David M. Gersten, former Chief Judge in Florida's Third District Court of Appeal, is a partner in the Commercial Litigation practice group of GRSM’s Miami office. He represents clients in litigation and appeals in a multitude of areas, including commercial, labor, administrative, professional liability, real estate, land use, and probate law. He strategically advises clients on honing their legal issues to navigate potential evidence and procedural obstacles with both trial and post-trial implications in mind. His practice includes professional liability defense which includes regularly defending insurance agents, brokers, and other professionals in malpractice claims. Additionally, David often serves as a mediator and arbitrator in complex cases.
David received his Juris Doctor in 1975 from the University of Florida, and worked in private practice until 1980, when, at age 29, he was elected without opposition as a judge to the Miami-Dade County Court. Two years later, he was elected without opposition as a judge to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. In 1989, he was appointed to Florida's Third District Court of Appeal, a position he retained for more than 20 years. During his time with the Third District Court of Appeal, David was unanimously elected to serve as the court's Chief Judge from 2007-2009. In 2015, David was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award by the Daily Business Review, for his outstanding service to the South Florida legal community.
David regularly writes and lectures on topics relating to appellate law, trial law, and ethics. His bi-weekly column on Law.com provides insight into recent appellate court decisions. He is also an appellate faculty member for the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, and has served as the appellate division's Associate Dean. David also served as an adjunct professor teaching trial advocacy for the St. Thomas University School of Law, and is an active faculty member of The National Judicial College.
Admissions
- Florida
- Colorado
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Memberships
- Coral Gables Bar Association
- Cuban American Bar Association
- Florida Association of Women Lawyers
- Miami Beach Bar Association
- National Association of State Judicial Educators
- Master Emeritus James C. Adkins, Jr., American Inn of Court
- Master Emeritus Eugene P. Spellman, American Inn of Court
- The Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges
- National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
- The Florida Bar Professionalism Committee
- The Florida Bar Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee
- Committee on District Court of Appeal Performance and Accountability
- Committee on District Court of Appeal Judicial Management
- Florida Court Education Council, Appellate Court Member
- Legislative Committee of District Court of Appeal Judges
- The Florida Bar Judicial Administration Selection and Tenure Committee
Community Involvement
- Member, Board of Directors, Miami Beach Community Health Center
- Member, Board of Directors, Legal Services of Greater Miami
- Chair, Annual Legal Eagle Competition to benefit Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., University of Miami School of Law