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The Trial Lawyer Section welcomed six new Executive Council members at their June meeting during The Florida Bar Annual Convention on June 28, 2019.

Mitchell J. Burnstein, Fort Lauderdale

Mark E.  McLaughlin, Tampa

Michele Ricca, Fort Lauderdale

Wayde Seidensticker, Naples

Rosalyn Sia Baker Barnes, West Palm Beach

Whitney Untiedt, Miami

Mitchell J. Burnstein, Fort Lauderdale

Mitch Burnstein, Managing Director at Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Cole & Bierman, is a senior trial attorney responsible for handling a wide variety of disputes involving land throughout Florida.  He specializes in eminent domain, inverse condemnation, constitutional takings, and litigation involving private property rights, claims against title, disputes concerning contracts, easements, boundaries, tenancies, licenses, and land use restrictions imposed by governmental entities.  Mitch handles litigation matters at both the trial court and appellate levels.

In 2001, Mitch established the firm’s Eminent Domain Practice Group.  He has served as lead counsel in hundreds of condemnations matters throughout Florida on behalf of public sector clients, private property owners, businesses, and utilities.  Mitch’s condemnation experience covers a wide range of governmental purposes, including transportation, right of way creation, and roadway expansion; construction of schools, libraries, civic centers, jails, public works, utilities, and electrical facilities; community redevelopment; affordable housing; environmental protection; drainage; watershed; and recreation.  He has litigated all categories of damage claims (value of property taken, severance damages, business damages, cost to cure, apportionment, federal and state relocation benefits, trade fixtures, attorney’s fees, expert’s fees, and litigation costs) that involve a broad range of property interests (fee, tenancy, easement, concession, and restrictive covenants).

Mitch has served as lead counsel in more than 80 jury trials in state and federal courts during his career, and is recognized within the legal community as an accomplished litigator.  Prior to joining the Firm, he served as a lead prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office and as a senior litigator in the Attorney General’s Office.  Mitch often serves as an expert witness and is a frequent author and lecturer on private property rights and takings issues.

Mark E. McLaughlin, Tampa

MARK E. MCLAUGHLIN was born in Kittery, Maine. He attended Florida State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Risk Management and Insurance. Mr. McLaughlin graduated cum laude from the University Of Florida College Of Law where he was a member of the Moot Court Team, and a two time American Jurisprudence Book Award Winner. Mr. McLaughlin was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1990. He practices primarily in the areas of medical malpractice defense, legal malpractice defense, commercial litigation, and general civil trial law. He is licensed to practice in all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.

Mr. McLaughlin has received the distinction of being recognized as a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. He is the current President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) for whom he has lectured on Practicing with Ethics, Civility and Professionalism. Mr. McLaughlin has been appointed as a Fellow to the Litigation Counsel of America in recognition for his excellence in trial, his integrity in practice and commitment to the administration of justice. He is a member of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association and served as a Co-Chairman of the Professional Liability Committee. Mr. McLaughlin has received an award from The Supreme Court of Florida for his exceptional pro bono service and has been applauded for unselfishly giving his time and legal talent to those in need. He received an additional special commendation from the local Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program for his pro bono service. Mr. McLaughlin also received an award for Meritorious Public Service from The Florida Bar for serving on The Florida Bar Grievance Committee. He regularly lectures on all areas of trial practice as well as civility and professionalism. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute, is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell and has been recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer in his field of practice for 2007 through 2016.  Mr. McLaughlin has also been recognized as Top Attorneys in Florida, for achievement in Personal Injury Defense: Malpractice in 2011 and 2016.   He has also been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America from 2012 through 2016; in Florida’s Legal Elite from 2012 through 2016 and in Best Attorneys in Florida from 2013 through 2016.

