Todd S. Payne, Esq., is a partner and chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice at Shaw Lewenz in Fort Lauderdale. A highly accomplished litigator, transactional attorney, and Florida Supreme Court certified mediator, Payne has spent nearly four decades representing clients in high-stakes commercial, healthcare, and aviation litigation, securing multiple multi-million-dollar jury verdicts. Notably, as an FAA certified pilot, he leveraged his unique aviation expertise to secure a landmark $100 million verdict for a permanently disabled pilot.
Payne’s history with the University of Miami runs deep. As an undergraduate, he was a member of the Iron Arrow Honor Society. After earning his J.D. in 1989, his loyalty to Miami Law never wavered. He is a past president of the Law Alumni Association, a recipient of the Thomas Davison III Memorial Service Award, the University of Miami Orange Award for Outstanding Service, and a continuous donor since 1992. Consistently ranked by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers, Payne embodies the excellence of a true Miami Hurricane.
What aspects of the curriculum or faculty had the most significant impact on your legal education and career trajectory?
I believe the Socratic method of teaching had a tremendous impact on my professional career because it is the foundation of what we do as lawyers; one, it forces you to acknowledge the need to learn every day; and two, it encourages the search for knowledge through research and interaction with others.
How did your education at the University of Miami School of Law prepare you for your career?
It challenged me every day, just as life does.
What opportunities or connections did you gain at the law school, and how did they influence your career?
The diverse backgrounds and experiences of the law students at the University of Miami School of Law and their careers after law school have afforded me opportunities to interact with fellow alumni almost anywhere in the world in a variety of professions-not just in legal careers.
