Who We Are
A law firm where you will work with Attorneys, not case managers. We will give you an honest assessment of your file, outline the steps involved in your case sending reports with each new development, and let you know the possible outcomes for your case. We are local attorneys familiar with parties and witnesses commonly involved in personal injury litigation.
JOHN A. WILKERSON
ATTORNEY/PARTNER
John Wilkerson hails from Bloomington, Indiana where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree at Indiana University. John received a Juris Doctorate degree from Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware. He has been licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1991. He is a member in good standing with the Florida Bar and the Volusia County Bar Association. Before becoming an attorney, John served 3 years in the military, including one year in South Korea. As a lawyer, he was asked to serve on a grievance committee of the Florida Bar from 2006-2009 investigating ethics complaints against lawyers in Central Florida. John has been a civil trial lawyer handling primarily claims involving personal injuries as a result of the negligence of others (such as automobile, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents), slip and fall cases, trip and fall cases, negligent security, and premises liability cases. He has handled cases on both sides—those injured by the negligence of others and those alleged to have caused injuries by their negligence, also known as personal injury defense. John primarily represents the defense and has been doing so for nearly 30 years!
BRANDY D. ROOD
ATTORNEY/PARTNER
Brandy Rood attended the University of Central Florida (UCF) where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies with an Honors Certificate in Litigation Advocacy and a Minor in Business Administration. Brandy then graduated cum laude from Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law with an Honors Certificate in Trial Advocacy. At Barry University, Brandy was a member of the Barry Law Review and Juvenile Defense Clinic where she developed and refined analytical, research, trial practice, and writing skills that are paramount in the successful practice of law. Brandy worked for O’Mara Law Group in 2012-2013 assisting in the defense of the criminal prosecution of George Zimmerman on the charge of second-degree murder stemming from the shooting of Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012. Brandy started working with John Wilkerson in November 2013 and became Partner in 2016. After the initial client meeting, Brandy will attend Depositions and Mediations, obtain discovery, file the appropriate Motions, and attend Trial. Brandy is a member of The Florida Bar and Volusia County Bar Association.
Carol Tyler
Paralegal
Carol attended the University of Central Florida where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. Before attending college to become a paralegal, Carol graduated from Mainland High School (Daytona Beach) Summa cum Laude where she was a competitive cheerleader. Carol will be your initial contact when you choose Wilkerson & Rood, PA to handle your case. From the initial intake, Carol will gather medical records and discovery, handle document production requests, and will be your point of contact for any billing inquiries. In addition to personal injury, Carol also manages the Real Estate Title and Closing division at the firm.
Savannah Bitzer
Paralegal
Savannah attended Daytona State College where she obtained her degree in Paralegal Studies. Before college, Savannah attended our local high school in Orange City, University High School. Savannah is the personal injury case manager who will be the primary paralegal to schedule depositions, mediations, and hearings, draft motions, order investigative services including surveillance and social media searches, and prepare the attorneys for trial. Savannah is also the point of contact for Compulsory Medical Evaluations where the defense is permitted to have the Plaintiff seen by a doctor through Florida Civil Rules of Procedure.
Areas of Practice
PERSONAL INJURY DEFENSE
Our firm handles a unique kind of case in that we represent individuals and companies who have been sued as a result of an accident. The most common type of personal injury defense case is motor vehicle accidents. When you file a personal injury claim, it is your burden to prove that the other party caused the accident, your treatment is related to injuries sustained in the accident, and, in some cases, that you have a permanent injury. As your defense counsel, we will investigate the injured party’s claim and require that they prove each element of their case. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as you are aware that a lawsuit has been filed because there are very important deadlines that you must meet. At our firm, you will have access to the attorneys in every stage of the case—from filing initial pleadings to going to trial.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
In 2015, there were nearly 375,000 motor vehicle accidents in the state of Florida, accounting for nearly 250,000 injuries. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it can be an extremely stressful and confusing time. Our firm can reduce your stress during the process and allow you to concentrate on recovering from your injuries. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident due to the carelessness or negligence of another driver, Florida law allows you to be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and, in some cases, pain and suffering. Our firm has experience with working with insurance companies to receive the highest possible settlement or verdict amounts for our clients. We also have experience getting compensation for damages that are a little more difficult to determine, such as pain and suffering.
Buying and selling a home is an exciting, and at times, daunting process. With so many moving parts, it's important to hire a settlement agent who is knowledgable and organized. Our firm reviews the contract to ensure your interests are protected, guides you through the process, explains the legal impact of documents, examines title to the property, conducts the closing, and issues title insurance. Like all real estate settlement or closing agents, non-attorney or attorney, we charge a small flat fee to provide comprehensive support throughout your real estate transaction. We know how busy real estate agents are. That is why we offer MOBILE CLOSINGS also.
