Jennifer Brooks
Managing Partner – Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, LLP
Description of field of expertise
Jennifer Brooks f/k/a Miller is an experienced litigator and trial lawyer. She is a founding partner of Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, L.L.P., a Martindale Hubbell® AV rated® minority certified law firm consistently ranked among the top ten most diverse law firms in South Florida by the Daily Business Review. She is the Managing Partner of the firm’s U.S. Virgin Island satellite office and one of its founding members. Ms. Brooks is AV rated® by Martindale Hubbell®, is recognized as Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women, named as a Top 250 Power Leaders by the South Florida Business Journal, recognized as a Best Lawyers in America in Admiralty and Maritime Law, and recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer in Personal Injury General: Defense among other awards.
Jennifer Brooks has dedicated over 20 years of her practice to civil litigation, defending major insurers and corporations in a wide variety of industries including retail, restaurants, product manufacturers, distributors, cities and municipalities, international businesses, doctors and other medical professionals, the world’s largest passenger cruise lines, and major marine domestic and international underwriters in claims of personal injury and wrongful death, automobile and trucking claims, transportation, personal premises liability and negligent security, insurance coverage and bad faith, labor and employment, medical and professional malpractice, admiralty and maritime, commercial litigation, hospitality, and product liability.
Her practice includes transactional work including the drafting of concessionaire agreements, maritime employment contracts, passenger tickets, terminal agreements, maritime collective bargaining agreements, docking contracts, bills of lading, towing agreements, charter contracts, salvage agreements, marine transportation agreements, storage agreements, and marine service contracts of all types.
What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?
I recommend that newly licensed attorneys find a mentor. A mentor is essential to the professional development of a young attorney just starting out and can provide valuable guidance and advice based on their own experiences in the courtroom, handling conflict resolution with opposing counsel, managing client relationships and all other aspects that encompass the practice of law.
A mentor can help new attorneys navigate challenges and make informed decisions regarding case development and trial strategies. Moreover, a mentor can help them identify strengths and weaknesses and provide guidance on how to improve skills and advance their careers. More importantly, a mentor can introduce new attorneys to other professionals in the field and help them expand their network which can be beneficial for their future growth.
Final thoughts…
In my over 20 years as a licensed attorney, I have found that an essential element for establishing a lasting and successful career in the legal field is building a reputation of utmost professionalism and courtesy with your colleagues, clients, opposing counsel and the court.
