Fredric S. Zinober

Fredric S. Zinober is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, having been certified by both the Florida Bar Board of Legal Education and Specialization as well as the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). He has tried numerous high profile cases in the Tampa Bay area in both the civil and criminal arenas, having been also Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law from 1993 through 2003. An accomplished litigator and trial lawyer, Mr. Zinober has received the highest rating afforded by Martindale Hubbell of AV® Preeminent™ awarded for legal ability and ethical standards; he is included in Florida Super Lawyers magazine and was named, in 2007, among the “Top 100 Super Lawyers in the State of Florida.” Mr. Zinober is also included in The Best Lawyers in America® and The Wall Street Journal’s “Top Attorneys in Florida.”

Mr. Zinober began his legal career in 1980 and has tried well over 100 combined civil and criminal jury trials in state and federal courts. Civilly, Mr. Zinober has tried cases from both the defense and plaintiff perspective in the areas of wrongful death, nursing home litigation, medical malpractice, employment related claims, insurance coverage cases, malicious prosecution cases, automobile negligence, business torts and complex business disputes. Additionally, he has extensive experience in the areas of first party insurance disputes, as well as premises liability and negligent security cases, in which he has frequently lectured and authored articles on these topics, as well as with topics relating to trial practice. Mr. Zinober’s practice also encompasses the area of complex commercial litigation; and includes director and officer liability, complex land-use and real estate matters, as well as complex corporate matters. As a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, he has also successfully represented, from both the prosecution and defense side, a significant number of high-stakes cases, including numerous first-degree murder cases.

Mr. Zinober received his Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont in 1974, where he graduated with honors in Economics. During law school, he served as a published executive editor of The Catholic University Law Review.

• Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, Washington, District of Columbia
  • Juris Doctor
• Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont
  • Bachelor of Arts – 1974
  • Honors: With Honors
  • Major: Economics

• English

• “Case Law and Legislative Update,” 21st Annual Windstorm Insurance Conference, January 26-30, 2020
• “The Hunter and the Hunted: How to Deal with Rambo Tactics,” October 25, 2019, St. Petersburg Bar Association
• Panelist (6-person panel) on “Professionalism,” February 22, 2019, St. Petersburg Bar Foundation
• “Show Time – Jury Selection and Telling the Story to the Jury,” May 10, 2017 St. Petersburg Bar Association, and 15th Annual Rimkus Consulting Group CE/CLE Seminar, June 22, 2018
• “Litigating the Negligent Security Case: Who’s in Control Here?” 44 Stetson L. Rev. (2015)
• “Litigating the Negligent Security Case,” Premises Liability and Negligent Security in Florida, Lorman Educational Services, May 4, 2011
• “The Attorney-Client Privilege,” Privilege Issues Seminar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, February 26, 2009
• “Managing Privileged Documents in an Era of E-Discovery,” Woman of E-Discovery, June 24, 2009
• “Litigating Premises Liability,” The Essentials of Personal Injury Litigation, Hillsborough County Bar Association, October 2, 2008
• “The Trial of a Personal Injury Case,” The Essentials of Personal Injury, Hillsborough County Bar Association, September 14, 2007
• “Opening Statements from the Perspective of the Defense Attorney,” State Court Trial Seminar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, June 22, 2007
• “Formal Discovery and Depositions,” Discovery Skills for Legal Staff in Florida, Lorman Educational Seminars, March 11, 2004; October 19, 2005; October 17, 2006
• “Negligent Security Cases from the Plaintiff’s Perspective,” Premises Liability and Negligent Security in Florida, Lorman Educational Services, May 6, 2006
• “Motion Practice and Trial Preparation,” Litigation Skills for Legal Staff in Florida, Lorman Education Services, January 8, 2003; January 14, 2004; January 13, 2005; January 12, 2006
• “Negligent Security: Thrills Not Worth the Price of Admission,” Hillsborough County Bar Association
• “Apartments, Parking Lots and Other Commercial Properties,” Premises Liability Seminar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, September 9, 2005
• “Persuasive Legal Writing,” An Effective Approach to Legal Writing and Research in Florida, Lorman Educational Seminars, February 13, 2001

• Palm Harbor Community Services Agency, Former Director and Vice-Chairman
• Pinellas County Sheriff’s Civil Service Board, Former Director
• Former Pinellas County School Board Hearing Officer

• American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA/FLABOTA), Member, 2007 to Present
• Leadership Pinellas, Board of Directors, 2010 to 2012
• Beef O’Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg, Executive Committee
• Barney-Masterson Inn of Court, Former Director
• Ferguson-White Inn of Court, Former Barrister
• Clearwater Bar Association, Former Director
• Petersburg Bar Association, Member
• Hillsborough County Bar Association, Member
• Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association
• Pinellas County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Former President

• Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, Florida Bar Board of Legal Education and Specialization
• Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)
• Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, 1993 – 2003