Jay Plotkin has been an active trial attorney for more than thirty-five years and has taken more than one hundred cases to trial, from capital murder cases to multimillion dollar wrongful death cases. Today, Jay continues to focus his efforts on trial work in the areas of personal injury law; medical malpractice; products liability; and mass torts.
Professional Concentration: Jay began his legal career as a litigation associate with the law firm of Smith and Hulsey in Jacksonville, Florida. In April, 1987, he became an Assistant State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit covering Duval, Clay, and Nassau County. While in the State Attorney's Office, he prosecuted a wide range of cases from misdemeanors to homicides, including time spent specializing in the prosecution of child abuse cases and repeat offenders. From 1993 until 2009, Jay served as the Director of the State Attorney's Office Nationally acclaimed Juvenile Justice Divisions. In April 1999, Jay was promoted to Chief Assistant State Attorney. Until January 2009, he supervised all aspects of an office of one hundred attorneys and over three hundred support staff while continuing to be an active trial lawyer.
Honors/Awards: In 2006, Jay was recognized by the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association as the Prosecutor of the year for the State of Florida. In 2007, the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville presented their Good Government Award to Jay in recognition of outstanding service to the community and the City of Jacksonville. Jay has also received recognition from The Florida Bar for his pro bono efforts.
Born: Jacksonville, Florida
Admitted: Jay was admitted to the Florida Bar in October, 1986 and the Middle District of Florida in 2009.
Education: Jay Plotkin received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. While at the University of Florida, Jay participated in Moot Court and was an Intramural Competition champion. Upon graduation, he was elected to Order of the Barrister for Excellent Skills in Advocacy.
Community and Professional Organizations: Jay is active in our community. Jay is a Leadership Jacksonville alumnus (class of 2001), a past Board Chair for Communities In Schools of Jacksonville, and a former executive board member of the Jacksonville Housing Authority. Jay is also an active member and a Past President of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville. Jay has served on the Florida Supreme Court's Commission on the Legal Needs of Children and the Florida Bar Permanent Standing Committee on the Legal Needs of Children. Jay is also a Master of The Chester Bedell Inn of Court.
