Tonya J. Meister founded Meister Law, LLC. She is an Admiralty and Maritime law expert. She is board certified by the Florida Bar. She handles maritime personal injury, sexual assaults and wrongful death claims. Mrs. Meister represents injured crew and passengers from all types of vessels, including cruise ships, recreational boats, cargo ships, tugs/barges, casino boats and others. She assists crew members obtain unpaid wages, disability and retirement benefits. She also represents businesses and individuals that suffer losses from maritime disasters including the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
She is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, all Florida State courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Mrs. Meister currently serves as the vice chair of the Admiralty Law Committee of the Florida Bar and formerly served as chair. In addition, she currently serves as the chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee "11F." Mrs. Meister is legal counsel for Port Ministries International. She is on the Advisory Board of the Space Coast Seafarer's Ministry. She is an Alumni Board of Director for Barry University.
Mrs. Meister wrote an Amicus Brief in the Atlantic Sounding v. Townsend case and attended the oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court. This was a landmark maritime law decision to protect seafarers.
Mrs. Meister has presented seminars on various maritime topics including Update on the Eleventh, Eighth, Seventh and Sixth Circuits for a Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute; Update on Crew Injury Claims for the Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law; Cruise Ship Law for the Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law; Crew Arbitration for a Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law; and Forum Non Conveniens for an American Trial Lawyers Association (now American Justice Association). In addition she has taught classes and/or given presentations at St. Thomas Law School, University of Miami Law School, and Florida International University.
Mrs. Meister has been featured on television (international, national and local) regarding maritime law matters.