Michele Ricca, Fort Lauderdale

Michele McCaul Ricca graduated from St. Thomas University with a BBA in Management in 1992. Thereafter, she attended the University of Miami School of Law, where she obtained her JD, cum laude, in 1995. While in law school, she was a member of the University of Miami Business Law Journal. Michele has practiced primarily in the area of insurance defense litigation. Ms. Ricca began her legal career as an attorney with the law firm of Cooney, Haliczer, Mattson, Lance, Blackburn, Pettis & Richards, P.A., which, in 1996, became Cooney, Mattson, Lance, Blackburn, Richards & O’Connor, P.A. In March of 2006, Michele was also appointed as a Civil Infraction Hearing Officer for Broward County and she served in that capacity until June of 2012. After the dissolution of her previous firm in December of 2009, Ms. Ricca became a partner of Boyd Richards Parker & Colonnelli, P.L. in January of 2010.

Michele’s practice has focused on general liability and automobile insurance coverage, and personal injury defense (automobile negligence and premises liability). A portion of her practice also includes the defense of non-personal injury matters such as property damage claims, defamation claims, breach of contract claims and statutory violations. She handles all aspects of the claims, from pre-suit examinations under oath through litigation, discovery, mediation, and trial. During her career, Ms. Ricca has been involved in cases where she has represented governmental entities such as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), School Boards, Charter Schools, and Department of Children and Family Services entities. Michele works on matters for all of the firm’s clients, but her practice is focused on representing Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Progressive Insurance Companies, Mercury Insurance Companies, and Nationwide Insurance Companies. The majority of Michele’s practice involves the representation of insurers and/or their insureds, with a small percentage of her practice devoted to the representation of Plaintiffs. Michele was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1995, and is also admitted to Florida’s Southern and Middle District Federal Courts.

Wayde Seidensticker, Naples

Wayde P. Seidensticker, Jr., was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and grew up on his family’s horse farm in York County, Pennsylvania.  After graduating high school in 1982, Wayde attended The Pennsylvania State University, and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1986.  Wayde attended the University of Miami Law School starting in 1986.  Between law school semesters, he interned with the York County District Attorney’s office in Pennsylvania, and worked evenings managing marketing and sales for a local cable communications company.  Wayde graduated from the University of Miami Law School in 1989, and was admitted to The Florida Bar later that year.  After being admitted to The Florida Bar, Wayde worked for a large litigation law firm in Miami, Florida, which provided  him with the experience and opportunity to represent clients in a wide variety of civil litigation cases in both Florida state and federal courts.   During this time, Wayde’s family moved to Naples, Florida, which they had been visiting since the 1970s.   In 1996, Wayde and Paul (San Filippo), who worked together for years in Miami for the same law firms, were inspired to start their own firm, and in April of 1996, they founded their law partnership, the law firm of Seidensticker & San Filippo.

Wayde’s legal experience spans a wide array of areas, including Contract and business disputes; Real estate and real estate deposit disputes; Construction; Wrongful death and personal injury; Auto/trucking/motorcycle/negligence; Premises liability; Insurance; Medical malpractice; Employment/non-competes; and General civil litigation.

Wayde is Florida Bar Board Certified in Civil Trial.

Rosalyn Sia Baker Barnes, West Palm Beach

Rosalyn “Sia” Baker-Barnes is a Shareholder of the firm and serves on its Executive Committee.  A Florida native, she began her law career even before earning her law degree, serving former Governor Lawton Chiles as an intern in the Executive Office of Communication. In her legal practice, she focuses on pursuing justice for victims in personal injury, medical negligence and product liability cases. In her career, she has achieved many multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, including her most recent $20 million verdict against tobacco giant RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company.  She is included in US News & World Report’s “Best Lawyers In America,” is recognized as one of the top lawyers in the state by Florida Super Lawyers magazine, has been included in Florida Trend magazine’s Legal Elite, and was selected by the Daily Business Review as one of South Florida’s Inaugural “Top 20 Women in Law.”

