How to Find Co-Counsel in Florida for Your Personal Injury Case

If you’re an attorney with a client injured in Florida — whether in a car accident, slip and fall, or cruise ship injury — you may be considering working with local co-counsel to ensure your client’s case is handled properly. Florida’s unique laws, procedural rules, and court systems often make partnering with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney a smart and strategic move.

Need a trusted co-counsel in Florida for a personal injury case? LawVine connects attorneys across the U.S. with experienced Florida lawyers for car accident claims, wrongful death cases, cruise injury lawsuits, and more. Contact us today to explore co-counsel opportunities or case referrals.

Why Co-Counsel With a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer?

Before diving into how to find the right partner, it’s important to understand why so many lawyers choose to co-counsel rather than refer out or try to handle the case solo:

Jurisdictional limitations: You may not be licensed to practice in Florida.
Court familiarity: Local counsel often knows how to navigate specific judges, procedures, and county court nuances.
Local investigation access: A Florida-based firm can quickly gather scene photos, interview witnesses, and access local records.
Higher recovery potential: Combining your client relationship with a local firm’s litigation experience often increases the overall value of the case.

Step 1: Know What Type of Case You’re Referring

The first step to finding the right Florida co-counsel is understanding the type and complexity of the case. Some common scenarios that benefit from Florida-based co-counsel include:

Auto accidents involving out-of-state tourists or snowbirds
Premises liability cases at hotels, resorts, or rental properties
Cruise passenger injury cases governed by forum selection clauses
Wrongful death claims requiring probate coordination
Negligent security cases in Florida apartment complexes

Knowing the specific facts and injury type will help you identify a lawyer with relevant experience, not just a general practice.

Step 2: Make Sure They’re Comfortable With Fee Sharing

Florida allows referral fees and co-counsel arrangements. However, not all firms are set up to manage them ethically or efficiently.

When interviewing potential co-counsel, ask:

Do you regularly co-counsel with out-of-state attorneys?
Are you familiar with Florida Bar rules on referral fees?
Will we have a written agreement that outlines fee division and client disclosure?

Transparency up front avoids fee disputes down the road and ensures ethical compliance.

Step 3: Ask About Their Case Volume and Trial Readiness

Some Florida PI firms are high-volume settlement mills. Others are more selective and focus on litigation strategy and trial prep. Depending on your client’s needs, one may be better than the other.

Ask:

How many personal injury cases do you litigate annually?
Are you willing to take a case to trial if necessary?
Have you handled similar cases (e.g., cruise injuries, trucking accidents, negligent security)?

A trial-ready lawyer may increase your client’s leverage in settlement negotiations — and your referral payout.

Step 4: Check Their Federal and State Court Admissions

Many Florida injury cases can proceed in state court, but others — like cruise ship injuries or diverse citizenship cases exceeding $75,000 — may end up in federal court. Your co-counsel should be ready to file in either venue.

Confirm they are admitted to:

Florida state courts
U.S. District Courts (especially Southern District of Florida)
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals (in case of appeal)

Step 5: Review Their Communication Style and Workflow

The best co-counsel partnerships are built on clear expectations and communication. You want a lawyer who:

Provides regular case updates
Welcomes collaborative input
Has a reliable support staff
Uses modern case management software (e.g., Litify, Filevine, Clio)

Before you refer the case or sign on as co-counsel, have a clear plan for who will handle what — intake, filing, discovery, client communication, etc.

Step 6: Look for Reviews and Results

Client and peer reviews still matter — even when you’re referring a case, not retaining personally. Look for:

Strong reviews on Google or Avvo
Testimonials from other referring lawyers
Published verdicts or settlements
Media coverage or industry recognition

Lawyers who consistently deliver results — and treat co-counsel professionally — stand out quickly.

Step 7: Ask About Their Niche Experience

Some Florida injury lawyers handle thousands of auto accidents but have never seen a cruise ship claim or negligent security shooting case. Ask about their experience in your specific area:

Have they sued major cruise lines in federal court?
Have they handled apartment complex shootings or drownings?
Do they have experience with Amazon product liability or e-bike injury claims?

The more aligned their experience is with your case, the more valuable they’ll be as a partner.

Bonus Tip: Use a Team Like LawVine to Vet and Connect With Florida PI Lawyers

LawVine was built to help attorneys find co-counsel and referral partners across the U.S., with a focus on Florida cases. Instead of cold-calling random firms or hoping for a return call, you can connect with vetted lawyers who:

Accept co-counsel and referral cases
Understand ethical fee arrangements
Have experience in cruise, car, premises, and wrongful death claims
Respond quickly and keep you in the loop

Ready to refer a case or explore a co-counsel partnership? Reach out to LawVine or call 800-337-7755 and we’ll connect you with qualified Florida injury lawyers today.

How to Find the Right Co-Counsel in Florida for Your Personal Injury Case