Rima C. Bardawil

Personal Injury and Insurance Claims Attorney: I think my best qualities are empathy and passion. My empathetic nature allows me to identify with my client's needs and pain; and my passion allows me to fight relentlessly for their legal rights and for Justice. That may be an understatement, as many of my clients have gone as far as calling my litigation style as ferocious when it comes to protecting their rights and getting what’s rightfully theirs. I have been unyielding in defending my community for the past 18 years. And it all started when I was a young curious girl in search of truth and fairness. Even as a child in elementary school, I would unyieldingly defend my fellow students from bullying and teasing. I was also a peacemaker and advocate even in my young school years, and helped bring peace between my classmates. Even as a child I knew that I was going to be a lawyer and proudly did my first trial in the 7th grade as a mock divorce for my elementary school sweethearts . I then went on to being President of my High school debate team, further refining my verbal and analytical skills. It was no surprise then that my passion was the law, and that I would go on to law school. During my time at St. Thomas University School of Law, I graduated First in my Class with the Highest Honors given. I was also privileged to deliver the graduation speech to a warm and welcoming standing ovation. While a law student, I also received the most awards for achieving the highest grades in over 11 law school courses, as well as receiving the prestigious West Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award, among accolades. I served on Law Review (reserved only for those demonstrating academic excellence), International Moot Court and American Trial Lawyers, as well as achieving the highest honor in Appellate Oral Argument. Because of my love of the law, it was important for me to reciprocate my blessings and so I tutored students who were on academic probation and together we achie

St. Thomas University School of Law

J.D. (1997) | Law

1994 - 1997

Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Ranked First for Moot Court Oral Argument in Appellate Advocacy, Ranked “Great all Around” in Trial Advocacy Program, Winner of American Trial Lawyers Competition Saint Thomas Academic Tutor, Peter T. Fay American Inns of Court

Activities: American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA), Florida Association of Women Lawyers (FAWL), Knowledge is Power, American Bar Association (ABA), Phi Alpha Delta (PAD)

Florida International University

B.A. | Political Science

1988 - 1992

Florida International University

B.A. (1992) | Sociology

1988 - 1992

Florida International University

Minor (1992) | Philosophy

1987 - 1992

Owner/ President

Law Office Of Rima C. Bardawil, P.A.

2001 - Current

Concentration in Insurance, Negligence, Contract, Commercial, and Real Estate litigation, including Real Estate Closing Representation, and Consultation. Duties include: analyzing cases, filing, litigating, and defending law suits; drafting and arguing various motions; extensive legal research and writing; bench and Jury Trials; as well as all aspects of Appellate work. Significant success rate in trial and appellate work, as well as favorable settlements for both Plaintiff and Defendant clients.

Associate in Civil Litigation Law Firm

Lidsky, Vaccaro & Montes, P.A

1999 - 2001

Practiced primarily in Insurance Law, specifically representing Plaintiff’s in first and third party litigation. Personally in charge of over 120 litigation files. Duties included: litigating, drafting and arguing various motions, extensive legal research and writing, all aspects of trial work as well as appellate work.

In House Defense Attorney

Fidelity National Insurance Co.

1997 - 1999

Responsible for over 180 active cases. Duties included taking cases from pre-suit through to completion: Answering complaints, responding to discovery, propounding discovery, attending and taking depositions, procedural as well as substantive motions and hearings (i.e. summary judgments, motion to dismiss, attorney fee hearings, etc.) appeals, mediations, as well as oral arguments and trial. Also served as advisor for Insurance Company regarding trial strategies, legal opinions and case law, as well as in-house seminars/procedures on depositions of corporate representatives.

Legal Consultant

Law Office of Arthur Vincent, Esq.

1997 - 1997

Assisted Sole practitioner with research and drafting memoranda’s and pleadings. Performed title and lien searched. Prepared cases for trial. Maintained and updated case files.

Client Distinction Award

Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Winner of American Trial Lawyers Competition

American Trial Lawyers Association

1997

'Great All Around' in Trial Advocacy Program

St. Thomas University School of Law

1997

Valedictorian

St. Thomas University School of Law

1997

West Publishing Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award

St. Thomas University School of Law

1997

Florida Justice Association

Member

2015 - Current

Hialeah-Miami Lakes Bar Association

Member

2015 - Current

Florida Association for Women Lawyers

Member

2013 - Current

Miami-Dade County Bar Association

Member

2012 - Current

Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce

Board Director

2006 - 2008

• Free Consultation
  30 minute consultation. By appointment only.
• Contingent Fees
  No recovery, no fee.