Overview
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Beth Leahy has been a cornerstone of Walton Lantaff’s litigation practice since joining the firm in 1983. Originally from Philadelphia, she earned her undergraduate degree in Literature from Lycoming College, graduating magna cum laude, before continuing her legal education at Temple University School of Law and later Nova University, where she received her Juris Doctor. After a brief period working as in-house counsel for an insurance carrier, she joined Walton Lantaff in 1983 and was elected Senior Partner in 1992, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to hold that role within the firm.
Ms. Leahy concentrates her practice on civil trials and appellate work, representing insurers, employers and governmental entities in complex first- and third-party insurance defense matters. She has handled a wide range of negligence and intentional tort claims — including premises liability, negligent hiring and supervision, assault and battery, and malicious prosecution — as well as the defense of excessive force and other civil rights claims in both state and federal courts. Her work also includes workers’ compensation trial and appellate defense, employment discrimination and wage and hour matters, governmental liability, and broader employment and labor law issues. Admitted to practice before multiple federal district courts and the United States Supreme Court, she is widely recognized for her decades of courtroom experience and disciplined, solutions-focused approach to each case.
A frequent lecturer for industry organizations and continuing education programs, Ms. Leahy regularly presents on topics ranging from wrongful termination and workplace injury claims to fraud investigation and risk reduction strategies. She maintains active involvement in professional associations including RIMS and PRIMA, and has been recognized with an A-V Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Outside of her legal work, she has dedicated significant time to community leadership through The Charity Guild of Fort Lauderdale and service supporting the Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center and local school organizations.
Ms. Leahy provides the insight of a veteran litigator and the dependability of a long-standing firm leader. Clients benefit from her measured advocacy, institutional knowledge and commitment to providing clients with confidence at every stage of litigation.
Practice Areas:
- Civil Trial and Appeals
- All areas of first and third party insurance defense, including:
- All types of negligence and intentional tort claims, like premises liability, negligent hiring and supervision, assault and battery, and malicious prosecution claims
- The defense of excessive force and other civil rights claims in state and federal court
- All areas of first and third party insurance defense, including:
- Workers’ Compensation Trial and Appeal Defense
- Employment Discrimination and Wage and Hour Defense
- Governmental Liability
- Governmental Entities
- Employment and Labor Law
Admitted to Practice:
- Florida- 1980
- United States Supreme Court 1991
- United States District Court Southern District of Florida 1981
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida 2004
- United States District Court, Northern District of Florida
Education:
- Lycoming College 1977 Magna Cum Laude
- Temple University School of Law 1978
- Nova University J.D. 1980
Professional or Trade Affiliations
- Active in Risk Insurance Management Society ( RIMS)
- Active in South Florida Public Risk Management Association ( PRIMA)
Honors & Awards
- A-V rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Book Award recipient: Federal Practice and Procedure Book Award and Family Law Book Award
