Geri Howell’s practice focuses on the defense of corporations in complex litigation. Geri’s experience includes handling and managing cases from the initial pleadings stage, pre-trial litigation and discovery, through trial preparation and trial. Geri is currently a member of Shook’s team representing Philip Morris USA in the defense of smoking-and-health cases in Florida known as the Engle progeny litigation. Geri has assisted with the firm’s defense of tobacco companies in wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits, participating in 10 trials throughout Florida, including cases tried in Broward, Palm Beach, Clay, Alachua and Duval Counties.
Before joining the firm, Geri represented the state of Florida in personal injury and negligence actions and served as counsel for financial institutions in collections matters, as well litigating other commercial matters. Notably, Geri obtained a dismissal of a personal injury claim against the state on a statute of limitations defense involving issues of improper notice and waiver of sovereign immunity.