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Our Team

Michael E. Dean

Managing Partner

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Biography

Michael E. Dean is a native Floridian raised in Marion County. A graduate of Forest High School, he earned his Bachelor of Public Administration from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 1993. Michael received his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in 1997 and returned to Ocala to practice law with his family’s firm.

With over two decades of experience, Michael has been a dedicated advocate for clients, focusing on personal injury and wrongful death cases, medical malpractice, products liability, as well as probate and trust litigation. He is committed to ensuring that those seriously injured receive the just compensation they deserve. Michael is admitted to practice in all Florida courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Education

  • Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida
    Juris Doctor, 1997
  • University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi
    Bachelor of Public Administration, 1993

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Florida Bar Association
  • Marion County Bar Association
  • American Association for Justice
  • Gulf Oil Spill Committee

Areas of Practice

  • Personal Injury and Probate Litigation
  • Real Estate and Business Counsel

Court Admissions

  • All Florida Courts
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Recognition and Awards

  • AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Pro Bono Activities

  • President, Board of Directors, First Step Food Bank, Inc.
  • Volunteer, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Foundation
  • Board Member, Grace School
  • Volunteer, Boys & Girls Club of Marion County Capital Campaign
  • Volunteer, Boy Scouts of America

Timothy S. Dean

Partner

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Biography

Timothy S. Dean was raised in Ocala, Florida, and is a graduate of Vanguard High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida in 1988. Timothy then attended the University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating cum laude with his Juris Doctor in 1991. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1992, he has been practicing law in Ocala ever since.

Timothy is passionate about helping clients resolve legal issues efficiently and effectively. His practice areas include business counsel, estate planning, probate litigation, real estate counsel and litigation, as well as personal injury and wrongful death litigation. He is admitted to practice in all Florida courts and is a member of the Marion County Bar Association.

Education

  • University of Mississippi School of Law, Oxford, Mississippi
    Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, 1991
  • University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
    Bachelor of Arts, 1988

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Florida Bar Association
  • Marion County Bar Association
  • U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General (J.A.G.), 2003 – Present
  • Judge Advocate Advanced Graduate Course, 2012

Areas of Practice

  • Business Counsel
  • Estate Planning and Probate Litigation
  • Real Estate Counsel and Litigation
  • Personal Injury Litigation

Past Employment Positions

  • Adjunct Professor, Central Florida College, 2012 – Present
  • President, Pro Poly of America, Inc., 1996 – Present
  • Legal Assistance Chief, U.S. Army, Fort Benning, GA, 2008

Pro Bono Activities

  • Board Member, Brother’s Keeper
  • Board Member, Hospice of Marion County
  • Board Member, Ocala Civic Theatre
  • Past President, Ocala Rotary Club

Ed Dean

Of Counsel

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Biography

Ed Dean brings a wealth of experience to Dean Law Firm, combining a distinguished legal career with extensive public service. A graduate with honors from Michigan State University (B.A., 1967) and the University of Florida College of Law (J.D., 1970), Ed has been admitted to the bar in both Florida and Michigan. His court admissions include the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

Ed’s professional journey includes roles as Vice President-General Counsel for Kysor Industrial Corporation and President of Dexter Lock Company. He founded Dean & Dean, P.A. in 1988 upon returning to Ocala. Ed served as the Sheriff of Marion County from 1998 to 2013, earning accolades such as the Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for Performance Excellence.

Education

  • University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, Florida
    Juris Doctor, with Honors, 1970
  • Michigan State University
    Bachelor of Arts, with Honors, 1967
  • Executive Programs
    • Florida Department of Law Enforcement Executive Institute, 1999
    • FBI Academy Executive Program, 2000
    • Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, “Driving Government Performance,” 2012
    • Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, St. Leo University, 2010

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Florida Bar Association
  • Marion County Bar Association
  • Michigan Bar Association

Court Admissions

  • All Florida Courts
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court

Elected Office Held

  • Sheriff of Marion County, Florida (Appointed in 1998; Elected in 2000, 2004, and 2008)

Recognition and Awards

  • Florida Economic Development Person of the Year, 1995
  • Rotarian Service Above Self Award, Marion County, 1996
  • Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for Performance Excellence, 2008
  • Sustained Excellence Award, 2011

