Montoya honored for outstanding dedication to women’s issues

The law firm of Colson Hicks Eidson is pleased to announce that partner Patrick S. Montoya has been awarded the prestigious Theodore Klein Award by the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (FAWL) for his steadfast dedication to supporting women’s issues and advancement.

The award was presented to Montoya at the organization’s 35^th annual judicial reception held on December 7, 2017. Named after Judge Theodore Klein, the award is given each year to a male lawyer or judge in the community who has demonstrated initiative and dedication to women’s issues.

“This honor means a great deal to me both personally and professionally,” said Montoya. “I have been fortunate to have worked with FAWL over the years on the GOOD Guys program and am humbled to receive this recognition from my colleagues.”

FAWL’s Miami-Dade Chapter “GOOD Guys” program is an initiative to engage men in the advancement of women lawyers within the law profession.

With more than 15 years of experience, Montoya represents plaintiffs in personal injury litigation, commercial litigation, products liability, class action, and wrongful death. A fellow of the American Bar Association, Montoya currently serves on the Dade County Bar Association board of directors and

is running for Seat 3 on the 11^th Judicial Circuit to represent The Florida Bar Board of Governors.

He previously served as president of the Miami Chapter of the American Inns of Court and on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida’s Ad Hoc Committee on Rules and Procedures.

He also received the Dade Community Foundation’s “Donor Next Door” Award for his volunteerism on the executive committee for the National Conference of Community and Justice (NCCJ), Greater Miami Region.

Montoya lectures nationally to attorneys and paralegals on a variety of legal issues and is a former adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law in the Legal Research and Writing program. He recently published a book on Florida Evidence and Procedure, a practical perspective on Florida’s evidentiary and procedural codes from a trial lawyer’s point of view.

Montoya earned his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law as a member of the Moot Court Board and Inter-American Law Review. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a concentration in Ethnic Studies, from Davidson College where he also lettered in football.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

The Law Firm of Colson Hicks Eidson is a trial firm with nearly 50 years of experience handling local, national and international litigation, and arbitration. Members of the firm have been involved in some of the country’s most high-profile and landmark cases resulting in impactful and precedential rulings. A mid-size firm with a diverse staff comprised of more than 50 percent women and minorities, Colson Hicks Eidson prides itself on a track record of developing future leaders within the legal profession and its civic and community involvement. Members of the firm have held notable positions serving on the boards of prominent institutions, such as the State University System of Florida and the Florida State Board of Education, and holding high-ranking offices, including President of the 60,000-member American Association for Justice; President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; President of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers; President of the Dade County Bar Association; President of the Miami-Dade Florida Association of Women Lawyers; United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; and Chairman of the Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission.