Editing Fred Levin

{{Infobox Biography
| subject_name   =Fredric G. Levin
| image_name     =FredLevin.jpg
| image_size     =173px
| image_caption  =
| date_of_birth  =[[March 29]], [[1937]]
| place_of_birth =Pensacola
| date_of_death  =January 13th, 2021
| place_of_death =Pensacola, FL
| occupation     =Attorney, boxing manager
| religion       =
| spouse         =[[Marilyn Kapner|Marilyn Levin]]
| parents        =[[Abe Levin|Abe]] and [[Rose Levin]]
| children       =[[Marci Goodman]]<br/>Debra Dreyer<br/>Kimberly Brielmayer<br/>[[Martin Levin]]
| signature      =
| signaturesize  =
}}
'''Fredric Gerson Levin''' (b. [[1937, d. 2021]]) was a prominent plaintiffs' attorney and principal of the law firm [[Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Echsner & Proctor]], best known for the $13.2 billion tobacco settlement he helped win for the State of Florida. He is also known for his philanthropy to the [[Wikipedia:University of Florida|University of Florida]] and the [[Levin & Papantonio Family Foundation]], and for being the advisor and manager to champion boxers including Pensacola local [[Roy Jones, Jr.]]

==Early life & education==
Fred Levin was born on [[March 29]], [[1937]] to and [[Rose Levin|Rose]] and [[Abe Levin]], a South [[Palafox Street]] pawnbroker who was president of the [[B'Nai Israel Synagogue]] when it moved to its [[9th Avenue]] location. Levin attended [[Pensacola High School]] and in [[1954]] was among the first class to graduate from the school's new [[Maxwell Street]] location, alongside future community leaders [[M. J. Menge]], [[Lane Gilchrist]] and [[Monte Blews]].<ref>"Catching up with Class of '54." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 15, 2004.</ref>

He attended the University of Florida, where he was a member of the [[Wikipedia:Pi Lambda Phi|Pi Lambda Phi]] International Fraternity, and received his bachelor's degree in 1958. Despite earlier intentions to be a businessman, he decided to follow his brother [[David Levin|David]] into the legal profession.

{{cquote|Up until I went to law school, I never had any direction. I never really thought I was good at anything other than partying. I had to go to summer school just to get over a 2.0 to get out of the University of Florida to go to law school. I got to law school, then for the first time in my life, I really knew that I was good, I mean really good, at something and I knocked their socks off. I loved it, 16, 18 hours a day, seven days a week didn't bother me.<ref name="q&a"/>}}

He met [[Marilyn Levin|Marilyn Kapner]] in Gainesville, and they married after his first year in law school. She passed away Feb. 6, 2011. In 1961 he graduated third in his class from the UF College of Law. (The college was later named for him in [[1999]] following a $10 million donation; see [[#Philanthropy & personal life|below]].)

==Legal career==
{{main|Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Echsner & Proctor}}
Upon returning to Pensacola, Levin joined the firm that his brother [[David Levin|David]] had started with [[Reubin Askew]] in [[1955]]. His first case was for a woman whose house had burned down.<ref name="timelawyers">[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,49415-1,00.html "Are lawyers running America?"] ''Time'', July 9, 2000.</ref> The insurance company was represented by [[Bert Lane]]. "Bert was the best defense lawyer probably in the South and he had forced me into a jury trial. I wasn't planning on being a trial lawyer. I was just waiting to go to tax school. … I tried to settle for $18,500 and he had offered me $16,000. The jury came back with $50,000."<ref name="q&a"/>

The firm's prominence took off when Askew was elected Governor of Florida. It was later renamed for the younger Levin, [[Mike Papantonio]] and the other new partners.

