Biography
Rafael E. “Ralph” Martinez received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in 1973, and his Juris Doctorate degree from Florida State University in 1976. Rafael was admitted to practice in Florida by the Florida Supreme Court in 1977; he is a member of the Fifth, Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals; U.S. Middle District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981. Rafael maintains an A.V. Martindale-Hubbell rating.In 2003, Rafael was nominated by the President of the United States to serve as a public delegate, representing the United States before the United Nations 57th General Assembly. On May 23, 2003, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and served as a public delegate for that term.
On May 28, 2008, Rafael was sworn in as a part-time Commissioner of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. He was nominated for the position by President Bush on February 7, 2008, and confirmed by the Senate on May 20, 2008.
Rafael is active in Bar-related organizations having served as a member of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (1990-1994; Commission Chair, 1993-1994); Fifth District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission (1995-1999); Orange County Bar Association, Professionalism Committee Chairman (1999-2000), Judicial Relations Committee Chairman (1997-1998); American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Central Florida Chapter (1996-Present; President, 2004); International Association of Defense Counsel, Products Liability Committee (1996-Present), Pharmaceutical Medical Device and Biotechnology Committee (1996-Present), Medical Defense Committee Chair (2000-2001); Faculty, IADC Trial Academy, Stanford University (2004); Board of Directors of the Health Law Section of the Florida Bar (1992-1997); Inter-American Bar Association (1979-Present); Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Rafael is also active in our community, having served as Chairman of the Metropolitan YMCA for Central Florida (1992-1994; CNL Bank Board of Directors (2002-2017); SunTrust South Orlando Administrative Board Chairman (1988-2000); Orlando Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors (1989-2018).
Rafael currently serves on the Metropolitan Board of the YMCA and the Board of the Florida Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriters Insurance Association.
Rafael was the recipient of the Orange County Bar Association William Trickel, Jr Professionalism Award in 2014.
Rafael is fluent in Spanish.
Ralph Martinez was awarded the 2022 FLABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year
In May, 2022, Ralph Martinez was awarded the 2022 FLABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year.
This award is given to a member who has shown excellence in advocacy, high ethics, a distinguished career, and is committed to service to ABOTA. This award alternates between plaintiff and defense attorneys and in addition to the above, the candidate has a superb reputation of high ethics and fair play. This is a very high honor to Rafael, the Central Florida Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and for our Firm.
Practice Areas
- Appellate
- Administrative Law
- Complex Litigation
- General Liability
- Healthcare Law
- Medical Malpractice
- Municipal Liability
- Premises Liability
- Transportation/Auto
Bar and Court Admissions
- Florida Bar
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Fifth
- U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Eleventh
- U.S. Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Southern District of Florida
Education
- Florida State University College of Law (J.D.)
- University of Florida (B.S.)
Affiliations
- Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Florida Bar
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- FLABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year (2022)
- Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
- Orange County Bar Association
- A.V. Martindale Hubbell rated
- Orange County Bar Association William Trickel, Jr Professionalism Award in 2014
- Part-time Commissioner of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, nominated by President Bush (2008)
- Faculty, IADC Trial Academy, Stanford University (2004)
- Public Delegate for U.S. Senate (2003)
- Delegate of United States before United Nations 57th General Assembly, appointed by President of United States
- Medical Defense Committee Chair (2000-2001)
- Orange County Bar Association, Professionalism Committee Chairman (1999-2000)
- Judicial Relations Committee Chairman (1997-1998)
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Central Florida Chapter (1996-Present; President, 2004)
- International Association of Defense Counsel, Products Liability Committee (1996-Present);
- Pharmaceutical Medical Device and Biotechnology Committee (1996-Present)
- Fifth District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission (1995-1999)
- Board of Directors of the Health Law Section of the Florida Bar (1992-1997)
- Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (1990-1994; Commission Chair, 1993-1994)
- Inter-American Bar Association (1979-Present)
- CNL Bank Board of Directors (2002-2017)
- Chairman of the Metropolitan YMCA for Central Florida (1992-1994)
- SunTrust South Orlando Administrative Board Chairman (1988-2000)
- Orlando Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors (1989-2018)