- Fred Levin
Infobox person
name = Fred G. Levin
image_size = 150px
birth_date =March 29 ,1937
birth_place =
death_date =
death_place =
nationality =United States
alma_mater =University of Florida
known_for = Benefactor of the Fredric G. Levin College of Law
spouse = Marilyn KapnerFredric Gerson Levin (born
March 29 ,1937 ) is an American plaintiffs'attorney in the state ofFlorida . The Fredric G. Levin College of Law at theUniversity of Florida is named for him. He is best known for spearheading Florida's 1998 class-action lawsuit against thetobacco industry, the first such state to file a suit with the tobacco businesses. TheAssociated Press has referred to Levin as "one of the nation's most successful civil trial lawyers." [ [http://www.sptimes.com/2002/06/23/State/In_trial__suspended_o.shtml "In trial, suspended official asks help of old ally"] - Associated Press, 6/23/02]Fred Levin graduated from
Pensacola High School in 1954. He is a graduate of theUniversity of Florida , and is an initiated brother ofPi Lambda Phi International Fraternity. The University of Florida school of law was renamed for him in 1999 following a $10 million donation. This name change garnered a mixed reception from alumni, as Levin had been accused by theFlorida Bar Association of illegal gambling on football games and in 1991 received a public reprimand from theFlorida Supreme Court . Another ethics complaint was filed in 2003 after Levin publicly ridiculed the state's witness, Willie Junior, in a case he was defending, regarding a violation of theSunshine Law .He is also well-known for being the advisor and sometime manager for boxer
Roy Jones, Jr. Currently, he practices law in his hometown of Pensacola,
Florida . One of Pensacola's wealthiest citizens, Levin is also aphilanthropist , giving to the University of Florida as well as Pensacola's Jewish community, of which he is a member. Levin has also donated to the campaigns of former Florida SenatorBob Graham and presidential candidateJohn Kerry .Levin is married to the former Marilyn Kapner. They have three daughters and a son: Marci, Debra, Kimberly, and Martin. All four of Levin's children attended the University of Florida, with two of the four following their father into professions relating to law.
References
External links
* [http://www.levinlaw.com/ Levin Papantonio law firm website]
* [http://www.levinlaw.com/Bio/FredricLevin.asp Fred Levin profile from Levin, Papantonio]
* [http://www.law.ufl.edu/ Levin College of Law] page from the [http://www.ufl.edu University of Florida]
* [http://www.pensapedia.com/wiki/Fred_Levin Fred Levin] at Pensacola wiki
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