One of Levin's signatures is his willingness to return phone calls personally, which he traces to his law school days; his new daughter [[Marci Goodman|Marci]] had gotten sick and needed a pediatrician, but none of the doctors would return his calls for several days. This had a "profound effect" on him, and he credits his first verdict of more than a million dollars to the fact that he returned the client's phone call on a Saturday.<ref name="q&a"/>

Levin represented [[Jake Horton]] in the [[Gulf Power]] [[Gulf Power corruption scandal|corruption scandal]] before his death in an [[April 10]], [[1989]] plane crash. Levin has claimed that he received blackmail and death threats during the case (including a mafia-style warning of leaving dead canaries outside his home) and has accused Gulf Power of "trying to make the public believe Jake set the plane on fire."<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,957704,00.html "Fatal Subtraction."] ''Time'', May 22, 1989.</ref>

In [[1993]], Levin advocated amending the Florida Medicaid Third Party Recovery Act to enable the State of Florida to sue the tobacco industry for the costs of treating illnesses caused by cigarette smoking. He claims the idea was suggested to him by "some guy" at a bar in British Columbia.<ref name="whostheman"/> Levin helped his longtime friend State Senator [[W. D. Childers]] draft the legislation, which eventually resulted in a $13.2 billion settlement for the State of Florida in [[1998]]. Levin's firm was awarded about $275 million for its part.

{{cquote|When I came up with the idea, I went to Senator W.D. Childers and Governor Lawton Chiles and both of them enthusiastically endorsed this statutory amendment. It was passed secretly but it was the only way it could pass. Governor Chiles told me that there is no way that we could openly pass that statute. The tobacco companies … beat the United State Senate, they're that powerful. They have the money and the influence and the lobbying force where they would defeat it no matter how good it was. … I know that the passing of this statute was, as one professor said, the engine that drove the total train for the tobacco settlement in this country. Another professor said it was the most significant piece of health care legislation ever passed in this country, and more lives would be saved by this than anything that the government has ever done. <ref name="q&a">"Fred Levin: 'I love the law and it's been good to me.'" ''Pensacola News Journal'', February 21, 1999.</ref>}}

Levin briefly left his law practice in [[2004]], but the retirement lasted "about three hours."<ref name="political"/>

He has received more than twenty-five jury verdicts in excess of $1 million, and six in excess of $10 million. He has held national records for jury verdicts involving the wrongful death of a child, the wrongful death of a housewife, the wrongful death of a wage earner, and the largest personal injury verdict in the state of Florida.<ref name="findlaw">[http://pview.findlaw.com/view/2305733_1?noconfirm=0 FindLaw profile]</ref>

===Controversies===
Levin has frequently butted heads with the Florida Bar Association and has been the subject of numerous complaints. The Florida Supreme Court reprimanded him in [[1991]] after he admitted to illegal gambling on football games. In [[1996]] he was accused by the Florida Bar of making unethical remarks to the juries of two personal injury cases, but was acquitted of the charges.

Other complaints were filed after statements Levin made during the trial of [[W. D. Childers]], his client and friend. Levin called witness for the prosecution [[Willie Junior]] a "crook and a rat fink" in an interview with [[WEAR-TV]] and told the ''[[Pensacola News Journal]]'', "If Willie was on the Titanic, he would dress like a woman and jump on the first lifeboat." Later, after [[Okaloosa County]] Judge [[T. Patterson Manley]] sentenced Childers to the maximum sentence for his [[Sunshine Law]] violations and denied an appeals bond, Levin said in an ''News Journal'' interview, "I've never been so embarrassed or ashamed of the legal profession. I believe the inmates have taken over the asylum." He was later cleared of ethics charges in both instances.<ref>"Fred Levin cleared of ethics charges." ''Pensacola News Journal'', December 9, 2003.</ref>

==Boxing management==
Levin was introduced to boxing through his brother [[Stanley Levin|Stanley's]] involvement with [[Boys Club]], where [[Roy Jones, Sr.]] ran the boxing program. After the [[Wikipedia:1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Summer Olympics]] in South Korea, where [[Roy Jones, Jr.]] was controversially awarded silver medal despite pummeling Korean opponent [[Wikipedia:Park Si-Hun]] in the final, Jones Sr. sought out the Levins to represent his son. Fred and Stanley were name co-managers of the year by the Boxing Writers Association in 1994.

