Lawyer and Civil Rights Champion
Since opening the firm now known as Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa more than 40 years ago, Gerald A. Rosenthal has been a dedicated champion of the everyday hero – police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, construction workers, farm workers, and more. Passionate about preserving the civil rights of laborers, he has fought tirelessly against giant insurance companies who deny the injured workers their benefits. It’s not just the lawsuit Rosenthal fights to win – he is driven by the opportunity to restore his client’s quality of life.
A Life Of Service
Before Gerald A. Rosenthal became known as one of the best Palm Beach lawyers, he had his beginnings as a student at the University of Florida College of Law. His studies were interrupted by the draft. He served in the United States Army in Vietnam and with the Florida National Guard before returning to UF to earn his Juris Doctor in 1973. A member of the Florida Bar, he is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court (Southern District), the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
After graduating, Rosenthal moved to Miami to work for the state’s best-known labor law firm. It was there that his concern and respect for the unsung heroes of the labor force took root. His workers’ compensation practice put him in close touch with those injured on the job, often due to the negligence or carelessness of others. After settling in West Palm Beach, he established himself as an innovative workers’ compensation lawyer and a friend of labor. In fact, Rosenthal was the first trial attorney to claim a victory in a case of Hepatitis “C” contracted in the workplace. As his experience and his reputation grew, he was inspired to assemble a catastrophic injury trial team, including attorneys and nurses, all of whom are highly skilled advocates for people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
His Work Continues
Gerald A. Rosenthal, one of the most experienced and respected workers’ compensation lawyers in the US, maintains membership in a number of state and national organizations (see below). His nationwide network of contacts and resources keep him attuned to the newest events and cases which may affect his clients.
After thirty years at the helm of Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa, Rosenthal sums up the philosophy and goals of his firm by saying, “The most important elements of our legal system are fairness and equality. In representing my clients, it is a privilege to use my ability and resources to level the playing field for them.”
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Areas of Practice
- Workers' Compensation
Certified Legal Specialties
- Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1973
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1978
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
Education
- University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, Florida
- J.D. - 1973
- University of Florida
- B.A. - 1968
Published Works
- Contributing author, Litigating Social Security Disability Claims, Matthew Bender, 1975
- Contributing author, Florida Bar Workers’ Compensation Forum, 2014
- Contributing author, Florida Bar Workers’ Compensation Forum, 2015
Classes/Seminars
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Florida State University, 1987-1995
- Visiting Professor, University of Florida, Mercer University, 1991-1994
- Frequent lecturer for workers’ compensation seminars
Honors and Awards
- Recipient, Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), N. Michael Rucka Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015
- Best Lawyers in America in Workers’ Compensation Law, Claimants, 2015
- Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Golden Eagle Award for Exemplary Leadership, 1993
- W. L. “Bud” Adams Award of outstanding service in advancing the philosophy and practice of the workers’ compensation system, 1991
- Honoree, 1998 Friends of 440 Award
- 2000 Humanitarian Award, American Lung Association, Southeast Region
- Named as The Best Lawyers in America, 1993-Present
- Named as a Consumers’ Guide to Law and Leading Attorneys, 1995 – Present
- AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
- Best of the US, Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
- David H. Levine Outstanding Leadership Award, Florida Workers’ Advocates
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Florida Workers’ Advocates
- LexisNexis Workers’ Compensation Notable People, 2008
Professional Associations and Memberships
- University of Florida Law School, Member, Board of Trustees, 1997-Present
- Statewide Judicial Nominating Comm. for Judges of Compensation Claims, Commissioner, 1990-1994
- Florida Bar Association Grievance Committee, 15th Circuit, Former Member
- Executive Council of the Workers’ Compensation Section, Florida Bar, Past Chairman
- Florida Workers’ Advocates, Former Director and Past Chairman
- Florida Workers’ Compensation Institute, Member, Board of Directors
- Florida Rural Legal Services, Member, Board of Directors, 1982-2002
- Palm Beach County Justice Association
- American Inns of Court, 1990-Present
- Florida Workers’ Advocates, Director and Past Chairman, 1988-2010
- Florida Workers’ Compensation Institute, Director, 1986-Present
- Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Eagle Patron, 1985-Present
- Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, While Chair, Workers’ Compensation Section, 1990-1991
- Palm Beach County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- American Trial Lawyers Association, 1976-1998
- The Florida Bar Association, 1973-Present
- The Florida Bar Association, Workers’ Comp. Section Executive Council
- The Florida Bar Association, Workers’ Comp. Section Chair, 1989-1990
- The Florida Bar Association, Certification Comm. Chairman, 1987-1988
- The Florida Bar Association, Continuing Legal Ed. Committee, 1985-1987
- Florida Rural Legal Services Corp., Board of Directors, 1973-2000
- Workplace Injury Litigation Group, Sustaining member
- National Academy of Social Insurance, Member
- College of Workers’ Compensation, Fellow
- Workers’ Compensation Committee, American Bar Association, Defending Liberty, Pursuing Justice, Union and Employee Co-Chair
- Million Dollar Advocated Forum, Member
- National Academy of Social Insurance
- Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group, Member
- The Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association
- Florida Super Lawyers, Member
- National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary, Member
- Workers’ Compensation Institute, Member, Hall of Fame
Pro Bono Activities
- Co-Chair, Temple Beth David Fundraising, 1994-1997
- University of Florida National Alumni Association
- American Philatelic Society
- Board of Councilors, The Carter Center, 1990–Present