Meet "Aggressive Trial Lawyer" Johnnie Byrd
When Johnnie Byrd was speaker of the Florida House, he was fond of using trial lawyers as a favorite punching bag -- even though, as a young attorney in his hometown of Brewton, Ala., he actually was one (and claimed to have secured Alabama's first $1-million plaintiff's verdict, against a utility company). During the overheated medical malpractice debate in 2003, the Plant City Republican repeatedly resisted lawyer-friendly amendments, and as a U.S. Senate candidate in 2004, he boasted of having "stopped the trial lawyers" in the House.
That was then. This is now: Byrd is out of office, has returned to private life and switched law firms. He's now a partner in the firm of Byrd & Stitzel, with his friend and political ally Howard Stitzel III, and the firm lists personal injury law as one of its specialties. The firm's web site describes its members as "among the most well respected, aggressive trial lawyers in Eastern Hillsborough and Polk counties."
The fact that Byrd would refer to himself as an aggressive trial lawyer should put to rest any notion that he might be pondering a political comeback as a candidate for the District 10 state Senate seat in east Hillsborough. That's the seat held by Republican Tom Lee, the Senate president, who's termed-out in 2006.
15 Comments:
At 4:16 PM, November 23, 2005, Anonymous said…
Nothing should put to rest any speculation that he may run for something. The man was a self serving speaker and I wouldn't be surprised to see him run for that senate seat or for congress.
At 5:14 PM, November 23, 2005, Anonymous said…
Byrd is a loser. Big ol' loser. Loserman. Loserrama.
The Loser.
At 7:11 PM, November 23, 2005, Anonymous said…
Michael Corcoran must have quit splitting the profits with him.
At 9:32 PM, November 23, 2005, Anonymous said…
Get off Byrd's back. Guess his mistake was actually trying to do what he promised, unlike our other Republican leaders. Fact of the matter is that Byrd was one of the best Speakers in history. He held the line on taxes, now that he's gone the budget has bloated up to over $64 Billion. Byrd passed Workers' Comp. reform, Med. Mal. reform - two of the biggest issues of recent times.
At 9:35 PM, November 23, 2005, Anonymous said…
Also, I tired of the shots at Corcoran as well. What's the problem here ... Byrd stopped the traditional "Good Ole Boy" Republican network from getting the inside track on consulting contracts and their kick back schemes as well ... oh, poor old you, Johnnie Byrd upset your apple cart and took your utopia away. Now you have to go compete for contracts just like everyone else ... boo hoo hoo.
At 9:41 PM, November 23, 2005, Anonymous said…
Byrd self serving? Let's see ... he tried to rein in the trail lawyers even though he was one himself ... where is the self serving in that? Seems to me he saw something wrong and tried to fix it, even if was AGAINST his own self interest. Again, please tell me ... where is the self serving in that?
At 10:25 PM, November 23, 2005, Anonymous said…
Okay, the last three posts may not have been written by the same person. Maybe there are three people in this state who really liked him.
At 11:03 PM, November 23, 2005, Anonymous said…
Actually, Byrd polls better than anyone in that district, if he wants it, it is his for the taking.
At 1:01 AM, November 24, 2005, H.J.B. said…
Byrd would be wise to do a last minute Iorio-type entry in May or June 2006. Sandra Murman and Ray Young are toast once Johnnie comes marching into this race.
Does anyone know the real story behind Earl Leonard's brief campaign?
Also, why is Victor Crist getting a free ride every election cycle? He's running unopposed but yet he's spent every dime he's raised for 2006 totaling more than $100,000. Looks like he's traveling quite a bit and buying a lot of flowers.
At 1:17 PM, November 24, 2005, tom atkinson said…
byrd sucks
what did he get in last year's sentate race (1%)
he should go back to Alabama where he belongs and chew hey with his front teeth
At 2:38 PM, November 24, 2005, Anonymous said…
If Byrd believed in the tort reform he wouldnt be living the law suit lifestyle.
And I have no problem with his trying some policy that went with his principles. But it was more along the lines of who contributed most.
At 12:02 AM, November 25, 2005, Anonymous said…
Tom Atkison - A bit more than that. Wayne Garcia as campaign manger was a very poor choice and probably helped stunt Byrd's numbers. Garcia has to be one of the worst consultant in state history, but I'm sure Garcia soaked the campaign and made a pretty penny. As for your personal shot at Byrd, what have you done with your life? Until you get two big enough to put your name on the ballot keep your pie hole shut on the personal attacks.
At 12:10 AM, November 25, 2005, Anonymous said…
7:11. - Where's your proof?
9:32. - Next time put all three comments in one statement, or be smart enuff to space out your timing.
2:38. - Okay, so how about some financial numbers to back up your charge? Who contributed most and got what they wanted? Do give details.
11:03. - Sounds like you have some polling data. If you do, please share. Most likely you don't.
1:01. - Victor Crist is probably spending his pennies very wisely and may have such positive results in communicating with and serving the voters that no serious candidate would run.
At 8:20 AM, November 25, 2005, H.J.B. said…
12:10 - You must be on some pol's payroll. At least review the facts before making the ridiculous assumption that "Victor Crist is probably spending his pennies very wisely"
Here are some of the best examples of Victor "serving the voters" in his 2006 re-election campaign report:
1. $26,239.41 to Victor Crist for "reimbursements".
2. $4905.88 to 56th Street Florist.
3. $3854.49 to AAA Mini Storage.
4. $1170.91 for the Marriot in Orlando for a "travel expense"
The facts can be found at:
election.dos.state.fl.us
At 10:14 PM, November 26, 2005, Anonymous said…
CROOK!!!
Post a Comment
<< Home