Howard Coker is recognized by his peers as a prominent Florida trial attorney, he is a passionate and active advocate. In the pursuit of justice, Mr. Coker has tried over 350 jury trials to conclusion and handled thousands of mediated settlements – a top record for results.
For his tireless service and consistent commitment to both professional and community organizations, Mr. Coker has received a number of significant awards and honors. He holds multiple lifetime achievement awards, including the Jacksonville Business Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2017), and the Florida Justice Association’s Perry Nichols Award (2006) and Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award (2009). He has been named as one of Florida Trend Magazine’s top 1% “Legal Elite”, listed as a Florida Super Lawyer every year since the program’s inception in 2006, and consistently chosen as a Top 100 Florida Super Lawyer.
Among Mr. Coker’s numerous professional affiliations are his 2008 appointment by the Florida Governor as a member of the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and his 2010 appointment by the Florida Supreme Court to the Florida Innocence Commission. He was awarded the ABA-TIPS Award for Lifetime Pursuit of Justice in 2011, named Best Lawyers’ Jacksonville Personal Injury Litigator of the Year in 2014, received the 2016 Compassionate Gladiator Award for Strength, Skill, Drive and Heart from the Florida Justice Association and the 2017 Ultimate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jacksonville Business Journal. Aside from these distinguished accomplishments, Mr. Coker continues to volunteer his time and efforts to a long list of civic and nonprofit organizations, even receiving the 2017 Bob Hayes “Man of the Year” Community Service Award.
Mr. Coker works with Ansbacher Law through our ongoing collaboration with the Coker Law firm.
Professional Associations
- Courts of the State of Florida
- U.S. District Court – Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court – Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court – Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals – 11th Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Jacksonville Bar Association
- The Florida Bar
- President, 1998-1999
- Board of Governors, 1994-1998
- All Bar Conference Committee, 1996
- Annual Meeting Committee, 1996
- Chair, Board Review Committee on Professional Ethics
- Chair, Section Leadership Conference
- Budget Committee
- Chair, Program Evaluation Committee
- Executive Council of the Trial Lawyers Section, 1987-1994; Chair, 1992-1993
- Executive Committee, 1989-1992
- Council of Sections, 1991-1994; Chair, 1993-1994
- Basic Trial Advocacy School of The Florida Bar; Faculty and Workshop Leader, 1981-1992
- Advanced Trial Advocacy School of The Florida Bar
- Co-Chairman, 1991
- Faculty, 1991-1994
- Steering Committee, 1992-1994
- The Florida Bar Foundation: Fellow, Life Member
- American Bar Association:
- House of Delegates, 1997-1999
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- International Society of Barristers; Fellow, 1998-present
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers
- Fellow, 2001-present
- Roscoe Pound Foundation
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Board Member, 2003-2004
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Charter Member; President, Jacksonville Chapter, 1988
- Diplomat, 1995
- Charter Fellow
- Florida Federation; President, 1997
- Jacksonville Chapter Representative, 1989-present
- Florida Justice Association
- Eagle Member
- Eagle Centurion Award, 2021
- President, 2002-2003
- Board of Directors, 1995-present
- First Coast Trial Lawyers Association
- Florida Lawyer Association for the Maintenance of Excellence; Board of Directors, 1995-1997
- The Chester Bedell Memorial Foundation; Board of Trustees, 1996-2001
- The Chester Bedell Inns of Court, Master, 1997
- Southern Trial Lawyers Association
- University of Florida Mock Trial Team Adviser, 1991-1996
- University of North Florida, Adjunct Professor
- Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, President, 2005-present
- United States Supreme Court Historical Society
- Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, 2008-present
- Florida Innocence Commission Member, appointed 2010 by the Florida Supreme Court
Community Associations
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: Board of Directors, Chairman
- Florida Ducks Unlimited; Life Sponsor
- Florida Conservation Association; President, 1994
