Trial Attorney

Tom Slater

Tom Slater is a go-getter who likes to move his cases along quickly. He has been with The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic since 1995 and has been lead attorney in over 800 cases with total recoveries in excess of $400 million. A board-certified trial lawyer with an AV rating, Tom is licensed in Florida, Georgia and Virginia.

Tom is known for his aggressive approach to his cases. He likes to dig deep and uncover details that are often hard to find. In one case, he discovered that a semi-truck driver involved in a fatal wreck was behind the wheel because a terminal manager fabricated a background check and made up a road test. Following negotiations with defense counsel, the family agreed to settle the case for $9.65 million.

Tom Slater's efforts have also led to improved safety conditions in Florida. One case, which made it to the state Supreme Court, found that utility companies are liable for inoperative street lights. A dark street was to blame for a driver not seeing a 14-year-old boy, who was killed.

Personal Interests

Tom's parents were both teachers at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. His father-in-law, the late Ed Austin, served as Mayor of Jacksonville, was the first Public Defender for the 4th Judicial Circuit and served as State Attorney for close to 20 years.

Tom and his wife Amy have two children. Their daughter Sarah is a graduate of Boston College and the recipient of a Fulbright grant to teach English in Brazil, while their son Austin played baseball at Stanford University and currently plays for the San Francisco Giants. Tom loves reading, traveling and snow skiing.

Public Service

Tom continues his proud family heritage of public and charitable service. He is currently serving on the board for the Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport). He has been a member of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid since 1993, serving on the board from 2005-2011 and as President of the board from 2007-2009. He has also served as President of the Jacksonville Justice Association and the Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center, and was a board member for the PACE Center for Girls. Tom is a frequent speaker at legal seminars and is active in a variety of organizations.

Tom has served on the Florida Standard Jury Instruction-Civil Committee. He served on the Florida Bar Association's Rules of Civil Procedure Committee for six years and was vice chairman of that body for two years. While at the University of Florida, he was a member of the prestigious Florida Blue Key. He has been very involved in his church, serving two terms on the vestry and one term as junior warden.

Education

• University of Florida (B.S. B.A., 1983; J.D., 1986)

Memberships

• Florida Bar Association
• Georgia Bar Association
• Virginia Bar Association
• Jacksonville Bar Association
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• American Association for Justice
• Southern Trial Lawyer Associates
• Florida Justice Association
• Jacksonville Justice Association

Credentials

Thomas F. Slater, born St. Augustine, Florida

• Admitted to Bar:
  • Florida
  • U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Georgia
  • U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia
  • Virginia
• Board Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law

Practice Areas

• Trucking Law
• Aviation Law
• Products Liability
• FELA
• Admiralty/Maritime

Reported Cases

Jolly, et al. V. Hoegh Autoliners, et al., 546 F. Supp.3d 1105 (M.D. Fla 2021)

Christensen v. Bowen, 140 So.3d 498 (Fla. 2014)

Geico General Insurance Company v. Williams, 111 So.3d 240 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013)

Keck v. Eminisor, 104 So.3d 359 (Fla. 2012)

Bowen v. Taylor-Christensen, 98 So.2d 136 (Fla. 5th DCA 2012)

Keck v. Eminisor, 46 So.3d 1065 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010)

Abrisch v. United States, 359 F.Supp.2d. 1214 (M.D. Fla. 2004)

Clay Electric Co-Operative, Inc. v. Johnson, 873 So.2d 1182 (Fla. 2003)

Johnson v. Lance, 790 So2d 1144 (Fla. 1st DCA 2001)

Goodman v. Juniper Springs Canoe, 983 F.Supp. 1384 (M.D. Fla, 1997)

Gillins v. Trotwood Corp., 682 So.2d 693 (Fla 5 DCA, 1996)

Lavender v. Northeast Trasp., 674 So.2d 157 (Fla 5 DCA, 1996)

Northeast Transp. v. Lavender, 643 So2d 1193 (Fla 5th DCA 1994)

Moates v. Register, 588 So.2d 40 (Fla 1st DCA 1991)

Capps v. Kem, 564 So2d. 259 (Fla 1st DCA 1990)

Moates v. Register, 556 So2d 503 (Fla. 1st DCA 1989)

Tom Slater's work at Pajcic & Pajcic includes:

• Over $11 Million in Recoveries Despite Only $25,000 in Insurance
• Trucking Company Pays $9.65 Million for Death
• Two Million for Death of Wife and Mother
• $1.85 Million from Truck that T-Boned Police Car
• $1.75 Million for Hand Injury After Car Skids Underneath Truck
• 7 Figures in Products Liability Settlements for Georgia Man Catapulted to his Death on Faulty Equipment
• Over $1 Million for Death after Bus Hits Manlift
• Supreme Court Holds Utility Company Has Duty to Maintain Streetlights
• Restaurant Pays for Serving Alcohol to 20-Year-Old
• Seven Figure Recovery for Patient Given 50 (Instead of 15) CCs of Insulin
• $2 Million from Alarm Company and Apartment Complex for Failure to Protect Elderly Woman
• Legs Crushed in Pipe Factory
• Employee Plugged Between Eyes
• Death on Boat from Silent Killer
• $1 Million for Negligent Discharge of Suicidal Patient
• Nursing Home Pays Three-Quarter Million For Putrid Sores
• Verdict for Coffee Burns in Nursing Home
• Sexual Assault in Hospital Elevator
• Trial Shows Controllers Liable for Plane Crash
• 8 Figure Settlement for Quadriplegic Just Months After Crash
• Truck Accident Confidential Settlement for Widow
• Justice in Florida Drunk Driving Case, More Than a Decade Later
• $1.25 Million for Woman Dragged by Dogs