Lewis S. Eidson | Colson Hicks Eidson

Complex Civil Litigation, Professional Liability,
Medical Negligence, Class Action + Mass Tort Litigation

Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson

Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson is an attorney and the President and Senior Partner of Colson Hicks Eidson. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Emory University Law School, where he was a Woodruff Law Scholar, and specializes in complex litigation areas, including personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, medical malpractice, motor vehicle crashworthiness cases, insurance disputes, professional liability, mass tort aviation cases, commercial law, and class actions. Mr. Eidson has extensive trial experience in both federal and state courts, as well as mediation and arbitration, and was President of the American Association of Justice from 2006-2007.

Areas of Experience

Bio

With over four decades of experience, Lewis “Mike” Eidson has played leadership roles in several important product liability cases across the United States. He entered law practice in 1974 with Colson Hicks Eidson, and he is now an attorney and the President of the firm.

He got his Juris Doctor from Emory University Law School, where he was awarded the Woodruff Law Scholarship. Prior to his legal studies, Mr. Eidson pursued his undergraduate education at the University of South Carolina, Warwick University in Coventry, England, and Georgia State University. 

Mr. Eidson was an outstanding athlete during his undergraduate years, serving as captain of the Track Team from 1964 to 1968 and the Cross Country Team in 1967. In 1968, he was named Atlantic Coast Conference Student-Athlete of the Year and received the Most Valuable Player award for his outstanding performance on the University of South Carolina Track Team.

In addition, Mr. Eidson also has a commendable military background, having served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army from 1968 to 1971. He served in the Reserves until 1972, and then in the United States Army Reserves from 1972 to 1981.

He was admitted to the bar in Georgia in 1971 and in Florida in 1972, and specializes in complex litigation in areas such as personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, medical malpractice, motor vehicle crashworthiness cases, insurance disputes, professional liability, mass tort aviation cases, commercial law, and class actions. Mr. Eidson has successfully handled trials in both federal and state courts, as well as mediations and arbitrations.

In the case of Havlick vs. Ford Motor Company, Mr. Eidson won the first Pinto gas tank explosion case in the country in 1975, with the court ruling that the Ford Pinto fuel system was unreasonably dangerous and accepting crashworthiness as an acceptable legal theory in Florida. The case created new standards for fuel system safety, and the case was affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court.

He was the lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the Firestone/Ford MDL, Case No. 1373, from November 2000 to 2004. The case was about accidents involving Ford Explorers and Firestone tires that happened in different parts of the world. He represented more than 125 people who were hurt or killed in these accidents. The case involved coordinating with similar cases pending in state courts, as well as over 1,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases and more than 100 class-action economic loss cases consolidated for core discovery, the development of expert witnesses, and other related matters. Many of the cases in this matter resulted from accidents in other countries.  

Mr. Eidson was also the lead attorney in a case brought by victims from nine different nations who lost their lives in the 1996 crash of AeroPeru Flight 603 against Boeing Corporation. 

Lewis “Mike” Eidson has received many awards and accolades throughout his career. In addition to his accomplishments in the legal field, he is an active volunteer in the community and supports philanthropic endeavors. He held positions of leadership in organizations such as the Miami City Ballet, United Way, the Miami-Dade County Arts Council, and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. His commitment to the arts and charitable causes has been acknowledged with numerous awards and honors.

Mr. Eidson’s contributions go beyond his legal and community involvement. He has authored textbooks and chapters on personal injury law and product liability. The Lawyer’s Cooperative published the Florida Personal Injury Practice Guide in two volumes in 1996. Another publication titled “Product Defect – Evidence to Verdict”, was released by The Michie Co. in 1995.  The ATLA Trial Practice Chapter on Products Liability Practice was also published in 2003.

Credentials

Emory University Law School, Juris Doctor (Woodruff Law Scholarship), 1971

Georgia State University, Graduate Program in History, 1970

Warwick University, Coventry England, European History 1969

University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Arts, 1968

Georgia

Florida

International Academy of Trial Lawyers

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow

Florida Super Lawyers, 2010-2023

Cambridge Who’s Who among executives and professionals, 2007-2023

Best Lawyers in America, 2006-2023

Emory University Law School, Alumni Council, 2018.

Emory Law School, 100 most influential graduates, 2016.

Daily Business Review Professional Excellence Award, 2015

American Association for Justice David S. Shrager Award, 2010

South Florida Business Journal, Key Partner, 2010.

Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, 2009

American Association of Justice:

  • President, 2006-2007
  • Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award, 2001
  • Weideman Wysocki Awards for public service, 2001, 2002. 2003, 2005, 2006
  • Founder, The Mike Eidson Scholarship

 

American Bar Association; Pursuit of Excellence Award, 2006

Attorneys for Voices for Children, Miami-Dade County, Chairman, 2002-2003

The Best Lawyers in America, 25th Anniversary edition

Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, whose members are trial lawyers who have  won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements

South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyer

Florida Trend Magazine, Florida Legal Elite

Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Professionalism Award, 1999

Emory  University Law, Endowed Kessler-Eidson Two Week Trial Technique Program, 1998

Established Kessler-Eidson Foundation at Emory University Law School

Institute for Injury Reduction, Chairman, 1991-1993

Related Insights

Partner Mike Eidson Takes Center Stage in December Issue of Coral Gables Magazine

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Colson Hicks Eidson Ranked Among Top 3 Plaintiff Litigation Firms in Florida by Chambers and Partners USA Legal Guide

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States With Biggest Insurance Settlements—And Those Pushing Back

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