Richard C. Watson

A lifelong resident of the Jacksonville area, Mr. Watson grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. After attending high school in Jacksonville, Mr. Watson attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. There, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Languages. Mr. Watson later attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law where he received his Jurist Doctorate in 1991.

Upon entering the practice of law, Mr. Watson worked in private law firms representing insurance companies in personal injury actions, as well as plaintiffs. Preferring to represent people who have been injured by the negligence of others, Mr. Watson formed the law firm of Rahaim, Watson, Dearing, Berry and Moore, P.A., in 1991. As managing partner of that firm, Mr. Watson was responsible for the representation of clients involved in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. As a result of Mr. Watson's efforts on behalf of his clients, he was inducted into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum in 2002.

After more than twenty years in the private practice of law, Mr. Watson took a hiatus, choosing instead to spend two years teaching at Florida Coastal School of Law. Upon returning to practice, Mr. Watson joined our firm as a Senior Associate. Mr. Watson assists Mr. Porter in all areas of personal injury representation.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Mr. Watson spends his free time hunting and fishing.

Employment

• 2013-2017, Of Counsel, Law Offices of Timothy P. Kelly, P.A.

• 2011-2013 Visiting Professor, Florida Coastal School of Law

• 2009-2011 Adjunct Professor, Florida Coastal School of Law

• 1996-2011 Rahaim Watson Dearing & Moore, P.A.

• 1992-1996 Boyer, Tanzler & Boyer, P.A.

• 1992 Gobelman and Love, P.A.

• 1987-1988 A.H. Robins Inc.,

• 1985-1987 Expert Freight Inc.

• 1981-1982 Spartanburg County Sherriff’s Office

Memberships

Jacksonville Bar Association

Jacksonville Trial Lawyers Assoc. (former Board Member)

Florida Bar Grievance Committee (2006-2007)

Florida Bar Judicial Evaluations Committee (2000-2001)

Cumberland Law School Alumni Association (former Board member)

Jacksonville Episcopal High School Alumni Board (2000-2001)

Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member

Former Member of; Association of Trial lawyers of America, National Employment Lawyers Association, Academy of Florida Trial Law