Robert Peltz graduated from Duke University and the University of Miami School of Law, where he served as an Editor on the Law Review. Board certified in civil trial practice by both the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Mr. Peltz has been selected as one of Florida Super Lawyers for each of the past 6 years.

Presently serving as the Chairman of the national Maritime Law Association Cruise Line Committee, he has previously been elected President of the Dade County Trial Lawyers Association, selected as a founding member of the American Board of Trial Advocates Miami Chapter, qualified as a Proctor in Admiralty by the MLA and earned an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Peltz has also been elected to several terms as a Port Director for the Southeast Admiralty Law Institute and was the Founder and First President of the Florida Maritime Lawyers Association.

Mr. Peltz has co-authored Florida Pretrial Practice (James Pub.) and also published over 50 legal articles on a variety of subjects, many of which have appeared in different law reviews throughout the United States and have been cited in opinions by various courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to serving as part of the voluntary adjunct faculty at the University of Miami School of Law Trial Advocacy program, he also has lectured extensively at CLE seminars presented by organizations such as the Maritime Law Association, Dade County Trial Lawyers Association, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, Cruise Line Industry Association, Florida Liability Claims Conference and the Florida Bar.

EDUCATION

• Duke University (3)
• University of Miami Law School (6)
  • Editor, University of Miami Law Review
    

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Maritime Law Association
  • Chairman, Cruise Line Committee

• Dade County Trial Lawyers (Miami-Dade Justice Association)
  • President (1988)
  • President Elect (1987)
  • Secretary (1986)
  • Treasurer (1985)
  • Board of Directors (1983-5)
  • Chairman, Amicus Curiae Committee (1983-5)
  • Editor, Monthly Update On Law (1982-7)
  • Special Projects Chairman
    

• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
  • Amicus Curiae Committee
  • CLE Lecturer
  • Eagle
  • College of Diplomates
  • Attorney Advertising Committee
  • Legislative Advisory Council
  • President's Club
    

• The Association of Trial Lawyers of America / American Academy of Justice
  
  • Admiralty Committee
  • Sustaining Member
  • CLE Lecturer
    

• Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
  • Port Director (Miami)
  • CLE Lecturer
  • Seminar Committee
    

• American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Charter Member (Miami)
  • Amicus Curiae Committee
  • Legislative Liaison Committee
    

• Southern Trial Lawyers Association
  • Charter Member
    

• Florida Maritime Lawyers Association
  • Founder
  • President (2005-6)
  • Director (2006)
  • Chairman, Amicus Curiae Committee
    

• Florida Council of Bar Association Presidents

• The Federal Trial Lawyers Association

• Dade County Bar Association
  • Civil Litigation Committee

• Florida Bar
  • Chairman, Standing Committee on Attorney Advertising
  • Admiralty Committee
  • CLE Lecturer
  • Advertising Task Force, Enforcement Subcommittee
  • Review Panel, Board of Legal Specialization
    

HONORS and AWARDS

• Florida Super Lawyers (Peer selected) 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
  
• Martindale Hubbell AV Rating
• Florida Bar, Board Certified in Civil Trial Practice
• National Board of Trial Advocacy, Board Certified in Civil Trial Practice
• Maritime Law Association, Proctor
• Recognized by Florida Supreme Court for Outstanding Performance on the Florida Bar (1976)
  

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

• Florida
• United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
• United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
• United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
• United States Supreme Court
• District of Columbia

PUBLICATIONS

LAW REVIEW ARTICLES

• Corporate Representative Depositions: In Search of a Cohesive and Well-Defined Body of Law, Nova Law Review, Vol. 33, Page 393 (Spring 2009)(co-author).
• The Long Reach of U.S. Law Over Crimes Occurring on the High Seas, University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal, Vol. 21, Page 101 (Spring 2008) (co-author).
• Sea Food who is Liable for a Bad Catch? An Analysis of a Ship Owner's Liability for Claims of Food Poisoning, University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal, Vol. 19, Page 119 (Winter 2006-7)(co-author).
• Medicine on the Seas, Tulane Maritime Law Journal, Vol. 27, Page 425 (Spring 2003)(co-author).
• Contempt of Court, The Turn-of-the-Century Lynching That Launched a Hundred Years of Federalism, University of Miami Law Review, Vol. 57, Page 221 (Spring 2003).
• The Necessity of Redefining Spoliation of Evidence Remedies in Florida, Florida State University Law Review, Vol. 29, Page 1289 (Spring 2002).
• Amendments to Athens Convention Threaten US Maritime Law, International Travel Law Journal, 2001 Volume 3 (Oct. 2001)(co-author).
• Salvaging Historic Wrecks, Tulane Maritime Law Journal, Volume 25, Page 1 (Winter 2000).
• The Titanic's Legacy: The History and Legal Developments Following the World Most Famous Maritime Disaster, University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal, Volume 12, Page 45 (1999-2000).
• The Myth of Uniformity in Maritime Law, Tulane Maritime Law Journal, Volume 21, Page 103 (Winter 1996).
• Attorney Advertising - Opening Pandora's Box, Stetson Law Review, Volume 19, Page 43 (Winter 1989).
• The Transformation of the "Fireman's Rule" from a Limited Premises Liability Doctrine into an Illogical Broad Barrier to Fair Compensation, Stetson Law Review, Volume 17, Page 137 (Fall. 1987).
• Use of the Florida Public Records Act as a Discovery Tool in Tort and Administrative Litigation Against the State, University of Miami Law Review, Volume 39, Page 291 (Jan. 1985).
• NEPA Threshold Determinations: A Framework of Analysis, University of Miami Law Review, Volume 31, Page 71 (Fall 1976)
• Opening the School House Door to Procedural Due Process, University of Miami Law Review, Volume 29, Page 602 (Spring 1975).
  

