Christine L. Welstead

A proven trial attorney, Christine Welstead has been lead counsel defending corporations, developers, manufacturers and municipalities sued in state and federal courts throughout Florida for over two decades. With more than 20 jury cases tried to verdict, she achieved Board Certification in Civil Trial Law from the Florida Bar in 2012.

Christine has considerable experience defending claims involving product liability, personal injury, premises liability, catastrophic injury, wrongful death and civil rights. She has experience handling municipal liability, defending cities and elected and appointed officials in all aspects of litigation including questions of sovereign immunity, qualified immunity, election contests and tort defense. Christine’s experience includes commercial litigation, advising clients and enforcing vendor contracts and non-compete agreements for developers, health care and security companies in Florida.

A recognized authority on the topic of negligent security, Christine has advised property owners and security companies in this area since 1999, from initial crisis management, through trial and appeal.

Bar Admissions

Florida, 1993

Court Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

Education

University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1992
Tulane University, B.A., 1987

Professional Associations

The Florida Bar
American Bar Association
Florida Defense Lawyers Association

Distinctions

The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education
—Board Certified in Civil Trial Law

Recent News, Events and Blogs

Name / Date / Type	Practice	Industry
Announcing Firm Leadership Updates for 2024 February 1, 2024 News
Miami Trial Lawyer Christine L. Welstead Joins National Law Firm of Bowman and Brooke July 10, 2018 News

Speaking Engagements

"A Guide to Making Arbitration Your Modus Operandi," Speaker, ACC South Florida CLE Conference, September 2022
"Avenging Claims Through Effective Use of Social Media from First Report to Jury Selection,” Co-Presenter, ACC South Florida CLE Conference, September 2018
"Jury Trials in the Age of Social Media,” Speaker, The Network of Trial Law Firms’ Litigation Management, October 2016
"Challenges In-House Counsel Face in Today’s Workplace Environment,” Speaker, The Network of Trial Lawyers’ Litigation in a New York Minute, August 2016

Recent Case Results

CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE. CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN ANY FUTURE CASE.

Arce v. The Wackenhut Corp., 146 So. 3d 1236 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014)
Hayek Services, Inc. v. Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., 151 So. 3d 1256 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014)
Arce v. The Wackenhut Corp., 40 So. 3d 813 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010)
Rosen Building Supplies, Inc. v. Krupa, 927 So. 2d 899 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005)
Archdiocese of Detroit v. Green, 899 So.2d 322 (Fla. 3d DCA 2004)
CFI Sales and Marketing, Ltd. v. Florida Marlins Baseball, Ltd., 837 So.2d 423 (Fla. 3d DCA 2002)
Edwards v. Acadia Realty Trust, Inc., 141 F.Supp.2d 1340 (M.D.Fla. 2001)
Casacuberta v. City of Coral Gables, 774 So.2d 21 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001)

Notable Work

Product Liability: Represented a consumer products manufacturer in the defense of claims of catastrophic injury due to an “exploding” tire.
Product Liability: Represented a ladder manufacturer and retailer from claims of design defect.
Wrongful Death: Represented Caribbean hotel sued for wrongful death in Southern District of Florida.
Personal Injury: Represented golf course operator in jury trial of claims made by player injured on course by fellow player in case of “golf rage.”
Personal Injury: Represented an aviation repair facility from a claim of catastrophic brain injury due to alleged unsafe equipment.

Civil Rights: Represented police officers in a civil rights case tried before a jury in the Southern District of Florida where Plaintiff claimed use of excessive force.
Whistleblower Claims: Represented private security company in Miami-Dade County jury trial against whistleblower claims made by five former employees.