When you are seriously injured, the attorney you choose can determine everything. Not just the size of a settlement check, but whether you get justice at all. In South Florida, one firm has built its reputation on a simple premise: if a fair settlement isn't offered, they take it to trial. That willingness to fight separates Balkan Patterson & Charbonnet from the crowd of plaintiff firms that settle early and move on.
What does it look like when a law firm is genuinely built for the courtroom? When the attorneys are board-certified civil trial specialists who came up through the prosecutor's office, argued cases in front of juries, and chose the plaintiff's side not because it was easy but because it was right?
Meet Balkan Patterson & Charbonnet
Balkan Patterson & Charbonnet is a civil trial law firm based in Boca Raton, Florida, serving clients throughout South Florida who have been harmed through someone else's negligence. The firm's core identity is trial readiness: where many plaintiff firms position themselves as settlement shops, Balkan Patterson has built 45 years of combined trial experience and actively uses that reputation as a lever for their clients.
The firm operates from offices at 1877 S. Federal Highway in Boca Raton, and it's the kind of firm where the attorneys have actually tried cases, not just filed them. Both lead attorneys are board-certified civil trial lawyers, a credential that fewer than one percent of Florida attorneys hold. That distinction matters when you are putting your case in someone's hands.
The firm is listed in the Discover Catholic Business directory as a supporter of the Catholic community in South Florida, specifically through their relationship with St. Jude Parish in Boca Raton. Florida ranks among the most active states for Catholic legal professionals in the country: the DCB directory includes 266 legal services listings in Florida alone, more than any other state.
The Attorneys Behind the Firm
The firm carries the names of three attorneys who shaped it. Understanding each one helps explain what Balkan Patterson stands for today.
Adam M. Balkan is the founding force behind the firm. A native of Huntington, New York, Balkan earned his undergraduate degree from Western New England College in 1991 and his law degree from Nova Southeastern University in 1994. Before moving to plaintiff representation, he spent five and a half years as a prosecutor in the Broward County State Attorney's office. That prosecutorial background is significant: it means Balkan learned how to build a case for trial, how to present evidence to a jury, and how to respond to the strategies of opposing counsel. When he switched to representing injured plaintiffs, he brought those skills with him.
Balkan holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest designation for legal ability and professional ethics. He is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which recognizes attorneys who have achieved settlements or verdicts over one million dollars. In 2023, he was nominated as a finalist for the Daily Business Review's Attorney of the Year award.
Leah Charbonnet brings a different path to the firm. Born and raised in Trinidad, she relocated to Florida in 1989 and went on to earn her law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2006, where she served on the Law Review. Before joining Balkan Patterson, she worked at State Street Global Advisors in Boston and at a mass tort pharmaceutical litigation firm in Houston. Like Balkan, she is a board-certified civil trial attorney, and her practice focuses on personal injury, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, motor vehicle collisions, premises liability, and defective products.
John Patterson served the firm with distinction for decades and is remembered in memoriam after his passing in March 2021. His colleagues describe him as someone of exceptional ethical standards and legal accomplishment. The firm honors his legacy by continuing the standard of practice he helped build.
What Balkan Patterson Handles
The firm's practice centers on cases where individuals or families have been seriously harmed, and the harm was preventable. These are not minor fender-benders or small disputes. Balkan Patterson focuses on cases where lives are changed: catastrophic injuries, permanent disabilities, wrongful deaths.
Personal Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents form the largest part of the practice. The firm handles car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, drunk driving cases, scooter and cyclist accidents, and child accident cases across South Florida. Their approach is not to rush to a quick settlement but to investigate thoroughly, document fully, and position each case for trial if the insurance company does not offer fair compensation.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall cases hold property owners accountable when unsafe conditions cause injury. Whether it's a wet floor in a commercial building, a poorly maintained parking lot, or a defective staircase, the firm pursues the responsible party aggressively.
Medical Malpractice is among the most complex areas of plaintiff litigation, requiring attorneys who understand both medicine and trial practice. Balkan Patterson handles cases where patients have been harmed by physician error, surgical mistakes, or failures in the standard of care.
Aviation Accidents represent one of the firm's more specialized areas. Aircraft accident cases involve federal aviation law, manufacturer liability, and a technical complexity that most firms aren't equipped to handle. Balkan Patterson has developed expertise in both private plane crashes and commercial airline incidents.
Defective Products and Misfilled Prescriptions round out the practice. When a product causes injury because of a design defect, a manufacturing error, or an undisclosed risk, the firm pursues both the manufacturer and any distributors in the chain. Similarly, pharmacy errors, where a patient receives the wrong medication, can have devastating consequences, and the firm holds pharmacies accountable for those mistakes.
Class Actions allow the firm to aggregate claims when many people have suffered from the same wrongdoing. This can be particularly effective when an individual's damages are significant but the defendant is a large corporation that routinely harms many people in similar ways.
Why This Matters for South Florida Catholics
Finding a trustworthy attorney is one of the most consequential decisions a family can face. The stakes are high, the legal system is complex, and the power imbalance between an injured individual and an insurance company is real. Having representation from attorneys who are deeply connected to your community adds a layer of accountability and trust that matters.
Balkan Patterson has chosen to support the Catholic community in Boca Raton through their relationship with St. Jude Parish. That decision reflects a commitment to the neighborhood and the people they serve. South Florida has one of the most active Catholic populations in the United States, and the DCB directory exists precisely to help Catholic families find professionals they can trust.
When a family is dealing with a serious injury, a death, or a devastating accident, they need an attorney who will genuinely fight for them. The phrase on the Balkan Patterson website, "Fighting for Justice. Changing Lives," is not marketing language. It describes a firm that built its reputation by going to trial when other firms would have settled.
For Catholics in South Florida looking for legal representation in personal injury or civil litigation matters, Balkan Patterson & Charbonnet offers the combination that matters most: trial experience, board certification, and a genuine connection to the community they serve.
You can also browse the full Catholic legal services directory across the country, or explore our guide to finding a Catholic lawyer near you for more resources.
How to Connect with Balkan Patterson
If you or someone in your family has been injured due to another party's negligence, the firm offers free initial consultations. There is no cost to speak with an attorney and understand your options.
Business Information
Balkan Patterson & Charbonnet 1877 S. Federal Highway, Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33432
Phone: (561) 750-9191 Email: info@balkanpatterson.com Website: balkanpatterson.com
The Discover Catholic Business directory includes 46,000+ listings across all 50 states. Browse legal services in Florida or search for Catholic professionals near you.
Sources:
- Balkan Patterson & Charbonnet, official website: balkanpatterson.com (practice areas, attorney bios, firm philosophy)
- Martindale-Hubbell attorney ratings methodology, martindale.com
- Florida Bar Board Certification program, floridabar.org