David M. Carter

David M. Carter is a partner at Gould Cooksey Fennell in Vero Beach, Florida, and one of the most credentialed personal injury and medical malpractice trial attorneys on the Treasure Coast. He has been with the firm since 1996, founded and chairs its Personal Injury & Medical Negligence Group, and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. Over his 30-year litigation career, Mr. Carter has tried numerous catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases, with recent jury verdicts and settlements ranking among the highest personal injury awards in Indian River County history.

Board Certification in Civil Trial Law

Mr. Carter is Board-Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar, a distinction held by fewer than 2% of Florida-licensed attorneys. Board certification requires demonstrated trial experience, peer review by fellow lawyers and judges, and passage of a rigorous written examination. It is the Bar’s official recognition that an attorney possesses special knowledge, skill, and proficiency in courtroom advocacy, along with the professionalism and ethics expected of a specialist.

Peer Recognition & Professional Ratings

Mr. Carter holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the peer review system’s highest designation, reflecting top marks from fellow attorneys for both legal ability and ethical standards. He has been selected to Best Lawyers in America® and named “Lawyer of the Year”, twice, an honor awarded to only a single attorney per practice area per metropolitan region annually, determined entirely by peer vote.

He has been named a Super Lawyers® honoree and, in both 2016 and 2020, was recognized as a Florida Trend “Legal Elite” in Civil Trial, a designation reserved for the top 1.4% of Florida attorneys. He maintains a 10/10 rating on Avvo and has been a member of the National Trial Lawyers “Top 100” since 2016.

Professional Leadership & Civic Appointments

Mr. Carter is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a national invitation-only organization requiring a proven record of civil jury trial experience to verdict. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Florida Justice Association (FJA) and served on the FJA’s Board of Directors for nearly a decade. He continues to speak at FJA continuing legal education seminars.

Twice appointed by Florida’s Governor, Mr. Carter has served on the 19th Judicial Circuit’s Judicial Nominating Commission, the body responsible for recommending candidates for judicial appointments in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee Counties.

Serving the Treasure Coast

Gould Cooksey Fennell serves clients throughout Indian River County, St. Lucie County, Martin County, and Okeechobee County from its office at 979 Beachland Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32963.

David Carter, Florida Bar #887579, Board-Certified Civil Trial Specialist.