Dedicated to making a difference in her practice and in the community, Baker-Barnes is the Immediate Past President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, an organization comprising nearly 3,000 lawyers. As the 95^thPresident, she was the first African-American female to serve in this role, and her theme for the 2017-18 year was “You’ve Been Served, Lawyers Answering the Summons to Community Service.”  The program was designed to emphasize the importance of community service, and to recognize the positive impact lawyers make in our communities and beyond.  She is also an active member of the F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association and the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (PBC FAWL).  In 2018, PBC FAWL awarded Ms. Barnes its highest award, the Justice Barbara J. Pariente Award. This prestigious award is presented to an individual or organization who has demonstrated a commitment to promoting women in the legal community through their efforts, innovation and leadership. The award is named in honor of Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente, who exemplifies the qualities and attributes associated with the honor.

On a statewide level, Ms. Baker-Barnes serves on The Florida Bar Board of Governors, representing the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.  The Board is responsible for formulating and adopting matters of policy that govern the over 100,000 members of the Florida Bar.  She previously served a four-year term on the Florida Bar’s Leadership Academy Committee, helping to mentor and develop young leaders in the legal community.  She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Justice Association, where she worked her way up through the Young Lawyer’s Section, serving as its Chair in 2008, and previously served as on the Board of Directors of the Florida State University College of Law Alumni Association, where she continues to serve as a mentor and resource to current and prospective law students.

Nationally, she is an active member of the National Bar Association (NBA), and is a past recipient of the organization’s “Presidential Award.”  The NBA also honored her as one of the “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40,” recognizing talented individuals in the legal community who have achieved prominence and distinction, and demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering, uplifting, and advocating within the legal community.

In addition to her legal involvement, she is a past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Inlet Grove Community High School, Inc.; a Past President of the West Palm Beach Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; and a past Chairperson of the Southern Area Links Ethics & Standards Committee.  She is a fellow of the organization’s prestigious Scott-Hawkins Leadership Institute, designed to enhance leadership skills at every level. She is also a member of the West Palm Beach Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Executive Women of the Palm Beaches.

Mrs. Baker-Barnes earned her law degree from the Florida State University College of Law, where she was awarded the prestigious Virgil Hawkins Fellowship for academic achievement.  At the College of Law, she was a member of the Final Four Moot Court Team, and argued before the Justices of the Florida Supreme Court sitting en banc.  In recognition of her excellence in advocacy, she was inducted into the Order of the Barristers. She also earned her undergraduate degree in Communication from Florida State University.  She resides in West Palm Beach with her husband and three children.

Whitney Untiedt, Miami

Whitney Untiedt has more than 14 years of legal experience in a wide range of areas, including complex civil litigation and appellate practice. At Freidin Brown, P.A., Whitney leads the firm’s national Whistleblower and Qui Tam practice, while also representing victims of medical malpractice and complex personal injuries throughout the state of Florida. Before joining the firm, Whitney was a partner and Director of Pro Bono Initiatives at an AmLaw 100 firm where she developed a national reputation for her work on behalf of nonprofit organizations and vulnerable clients facing complicated legal situations.

Whitney graduated with her B.A. from the College of William and Mary, where she received the prestigious James Monroe Scholarship, after which she worked as a writer and editor in New York City before attending law school. She attended the University of Florida Levin College of Law and received her J.D., cum laude, in 2005. During law school, Whitney served as President of the nationally-recognized Trial Team and was named a Fellow of the Center for Governmental Responsibility.

Since her admission to The Florida Bar, Whitney has spent more than a decade serving Floridians in difficult legal matters. After working as a public defender for many years, she developed a national practice representing nonprofit organizations and low-income clients facing complex legal situations. In 2016, she was named “Lawyer of the Year” for ensuring that Florida juveniles who had been unfairly sentenced received appropriate resentencing hearings. Whitney has successfully represented clients in appeals before the Florida Supreme Court and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

As a leading member of dozens of professional organizations, including The Florida Bar, the National Juvenile Defender Center, and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Whitney is unparalleled in her commitment to strengthening the national legal community. She is also passionate about the environment, and volunteers regularly with Surfrider Florida, a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving Florida’s oceans.