Trial Attorney
Raymond Reid
At only 16 years old, Raymond started college more than 800 miles away from home. Raymond is the firm’s Renaissance Man - speaks French and Creole; is well-traveled; serves as the resident technology and computer guru at Pajcic & Pajcic plus lectures nationwide.
After law school, Raymond made Jacksonville home and started his legal career as an assistant state attorney for our Fourth Judicial Circuit. Unlike ordinary prosecutors assigned to a single division, Raymond quickly earned the distinction of simultaneously prosecuting two county-court divisions, putting him in the courtroom daily while successfully managing a 500+ caseload. Raymond was soon promoted to the felony division where he also served as the ROC Juvenile attorney for his division.
Next, Raymond transitioned to civil law serving as an assistant general counsel for the City of Jacksonville. There, he was initially assigned to its Tort Litigation Department where he defended the City, its independent agencies and constitutional officers in tort litigation matters ranging from trip/falls to wrongful death cases. He also handled administrative matters (employee discipline) before the Civil Service and Sheriff's Review Boards in addition to fee payment cases. Raymond then rotated to the Governmental Operations Department where he prepared contracts and legislation, counseled various clients (including, but not limited to constitutional officers such as the Supervisor of Elections, to independent agencies such as the Duval County School Board to various city departments such as the Procurement and Supply Division) on the law relating to their endeavors and challenges. Raymond also served as the General Counsel designee for both the City's Professional Services Evaluation Committee and its General Awards Committee which were responsible for evaluating/ranking/awarding city contracts. Raymond also served on the Better Jacksonville Plan ($2.2 Billion) Legal Team and the office's Technology Committee.
Raymond then joined Pajcic & Pajcic, where he has been lead counsel in countless cases and involved in two of the firm's highest jury verdicts. Raymond's success includes seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. As early as 2005, Raymond earned an AV-rated distinction from Martindale Hubbell, a designation reserved for an attorney recognized (by peers and the judiciary) for the highest levels of skill and integrity. In 2009, Raymond was named as a Super Lawyer Rising Star. Raymond is one of few Jacksonville attorneys to earn U.S. News & World Report's annual "Best Lawyer" designation for 2015 in plaintiff's personal injury practice and he has earned that distinction again in the following years. In 2016, Raymond was inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the invitation-only organization (comprised of an equal number of plaintiff and defense attorneys, plus judges) that recognizes an attorney for high personal character and honorable reputation. In addition to earning the 2019 President’s Award, Raymond rose in the ranks and served as the 2023 President of the Jacksonville chapter of ABOTA. He has also been inducted into the International Society of Barristers, also an invitation-only group reserved for the best attorneys worldwide. As to character, in 2020, Raymond earned dual recognition as the recipient of the Professionalism Award from both the Jacksonville Bar Association (3000+ members) and the Jacksonville Chapter of ABOTA. Then, in 2023, the Jacksonville Justice Association (JJA) bestowed Raymond its Inaugural Michelline Haynes-Ruth Award further recognizing his noteworthy legal accomplishments, active interest in and positive influence upon the profession plus constructive contributions in civic and community matters, leadership, mentoring, activism, and for providing opportunities to others. Overall, in addition to straightforward cases, Raymond's experience includes complex multi-party litigation, lengthy product liability and medical malpractice trials, some lasting four to six weeks at a time. Also, obtaining a claim bill against a governmental entity is difficult and requires specialized knowledge and handling. Raymond has the distinction of obtaining not just one but two claim bills on behalf of clients. Raymond shares his knowledge and experience by lecturing locally, statewide, and nationally for meetings of groups such as the Florida Bar, ABOTA, AIEG, AAJ, the D.W. Perkins Bar, the FJA and JJA to name a few.
Personal Interests
Raymond speaks three languages and is extremely knowledgeable regarding computers and technology, frequently lecturing nationwide. He is an accomplished pianist who composes his own music. Raymond also holds a first-degree black belt and has competed in countless tournaments - 1988 State Champion & Championship Finalist (Florida Association of Martial Arts Exhibits) plus 1996 & 1997 Black Belt Division Champion (North Florida Martial Arts Association) and has conducted self-defense seminars including at the statewide Florida Judicial Assistants Association.
