Attorney Profiles

W. Russell Snyder

Born: Erie, Pennsylvania (1945)
High School: Lincoln Community High School; Lincoln, Illinois
Hometowns: Erie, Pennsylvania and Lincoln, Illinois
College: Bradley University; Peoria, Illinois; Outstanding Student in Marketing (1967); B.S. in Business Administration (1967)
Military: USAF; Logistics Officer (1967 – 1971); Decorated:  Air Force Commendation Medal for Outstanding Management Ability (1969)
Law: University of Florida; J.D. with honors (1973); Executive Editor of University of Florida Law Review
Career:

Venice, Florida from 1973; Civil Trial Practice, 40 years;

Fraud and Theft cases, Divorce, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death, Toxic torts, Real Estate and Business Disputes; Extensive work since 1983:  Estate and Trust Disputes; Mediation of Estate and Trust Dispute cases since 2005
Recognition:
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating (Martindale-Hubbell) since 1989;
Super Lawyer – Estate and Trust Disputes 2013 and 2016; Past President (2005 -2006) Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court, Sarasota, and Master Emeritus;
Founding President of South County Division of the Sarasota County Bar Association (2010 – 2011);
Chair of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee;
Mentor to younger lawyers
Community Charter Member and Past President, Venice Sunrise Rotary Club (since 1976);
Past Involvement:
President, Venice Little League (1988);
Past Chair, City of Venice Parks and Recreation Board (Beautification of Downtown Medians, Gazebo in Centennial Park and Construction of Service Club Park)

Family: Married to Iralyn, five successful children and five grandchildren

Significant Decisions – W. Russell Snyder

R. E. Bell, Incorporated v. General Development Corporation – A fraud and contract case tried in 1980.  Jury awarded fraud damages and punitive damages to general contractor.

George Fox and Carolyn Fox v. Orkin Exterminating Co. (1998) A toxic tort case by Orkin customers after Orkin treated historic house in Polk County, Florida with Chlordane, five years after its use was banned.  Jury awarded $800,000 in compensatory and $1.2 million in punitive damages after a three week trial Mr. Snyder handled with his colleague, Mark R. Thompson, an outstanding trial lawyer who had practiced in our Nation’s Capitol.

David Johnson v. William Clark – A defamation case arising out of the administration of a $30 million Florida and Virginia Estate.  (We represented a local lawyer who was Personal Representative.  Estate beneficiary was found by Federal jury in 2007 to have defamed the Personal Representative.  Jury verdict: $1 million.  (Later reduced to $500,000.00)  Mr. Snyder tried this case for one month with colleague, Brenda Nelms (who handled the complex legal arguments), who was trained at George Masa University School of Law in Fairfax, Virginia.