Eric K. Gressman is a Shareholder at Fowler White, bringing more than four decades of experience as a trial and appellate lawyer in high-stakes, high-volume litigation. His practice focuses on complex matters in the areas of commercial litigation, insurance, products liability, and medical malpractice.

Before entering private practice, Eric spent over 35 years at the Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office, where he served as Chief of the Torts Section. In this role, he led the defense of the County, its departments, and employees—including medical professionals at Jackson Memorial Hospital—in thousands of civil lawsuits. His work included defense of personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, civil rights, employment, and complex contract matters.

Throughout his public service, Eric was lead counsel in over 500 jury and non-jury trials and more than 100 appeals in both state and federal courts. His litigation experience spans nearly every area of tort and public liability law, earning him a reputation as a formidable trial attorney and trusted advisor in government and private legal circles alike.

In recognition of his service, Eric received the Distinguished Service Award and the Award for Exemplary Service from Miami-Dade County leadership.

Eric is also deeply committed to legal education. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Miami since 2010, teaching courses in legal writing, appellate advocacy, and civil litigation.

Eric leverages his litigation depth and institutional insight to deliver strategic, results-oriented counsel to clients navigating high-stakes disputes across Florida and beyond.

Representative Experience

• Defended a leading academic health system and ER nurse in a high-stakes medical malpractice and wrongful death case involving a $4 million claim. The plaintiff alleged negligence after the decedent suffered a fatal heart attack following discharge from Jackson South’s emergency room. Successfully secured a complete defense verdict, with the jury finding no liability and awarding no damages against Jackson Memorial Hospital.
• Defended Miami-Dade County in a personal injury case involving the tragic death of a child cyclist who fell under a turning garbage truck. Despite an emotional trial, an all-female jury returned a defense verdict, finding no liability on the part of the County. 
• Secured a favorable jury verdict in a personal injury case involving a young girl who sustained a traumatic brain injury in a boating accident. Defended both boat operators, who admitted liability. The plaintiff requested $14 million, but the jury awarded less than $1 million inclusive of medical expenses. 
• Obtained summary judgment in a premises liability shooting case involving an injury at a Miami-Dade County park. The decision was upheld on appeal and contributed to a significant change in the law regarding governmental immunity. 
• Represented a police department in a federal civil rights case involving the non-fatal shooting of a driver during a traffic stop. Although the driver sustained life-threatening injuries, the jury found no liability. 
• Obtained summary judgment in a civil rights case involving excessive force where an officer shot a burglar in the groin. The ruling favored both the officer and Miami-Dade County. 
• Represented Citizens Property Insurance in a first-party property claim involving alleged $1 million in damages from a tropical storm. Successfully demonstrated the property was already deteriorated, resulting in a defense verdict. 
• Tried a bus accident case involving a sudden stop and phantom vehicle claim. The jury returned a zero verdict in favor of Miami-Dade County, despite injury allegations from a passenger. 
• Represented Miami-Dade County in a high-value construction dispute brought by Frank J. Rooney, Inc. over a $20 million contract. Obtained a zero verdict on the plaintiff’s claims and secured a $500,000 award for the County on its counterclaim. 
• Defended the County Fire Department in an employment discrimination and hostile work environment lawsuit. The jury returned a complete defense verdict. Achieved a zero verdict in a wrongful death case involving a bus-pedestrian accident. The pedestrian attempted to cross in front of the bus after exiting and was fatally struck. The jury found no liability on the part of the County.

• The Florida Bar, Trial Lawyers Section Member
• Miami-Dade Bar, Member
• Cuban American Bar Association (CABA), Member
• Adjunct Professor, University of Miami School of Law, 2010 - Present
• Paralegal Faculty, University of Miami, 2006 - Present

Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, "The Conservative Plaintiff's Bar," Florida Young Lawyers Summit, July 13, 2024
• Presenter, "Persuasion in Trial and Before Judges and Juries," Pro-Gress Education CLE, March 24, 2024