Eugene K. Pettis

Eugene K. Pettis is the Co-Founder and Senior Partner of Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, residing in the Fort Lauderdale office. For 37 years, Eugene has represented an impressive number of individual clients in civil trial matters and has also represented many corporate and public sector clients. He handles a range of complex cases, with a primary focus on representing plaintiffs in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury and commercial litigation.

Eugene has the historic and laudable designation as the first African American President of The Florida Bar. In his role at the helm of The Florida Bar, which governs nearly 100,000 attorneys, he provided visionary leadership and brought a passion for giving back to his profession and his community. Eugene spearheaded an assortment of initiatives while President, including the conceptualization of the still active William Reece Smith Leadership Academy, a multi-session training program designed to help a diverse and inclusive group of lawyers become better leaders.

Eugene is a highly sought-after speaker who has used his engaging and enthusiastic style to motivate thousands. He is also the host of the Can We Talk? 360° podcast. Eugene’s “Can We Talk 360°” interview sessions and “Motivational Moments” solo sessions are podcasts created to “provide a safe space where we can openly, honestly, candidly and authentically discuss different perspectives and viewpoints on an array of topics that impact humanity.”