Our Mediator Team

Sonya Wesner

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mrs. Wesner is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator.  Before joining Mediate First, she litigated and managed thousands of civil cases across the state of Florida in her 25 year career.  She has coached several moot court teams and has served as a judge in multiple mock trial and moot court competitions.  Prior to law school, Mrs. Wesner taught for English for 2 years.  Mrs. Wesner has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1998.

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
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
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
  • 1st 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