Mr. Steve Watrel is a tenacious and passionate lawyer, practicing law in the Jacksonville area for over 30 years after graduating with his J.D. from Syracuse University. After graduating law school in 1992, Mr. Watrel became a member of the Florida Bar and U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. In 1993, after one year in practice with a large litigation firm, Mr. Watrel founded his own law firm, Steve Watrel, P.A.
Mr. Watrel’s primary areas of practice are Nursing Home and Assisted Living abuse and neglect. He is a Martindale-Hubbell A.V. rated civil trial lawyer, a “legal expert” designation marking the highest level of competence and expertise. Mr. Watrel is passionate about helping victims and families of abuse and neglect and works tirelessly to achieve the best possible results for them. Recognized as one of the leading trial lawyers in the field of nursing home and assisted living facility litigation, Mr. Watrel has achieved numerous 6- and 7-figure results for clients throughout the past 25 years.
Throughout his career, Mr. Watrel has been actively involved in numerous professional, fraternal, and civic organizations, serving in leadership positions for many of them. He is a long-time EAGLE member of the Florida Justice Association and currently serves on the FJA Board of Directors and as Chair of the FJA Nursing Home Task Force, as well as Co-Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee. Mr. Watrel previously served as the President of the Jacksonville Justice Association and continues to serve on their Board of Directors.
Along with his dedication to practicing law, Mr. Watrel is committed to our community and donates a significant amount of time and resources to various charitable organizations, including Home Instead Senior Care, Seniors on a Mission, and other various senior advocate organizations. When he’s not practicing law, he enjoys spending time with his two daughters, French Bulldog puppy Savannah, hiking, exercising, and traveling.
Steve can be reached at his email address: sw@cokerlaw.com
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Areas of Practice
Nursing Home and Assisted Living Abuse
Nursing Home and Assisted Living Neglect
Motor Vehicle Crashes
Motorcycle Crashes
Bicycle Crashes
Trucking Crashes
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
Animal Bites
Personal
Born in New Jersey in 1967
Education
B.S.M. in Finance, Tulane University- A.B. Freeman School of Business, 1989
J.D., Syracuse University, 1992
Jerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, 2003
University Honors and Activities
Sigma Chi Fraternity
Bar Admissions
Florida, 1992
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1992
Professional Honors, Activities, and Affiliations
Best Lawyers in America, 2022
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated
Florida Super Lawyer, 2018,2019,2021,2022
Florida Trend Legal Elite, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
Jerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College
Melvin E. Belli Society
Florida Justice Association
Board Member
Chair of Nursing Home Litigation Task Force
Co-Chair of Continuing Legal Education Committee
Eagle Member
Jacksonville Justice Association
President, 2016-2017
Board Member
Seminars and Presentations
“Nursing Home Issues,” Florida Justice Association Young Lawyers Seminar
Civic Activities
Home Instead Senior Care
Seniors On A Mission
Various Senior Advocate Organizations
