Nicholas (“Nick”) L. Ottaviano is a two-time graduate of the University of Florida, obtaining his B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice in 1984 and his J.D. Degree in 1988 from the Levin College of Law. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1989, a member of the Federal Middle District Court of Florida since 1989, and the United States 11th Circuit Court of Appeals since 1990. Nick also is an active member of the West Pasco Bar Association and the Clearwater Bar Association.
Nick has been a litigation and trial lawyer for his entire career, wherein his first 14 years he established a solid reputation among his peers and local Judges practicing criminal defense, family law and child welfare law. Since 2003, he has focused on civil litigation, handling personal injury, employment, and business law cases. Since joining the firm in 2016, Nick primarily has represented clients injured in auto collisions and by dangerous conditions on property (premises liability cases). Nick worked as an insurance adjuster before entering law school and worked as an attorney for a prominent insurance defense firm, so he offers his clients unique perspectives from both sides of an injury claim. He is rated “AV” Preeminent, Judicial Version, by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating for legal skills and ethics and is a member of the National Trial Lawyers “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” for Florida Civil/Plaintiff. He has tried over 50 trials to a Verdict and Judgment.
Some notable results obtained by Nick since he joined the firm have been a $600,000 settlement in a premises injury lawsuit in Pasco County, a $202,000 jury verdict in a Pasco County auto collision, a $139,000 Judgment in a Pinellas County auto collision, and dozens of six-figure settlements. He also won an appeal in a personal injury claim (St. Luke’s Cataract and Laser Institute, P. A. v. Thorpe and Keiser, Case No.: 5D-4018), where the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision specifically relied on a case cited by Nick in his appellate brief. While he is proud of obtaining these results, Nick gives every client and case the attention they deserve and prides himself on providing advice tailored to a client’s specific circumstances.
Nick is active in the community as a Board Member for Youth & Family Alternatives, a Tampa Bay area non-profit social services organization, and as a judge at law school mock trial competitions. He is a Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Palm Harbor, is a former Chairperson for Florida Bar Grievance Committees 6B and 6C, and has been an adjunct professor at Stetson College of Law. Nick is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator.
Nicholas L. Ottaviano is married and has 2 adult children. When he isn’t practicing law, he enjoys exercising, running, biking, and attending concerts.