Memberships and Experience
Wichmann in the courtroom. Image Credit: Ernst Peters | The Ledger
William J. Wichmann is an experienced Trial Lawyer, a Circuit Civil Mediator and an Expert Witness. Born in the Panamá, he holds dual Panamanian and U.S. Citizenship, speaks Spanish and has traveled extensively throughout Latin America. Internationally, he represents family members killed by a terrorist group that was financed in part by a U.S. Corporation.
Memberships
The Florida Bar, Member since 1980
American Board of Trial Advocates, Member since 2004
Certifications
Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator,
Mediator No: 39927 R
Mediation services performed worldwide in person or remotely via Zoom.
Languages
Spanish-qualified as an Advanced speaker according to ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines
Significant Cases and Experience
Plaintiff’s lead trial counsel in Engle Tobacco trials, throughout the State of Florida, including:
Pamela Ciccone-R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Ciccone, 123 So.3rd 604 (Fla. 4th DCA Aug. 14, 2013), approved in part, quashed in part by 190 So.3rd 1028 (Fla. March 24, 2016). $3,195,222.53,
Brenda Chadwell-Philip Morris USA, Inc. v. Chadwell, 2020 WL 2892407 (Fla. 3d DCA June 3, 2020). $2,400,000.00 Plaintiff’s Verdict,
George Dion-R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Dion, 230 So.3d 586 (Fla. 2d DCA Nov. 8, 2017). PCA $12,000,000.00 Plaintiff’s Verdict,
Hazel Mathis- R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Mathis, 233 So.3d 1224 (Fla. 3d DCA Dec. 13, 2017). PCA $5,000,000.00 Plaintiff’s Verdict,
Harry Schlenther -R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Schlenther, 155 So.3d 353 (Fla. 2d DCA Sept. 12, 2014). PCA $7,500,000.00 Plaintiff’s Verdict,
Sherry Smith- R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Smith, 238 So.3d 1280 (Fla. 5th DCA Mar. 27, 2018). PCA $3,000,000.00 Plaintiff’s Verdict.
In addition to the above cases, in an over a 40 plus year career Bill Wichmann has handled numerous Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases, including Medical Malpractice, Auto and Boating accidents, Product Liability cases, Premises Liability including Slip and Fall and Elevator accidents and Negligent Security and Mass Tort cases, through mediation and trial.
Expert Witness
Daubert qualified expert witness on attorney fees, Circuit Court Order available upon request.
about
William J. Wichmann
William J. Wichmann has been a practicing trial lawyer for more than 35 years. His law firm has represented hundreds of victims and families seriously injured in personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic accident and mass tort cases throughout the United States and overseas.
From our offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida we currently represent families of lung cancer, COPD and other smoking disease victims against the tobacco industry in cases throughout Florida. These are families who have filed individual "Engle" suits. In December of 2006, the Florida Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in a case against the tobacco industry that is known as the "Engle" case. The Court upheld a jury verdict finding Big Tobacco liable for smoking-related injuries and deaths, but found that smokers and their families must bring individual suits in order to prove that smoking harmed them and to prove their individual damages.
We also represent families and victims of negligence, including motor vehicle accidents, product liability cases and complex insurance cases.
In international litigation, the law firm has represented families of victims killed by terrorist groups overseas as well as personal injury and wrongful death cases arising out of accidents involving commercial air carriers overseas.