BOOKS AND CHAPTERS

• Co-author, Florida Pretrial Practice (2 Volumes), James Publishing Company (Costa Mesa, Cal. 2004, Supplements 2005, 2006 and 2008).
• Co-author, Chapter: Personal Injury and Wrongful Death of Seamen and Other Maritime Workers, Maritime Law and Practice, Published by The Florida Bar (4th Ed. 2004).
• Fight Back! Be Your Own Lawyer, Published by Plain English Press (1995).
• Ch. Pathology, The Advocates Primer, The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (1989).
• Co-author, Trying the Complex Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Case, Published by Hampton Seminars (October, 1986).
  

OTHER ARTICLES

• 11th Circuit Limits Seamen's Challenges to Arbitration Clauses, Daily Business Review, Vol. 86, No. 93, p. 4.
• Eleventh Circuit Limits Application of Prior Opinions Precluding Arbitration of Seamen's Suits, Maritime Law Association Cruise Committee Newsletter, Vol.5-2 (October 2011)
• Special Considerations in Litigating Resort Cases, American Academy of Justice Annual Convention, July 11, 2011
• Shipboard Releases - The Next Battle Ground, Maritime Law Association Cruise Line Committee Newsletter, Vol. 5, May 2011
  
• The ABC of IMO ISM Code for SMS Compliance, The Maritime Law Association Report, Vol. 796:15993, October 2010.
• The Defense Perspective of Issues Arising Out of Health Care Treatment Provided to Passengers and Seamen, SEALI Seminar (June 2010).
• Changes in Federal Pleading Requirements, The Maritime Law Association Report, Vol. 795:15669 (April 2010).
• Damage Caps and Uniformity, Maritime Law Association Report, Vol. 2 795:15658 (January 2010).
• Toxic Torts and Daubert, Maritime Law Association Report, Vol. 1 795:15654 (November 2009).
• Medicine on the Seas Update, Cruise Line International Association Legal & Insurance Seminar (Nov. 2008).
• Medicine on the Seas After Carlisle, Cruise Line International Association Legal & Insurance Seminar (July 2007).
• Damned Lies and Statistics, Everything A Trial Lawyer Needs To Know About Fighting Statistical Wars, Voir Dire (National A.B.O.T.A. Journal), Vol. 8, Issue 1 (Spring 2002).
• The Development of Spoliation of Evidence Remedies in Florida, 2001 Admiralty Law Seminar, The Florida Bar.
• Strict Constructionalism - An Urban Legend?, Voir Dire (National A.B.O.T.A. Journal), Vol 7, Issue 4 (Winter 2000).
• Maritime Personal Injury Claims, Touching Upon the Adventures and Perils of the Sea, The Mariners Club Annual Convention, 1999
• Maritime Jurisdiction, 1999 Admiralty Law Seminar, The Florida Bar
• The Case for Restricting Television Advertising by Attorneys, The Advocate, Vol. XVI, No. 1, p. 10 (Oct. 1989).
• Solutions to Lawyer Advertising, Florida Bar News, Vol. 16, No. 17 (September 1, 1989).
• The History of Prohibitions Against Attorney Advertising, DCTLA Summer Seminar (July, 1989).
• The Fireman's Rule, Firehouse Magazine (April 1989), p. 28.
• Constitutional and Ethical Considerations of Attorney Advertising, AFTL Spring Seminar (March 1989).
• Admissibility of "Day-in-the-Life" Films, Vol. LXIII Florida Bar Journal (January 1989), p. 55.
• The Inequitable Denial of Compensation to Police Officers For Negligently Inflicted Injuries and Death, The Police Chief (I.A.C.P.), October 1988, p. 112.
• "A Video for the Prosecution?" Miami Review, Vol. 63, No. 65, p. 12 (1988).
• "Fireman's Rule"Out of Control?, Miami Review, Vol. 62, No. 161, p. 9 (1988).
• Discovery Under the Florida Public Records Act, The Advocate, Volume XI, No.3, p. 15 (June 1985).
• The Florida Public Records Act and Other Statutory Discovery Tools, AFTL Legislative and Case Law Update Seminar (June 1985).
• Evidentiary Problems in Products Liability Cases, AFTL Spring Seminar (May 1984).
• Use of the Florida Public Records Act as a Discovery Tool, AFTL Legislative and Case Law Seminar (June 1984).
• Non-joinder of Insurors, AFTL Legislative and Case Law Update Seminar (1983).
• The Unconstitutionality of Florida's Non-Joinder Statute, 245 AFTL Journal 12 (Feb. 1983).
  

