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Millard L. Fretland

Partner

Millard L. Fretland is a senior liability defense attorney in the firm’s Pensacola office. Millard is a seasoned litigator who has four decades of experience in the courtrooms of northwest Florida and enjoys a reputation as one of the leading trial attorneys in the Florida Panhandle. Millard’s practice includes the full gamut of insurance law, including medical negligence, subrogation, trucking claims, insurance coverage disputes, employment law, bad faith and extra contractual, exposure claims, automobile, premises and product liability claims. 

Practice Areas:

Admitted to Practice:

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 2013
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2007
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1988
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, 1984
  • Florida State Courts, 1983

Education:

  • Washington & Lee University, Juris Doctorate, 1983
    • Honors
    • Law Review
  • Florida State University, B.S. in Speech Communication, 1980

Professional Affiliations:

  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Defense Research Institute

Honors & Awards: 

  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2020-2024, Listed in Florida for Insurance Law
  • AV® Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Selected as a presenter at the American Board of Trial Advocates “Masters In Trial” Seminar
  • Graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy in Dallas, Texas
  • Graduate of the National Institute of Appellate Advocacy in New Orleans, Louisiana

Publications:

  • Contributing author, “Product Liability Client Strategies,” Inside the Minds Series, Aspatore Books, 2006

Speaking Engagements:

  • Millard has given dozens of presentations to clients and professional groups as part of his legal practice.  Millard was selected by the Florida Defense Lawyers Association to speak at an annual meeting on the topic of the efficient management of mass tort cases.

Representative Experience:

  • Abernathy v. Funtastic Factory, Inc
    • A product liability claim involving alleged traumatic brain injury to a teenager while using an amusement device at a carnival.  After two weeks of trial, the plaintiff demanded $38,000,000 in damages from the jury but the jury awarded only the past medical bills, an amount well under $1,000,000 dollars.

  • Bruce v. Pensacola Bay Transportation Company
    • A negligence claim stemming from the plaintiff’s fall inside a handicapped transportation van resulting in the amputation of both of his legs.  After one week of trial, the jury returned a defense verdict.

  • Spurgeon v. Albertson’s, Inc.
    • A premises liability case in which the plaintiff claimed she had slipped and fallen on water in a grocery store, causing her severe mental and physical injuries resulting in multiple suicide attempts.  The jury returned a defense verdict.

  • Edward M. Chadbourne, Inc. v. Vaughn
    • This was a negligence case stemming from the construction of a highway surface, which allegedly caused an automobile accident.  The trial court entered summary judgment in favor of the road builder but the judgment was reversed in the court of appeal.  After arguments in the Supreme Court of Florida, the defendant was absolved from liability when the court reaffirmed the “accepted work” doctrine.

Community Involvement:

  • Manna Food Bank, Former President and Board Member 
  • First Methodist Church, Member