With more than 30 years of combined legal and staffing industry experience, Rick Fernandez understands the importance of making the right match for both the lateral candidate and the law firm. His experience as a trial lawyer, executive search consultant and member of senior management in law firm, military and corporate settings gives him a unique understanding of the legal abilities and client management skills necessary for successful career matches.
In 2000, Mr. Fernandez's career focus shifted from trial practice to recruiting, career development and management. He joined Shutts & Bowen in March 2008 as the Firm's Chief Recruiting Officer and has firmwide responsibility for attorney recruitment, retention and professional development. He maintains offices in both Miami and Tampa.
Mr. Fernandez has tried cases in federal, state and military courts ranging from capital crimes to mass tort, medical malpractice and products liability. He has published and lectured on a range of topics including products and professional liability, trial skills, recruiting, work/life balance, personal branding, marketing and sales. He is a past president of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, past member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors, Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a member of Leadership Tampa Alumni (LT '93). He is a past recipient of the Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award and has been profiled in both the ABA Journal and Wall Street Journal Online.
Mr. Fernandez is admitted to practice in both Florida (1978) and California (1982_. He was Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a Civil Trial Lawyer in 1990 and is AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
