Lecturer Bios
Michael A. Gold, L.L.M.
Michael A. Gold, L.L.M., is an attorney with Walters Levine Klingensmith & Thomison, P.A., in Tampa. Since becoming an attorney, he has represented individuals and companies in criminal and civil litigation before state and federal courts. In addition, Mr. Gold has developed significant strengths in advanced legal research, computer discovery and law firm technology. He is a member of The Florida Bar, the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the Federal Bar of the Middle District of Florida. As a law student at St. Thomas University in Miami, he graduated in the top 5 percent of his class and served as senior articles editor of the St. Thomas Law Review. Continuing this record of achievement at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Mr. Gold graduated with distinction, receiving an LL.M. degree in securities regulation.
Steven C. Pratico, Esq.
Steven C. Pratico, Esq., is an attorney who has prepared and litigated commercial and casualty matters, including jury trials, on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. His practice focuses on medical malpractice claims, complex personal injury litigation, nursing home negligence and wrongful death claims. Mr. Pratico holds a J.D. degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he was an ABA Trial Competition National Championship Team member and received the John E. Krupnick Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy. He also holds a B.A. degree in economics and environmental studies from Bucknell University. Mr. Pratico is admitted to practice in Florida state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He co-wrote Wireless Communications and the Attorney Client Privilege and is a member of the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. He practices with the firm of Meros, Smith, Lazzara & Olney, P.A.
David Theodore Tirella, Esq
David Theodore Tirella, Esq., is an attorney and founder of Tirella Consulting, a litigation support firm specializing in the selection and presentation of expert witnesses. He is an adjunct professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and is board certified in civil trial by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Mr. Tirella has 19 years experience (more than 200 bench and jury trials) in handling a wide variety of cases ranging from murder to medical malpractice, including a number of years as an assistant state attorney in Tampa. He has achieved the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and is Master rated by the Tampa Bay Inn of Court. Mr. Tirella focuses his practice on personal injury and medical malpractice cases with memberships in the American Association for Justice, the Florida Justice Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He frequently speaks, writes and teaches on a wide variety of legal issues, including client interviewing, trial advocacy, paralegal education and expert witnessing. In 2006, the Florida Bar selected Mr. Tirella’s article titled "Winning Strategies: The Four P’s of Expert Witness Selection" for publication and his analysis has been cited and referenced by law students, paralegals, lawyers and experts across America. Additionally, he is a torts instructor at the University of Miami, Paralegal Studies and is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law and Who’s Who in American Law Schools. Mr. Tirella earned his B.S. degree from Florida State University and his J.D. degree from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University.
Fredric S. Zinober, Esq.
Fredric S. Zinober, Esq., is a board certified civil trial attorney and a partner with Buckley and Fudge, P.A., in St. Petersburg. Mr. Zinober received his B.A. degree from Middlebury College and his J.D. degree from The Catholic University of America. He is a trial lawyer and litigator who concentrates on litigation involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, premises liability, contract, commercial litigation, real estate and land use, and business torts. A former prosecutor and lead trial attorney with the Pinellas County States Attorney’s Office, Mr. Zinober was also formerly a board certified criminal trial attorney with extensive experience in major litigation and criminal litigation. He has tried more than 100 cases, both criminal and civil, to juries in state and federal court. Mr. Zinober is admitted to practice in Florida and New Hampshire. He is a member of the Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Hillsborough County Bar Association; the Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association; the Ferguson-White Inn of Court; and the Barney Masterson Inn of Court. Mr. Zinober is also recognized as a Leading American Attorney and recently was selected as one of the Top 100 in Super Lawyers magazine.
