Our Attorneys

David C. Barnett, Esq. received two undergraduate bachelor degrees while attending the University of Maryland. Mr. Barnett received his first degree from the College of Arts and Humanities, while his second degree was from the college of Behavioral and Social Sciences. 

Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Mr. Barnett attended Nova Southeastern University Law School where he obtained his juris doctorate.  Mr. Barnett began practicing law in the State of Florida in 1991 and is a founding partner in the law firm of Barnett & Lerner, P.A., located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. Barnett’s practice currently centers on representing injured workers’ covered under the Defense Base Act, Non-Appropriated Funds Act, Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act, Jones Act and various State Worker’s Compensation matters.  Mr. Barnett further handles general maritime claims including the representation of passengers who have been injured while taking a cruise.

 Mr. Barnett is admitted to practice in the State of Florida, as well as the Federal Courts for the Southern District of Florida and has an extensive litigation practice, wherein, he has tried both jury and non-jury trials in State and Federal Court.  Mr. Barnett is a past member of the Dade County Trial Bar Association, the Broward County Trial Bar Association, the Florida Admiralty Law Association, as well as worker’s compensation section of the Florida Bar. Mr. Barnett was elected by his peers to serve on the Board of Directors for the Florida Worker’s Advocates, which was an association of all Plaintiff lawyers throughout the State of Florida who handle worker’s compensation claims.  In his capacity as a member of the Board of Directors, Mr. Barnett frequently traveled throughout the State and attended hearings in Tallahassee regarding legislation that impacted injured worker’s rights.

 Mr. Barnett has frequently lectured throughout the United States on various maritime and injured worker’s topics.  More specifically, in 1995, at the request of the worker’s compensation claims program, Mr. Barnett lectured at the annual convention on cross jurisdiction between State claims, Longshore claims and Jones Act claims.  In 2000, Mr. Barnett again was requested by the Worker’s Compensation Claims Program to lecture to attorneys on attorney ethics, while in 2002 Mr. Barnett lectured on administration of Longshore and Defense Base Act claims.  In 2004, Mr. Barnett again lectured at the annual convention on case law update.

 Most recently, as of March, 2005, Mr. Barnett was requested by Loyola University School of Law, to provide a seminar on Longshore and Harbor Workers compensation claims, specifically dealing with the issue of psychiatric/psychological injuries.  Additionally, Mr. Barnett has also had articles published on injured worker’s rights.  Further, at the request of the WCCP, David C. Barnett, Esq., was requested to create Board Certification courses on cross-jurisdiction, as well as adjuster ethics and wrote part of the examination for Board Certification. Further, Mr. Barnett has appeared in numerous courts over the years as an expert on attorney’s fees and has been retained by plaintiff and defense counsel, as well as insurance companies, to provide an expert opinion as to the value of attorneys fees for professional services.

Prior to opening the firm in 1995, Mr. Barnett represented employers and carriers in defending both State compensation and Federal Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation claims. However, Mr. Barnett’s current practice center exclusively on representing injured workers who believe that benefits are being deprived under State Worker’s Compensation act or Federal Workers Compensation act.

 Barry R. Lerner, Esquire,

Barry R. Lerner, Esq. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania February 22, 1958. Mr. Lerner obtained a Bachelors of Science in Healthcare Management from the Medical College of Virginia in 1980.  He received his Juris Doctrine from the University of Pittsburgh in 1983. Mr. Lerner was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1983 and the Florida Bar in 1984.  Mr. Lerner is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar, having litigated numerous cases before Federal Trial Judges in both jury and non-jury settings.

Mr. Lerner was hired by the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1984 and has been in private practice since 1985.

Mr. Lerner’s legal practice has been varied. He has represented, not only the University of Miami School of Medicine, but also numerous hospitals and health care facilities. In addition to representing injured employees, Mr. Lerner has represented numerous police officers, fire fighters, school board employees and other public sector employees in arbitration and grievance hearings.  Mr. Lerner has been fund counsel for several ERISA pension funds and has represented numerous employees applying for or appealing denials of pension and disability benefits.           

Mr. Lerner’s main focus, over the last decade, has been in representing injured employees in various forums, both at the trial and appellate level.  In that capacity, Mr. Lerner has tried over 300 cases before Judges in various courts, both federal, as well as State courts.

In addition, Mr. Lerner is certified as a mediator, both in State courts, as well as Federal courts.  As such, he has been appointed by both federal judges and state judges on numerous occasions, to act as a mediator in contested issues, involving injured workers, as well as determination of damages and attorney’s fees.  He has also lectured at many continuing educational seminars, advising not only attorney’s, but also, insurance company representatives, as well as employee organizations of their rights, benefits and conflicts, under various workers compensation laws, Longshore and Harbor workers compensation claims and benefits available to those covered under the Defense Base Act.

Also, Mr. Lerner is responsible for all appeals at Barnett & Lerner, P.A. and has prepared legal briefs, as well as appeared at oral arguments on appeals in both federal and state courts.