of Legal Advocates (2015 - present)
  • "Silver Pride Award" by Florida International University Alumni Association (Since 2017)
  • "Top Lawyers in Florida" by the Legal Network (2013 - present
  • "Legal Elite -Top Lawyer - Civil Litigation" by Florida Trend Magazine (2004, 2008 - 2016)
  • "South Florida Top Rated Lawyers" by the Daily Business Review (2015)
  • "Up and Coming Attorney" by South Florida Legal Guide (2002)
  • In Re West Caribbean Airways, reported at 619 F. Supp.2d 1299 (S.D. Fla. 2007)
  • Scheck Investments, L.P. v. Kensington Management, Inc. et al., Case No. 04-21160-
CIV-MORENO (S.D. of Fla. 2004)
  • In Re Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., 305 F. Supp. 2d 927 (S.D. Ind. 2004)
  • "Mediation Law 1422.01 Spr 24" Guest speaker, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University (2024)
  • "Hispanic Voices in Law: Panel & Discussion" - Panelist Florida State University College of Law, Hispanic Student Association (2023)

  • "Mediation Mastery, Navigating the Personal Injury Case" - Speaker Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education (2023)

  • “An Evening with Beth Fisher-Yoshida” - Presenter Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL (2023)
  • “Topics on International Aviation Law” - Speaker Marriott Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia (2015 & 2019)
  • “Florida Civil Procedure” National Association of Legal Assistants - Speaker Miami, FL (2001 & 2004)
  • “Issues on American Law” - Speaker Hotel Bogota Plaza, Bogota, Colombia (2000)
  • “Aviation Disasters” The Florida Bar Aviation Committee - Speaker Orlando, FL (1999)
  • English
  • Spanish