CLE LECTURES, SEMINARS AND PRESENTATIONS

• The Impact of New Congressional Legislation on the Cruise Industry, Maritime Law Association Winter Meeting, Houston, Texas, November 12, 2010.
• Parameters, Scope and Strategy for Handling Corporate Representative Depositions, Association of Corporate Counsel South Florida Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, September 23, 2010.
• Issues Arising Out of Health Care Treatment Provided to Passengers and Seamen, Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute Annual Conference, Charleston, South Carolina, June 24, 2010.
• Steering A Course Between the Love Boat and the Titanic, Miami-Dade County Circuit Judges Conference, Miami, Florida, March 2, 2010.
• The Status of Mandatory Arbitration of Foreign Seamen Claims, Maritime Law Association Fall Meeting, Charleston, South Carolina, October 6, 2009.
• Recent Developments in Statutory and Maritime Case Law, Maritime Law Association Annual Meeting, New York, April 30, 2009.
• Medicine on the Seas Update, Cruise Line International Association Legal and Insurance Seminar, Hollywood, Florida, November 21, 2008.
• The Status of Medical Issues for Cruise Ship Operators, Maritime Law Association Annual Convention, Long Beach, California, November 7, 2008.
• Medical Issues Facing Cruise Ship Owners, Maritime Law Association Annual Convention, Cruise Line Committee, Sanibel, Florida, October 26, 2007.
• A Ship Owner Obligation to Accept Hiring Hall Seamen Under the ADA; OSG Masters, Mates and Chief Engineers Annual Conference; Tampa, August 20, 2007.
• Medicine on the Seas after Carlisle, Cruise Line International Association Legal & Insurance Seminar, Washington, D.C., July 20, 2007.
• The Reach of U.S. Criminal Jurisdiction for Crimes on the High Seas, Maritime Law Association Annual Convention, Cruise Line Committee, San Francisco, October 5, 2006.
• Spoliation of Evidence, Did You Lose the Evidence or Was It Destroyed? Florida Liability Claims Conference, Orlando, June 6, 2002.
• The Development of Spoliation of Evidence Remedies in Florida, Florida Bar Admiralty Committee Seminar, Tampa, September 6, 2001.
• The Problematic Maintenance and Cure Claim, Mariner Club Annual Convention, Ft. Lauderdale, October 27, 1999.
• Maritime Jurisdiction, 1999 Florida Bar Admiralty Seminar, Ft. Lauderdale, February 26, 1999.
• In the Wake of the Titanic, Florida Bar Admiralty Committee Seminar, Tampa, September 3, 1998.
• The History of Prohibitions Against Attorney Advertising, Dade County Trial Lawyers Association Summer Seminar, Miami, July 1989.
• Legal Ethics Relating to Attorney Advertising and Solicitation, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Spring Seminar, Palm Beach, March 31, 1989.
• Case Law Updates, Dade County Trial Lawyers Association, monthly 1985-7, Miami.
• Trying the Complex Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Case, Hampton Seminars, Miami, October 17, 1986.
• Statutory Discovery and The Florida Public Records Act, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Legislative and Case Law Update Seminar, Tampa and Miami, June 18 & 19, 1985.
• Use of the Florida Public Records Act as a Discovery Tool, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Legislative and Case Law Seminar, Tampa and Miami, June 28 & 29, 1984.
• Non-Joinder of Insurers, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Legislative and Case Law Update Seminar, Tampa and Miami, June 23 & 24, 1983.
  

MISCELLANEOUS

• Appointed Special Public Defender, 11th Judicial Circuit, 1981
• Appointed Guardian Ad Litem for Minors, 11th Judicial Circuit, 1987-present
• City of Miami Police Department, Certificate of Appreciation for Community Service, 1991
• City of Miami, Community Service Award, 1990-1
• Appointed Special Assistant States Attorney (Dade County), 1995