Our Mediator Team

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sonya is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court, County Court, and Appellate Court Mediator.  She is also a Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator.  During the last 25 years, she litigated, evaluated, and managed thousands of personal injury and other insurance related cases across the state of Florida.  Her practice areas included: pre-suit settlement conferences/multi compete claims; auto; homeowners; premises liability; wrongful death; dog bites; negligent security; 1^st and 3^rd party property claims; and subrogation.  She stands ready to put that experience to work for you and your clients!  

Sonya has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1998 and is a current member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Trial Lawyers Sections.  She is also a member of the Orange County Bar Association.  

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT

Managing Trial Attorney 2010-2023
Law Office of Sonya S. Wesner, Nationwide Staff Counsel, Orlando, Florida
Managing Trial Attorney of an 18-person office whose clients included personal lines and commercial lines insureds, as well as Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.  Litigated, evaluated and supervised cases from Orlando to the Florida Panhandle involving auto, premises liability, wrongful death, subrogation, and first party property.    

Attorney, 2008-2010
Law Office of Patricia Garagozlo, Nationwide Staff Counsel, Clearwater, Florida
Litigated auto, premises liability, wrongful death and subrogation cases on behalf of insureds and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. 

Attorney, 2006-2007
Law Office of Vivian Knapp, Progressive Staff Counsel, West Palm Beach, Florida 2005-2007
Defended personal injury cases on behalf of insureds and Progressive Insurance Company.

Attorney, 2004-2006
Reynolds & Stowell, St. Petersburg, FL
Represented individuals and insurance carriers in personal injury litigation. 

Attorney, 2000-2004
Ramey, Ramey & Kampf, Tampa, Florida
Represented individuals and insurance carriers in personal injury litigation.  

Attorney, 1998-2000
Pine & Bergier, Hartford Staff Counsel, Tampa Florida
Defended small business owners in workers compensation cases. 

EDUCATION

Juris Doctorate, Stetson University College of Law, 1998

• Chief Justice, Moot Court, 1997-1998
• 1^st Place Team- E. Earl Zehmer Workers Compensation Moot Court, 1996 
• Public Service Fellow 1996-1998

Master of Education, University of Florida, 1993

Bachelor of Arts, English, University of Florida, 1991