Another of Levin's boxing clients was [[Wikipedia:Ike Quartey|Ike Quartey]], a former World Boxing Association welterweight champion who has been called the "Michael Jordan of Ghana." On [[January 22]], [[1999]], Levin was named an honorary chief of Ghana in a ceremony held at the United Nations.  "There are very few Americans with this honor. He is in very distinct company," said Ghanaian Ambassador Kody A. Koomson. "It is only conferred on individuals who have demonstrated they care for humanity."<ref name="ufprestige">"Levin gift will add to UF's prestige." ''Pensacola News Journal'', January 12, 1999.</ref>

He was selected as National Boxing Manager of the year in [[1995]] and received the Rocky Marciano Foundation's "President's Award" in [[2001]].<ref>"Attorney Levin wins Marciano boxing award." ''Pensacola News Journal'', December 18, 2001.</ref>

In 2007 he began representing [[Wikipedia:Juan Díaz (Mexican American boxer)|Juan Díaz]], offering his services without a fee, but resigned in February 2008. "I can no longer in good conscience represent Juan Diaz," Levin wrote at the time, lamenting his own lack of contact with the boxer. "I have never had a client complain about anything that I have done in the practice of law until now."<ref>[http://blog.nj.com/ledgerboxing/2008/03/king_to_no_longer_promote_diaz.html "King to no longer promote Diaz." ''March 5, 2008.</ref>

==Philanthropy and donations==
Levin has made frequent donations to various organizations, including his alma mater, the University of Florida, and hometown [[University of West Florida]]. In [[1984]] he donated land valued at over $1.5 million to UWF in honor of his late father, [[Abe Levin]]. He, his brother [[David Levin|David]] and law partner [[Lefferts Mabie]] gave UF land worth more than $1 million in 1994, the sale of which was used to fund six law school faculty positions.<ref name="12million">"Levin donates $12 million of tobacco money." ''Pensacola News Journal'', January 6, 1999.</ref>

In [[1992]], Levin and his partner [[Mike Papantonio]] established the [[Levin & Papantonio Family Foundation]], a charitable organization that was for many years headed by Levin's son [[Martin Levin|Martin]]. Martin said that many of his father's donations are made in [[Marilyn Levin]]'s name. "He doesn't want people to know about this side of him. He thinks compassion and kindness make a lawyer look weak. So he does things that make him look like a complete jerk."<ref name="divinitystudent"/> 

After the firm received around $300 million for its part in the tobacco settlement, an amount Levin conceded was "totally obscene,"<ref name="timelawyers"/> Levin announced two major donations: $10 million to his former law school at the University of Florida, and $2 million to the Levin & Papantonio Family Foundation. The $10 million donation was matched by the state and created the Fredric G. and Marilyn Kapner Levin Endowment Fund, and in exchange the university agreed to redesignate the College of Law, founded in 1909, the "Fredric G. Levin College of Law."

Many attorneys and legal organizations in Florida expressed displeasure over the name change, due to Levin's brusque style and past controversies, and the perception that legal institutions could be bought for a price.

"I can understand the concern that some people have about naming the college Fred G. Levin or any other name," he said. "I would have felt the same way; it would have sort of bothered me. The only thing I can say is wait until the next century," when the improvements made possible by the donation would be evident.<ref name="ufprestige"/>

Levin gave an additional $2 million to the university in 2006, along with $300,000 from attorney [[Bob Kerrigan]], earmarked for the construction of an advocacy center in honor of Martin Levin.<ref>"Levin, Kerrigan to donate money to University of Florida law school." ''Pensacola News Journal'', February 23, 2006.</ref>

Like many other members of his firm, Levin is a frequent donor to Democratic politicians' campaigns.<ref name="political">"Web sites give glimpses of political matters local and national." ''Pensacola News Journal'', April 20, 2004.</ref>

==Personal life==
Levin is married to the former [[Marilyn Levin|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. His daughter [[Marci Goodman|Marci]] has since become a [[Circuit Court]] judge, and his son [[Martin Levin|Martin]] was a rising star star attorney and became president of his father's firm in [[1996]] before renouncing the legal profession to attend Harvard Divinity School in 2002.<ref name="divinitystudent">"The Divinity Student." ''Pensacola News Journal'', August 11, 2002.</ref>

