Eugene K. Pettis

Firm
6 Best Lawyers awards
Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Eugene K. Pettis is a Founder of Osborne, Francis & Pettis, PLLC, and a Partner in the Fort Lauderdale office. For 40 years, Eugene has represented an impressive number of individual clients in civil trial matters. He handles a range of complex cases, with a primary focus on representing plaintiffs in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury and commercial litigation.
Eugene has the historic and laudable designation as the first African American President of The Florida Bar. In his role at the helm of The Florida Bar, which governs more than 100,000 attorneys, he provided visionary leadership and brought a passion for giving back to his profession and his community. Eugene spearheaded an assortment of initiatives while President, including the conceptualization of the still active William Reece Smith Leadership Academy, a multi-session training program designed to help a diverse and inclusive group of lawyers become better leaders.
Eugene is a highly sought-after speaker who uses his engaging and enthusiastic style to raise the concerns and issues that are confronting our communities. He fights to speak for those that have no voice and has dedicated his life advocating for justice and equality for all people. Eugene is also the host of the Can We Talk? 360° podcast. His “Can We Talk 360°” interview sessions and “Motivational Moments” solo sessions focus on topics that seek to embody what the late John Lewis stated, “if you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.”
Eugene currently serves as a member of the Board of Regents for the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. He represents Region 7, which includes Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, for a four-year term.
Eugene and his wife Pam, who is also a lawyer, live in beautiful Fort Lauderdale. Together they have 4 daughters, the oldest is a 3rd Grade school teacher, next is an in-house corporate lawyer, the third is a Doctor of Child Psychology, and the youngest is a medical doctor in her Family Medicine Residency.
Firm
6 Best Lawyers awards
Overview
- University of Florida, JD, graduated 1985
- Florida, Florida
- American Board of Trial Advocates - Member
- American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
- ClubCorp - Board of Governors
- University of Florida Foundation - Executive Board Member
- University of Florida Levin College of Law - Board of Trustees
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- Florida, Florida
- American Board of Trial Advocates - Member
- American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
- ClubCorp - Board of Governors
- University of Florida Foundation - Executive Board Member
- University of Florida Levin College of Law - Board of Trustees
- University of Florida, JD, graduated 1985
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus

- Litigation - Insurance, Fort Lauderdale (2026)
- Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Fort Lauderdale (2023)
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Fort Lauderdale (2018)
- Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Fort Lauderdale (2017)
- Employment Law - Individuals, Miami (2013)
- Litigation - Insurance
- Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- Medical Malpractice Law
- Personal Injury Litigation
- Complex
- Defendants
- Recipient, University of Florida Levin College of Law, UF Distinguished Service Award (2020)
- Recipient, The Florida Bar, Henry T. Latimer Inclusion Award (2018)
News & Media
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