Justine Elias

Justine Elias is a Senior Associate in Butler’s Tampa office. She concentrates her practice on casualty defense litigation, representing individuals and companies in high-exposure lawsuits across the state of Florida. Justine is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts, as well as the United States District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.

At age 21, Justine graduated with a Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy from Stetson University College of Law, which is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the nation’s premier advocacy school. The day after sitting for the Bar exam, she moved from Tampa Bay to Miami to attend the University of Miami School of Law, where she, ultimately, earned a Master of Laws in Inter-American Law.

Justine began her career defending corporations in complex, product liability cases involving tires. These lawsuits, often claiming wrongful death and catastrophic injuries, had the potential for significant exposure to the clients. Justine’s tireless work on their behalf was instrumental in successfully mediating numerous cases valued in the seven- and, even, eight-figure range. She credits her continued success at mediation with preparation. At the inception of each case, Justine begins the meticulous preparation required for defending her clients’ interests through trial, while having an eye toward early resolution.

During her career, Justine took time away from litigation to assist disabled individuals living in pet-free homeowners associations and condominium associations to obtain medically necessary service animals. After spending a decade in Miami, Justine has moved back to Tampa Bay, where she resides with her husband and their disabled ferret.