Joseph John Reiter

Joe Reiter’s reputation as a fighter was born of survival. He grew up in a near-northside Chicago slum tenement in a rough neighborhood shared by several gangs. He learned early on that the only way out of poverty was through education and hard work.

He attended the University of Illinois and received a Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University where he was a Dana Scholar. On the eve of his graduation, Reiter accepted an offer to join a West Palm Beach law firm where he and Lake Lytal, Jr., practiced together until they formed Lytal & Reiter in 1985.

Joe Reiter’s leadership in and contributions to his profession, as well as his reputation among his peers, are well documented by a highly successful career, election as President of The Florida Bar and subsequently recipient of the Outstanding Past Voluntary Bar President Award.

A Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Reiter is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the 5th and 11th Circuit Federal Courts. He is also a member of the New York Bar.

Reiter’s trial experience and tenacity has resulted in many multi-million dollar judgments totaling in excess of $100 million. He is recognized as one of the best personal injury lawyers in the country by the prestigious publication, "The Best Lawyers in America," and has been consistently recognized as one of the top personal injury lawyers in south Florida by "The South Florida Legal Guide." In 2005, he was awarded the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Mickey Smiley Award for serving as a mentor and role model to young trial lawyers.

He has served as Chairman of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, the state organization that oversees the conduct of judges. He acted as special prosecutor for The Florida Bar in discipline matters and as special counsel to Governor Askew on matters involving The Florida Bar. He also served on the Florida Judicial Council for many years and made several recommendations toward the improvement of the Florida court system. Joe Reiter served as Chairman of the Board of St. Andrews School in Boca Raton.

Joe Reiter’s leadership roles and memberships in professional associations include: membership in the Federal Bar, The Florida Bar, New York Bar and American Bar Associations; elected delegate to the American Bar Association; fellow, Florida Justice Association; member of the American Association for Justice; diplomate, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; past President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, lecturer for The Florida Bar on Ethics and Personal Injury; member of the Congressional Federal Advisory Commission for the Southern District for the State of Florida; member of the International Society of Barristers; board member of the Palm Beach County Legal Aid Society; and, member of the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for the Southern District of Florida.He also served as Special Counsel to Senator Bob Graham in Washington, D.C.

As a community leader, Reiter has been President of the Rotary Club of West Palm Beach, President of United Way of Palm Beach County and Chairman of the United Way Campaign, past Chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Palm Beach County, past Chairman of the Florida Arts Council of the State of Florida and former board member of the Palm Beach County Council of the Arts. Reiter received the U.S. National YMCA Outstanding District Leadership Award in recognition of his services on behalf of youth in the community and the YMCA organization. Graduate of the Stetson College of Law, and has received the American Legion Service Award.