Carlton Fields is pleased to announce the recent rotation of Practice Group leadership within the firm.

Tampa shareholder Chris S. Coutroulis transitioned out of his position as chair of the firm’s Business Litigation and Trade Regulation Practice Group, and he will serve as co-chair of the Practice Group with Miami shareholder Thomas J. Meeks in 2011, who will succeed Coutroulis at the conclusion of this year.

In recent years, the practice group has managed national products litigation in automotive and toxic torts cases; defended dozens of state and national class actions involving consumer fraud, antitrust, securities, and environmental claims; obtained favorable jury verdicts in personal injury, employment, and business cases; and overturned or upheld on appeal numerous high-stakes verdicts and judgments.

After several years of distinguished service as head of the firm’s Insurance Practice Group, Miami shareholder Anthony H. Pelle and Tallahassee shareholder Daniel C. Brown turned the reigns over to Atlanta shareholder David M. Leonard.

Pelle and Brown are commended on their dedication and skill in building the Insurance Practice Group from a subgroup of the Business Litigation Practice Group into a top ranked insurance practice in Florida. Leonard will help the firm to build on this success and continue to extend it into Georgia and beyond.

The firm’s insurance industry clients seek our counsel and representation in connection with coverage issues; class action defense; claims and bad faith issues. The practice group represents carriers and other regulated parties before insurance regulators, and litigate coverage, claims, regulatory and business matters involving insurance industry clients. They handle matters involving property and casualty insurance, various types of professional liability insurance, D&O and E&O coverages, marine insurance, title insurance, workers’ compensation, life and health insurance, disability insurance, HMOs, and environmental impairment insurance. They also have extensive experience with insurance sales practices matters in both administrative proceedings and civil trials.

These new appointments took effect February 1, 2011.