Richard L. Purtz was born in Quantico, Virginia. He graduated from Miami Springs Senior High School in 1972 and Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1977. He received his Juris Doctor degree with Honors from the University of Florida College of Law in 1988 where he served as an Appellate Advocacy Fellowship Instructor in 1987 and 1988. While at the University of Florida, he represented the law school on its American Trial Lawyers Association trial competition team. Mr. Purtz was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1988 and is a member of the American Justice Association. He is licensed to practice in Florida and has been admitted to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He is a Past President of the North Fort Myers Rotary Club and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Southwest Florida Symphony. He is also an Adjunct Professor at The University of St. Francis in Graduate Studies in Health Services Administration. He played professional basketball with Club Olympique Beauvais in France, and was later employed as a Claims Adjuster for Allstate Insurance Company for four years. Mr. Purtz is in the Personal Injury Department and his practice emphasizes Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and Insurance Claims litigation. Mr. Purtz is board certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Florida Bar, having completed over fifty jury trials. Mr. Purtz served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers from 1999-2007, now known as the Florida Justice Association. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He helped to organize and served as the first President of the Southwest Florida Trial Lawyers Association.

E-mail: richard@gbclaw.com