Christine L. Welstead

Christine Welstead is a civil trial lawyer who has served as lead counsel for corporations, developers, manufacturers and municipalities in state and federal courts throughout Florida for more than two decades. She has tried more than 20 jury cases to verdict and has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar since 2012.

Christine’s litigation experience includes the defense of product liability, personal injury, premises liability, catastrophic injury, wrongful death and civil rights claims. In municipal matters, she has defended cities and elected and appointed officials in litigation involving sovereign immunity, qualified immunity, election contests and tort claims.

Negligent security has been a longstanding focus of Christine’s work. Since 1999, she has advised property owners and security companies on these matters from initial crisis management through trial and appeal. Her practice also includes commercial litigation for developers, health care companies and security companies in Florida, including advice on vendor contracts and the enforcement of those contracts and non-compete agreements.

• Product Liability: Represented a consumer products manufacturer in the defense of claims of catastrophic injury due to an “exploding” tire.
• Product Liability: Represented a ladder manufacturer and retailer from claims of design defect.
• Wrongful Death: Represented Caribbean hotel sued for wrongful death in Southern District of Florida.
• Personal Injury: Represented golf course operator in jury trial of claims made by player injured on course by fellow player in case of “golf rage.”
• Personal Injury: Represented an aviation repair facility from a claim of catastrophic brain injury due to alleged unsafe equipment.
  Civil Rights: Represented police officers in a civil rights case tried before a jury in the Southern District of Florida where Plaintiff claimed use of excessive force.
• Whistleblower Claims: Represented private security company in Miami-Dade County jury trial against whistleblower claims made by five former employees.

• University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1992
• Tulane University, B.A., 1987

Bar Admissions

• Florida, 1993

Court Admissions

• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

• The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education
  —Board Certified in Civil Trial Law

• The Florida Bar
• American Bar Association
• Florida Defense Lawyers Association