Welcome
From Founder and Managing Partner Terry D. Bork
I established the Law Office of Terry D. Bork in 2008 with an emphasis on appellate litigation and trial litigation support, along with general and administrative litigation support. For nearly 30 years, I have been offering appellate litigation and trial litigation support services for a number of law firms, such as Harris, Guidi, et al.; Dale, Bald & Altes; and Boyd & Jenerette, among other firms.
As a result of my experience, I have developed the expertise to research the law and find the case or authority that makes the appeal a winner and to write an appellate brief capable of persuading appellate judges of the merits of my clients’ case. In addition, my experience handling numerous oral arguments has given me the skills needed to present compelling arguments to an appellate court in the short time often allotted for oral argument.
In addition to appellate work, my firm offers trial litigation support to the trial attorney, who often is busy investigating cases; dealing with clients, witnesses and experts; taking depositions and organizing exhibits, and thus needs the assistance of a legal motion attorney to research, write and argue significant motions such as dismissal motions, summary judgment motions, evidentiary motions, motions in limine and trial memoranda. My office is prepared to argue these matters before the trial court along with the trial attorney in an effort to give the trial judge a different perspective on the issues that the judge has to decide. My office is also capable of preparing and arguing for the proper jury instruction that just might make the difference between success and failure in your trial. My goal is to give the trial judge a presentation much more like an appellate presentation in order to provide a more effective argument than the ordinary day to day arguments a judge normally hears in court.
Additional offerings include:
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Appellate related services in a second-chair capacity with the goal of assisting the trial attorney in preserving issues for appellate review.
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Assisting the trial attorney with the research, writing and argument of post-trial motions designed to minimize the time for taking an appeal, preserve issues for review, position the case for the best chance of success on appeal and receive a favorable ruling from the trial court on the post-trial motion.
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Handling administrative law matters regarding professional licensing and disciplinary cases involving the revocation of or suspension of medical, nursing, legal, accounting, engineering, liquor or similar professional licenses.
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Entertainment law services for producers, directors, screenwriters, crew members and actors and actresses in the film industry.
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In appropriate circumstances, I may be able to litigate general civil and commercial litigation, personal injury, workers' compensation and administrative law disciplinary matters on my own.
Areas of Practice
Appeals and Trial Support
The Law Offices of Terry D. Bork provides appellate and trial support litigation services in the area of civil and commercial litigation, personal injury, workers’ compensation, family law and criminal law. If my firm cannot handle a particular matter, I am willing to assist in finding an appellate attorney who can do so.
General Civil & Commercial Litigation
My firm provides general civil and commercial appellate and trial support litigation in such areas of law as contract law, real estate disputes, collection matters, construction law, noncompetition agreement and trade secret enforcement, professional licensure matters, mortgage foreclosure law, landlord and tenant disputes, probate law, trademark protection matters, environmental law and even security clearance disputes. In appropriate cases, I can also handle cases in this area of law in a first chair position.
Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation Litigation
My firm offers appellate and trial support services in personal injury cases dealing with general negligence incidents (car accidents, slips and falls, assault and batteries, etc.), products liability, medical malpractice, maritime and other statutory and tort actions such as cases dealing with Florida’s Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Fund. In addition, my firm handles appeals of civil rights cases dealing with violations of Section 1983 and ADA matters. Finally, my firm has handled workers’ compensation appeals and provided trial support services in workers’ compensation cases including those involving the Longshore Act. In appropriate cases, I can handle cases in this area on a first chair basis.
Administrative Law Litigation
My firm offers appellate and trial support litigation with respect to decisions from various administrative agencies regarding professional licensing disciplinary actions involving the revocation or suspension of medical, nursing, legal, accounting, engineering, liquor and similar professional licenses. In this area of law, my firm will also provide trial services for the client.
Family Law Litigation
My firm offers appellate and trial support services in a variety of family law matters dealing with the distribution of assets, alimony and child support, and child custody cases.
Criminal Law Litigation
My firm is prepared to handle a wide variety of criminal appeals in state and federal courts, including appeals of post-conviction rulings.
Miscellaneous Areas
My firm may be able to offer appellate and trial support services in an area of law not mentioned above. For example, my firm recently handled an appeal for an individual who had been denied a security clearance that he needed to have in order to continue his employment. As such, it is always best to contact me to see if I can assist you with your appeal or case. If not, I may be able to recommend someone for you to contact who can help with your matter.
Attorneys
Terry D. Bork
Terry D. Bork, Managing Partner, received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida where he graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. He then received his J.D. cum laude from Stetson University College of Law where he was the Research Editor of the Law Review. He was twice named Dana Scholar; was on the Honor Roll; won the American Jurisprudence Book Award for Pleading and Procedure as well as the Best Brief Award and Second Best Oral Argument Award in the Freshman Moot Court Competition; and was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity.
Subsequently, he received his LL.M (Master in Law) degree from the George Washington University National Law Center, where he authored the thesis entitled, Statutory Interpretation and Pro Se Attorney Fee Awards Under the Freedom of Information Act: A Case Study.
Mr. Bork was also Chairman of the Jacksonville Bar’s Appellate Section and a Co-Chairman of the Florida Bar’s Curriculum Oversight/Preparation for Practice Subcommittee of the Student Education and Admissions to the Bar Committee. He has been an Adjunct Professor at Florida Coastal School of Law where he taught Administrative Law and Products Liability and is a longtime member of the Florida Bar’s Appellate Practice Section.
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Fees
The Law Offices of Terry D. Bork accepts appeals and trial support work from the trial attorney who tried the case below or from the client directly. When the appeal comes from the client, I will always request permission to speak to the trial attorney in an effort to determine what happened below and to determine the best issues to consider arguing an appeal.
As for fee agreements, my firm has handled appeals and trial support matters on an hourly, flat fee, contingency basis or some combination thereof. My firm may also be willing to base its fee on a success matrix with a bonus being paid for a successful appeal or outcome.
Because it is not always possible to determine the merits of an appeal without substantial research and review of the record and case file, some cases may require a fee to be charged to evaluate the merits of pursing an appeal.
Furthermore, while every effort will be made to estimate the costs of appellate and trial support services, it is almost impossible to determine the amount of fees upfront. As such, the client should be prepared for the possibility that any estimated fee may be exceeded.