Public Service
Raymond has served on the Ethics Commission for the City of Jacksonville; Co-chaired the JCCI study analyzing Jacksonville's Homicide epidemic; and served on the Mayor's Pension Transition Team. Raymond is a board member of the Fraternal Order of Police Foundation. Raymond holds a first-degree black belt and is a former instructor and member of the Cuong Nhu Martial Arts Association, also a nonprofit organization. Raymond has also coached winning mock trial teams and competitors at Florida Coastal School of Law and has spoken as a guest lecturer there and at his alma mater, the University of Florida.
Education
University of Florida (Bachelor of Science, 1991; J.D., 1994)
Memberships
- The Florida Bar
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
- 2023 President, Jacksonville Chapter, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- International Society of Barristers (ISOB)
- Attorneys Information Exchange Group (AIEG)
- Member D.W. Perkins Bar Association
- Member Jacksonville Bar Association
- Member Florida Justice Association (FJA)
- Board Member Jacksonville Justice Association (JJA)
- Emeritus, Chester Bedell Inn of Court
- Board Member - The Florida Bar Foundation (2018-2022)
- Division Member - The Florida Bar Fourth Circuit Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) Division
- Member - Fourth Judicial Circuit Conviction Integrity Unit
Credentials
Raymond P. Reid Jr., admitted to the bar 1995, Florida; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida since 1997.
- Assistant State Attorney, 1995-1997;
- Assistant General Counsel, City of Jacksonville, 1997-2001
- Member, Jacksonville Ethics Commission, 2002-2004
- AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubble, a significant rating accomplishment - a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence (Ratings are based upon legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication ability and legal experience.)
- Emeritus and Former Member, Chester Bedell Inn of Court
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2009
- "Best Lawyer" 2015, US News & World Report, in plaintiffs' personal injury litigation
- US News & World Report "Best Lawyer" 2016 in plaintiffs' personal injury litigation
- Super Lawyer 2016-
- Inducted (ABOTA)American Board of Trial Advocates| 2023 President Jacksonville Chapter
- Inducted (ISOB) International Society of Barristers
- The 2019 Recipient – President’s Award by the American Board of Trial Advocates, Jacksonville Chapter
- The 2020 Recipient – Professionalism Award by the 3000+ member Jacksonville Bar Association
- The 2020 Recipient – Professionalism Award by the American Board of Trial Advocates, Jacksonville Chapter
- The 2023 Inaugural Michelline Haynes-Ruth Award bestowed by the Jacksonville Justice Association
- Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Team, 1993 & 1994
- Moot Court Team Final Four Competitor, 1993
- The William C. Gaither Award, Outstanding Moot Court Team Member, 1994
- The Order of the Barristers Award, 1994
- The Best Oralist & Set New Record, Tulane Invitational Sports Law Competition, 1994
- The University of Florida College of Law Outstanding Minority Award, 1994
Languages
- French
- Creole
Practice Areas
Raymond Reid's work at Pajcic & Pajcic includes:
- $18.7 Million Jury Verdict in Brain Injury Case
- $10.2 Million Verdict for Death from Explorer Roof Crush
- $9.3 Million Verdict for Man Injured in Car Crash
- $4 Million Jury Verdict in Wrongful Death Involving a Cyclist
- $3.6 Million for Death Not Involving Vehicle Crash
- $3.5 Million (Claim Bill) for Teen Injured by Tree Due to City's Negligence
- $3 Million Verdict for Man Injured in Vehicle Crash
- $2 Million Recovery on a $10,000 Policy
- $1.85 Million from Truck that T-Boned Police Car
- 7 Figures from 7 Defendants for 6th Wreck in 6 Nights
- $1.5 Million for Couple injured in Motorcycle Crash
- $1.4 Million Recovery on a $125,000 Policy
- Million Dollar Recovery for Old Friends of Pajcics
- $1 Million from Truck that Caused Bridge Backup
- $1 Million for Pedestrian Hit by Motorist
- $750,000 Recovery on a $10,000 Policy
- $710,000 Claim Bill for Woman Injured in Car Wreck