Bruce Berman and Peter Webster Co-Author 2025 Edition of “Berman’s Florida Civil Procedure”

MIAMI, FL – Carlton Fields attorneys Bruce Berman and Peter Webster published the latest edition of Thomson Reuters’ Berman’s Florida Civil Procedure.

Published annually since 1998, the book is considered an authoritative treatise on Florida state practice and procedure cited by Florida courts and the Florida Supreme Court. The book references thousands of cases, traces the history of each rule, compiles the totality of Florida case law, and highlights the most significant distinctions between Florida's rules and their federal counterparts from which most of the state’s rules were derived. Berman’s Florida Civil Procedure is a trusted resource relied upon by lawyers and judges throughout Florida, as well as by attorneys outside of the state with cases in Florida.

The 2025 edition represents the most substantial overhaul in this book’s history. Spanning more than 1,800 pages, it includes over 5,000 updated case citations and comprehensive commentary on the most sweeping rule changes introduced in more than 25 years. Chief among these is a completely rewritten rule that, for the first time, requires trial courts to engage in “active case management” with more requirements than in the federal system, including the early tracking of cases, the early setting of strictly adhered-to deadlines, and a host of other requirements. Other major developments include a new rule mandating conferral before filing motions and significant amendments impacting nearly every aspect of civil procedure — ranging from complex litigation and discovery to depositions, interrogatories, document production, admissions, and subpoenas.

The book addresses civil procedure on a rule-by-rule basis, with all rules cross-referenced to modern case law, with particularly ample coverage of Florida class action procedures and proposals for settlement. In addition to its highlights of distinctions with federal rules, the treatise continues to reference fully updated local rules of each of the three federal district courts in Florida, including rules governing mediation and arbitration.

Berman focuses his nationwide practice on large and complex commercial disputes in federal and state trial and appellate courts, and in domestic and international arbitration tribunals. He represents U.S. and international clients in cases spanning a wide range of substantive law, including corporate finance, securities, mergers and acquisitions, health law, aviation, and intellectual property.

Webster’s practice focuses on appellate law after a distinguished career in judicial service spanning more than 25 years. He was a judge in Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit, sitting in Jacksonville and Green Cove Springs, until his appointment to Florida’s First District Court of Appeal, where he served for 20 years.

Carlton Fields’ Florida-based litigation and trials team boasts a nationally recognized bench of first-chair litigators with the depth and experience to handle the most complex trials, arbitrations, and appeals. With more than 1,500 cases tried to judgment or verdict and the defense of hundreds of class actions across the country, the firm is particularly well known for its work in class actions and mass torts, white collar defense, and government investigations. The firm’s litigation reach spans virtually every major area of law, including securities, antitrust, insurance, intellectual property, labor and employment, real estate, construction, health care, and constitutional and international disputes.

Visit the Thomson Reuters store to purchase the book.