RumbergerKirk is pleased to announce that Orlando lawyer Damien Orato has been elected to partner.

“We are very proud to welcome Damien to the RK partnership,” said Frank Sheppard, Managing Partner. “He is an extremely talented lawyer who has demonstrated the essential traits, both in skills and leadership, the firm needs for continued growth and success.”

Orato practices in the areas of product liability, commercial litigation, trucking defense and casualty defense. In his product liability practice, he represents motor vehicle manufacturers, including automobiles, motorcycles and personal watercrafts, against negligence and strict liability claims based upon alleged product defects that resulted in injury or death. He also represents manufacturers and distributors of a wide range of products, such as construction equipment, tools, plumbing and recreational products.

In his trucking defense practice, Orato represents trucking companies against significant and catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims.  Orato has successfully defended truck drivers and companies in trials throughout Florida. His commercial litigation practice involves the representation of individuals and companies in contract disputes and claims of fraud. The casualty defense portion of his practice includes premises liability, professional liability and motor vehicle accidents. In one of his recent trials, Orato obtained a defense verdict for an apartment complex in a negligent security case that involved the shooting of a tenant.

Orato earned a law degree, cum laude, from Florida State University College of Law, where he served as Articles Editor of the Florida State University Law Review, and received several honors including Order of the Coif, Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award, and Outstanding Editor of the Year for Law Review, Volume 33.