Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. I have been a Florida Trial Attorney since 1971 when I had my first jury trial in Gainesville, and I have been in and out of the courtroom ever since. As a Trial Attorney I enjoy helping people get their lives back together after a serious accident or an arrest. I consider myself an expert in negotiating settlements as well as trying cases in the courtroom. I have the determination and experience to go head to head with the big and powerful insurance companies that try to take advantage of people who were injured through no fault of their own. I always fight hard to get every one of my clients the justice they deserve.
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, came to Gainesville in 1970 after graduating law school at Case-Western Reserve University, passed the Florida Bar, and opened my practice in downtown Gainesville in 1971. After 50 years, I still enjoy going to work, getting to know and help my clients that come to my office from all over Florida, working with our amazing staff, and fighting for the rights of individuals and for the justice they are entitled to.
Throughout my years in Gainesville, I have enjoyed giving back to the community through numerous community service activities. My recent public service contributions include my three Consumer Guide Books. I am very proud of these books which are a culmination of my 50 years of legal experience and insights. It is my intention that these books help the people of Florida from making mistakes that can negatively affect their lives for many years.
As an attorney, I concentrate in accident and wrongful death cases. I regularly attend seminars to stay up to date on emerging trends and technology in these fields of law. In addition, over the past 20 years I have lectured and been chairman of many legal seminars in Florida. I get deep satisfaction from teaching and raising the level of professionalism for both young and experienced attorneys.
Here are some of the highlights of my career:
- I proudly accepted an invitation from the National Trial Attorneys Top 100 Trial Attorneys to join their organization in 2013. The National Trial Attorneys Top 100 is an invitation-only professional organization comprised of America’s top trial attorneys. Only a select few are invited from each state to join. An invitation of membership is extended exclusively to those select individuals who exemplify superior qualifications as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial attorneys. Invited attorneys also exhibit the most outstanding leadership skills, maintain an excellent reputation in his or her respective community, and demonstrate an unbridled passion for excellence as a trial attorney.
- I am a proud Member of The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum which is one of the most prestigious groups of trial attorneys in the U.S. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Only less than 1% of attorneys in the country are members of this group.
- Member of the Florida and American Justice Associations (the two most important personal injury trial attorney groups) for many years and utilize their resources to provide the best representation for my clients.
- Served on the Florida Bar Rules of Judicial Administration Committee and the Florida Bar Civil Procedure Rules Committee, (the committee that makes the rules for litigating personal injury and wrongful death cases).
- Teacher in the University of Florida Law School Trial Advocacy Program.
- Chairman and lecturer for Lorman Seminars.
- Regular lecturer around the State of Florida to other attorneys for the past 15 years.
- Past Chairman and member of the Florida Bar Traffic Court Rules Committee from 1992 to 2002.
- Recognized statewide for creating the experienced DUI defense team at the Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon and Associates serving Alachua County.
- Chairman and lecturer for Florida Bar Seminars for 12 years.
Here are more of my accomplishments:
- Graduated Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 1969 JD, Doctor of Jurisprudence
- Graduated Ohio State University, 1966 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- American Association for Justice
- American Bar Association
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (FACDL)
- National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (NACDL)
- Eighth Judicial Circuit Chapter of FACDL
- Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Assocation
- Fifth Judicial Circuit Bar Association
- Florida Bar Criminal Law Section
- Florida Bar Trial Attorneys Section
- NORML, Legal Committee
- Florida Justice Association
- Florida Bar Association
- Florida Bar Activities
- Florida Bar
- Florida Bar Traffic Court Rules Committee (Rules Committee for DUI, Driving While License Suspended, and other traffic related offenses.) Member 1992 – 2002, Chairman 1999 – 2000
- Florida Bar Rules of Judicial Administration Committee (Rules Committee for all Felony, Misdemeanor and Civil Court Rules.) 1999 – 2000 Member
- Florida Bar DUI Seminars Chairman 1997, 1999 to 2008
- Florida Bar Civil Procedure Rules Committee 2002 – 2007 (Rules Committee for Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Cases)
- FACDL Blood Breath & Tears XXII Lecturer, September 18, 2015.
- Masters of DUI Lecturer “Case Law Update”- March 27, 2015-Florida Bar Sponsored
- Basic Criminal Law Lecturer “Defending DUI Cases”- October, 31 2014-Florida Bar Sponsored
- Basic Criminal Practice Lecturer “Defending DUI Cases”- April 26, 2013-Florida Bar Sponsored
- “Lorman DUI Seminar/Webinar” –July 29, 2010
- “Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 1, 2009- Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
- 2009 Masters of DUI” – January 16, 2009 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
- “Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 16, 2008 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
- “2008 Masters of DUI” – January 18, 2008 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
- “Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 18, 2007 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
- “2007 Masters of DUI” – January 19, 2007 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
- “Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 19, 2006 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
- “2006 Masters of DUI” – January 20, 2006 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
- “Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 20, 2005 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
- “2005 Masters of DUI” – January 21, 2005 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
- “Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 21, 2004 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
- “2004 Masters of DUI” – January 16, 2004 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Chairman/Lecturer
- “Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 21, 2004 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
- “2003 Masters of DUI” – January 17, 2003 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored – Lecturer/Chairman
- “Lorman DUI Seminar” – May 2, 2003 – Tampa, Florida – Chairman/Lecturer
- “Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – May 4, 2002 – Tampa, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
- “Case Law Update (topic DUI)” – April 2002 – Tampa, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
- “Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – March 14, 2002 – Jacksonville, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
- “2002 Masters of DUI” – January 18, 2002 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman/Lecturer
- “Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – July 20, 2001 – Orlando, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
- “Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – May 4, 2001 – Tampa, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
- “Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – March 29, 2001 – Jacksonville, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
- “Masters of DUI Seminar” – January 19, 2001, Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
- “Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – May 4, 2000 – Tampa, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
- “Hot Issues in DUI and Traffic Law” – January 14, 2000 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
- “Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – March 30, 1999 – Jacksonville, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
- “1999 Masters of DUI” – January 22, 1999 – Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
- “Strategies in Handling DUI Cases” – March 31, 1998 – Jacksonville, Florida – Lorman Educational Services, Lecturer
- “The Twists and Turns of Successful Traffic Defense” – January 23, 1998, Miami, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
- “Matters of DUI Seminar” – January 24, 1997 – Florida Bar Sponsored, Chairman and Lecturer
- “Walking the Line of DUI” – June 23, 1994, Orlando, Florida – Florida Bar Sponsored, Lecturer
- Seven Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case; A Consumer Guide for Accident Victims in Florida
- Buying Florida Auto Insurance; A 3-Step Approach to Purchasing Adequate Auto Insurance at Competitive Pricing
- Ways to Possibly Avoid A DUI Charge or Conviction; A DUI Guide for Alachua County
- Elledge and Meldon, “Coram Nobis Revisited,” Florida Bar Criminal Law Section Newsletter, March, 1992.
- Elledge and Meldon, “Coram Nobis Update,” Florida Bar Criminal Law Section Newsletter, December, 1992.
Please see the Library section of the site for all my educational articles.