Background
Curtis J. Mase has 34 years of experience practicing personal injury cases in Miami, South Florida, and across the state. His passion for helping people made him decide that, after years of defending Corporate America, he would focus on protecting those who have been the seriously injured and aggrieved, ensuring that they are made as whole as possible. He focuses on fighting for those injured in a wide range of accidents, including: boating accidents, cruise ship, jet ski and dive injuries, liquor liability, sexual assaults, negligent security, slip and falls, products liability, dog bites, and motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents.
Mase has built a reputation in Miami and beyond for handling complex maritime injury, sexual assault and liability for alcohol service cases. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbel and has been recognized in US News & World Report’s “Best Lawyer’s in America” and “Lawyer of the Year” – Admiralty & Maritime” categories, Florida Super Lawyers, South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers, Florida Legal Elite, and Legal Leaders Top Rated Lawyers – Personal Injury, Litigation, Class Action. He is a member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Born and raised in Miami (South Florida), Mr. Mase attended Florida State University College of Law, where he found his passion and talent for trial work. As an intern at the Fort Meyers State Attorney’s Office, he quickly realized that he was destined to be a trial lawyer and to help people.
In 1997, Mase founded Mase Mebane Seitz and from the outset, unlike other “defense” lawyers, he continued to represent people injured by negligent and unscrupulous businesses. Over the years, he has tried hundreds of jury and non-jury matters in Florida and across the country. In addition to his active trial practice, Mase has argued numerous appeals in both state and federal court, including the Florida Supreme Court, and has arbitrated cases in the US, Europe and in the Philippines. He has also written and lectured on a number of subjects, including trial practice and procedure, evidence and admiralty and maritime law.
Education
Florida State University
B.A., English and Business, 1982
Florida State University College of Law
J.D., honors, 1984
Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law
Moot Court
Bar Admissions & Certifications
- Florida, 1985
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2000
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1986
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
Honors & Recognition
- AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Florida Legal Elite, 2013
- Super Lawyers, 2009-Present
- Legal Leaders, Top Rated Lawyers, 2015
- Personal injury, Litigation, Class Action
- South Florida Business Journal, Top 100 Law Firms, 2020
- South Florida Business & Wealth, Top 100 Law Firms, 2018
- South Florida Legal Guide “Top Lawyer,” 2006-2018
- US News & World Report “Best Lawyers in America”, 2008-Present
- US News & World Report Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” Admiralty & Maritime – Miami, 2014, 2021
Press
Curtis Mase Provides Expert Opinion on Couple’s Removal from Celebrity Cruise
Read MoreMembership & Community Involvement
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Association, Committee on Admiralty and Maritime Litigation, 2014-present
- Dade County Bar Association, 1985-present
- Dade County Bar Association, Civil Litigation Committee
- Dade County Bar Association, Federal Court Committee
- Florida Justice Association, 2009-present
- Florida Bar, Code and Rules of Evidence Committee, 1986-1988
- Florida Bar, Admiralty Law Committee
- Florida Bar, Grievance Committee, 2005-2008
- Marine Council, 2014-present
- Maritime Law Association of the United States, 1991-present
- Cruise Line Committee, Vice Chair (2017)
- Miami Propeller Club, 2004-2017
- Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
- Spellman Hoeveler Inns of Court, 2012-present
- Water’s Edge Condo Association, Vice President 1987-1988, President 1990-1991
- Snapper Creek Lakes Club, Vice President, 1995-2009
- Snapper Creek Lakes Marina, President, 2000-2009
Speaking Engagements
- The Florida Bar Admiralty Law Committee Passenger & Crew Claims Panel:
- “Booze, Brawls, Sex and Falls”, 2020
- Marine Insurance and Maritime-related issues arising prior to, during, and after a hurricane, 2018
- Passenger and Seafarer Injury Litigation and Arbitrations, 2017
- International Academy of Cruise Ship Medicine: Legal Aspects of Maritime Medicine 2003-2019
- Cruise Industry and Seafarers Claims Seminar: “Required Proof in Passenger Medical Negligence Claims post-Franza”, 2017-2018
- Nova Southeastern University and the Forensic Sciences and Law Education Group – Forensic Science on Trial: Who’s Judging the Experts? 2015
- Thomas Miller Personal Injury Seminar, 2014:
- Adverse Jury Verdicts in Injury Cases: Responses and Strategies
- Distinctions Between Arbitration and Litigation
- Dade County Bar Association, Bench & Bar Conference: Latest Developments in Admiralty Law, 2013
- Maritime Law Association Cruise Lines & Passenger Ships Committee, 2013
- Sexual Harassment Investigation, 2011
- Instructor, College of Advanced Judicial Studies, Admiralty and Maritime Law, 2010
- ICCL Arbitration of Crew Claims 2010
- Attorney Client Privilege-Work Product Privilege, 2007
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