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Attorney Spotlight - Ben Andrews

Chase Boswell • September 6, 2023

Ben Andrews is an active member of six Pennington, P.A. practice areas, including Medical Malpractice Defense and Trucking & Transportation Defense. Ben received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Florida in 1985. He graduated with honors from Florida State University College of Law in 1988. Following graduation, he remained in Tallahassee, where he clerked for a year-and-a-half under Judge Maurice M. Paul, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Florida.


Following the end of his clerkship, Ben remained in Tallahassee where he has built and maintained a prestigious 30+ year practice in professional malpractice defense, with an emphasis on insurance agent and broker E&O (errors and omissions) defense. During this time, Ben has defended thousands of professionals against such claims, including trying over 30 cases to verdict. In addition to representing clients in Florida, Ben has also been admitted to practice in the State of Georgia.


In addition to his litigation and trial work, Ben is also actively engaged in industry-specific organizations such as: the Professional Liability Defense Federation (past Insurance Agent E&O committee chair); Claims and Litigation Management (past Insurance Agent E&O committee co-chair); the Florida Defense Lawyers Association; and the Defense Research Institute. In addition, Ben has worked closely with the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) and their education team to create and lead multiple continuing education seminars and webinars, all dealing with legal issues in defense of professional liability claims.


Ben has been awarded an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability. Perhaps the most distinguished aspect of Ben’s career is that since 2003, he has been recognized as a board-certified civil trial lawyer by the Florida Bar. According to the Florida Bar, board certification “evaluates attorneys’ special knowledge, skills, and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice. Certification is the highest level of evaluation by the Florida Bar for the competency and experience of attorneys in areas of law approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida.” As a result, Ben finds himself amongst a rare and distinguished group of board-certified lawyers civil trial lawyers, who encompass only 1% of the entire membership of the Florida Bar.


Outside of his accomplished law career, Ben is also an accomplished distance runner. To-date, he has completed seven (7) marathons, including the prestigious Chicago Marathon, and the only international marathon which spans from Buffalo, New York, to Niagara Falls, Canada. Ben and his wife Kristy also enjoy spending as much time as possible with their four children and extended families, entertaining, traveling, boating, or just gathering.

Mo' Money, Mo' Problems - When NIL Meets the Rulemaking Process

By Chad Dunn • February 18, 2025
Pennington partner Chad Dunn and associate John Yunger recently presented “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems – When NIL Meets the Rulemaking Process,” with Judge Jason Jones’s team at the Stafford Inn of Courts. The team examined how agencies craft and implement new administrative rules from inception to workshop to public rule hearing. The presentation also covered how parties can contest agency rules, the rule challenge process, and litigation at the Division of Administrative Hearings. The team used name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) for Florida athletes as the vehicle to make the presentation entertaining. Chad and John are honored to be members of the William H. Stafford American Inn of Court. The Inn is an organization dedicated to fostering excellence, civility, and ethical practice within the legal community. The Inn provides a forum for collegial dialogue, mentorship, and continuous learning for its members by its members.

Pennington’s Brian Chojnowski Scores Appellate Win

By Pennington PA • January 29, 2025
Shareholder Brian Chojnowski obtained a per curiam affirmance of a dismissal with prejudice from the First District in a professional malpractice case. Brian’s client, a well-respected local law firm, was sued on frivolous claims related to the settlement of a wrongful death lawsuit. Brian obtained dismissal with prejudice from the trial court on grounds of lack of standing and failure to state a cause of action, then successfully defended the dismissal on appeal.

Pennington’s Michael J. Thomas Presents Lecture to Nurse Residency Program at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital

By Pennington PA • November 26, 2024
Shareholder Michael J. Thomas recently presented a lecture to the Nurse Residency Program at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (“TMH”) concerning the litigation process. The audience was a group of over 70 nursing residency program members. TMH’s Nurse Residency Program is the only accredited nurse residency program in the region. The participants, all new nurse graduates that were part of the year-long mandatory Nurse Residency Program at TMH, were active and engaged during the lecture, asking numerous questions. Michael J. Thomas is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar, and has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability. Mike is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mike is licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Northern, Middle, and Southern U.S. District Courts of Georgia, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Associate Logan Eagen Graduates from Tampa Connection's Class of 2023-2024

By Pennington PA • November 20, 2024
Associate Logan Eagen recently graduated from the Tampa Connection’s Class of 2023-2024. Tampa Connection is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide local business professionals with the necessary tools to become active leaders and volunteers in the Tampa Bay Community. Each year, a select group of applicants are chosen to participate in the Tampa Connection class. The year-long program exposes class members to leadership development, social, and community service opportunities while immersing them in the local community. Logan, along with other members of the Tampa Connection’s “Green Team,” were paired with Quest, Inc., a non-profit organization. Quest, Inc.’s mission is to help people with developmental disabilities experience a full life utilizing a range of services proven to increase capabilities and quality of life. As part of the Green Team’s pairing with Quest, Inc., Logan played an integral part in completing three projects for Quest, Inc. First, the Green Team created a Direct Support Professional guidebook for Quest, Inc.’s new hires that contained a glossary of terminology used, teaching tools, and a training “reference chart.” Second, the Green Team created three unique versions of adaptable recipe books for Quest, Inc.’s culinary classes based on their client’s baseline abilities. Third, the Green Team created an annual calendar of activities and volunteering opportunities for Quest, Inc.’s clients, which involved identifying local activities and opportunities, as well as, scheduling such events. Logan thoroughly enjoyed getting to work with other members of his Tampa Connection’s class and Quest, Inc.’s staff and clients.

