• 1976, Georgia
• 1977, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• 1978, Florida
• 1979, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, including
  Trial Bar
• 1981, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

• Mercer University
  (J.D., 1976)
• University of Florida (B.A., 1973)

Coral Gables, FL

Frederick Hasty

Frederick “Rick” E. Hasty, III, a Partner in the Miami office, joined Wicker Smith in 1985 and is the department head for the firm’s Insurance and Bad Faith practice group. In his 30+ year career, Mr. Hasty has engaged in active civil trial practice in both the state and federal courts, focusing on the defense of professional and corporate institutions. An ardent litigator, he has served as lead counsel or sole attorney in numerous civil jury trials involving medical malpractice, insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, premises liability, products liability, commercial litigation, environmental law, construction law, legal malpractice, nursing home abuse and sexual abuse.

Mr. Hasty earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida in 1973 and a Juris Doctor from Mercer University in 1976. He became a member of the State Bar of Georgia in 1976 and served two years as a Legal Advisor to the City of Macon, Georgia, defending the City in the United States District Court on all cases of alleged police brutality and civil rights violations. In 1978, Mr. Hasty was admitted to the Florida Bar and served a year with Janet Reno as an Assistant State Attorney in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for Dade County before transitioning into civil trial practice. For the next five years, he developed his civil trial practice, working at two different local firms before making his permanent residence at Wicker Smith.

An “AV” Preeminent rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, Mr. Hasty is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations. In 1987, he was named Who’s Who in American Law and he has been named among the “Top Lawyers” by the South Florida Legal Guide each year since 2005. Throughout his career he has actively lectured to over 7,000 physicians and dentists through Risk Management Seminars, presenting mock trials and other trial advocacy techniques. He enjoys the challenges of trial practice, representing clients throughout Florida and in other states.

• The Florida Bar (Health Law Section, 1983-present)
• State Bar of Georgia
• American Bar Association
• Dade County Bar Association
• Dade County Defense Bar Association
• Florida Hospital Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Council (General Counsel, 1985-1992)
• Defense Research Institute
• Top Lawyers
• Best’s Defense Lawyers
• Legal Elite