In Memoriam

Honoring Those Who Shaped Our Firm

Florida Advocates was built by dedicated Lawyers who believed in treating clients like family. We honor the memory of colleagues whose contributions, mentorship, and friendship helped make this firm what it is today. Their legacy lives on in the values we uphold and the clients we serve.

James D. Underwood

1963 – 2024

J.D., as everyone called him, joined Florida Advocates as a law clerk more than twenty-five years ago. He became a partner in 2019. On January 31, 2024, we lost him — and the firm lost one of its most dedicated advocates.

Born in Harriman, Tennessee, J.D. earned his B.A. from Emory and Henry College and his law degree from St. Thomas University, where he was a member of the Moot Court Team. He concentrated his practice in insurance litigation, with a particular focus on jury and bench trials.

Over his career, J.D. participated in more than 5,000 PIP and insurance cases, including appeals. Several of his cases were published in the Florida Law Weekly Supplement. He was a contributing author of Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law (P.I.P.), printed and nationally distributed by West Publishing.

What made J.D. unique was his perspective. Before joining the plaintiff’s bar, he served as claims counsel for an insurance company for over fifteen years — training their entire claims department on PIP law and helping them avoid the mistakes that lead to costly litigation. That insider knowledge made him an invaluable advocate for the clients he later represented.

J.D. was a regular speaker at the Florida Chiropractic Physicians Association’s annual continuing education summit and a frequent instructor for Lawyers, judges, and insurers on Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law.

Outside the office, J.D. volunteered with Save Dade, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting discrimination, and served as President of the North Dade Bar Association from 2008 to 2009.

J.D. was an integral part of this firm’s success. He is deeply missed — both as a colleague and as a friend.

Daniel Chang

1965 – 2017

Dan Chang was a founding member of Florida Advocates and a lifelong friend to everyone at the firm. He passed away from cancer in 2017, but his contributions to the firm and the legal community endure.

Dan earned his B.S. in Computer Science (Summa Cum Laude) from Florida State University, where he was also salutatorian of his high school class. He went on to earn both his J.D. (with honors) and M.S. from the University of Florida, where he was named to the Order of the Coif — one of the highest honors in legal education.

Dan practiced in the areas of No-Fault (PIP) and Workers’ Compensation insurance litigation. He co-authored two Florida Bar Journal articles on Workers’ Compensation and Managed Care: “What is That Major Contributing Cause, Anyway?” (January 2000) and “Managing Managed Care: An Analysis of Managed Care Within Worker’s Compensation Claims.”

Beyond insurance law, Dan served as one of the Lawyers representing the Miami family of Elian Gonzalez and as general counsel to Ted Williams Enterprises. He also served as a professor of Computer Science at Florida State University — a testament to the breadth of his intellect and interests.

Dan’s brilliance, kindness, and quiet dedication helped shape the culture of this firm. We honor his memory and his lasting contribution to Florida Advocates.