Pennington PA recently sponsored the Holocaust Education Resource Council's 13th Annual Remembrance Dinner

By Pennington PA • November 20, 2024
Pennington, P.A. recently sponsored the Holocaust Education Resource Council’s 13 th annual Remembrance Dinner. The Holocaust Education Resource Council’s (HERC) mission is “to build hope and silence all hate, including antisemitism, by providing instructional guidance, support, and resources for educators who teach history of the Holocaust, and other educational programs for the community at large.” The dinner was held at the Dunlap Champions Club. HERC presented State of Florida CFO, Jimmy Patronis, the Steve Uhlfelder Humanitarian Award as well as honoring Steve and Judy Winn with the Special Community Leaders award. Pennington, P.A. is proud to support HERC and their mission, along with honoring Jimmy Patronis, and Steve and Judy Winn.

Leean Chojnowski and Brian Chojnowski recently obtained dismissal in favor of their client in a personal injury lawsuit

By Pennington PA • November 15, 2024
Leean Chojnowski and Brian Chojnowski recently obtained dismissal in favor of their client in a personal injury lawsuit. The plaintiff claimed that he was driving the speed limit immediately prior to the crash and that he was wearing his seatbelt, while vehicle data showed he was driving more than twice the speed limit and not wearing a seatbelt. After Brian confronted the plaintiff with these inconsistencies during his deposition, Leean drafted the motion to dismiss for fraud and Brian advocated in favor of dismissal at an evidentiary hearing. The court granted the motion in favor of Leean and Brian’s client and dismissed the case!

Pennington's Medical Malpractice Team Obtains Defense Verdict

By Pennington PA • November 13, 2024
Shareholders Michael J. Thomas and Cody W. Short recently successfully defended a dental medical malpractice case in Hillsborough County, Florida. The plaintiff alleged that his oral and maxillofacial surgeon (and the surgeon’s practice) breached the standard of care while performing complex jaw surgery to correct obstructive sleep apnea. Specifically, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant oral and maxillofacial surgeon negligently performed the surgery and transected a nerve, resulting in severe neurologic injuries, including loss of taste. The defense argued the oral and maxillofacial surgeon complied with the standard of care, and that such an injury was a known risk and recognized complication of the surgery. The case was tried before Judge Alissa Ellison over a five-day period, and resulted in a complete defense verdict for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon and her practice on November 1, 2024. Final Judgment was entered by the Court in favor of the defendants on November 8, 2024. Michael J. Thomas is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar, and has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability. Mike is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mike is licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Northern, Middle, and Southern U.S. District Courts of Georgia, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Cody W. Short’s practice focuses on insurance defense and litigation, including medical/dental malpractice, product liability, premises liability, commercial litigation, and employment litigation. Cody is licensed to practice law in Florida and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. In 2021, Cody was named a 2021 Super Lawyer Rising Star, which recognizes the top lawyers in Florida through a multiphase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research, and peer evaluation.

Pennington recognized in 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers

By Pennington PA • November 13, 2024
We’re thrilled to announce that our firm has been recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers with multiple prestigious rankings: 🏅 Metropolitan Tier 1 – Tallahassee Commercial Litigation Intellectual Property Litigation Defense of Medical Malpractice Defense of Personal Injury Litigation Defense of Product Liability Litigation Real Estate Law 🥈 Metropolitan Tier 2 – Tallahassee Administrative & Regulatory Law Employment Law – Management Health Care Law  🥈 Metropolitan Tier 2 – Tampa Defense of Personal Injury Litigation A huge congratulations to our dedicated team for their continued hard work and excellence! We couldn’t be more proud. 💼⚖️ #BestLawyers #LegalExcellence #Tier1 #Tier2 #Tallahassee #Tampa #LawFirm #LegalProfessionals #Congratulations #Teamwork #LawRecognition

Pennington PA Associates Compete in 2nd Annual Cornhole For Cancer Tournament

By Pennington PA • November 4, 2024
Associates Trey Schulte and John Yunger recently represented Pennington, P.A. in the 2 nd Annual Cornhole for Cancer Tournament. John and Trey’s “A Few Good Throws” fought hard to earn a spot in the Championship before coming up short to Sniffen and Spellman’s “Tigers.” The tournament was hosted by Meenan, P.A. to raise funds for the TMH Foundation. The TMH Foundation’s Mission is to develop and sustain philanthropic support for TMH and generate community understanding and involvement as a means to accomplish TMH’s mission, vision, goals and objectives. As a result of the Cornhole for Cancer Tournament $10,500 was raised for the TMH Foundation.

Pennington PA Associates participate in Annual Chili Cook-Off

By Pennington PA • October 29, 2024
The Pennington P.A. Associates recently participated in the Tallahassee Bar Association’s Annual Chili Cook-Off, celebrating the season with a tailgate theme. The team won the coveted “Five Alarm Chili” award, making it the second year in a row Pennington took home a prize. The Firm was an Award Sponsor of the event, with proceeds going to support the Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee.
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