Law Firm Overview

Prior to establishing a law practice in the Vero Beach - Fort Pierce, Florida area, Howard Conklin served several years as a Vice President in the legal department at AutoNation, Inc., a Fortune 100 company and Alamo Rent A Car, Inc., a subsidiary at the time. During the previous 22 years, he was named partner in the law firm of Tripp Scott Conklin and Smith, a 23 attorney law firm located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

His business background includes several years on Wall Street as a Securities Analyst with Paine Webber. He received an MBA from Syracuse University.

During the past 15 years, he has represented Alamo Rent A Car in State and Federal Court matters and in airport concession contracts and lease issues in the United States and Europe. He served 9 years on the Legal and Legislative Committee of the American Car Rental Association. He also handled matters involving ADA compliance, trade regulation, consumer contract drafting, trademark, insurance licensing, advertising regulation and legislation.

In private practice he litigated personal injury claims, product liability claims, condominium law issues, contract issues and agent/broker disputes.

His legislative and government affairs experience involved most of the 50 states and the U.S. Congress.

Military service includes 5 years active duty with the U.S. Air Force and ready reserve duty thereafter. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in Vietnam and in 1995, the Legion of Merit for Service with the Air Force Intelligence Agency and Air Force Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.

He is a FAA Licensed Aircraft Pilot and a USCG Licensed Master Near Coastal Vessel Captain.

Areas of Practice

• Deceptive Trade Practices
• Trade Regulation
• Unfair Competition
• Collections & Repossessions
• Contracts
• Advertising
• Government Relations & Lobbying
• Legislative Practice
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Aviation Accidents
• Aviation

Representative Clients

• Browning Corp. (Insurance)
• Alamo Rent a Car, Inc. (Car Rental Service)

Representative Cases

• Alamo Rent a Car v. Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority, 825 F.2d 367 (11 Circuit 1987)
• Highlands Insurance v. Gilday, 398 So.2d 834 (Fl. 4th Dist.)

References

• Northern Trust Bank

Ancillary Businesses

• Lobbying-State & Federal

West Practice Categories

Deceptive Trade Practices, Trade Regulation, Unfair Competition, Collections, Contracts, Advertising, Trademarks, Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Defense, Aviation Accidents -- Plaintiff, Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff, Americans with Disabilities Act -- Employee