Firm partners David Fonvielle, Hal Lewis, John Foote and Jim Messer possess a combined total of more than 60 years of experience in the practice of personal injury law. This extensive experience is brought to bear in every case handled by the firm, from the smallest to the most complex.

C. David Fonvielle is a civil trial lawyer board certified by The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is AV rated by the Martindale-Hubble Law Directory which is the highest rating possible. He is profiled by Law & Leading Attorneys, a listing of attorneys selected by their peers as someone to whom they would refer a close friend or relative. He was selected to Super Lawyers, a guide that recognizes the top attorneys in select states. In addition, he was selected to be included in Best Lawyers of America, a definitive guide to legal excellence in the U.S. He graduated from Florida State Universty College of Law and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1972. He has served as a public defender for the 2nd Judicial Circuit and has been in private practice since 1974. A President's Club member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Mr. Fonvielle was on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, a member of the American Bar Association, the Tallahassee American Inns of Court, the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Tallahassee Bar Association, where he served on the Board of Directors. He has spoken at numerous continuing legal education seminars and has guest lectured at the Florida State University College of Law and the Stetson University College of Law. Mr. Fonvielle annually attends specialized programs on handling personal injury cases and trial practice. He annually sponsors a scholastic award for achievement at the College of Law where he endowed a professorship. His practice is limited to significant personal injury and wrongful death claims. Mr. Fonvielle is married and has two children.

Halley B. Lewis, III, is a civil trial lawyer board certified by The Florida Bar who has worked in the field of personal injury litigation since his graduation from the University of Florida College of Law in 1990. He is a member of The Florida Bar and the Northern and Middle Districts of United States District Court, as well as the Tallahassee Bar Association. Mr. Lewis is also a member of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He was selected to Super Lawyers, a guide that recognizes the top attorneys in select states. In addition, he was selected to be included in Best Lawyers of America, a definitive guide to legal excellence in the U.S. Mr. Lewis has handled and participated in the litigation and settlement of hundreds of substantial personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout the United States, and has had a large number of his results published in the Florida Jury Verdict Reporter. His record-setting verdict of $75 million for the death of a single mother was the third largest verdict of 1997 in the United States. Due to his undergraduate degree in finance, he offers the firm expertise in the financial aspect of analysis and evaluation of structured cash flow settlements. Mr. Lewis and his wife have three children.

John H. Foote is an experienced trial attorney board certified by The Florida Bar who has worked in the area of general civil litigation and personal injury litigation from the time of his graduation from Florida State University College of Law in 1990. Mr. Foote joined Fonvielle Lewis Foote & Messer in 1996, having formerly practiced insurance defense litigation. He is a member of The Florida Bar, The State Bar of Georgia, the Tallahassee Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Foote is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida. His previous work as defense counsel for insurance companies gives him valuable insight into the process of settling and litigating the cases of the firm's personal injury and wrongful death clients. His membership in the State Bar of Georgia enables him to aggressively pursue the cases of the firm's clients who are injured while either living in, or visiting that state. Mr. Foote is married and has three children.

James E. Messer, Jr. is an experienced trial attorney who has practiced in the areas of general civil litigation and personal injury litigation since his graduation from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 1993. He is AV rated by the Martindale-Hubble Law Directory; the highest rating awarded. He was also selected to Super Lawyers, a guide that recognizes the top attorneys in select states. Mr. Messer joined Fonvielle Lewis Foote & Messer in 1999. He is a member of The Florida Bar, The State Bar of Georgia, the Tallahassee Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. He is a former Army Captain who served as a helicopter pilot. Mr. Messer is admitted to practice before all Federal Courts in Florida, the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. His previous work as defense counsel for insurance companies in Florida, and while living in Georgia, provides him with invaluable insight into tactics of prosecuting the claims of the firm's personal injury and wrongful death clients in both states. Mr. Messer is married and has three children.

Stephen L. Spector is an experienced trial attorney who has focused his practice on general civil litigation and personal injury litigation since his graduation Stetson College of Law (cum laude) in 1993. Mr. Spector joined Fonvielle, Lewis, Foote and Messer in 2002, having practiced as a civil litigator in both State and Federal Court as Assistant Attorney General under Bob Butterworth and in the private sector. He is a member the Florida Bar, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. Mr. Spector is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Mr. Spector’s experience trying cases in both the public and private sector provides him with invaluable insight into what it takes to pursue cases on behalf of the firm’s clients. Mr. Spector currently serves our community as a Board Member for Goodwill Industries. Mr. Spector is married and is looking forward to starting a family in the near future.

Allen S. McConnaughhay joined Fonvielle Lewis Foote & Messer in 2005 as an Associate Attorney. Mr. McConnaughhay graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 1999, and spent two years as an Assistant State Attorney in Franklin and Leon Counties. During this time he prosecuted criminal defendants and gained extensive experience as the lead prosecutor in jury and non-jury trials. In 2001, Mr. McConnaughhay began working for a statewide insurance defense firm where he handled tort law, criminal law and construction law matters, gaining an intimate knowledge of the strategies used by insurance companies. His experiences on both sides of the courtroom and his thorough understanding of the insurance industry make him an invaluable asset to the firm and our clients. Mr. McConnaughhay is a member the Florida Bar and the State Bar of Georgia and is BV rated by the Martindale-Hubble Law Directory. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida and the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. He serves on the Board of Directors for Brehon, a local non-profit organization helping less fortunate children and families in the Big Bend area. Additionally, he enjoys his role as a “buddy” for a special-needs baseball team in the Challenger Baseball League.

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