PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Derek has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1995. In 2019, he retired from his active litigation practice and founded Daniels Mediations to handle mediations and arbitrations in any type of civil dispute, including complex, high exposure matters. As a defense lawyer for nearly 25 years, he handled hundreds of mediations and dozens of arbitrations and jury trials in medical negligence, long-term care, and general liability cases. He received his Board Certification as a Specialist in Civil Trial Law in 2015.
In 2003, Derek co-founded McCumber, Daniels, Buntz, Hartig, Puig and Ross, P.A. During his tenure with McCumber Daniels, Derek managed several lawyers and staff and significantly contributed to the growth of the firm, including into other states. In 2010, Derek was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and immediately began working in a pivotal role to open and grow the firm's Philadelphia office.
From 1998 to 2003, Derek worked at Quintairos, McCumber, Prieto and Wood, P.A. He was the third associate and seventh attorney to join that rapidly growing firm and was quickly promoted to partner in 2001.
From 1995 to 1998, Derek was an associate attorney at the firm of Solomon and Ginsberg, P.A., where he practiced collection and commercial litigation including work for Tampa General Hospital and Ford Motor Credit.
Derek graduated with Honors from the University of Florida College of Law in 1995. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with High Honors from the University of Florida in 1992.
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