Crystal Collins Spencer

With more than 29 years of courtroom experience, Crystal Spencer has earned the reputation as a dedicated and respected litigator as well as an aggressive advocate for her clients. Spencer focuses her practice in complex litigation, including business and family law matters. She has handled cases throughout the U.S. and has successfully argued in trial and appellate courts, including the Florida Supreme Court and has appeared before the highest court in New York. She has handled a number of high profile matters and successfully managed media crisis issues for clients.  She has appeared on ABC’s 20/20, NBC Dateline, Good Morning America, Today Show, CBS This Morning as well as Larry King Live and CNN, among others. Spencer, an AV Preeminent rated attorney by Martindale-Hubble, has been named a Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), and Barrister, Order of Justicia and Order of Certus. LCA Fellows comprise less than one percent of American lawyers and are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as superior ethical reputation. Named to Florida Trend’s Legal Elite in 2014, Spencer is recognized as a top attorney in Florida by her peers. Fewer than two percent of Florida Bar members receive this honor. Spencer is a member of the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, has been named a Florida Super Lawyer and has been recognized as the “Outstanding Woman in Business” by the Pensacola Business Journal.  As passionate about volunteering as she is about law, Crystal devotes tireless hours and focused leadership to the causes she champions.  She is active in numerous national, regional and community organizations, and has received the Bar’s Community Service Award. As Chair of the City of Pensacola Charter Review Commission, she was a primary drafter of Pensacola’s new charter, and spearheaded the adoption of Pensacola’s new form of government.

Email: crystal@spencerlawpa.com

 

 

1986  Florida State Courts

1991 United States Federal Court, Northern District

1998 United States Supreme Court

• University of Louisville, Louis Brandeis School of Law – Juris Doctor – 1985
• University of Kentucky – B.A., Journalism & Political Science, with high honors – 1982

• President & Shareholder, Spencer Meador Johnson, P.A. 2014 to present
• President & Shareholder, Spencer Law, P.A., 2010 to 2014
• Shareholder, Lozier, Thames, Frazier & Spencer, P.A., 2007-2010
• Shareholder & Director, Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon, 1994-2007  (Management Committee Member and Chair)
• Associate, Beggs & Lane, 1990-1994
• Assistant State Attorney, Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit, 1985-1990

• AV Preeminent Rating®, Martindale-Hubbell
• Client Distinction Award, Martindale- Hubbell
• Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
• Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
• National Association of Distinguished Counsel recognized as Nation’s Top One Percent of Attorneys
• Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend (recognized by peers as among the top 2 % of Florida Lawyers)
• Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society (consists of less than 1% of American Lawyers)
• Barrister, Order of Justitia
• Barrister, Order of Certus
• Women Leaders in the Law, Fortune, October 6, 2014
• Profiled in Town and Country, August 2014
• American Academy of Medical Malpractice Lawyers, Charter Member
• Florida Super Lawyer
• Outstanding Community Volunteer/Community Service Award – 2011, Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
• Annual Power List – 2010, 2011, 2012, 2103, 2015 Pensacola Independent News   (Area’s Top Most Influential & Powerful People)
• Outstanding Woman in Business – 2007, Pensacola Business Journal
• Best of Coast 2006 – voted Best Local Attorney, Pensacola Independent News

The Florida Bar

Health Law Section

Trial Lawyers Section

Family Law Section

Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association

Member, Florida Hospital Association/Florida Academy of Healthcare Attorneys

Member, Florida Defense Lawyers Association

Member, The Trial Law Institute

Member, Diversity Law Institute

• Chadbourne v. Chadbourne, 146 So. 3d 75 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1st Dist. Aug. 18, 2014)
• Fleming v. FWBMC, 113 So. 3d 444 (Fla. 1^st DCA 2013)
• McMahon v. McMahon, 108 So. 3d 1084 (Fla. 1^st DCA 2013)
• Griffith v. Griffith, 860 So. 2d 1069 (Fla. 1st DCA 2003)
• Sayeh R., Matter of, 670 N.Y.S. 2d 377, 91 N.Y. 2d 206, 693 N.E. 2d 724 (N.Y. 1997) co-counsel
• Sayeh R., Matter of, 659 N.Y.S. 2d 590, 239 A.D. 2d 959 (N.Y.A.D.4 Dept., 1997) co-counsel
• Mott v. Rivazfar, 653 N.Y.S. 2d 760, 236 A.D. 819 (N.Y.A.D. 4 Dept., 1997), modified by

