Background
Merting, John Webster was born on June 17, 1943 in Pensacola, Florida, United States. Son of Fritz and Elizabeth Merting.
Merting, John Webster was born on June 17, 1943 in Pensacola, Florida, United States. Son of Fritz and Elizabeth Merting.
Florida State University (Bachelor of Arts cum laude, 1965). University of Virginia (Juris Doctor, 1970, replaced Bachelor of Laws, conferred, 1968).
Worked at John West. Merting, P.A. (Pensacola, Florida) specializing in Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Products Liability, Medical Negligence, Admiralty, Workers Compensation, Railroad, Longshore and Federal Tort Claims. Trials in all State and Federal Courts. Collections in excess of $2,500.00.
Admitted to the bar, 1968, Florida.
1969, United States. District Court, Northern District of Florida. 1984, United States. District Court, Middle District of Florida.
1989, United States. District Court, Southern District of Alabama.
1992, Colorado.
Phi Beta Kappa. Phi Kappa Phi; Omicron Delta Kappa.
Florida State Gold Key. Student Body President, 1964-1965.
Editor, Virginia Law Weekly, 1967-1968.
Author, "Cross-Examination of Medical Experts," Handling Accident Cases, Albert Averbach, 1993 Supplement. "Update on Handling Federal Tort Claims," Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Breckenridge, Colorado, 1994. "Structured Settlements," Annual Seminar, Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, Savannah, Georgia, 1995.
Member: Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association.
The Florida Bar (Member, Trial Lawyers Section). The Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Sustaining Member).
Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (Sustaining Member). Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (Director, 1985-1987, 1989-1995).
Maritime Law Association of the United States (Proctor in Admiralty).
New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. (Board Certified Admiralty and Maritime Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education).
John West. Merting has been in practice in Pensacola continuously since 1968, initially as a partner with Richard H. Merritt, Senior, Virginia Law "25, and then with J. McHenry Jones, Florida Law "23.
The firm opened its present offices in a restored historic mansion in 1975.
Served with Fla.N.G., 1968-1974. Member Florida Bar Association (certified admiralty and maritime law), Academy Florida Trial Lawyers (sustaining), Association Trial Lawyers American (sustaining), New York Trial Lawyers Association, Colonel Trial Lawyers Association, SoutheasternAdmiralty Law Institute (director 1985-1987, 89-95), Maritime Law Association of the United States (proctor-in-admiralty 1989), Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa (president student body 1964-1965). Clubs: Sertoma (president 1979-1980, chairman 1980-1981), Pensacola Yacht, Order of Tristan, Krewe of Lafitte, Rebellaires (president 1987-1988), Hildago, Court of Deluna (board directors 1989-1991), Pensacola Ski (president 1981-1982), Pensacola Sports Association, Gold Key, Conquistadors (board directors 1989-1991).
Founding editor The Summation, 1974-1977.
Married Linda Claytor, January 12, 1974. Children: Courtney Kristin, Shannon Michelle.