Fred and Marilyn moved into their 47-room [[Gulf Breeze]] home, "[[The Phoenix]]," which they began in [[1988]] as an investment property. They moved from their home on [[Bayou Texar]] in [[1991]] when no buyer emerged. "It was an investment that just got out of hand," said Levin. "Not many people are looking for a 26,000-plus square-foot home."<ref>"Levin home is a work of art." ''Pensacola News Journal'', February 27, 2000.</ref> Levin also owns an extravagant condominium at the [[Portofino Island Resort]], which his brother [[Allen Levin|Allen]] developed.  The Levins moved back to their Bayou Texar residence after [[Hurricane Ivan]] did serious damage to The Phoenix; the property was torn down 18 months after the damage occurred.<ref>[https://news.gulfbreezenews.com/articles/the-phoenix-returns-to-ashes/ "‘The Phoenix’ returns to ashes. Fred Levin tears down Gulf Breeze home"]  ''Gulf Breeze News'', January 26, 2006,</ref>

Levin has frequently said that he regrets dedicating so much time to his career, at the expense of his family life. "My wife raised a family without a husband and it was very difficult for her," he said. "She suffered a great deal and as a result has a lot of physical problems today."<ref name="q&a"/> He has since devoted himself to spending more time with his grandchildren than he did with his own children.

{{cquote|I'm not a great father. I would not be considered father of the year. I've enjoyed this and I've enjoyed that. I've received a helluva lot more awards and a lot more credit than I deserve. I've taken advantage. But family activities suffer. I'm fortunate to have turned out a family as good as I have. It's not my doing. … Of eight college graduations and four high school graduations, I made one high school one and one college. When my daughter Marci graduated law school, I was at the Kentucky Derby that same day. It's too late for me to make up for being a lousy father.<ref name="whostheman">[http://www.inweekly.net/article.asp?artID=4764 "Who's the Man?"] ''Independent News Journal'', June 14, 2007.</ref>}}

==Published works==
*''Opening Statement, Florida Civil Trial Practice Ch. 8 5th ed.'', 1998
*''Opening Statement, Fla. Civil Trial Prac.4th ed.'', 1990
*''A Plaintiff's Guide to Effective Opening Statements, 9 Verdicts, Settlements & Tactics'', September, 1989
*''The Winning Attitude, 2 Trial Practice News Letter 4'', 1988
*''Plaintiff's Trial Strategy, Periodic Payment Judgment'', 1987
*''The Art of Cross-Examination: A Case Study, 9 Trial Diplomacy J. 1'', 1986
*''The Trial Masters, Strategy for Opening Statement: A Case Study pp. 158-196'', 1984
*''Effective Opening Statements: The Attorney's Master Key to Courtroom Victory'', 1983
*''Structured Settlements in Review: A Case Study, The Am. J. of Trial Advocacy Vol. 4, No. 3, pg. 579, Spring'', 1981
*''Attorney's Fees, Florida Civil Practice 2d ed.'', 1980
*''Visiting Florida's No-Fault Experience: Is it Now Constitutional?, 54 Fla. Bar. J. 2'', 1980
*''Personal Injury Protection Coverage, Florida No-Fault Ins. Prac. 2d ed.'', 1979
*''A Trial Lawyers look at No-Fault, 1 Miss. College L. Rev. 271'', 1979
*''Wrongful Death and Florida's '10-20' Liability Policy -- The Twilight Zone, (1960-1961)'', 13 Fla. L. Rev. 377
*''Operations and the Rule Against Perpetuities, (1960-1961)'', 13 Fla. L. Rev. 214
*''Closing Arguments, The Last Battle'', 2003

==Awards & recognition==
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==References==
{{refbegin}}
*[http://www.levinlaw.com/Bio/FredricLevin.asp Official profile]
{{refend}}
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Attorneys|Levin, Fred]] [[Category:Philanthropists|Levin, Fred]] [[Category:Pensacola High School graduates|Levin, Fred]] [[Category:Levin family]]