Mott v. Rivazfar, 661 N.Y.S. 2d 417, 172 Misc. 2d 507, (N.Y.Sup., 1996) government

• Russenberger v. Russenberger, 669 So. 2d 1044 (Fla. 1996) (Relocation of custodial parent with minor children)
• Russenberger v. Russenberger, 654 So. 2d 207 (Fla. 1^st DCA 1995)
• Russenberger v. Russenberger, 639 So. 2d 963 (Fla. 1994) (Psychological examination of minor child)
• Russenberger v. Russenberger, 623 So. 2d 1244 (Fla. 1^st DCA 1993)
• M. Collins v. State of Florida, 626 So. 2d 991 (Fla. 1^st DCA 1993)

• American Heart Association

National

AHA/ACC Guideline Writing Committee Lay Member, Guideline for the Management of Patients with Hypertension (2014-2016)

AHA/ACC Guideline Writing Committee Lay Member, Guideline on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Management of Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery (2013-2014)

Lay Stakeholder Peer Review Committee Member, Basic Cellular 1, 2013, 2014

You’re The Cure on the Hill, April 2013

Volunteer Training Task Force, 2013-2014

Core Vitae, 2012, 2013, 2014

Heart & Stroke Champion

Paul Dudley White Legacy Society

Greater Southeast Affiliate (FL, GA, AL, MS, LA, TN, PR)

GSA Volunteer Executive Cabinet, 2013-present

Board of Directors, 2006-2014

Immediate Past Chair, 2013-2014

Cor Vitae Chair, 2013-2014

Chair, 2012-2013

Chair-Elect 2010-2012

Secretary/Treasurer, 2009-2010

Business Operations Chair, 2009-2010

Business Operations Committee Member, 2006-2013

Florida Advocacy Subcommittee, 2008-2012

Florida/Puerto Rico Affiliate

Board of Directors, 2005-2006; Secretary/Treasurer, 2006

Annual Meeting Committee Member, 2005-2006; Annual Meeting Go Red for Women Presenter, 2006

Heart on the Hill Committee Member, 2005-2006; Business Operations Committee Member, 2005-2006

Outstanding Freshman Volunteer, 2006;

Learn & Live Visionary Speaker, 2006-2007

 

Northwest Florida Division

Heart Ball:

Executive Leadership Team, 2008-2015; Patrons Chair, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014

Corporate Sponsor Chair, 2005-2007, 2013; Chair, 2003-2004; Vice-Chair, 2002-2003

Heart Walk:

Executive Leadership Team, 2008-2014; Team Captain, 2006-2013

Top Walker Award, 2006 – 2014; Rookie Company Award, 2006

Advocacy Volunteer, 2005-present; Fundraiser of the Year, 2004-2005

Presidential Award, 2004; Rookie of the Year Award, 2003

Leadership Circle, 2004-2009; Community Board Member, 2005-2009

• Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation Trustee, 2011, 2012,2013, 2014, 2015
• Pensacola State College

Anna Society, Founding Member

• WSRE—PBS on the Gulf Coast

Co-Chair, 40th Anniversary Celebration of Public Television, 2007

Co-Chair, 19th Annual Food and Wine Classic, 2007

• Pensacola Bay Area IMPACT 100

Member, 2004-2009

• Pensacola Little Theater/Pensacola Cultural Center

Board Member and Numerous Chairs, 1992-2006

Trustee Emeritus Lifetime

• United Way

Alexis de Tocqueville Society Member

• University of West Florida

WUWF Crystal Circle, 2013

Nautilus Society, 2007-2009

• Covenant Hospice

Ruby Society

• American Cancer Society—Escambia/Santa Rosa Chapter

Committee Chair, Past Board Member & Various Chairs

Volunteer Leadership Award

• National Society of Fund Raising Executives

Recognized as Outstanding Volunteer