Publications

  • “Constitutional Law: Limitations of Courts–Martial Jurisdiction,” University of Florida Law Review, Vol. 22, 1970
  • Author of six books, including Luctor et Emergo and Servant Governing

Professional Experience

  • Founder, Dean & Dean, P.A., 1988
  • President, Townley Manufacturing Company
  • Vice President-General Counsel, Kysor Industrial Corporation
  • President, Dexter Lock Company
  • Manager and Owner, Daystar Professionals Group, LLC, 2013 – Present
  • Volunteer Interim Executive Director, Marion County Hospital District, 2013 – Present

Pro Bono Activities

Ed has a long-standing commitment to community service, having held leadership positions with numerous organizations, including:

  • Ocala-Marion Economic Development Council (Board Member and Chairman)
  • Marion County Indigent Health Care Council (Chairman)
  • Boy Scouts of America (District Chairman)
  • Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Marion County (Founding Board Member and Chairman)
  • Boys & Girls Club of Ocala (Capital Campaign Cabinet Member)
  • Florida Angus Association (Board Member and President)
  • Salvation Army Advisory Board (Chairman)
  • United Way of Marion County (Board Member)
  • Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches (Board Member)
  • Chaplain, Florida Sheriff’s Association

Firm Overview

Guidance in Real Estate, Probate and Business Law Matters

In addition to our personal injury practice, we serve clients facing a broad range of additional legal issues, including those related to real estate, estate planning, trusts, and probate administration. We can also help with probate disputes such as will contests, and challenges to the actions of an estate personal representative. Finally, we are available to assist with civil law matters including those related to business formation, advice, and litigation.

Effective Personal Injury Advocates in Florida

Our Florida personal injury attorneys know just how much is riding on your case. We know what a toll it can take on the whole family when a loved one sustains serious injuries. The outcome of your lawsuit may mean the difference between recovering full compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, and becoming destitute. We understand the physical, financial, and emotional challenges that come with any type of injury, and are prepared to represent you from start to finish. The experienced Ocala personal injury attorneys of Dean Law Firm work hard to make sure those that are responsible for your injuries are held accountable.

Florida Law Protects Injured Victims

The most common kinds of personal injury suits, from motor vehicle accidents to medical malpractice, arise due to somebody’s negligence. Negligence is the failure to use the appropriate level of care. In an ordinary negligence lawsuit, a plaintiff must prove (1) the defendant owed the victim a duty to act with due care; (2) the defendant’s breach of that duty; (3) causation; and (4) damages. This standard usually applies to injuries caused by events such as car accidents and slip and falls. For example, under Florida law, property owners must keep their property reasonably safe. A landowner who invites business guests onto her property may be responsible if a guest is hurt because of a hidden danger — such as a loose rail or uneven stairs — that the landowner knew or should have known about. Similarly, a driver who fails to exercise reasonable care by observing traffic signals or yielding the right of way, and who causes an accident as a result, can be held liable for the expenses incurred by any motorist, biker, or pedestrian injured by their unsafe conduct.

Health care providers must also use reasonable care. By statute, Florida doctors are required to adhere to the level of care, skill and treatment that is considered acceptable and appropriate by reasonably prudent similar health care providers under similar circumstances. However, a medical malpractice lawsuit has a few more hurdles than an ordinary negligence lawsuit. For example, there are specific pre-suit requirements, and expert testimony is crucial in proving a breach in the applicable standard of care.

Doctors and nurses, as well as insurers who represent other defendants, often have the support of a legal team advising them regarding what to say, and specifically advising them not to accept responsibility. It is important for you to consult with attorneys who have significant experience, and who understand the art of building a strong case should you proceed to trial.

Our Family Helping Yours

Personal injury attorneys Michael Dean and Timothy Dean are more than attorneys and business partners – they are also brothers. Ed Dean, their father, practiced law for many years before serving as an elected official in Marion County. He imparted many important values to his sons, teaching them that excellent client service, hard work, and integrity form the foundation of a successful law firm. Today, we continue to honor these values and dedicate ourselves to providing high quality, personalized service to each of our clients.

Contact Dean Law Firm Today

We represent clients in Ocala, Crystal River, The Villages, and throughout Central Florida. Contact the dedicated Ocala personal injury lawyers at Dean Law Firm by phone at 352-387-8700 or via our online form. We provide a free initial consultation to discuss the specifics of your injury claim. Further, we take all cases on a no-recovery, no-fee basis.