It is with great sadness we announce that our colleague and friend Thomas E. Warner passed away on Friday, January 11. He was 70.
During nearly two decades with Carlton Fields, Tom represented clients in complex litigation and appeals. He was an accomplished appellate lawyer, litigating cases in the state and federal appellate courts, and as a trial lawyer, he tried numerous jury and non-jury cases to verdict and final judgment. Tom had extensive experience in real estate litigation, handling disputes over commercial contracts, leases, construction, inverse condemnation, land use, zoning, and environmental concerns. Tom also represented hospitals on hospital governance issues and physician peer review and credentialing.
Tom will be remembered for his integrity and his devotion to helping others throughout his 45-year career. Prior to joining the firm, he was the first Solicitor General for the State of Florida, representing the State of Florida before the United States Supreme Court and the Florida Supreme Court in civil cases involving constitutional issues and other matters of great public importance. Tom was also a member of the State Legislature, District 82, Florida House of Representatives, from 1992-1999. At that time, he was designated by the Miami Herald as one of the top six most influential members of the Florida House of Representatives. Tom served as City Attorney for Stuart, Florida, from 1984-1988.
Colleagues in and outside of Carlton Fields will forever remember Tom for the countless hours he devoted to mentoring young attorneys on the practice of law. His mentorship shaped many legal careers.
Tom earned his J.D., with honors, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Florida, which he attended on a football scholarship. He and his wife, Fourth District Court of Appeal Judge Martha C. Warner, raised three children, Susan, Patricia, and Edward.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 24, at the Tuckahoe Terrace, Indian Riverside Park, 1707 NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida. Donations may be made in Tom's honor to House of Hope or the Council on Aging of Martin County.
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