Robert Bonner

Robert E. Bonner was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science by the Ohio State University in 1976. He then attended law school at the University of Florida, receiving a JD with honors in 1981. While attending the University of Florida, Professor Bonner was a member of the Appellate Advocacy Board of Editors. Professor Bonner was also a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, serving as Magister in 1981. Professor Bonner also served as a Legal Writing Instructor at the University of Florida in 1981.During his 41 years as a trial lawyer, Professor Bonner successfully represented local governments, law enforcement agencies, individual law enforcement officers and elected officials in a variety of civil matters in both state and federal courts. Professor Bonner retired from the practice of law on July 1, 2022. Before his retirement, Professor Bonner was admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and the Florida Bar.Professor Bonner was Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education from 1989 until his retirement in 2022. Professor Bonner was also Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy from 2017 until his retirement in 2022. Professor Bonner was a member of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the Florida Defense Lawyers Association (President 2016-2017; President-Elect 2015-2016; Secretary-Treasurer 2014-2015; Board of Directors 2008-2012), the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the Florida Association of Police Attorneys and the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association.After 41 years as a trial lawyer, Professor Bonner retired from the practice of law on July 1, 2022 to accept a position as an assistant professor at Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law.Professor Bonner served as an assistant professor and the faculty director of the Barry Law externship program until July 31, 2026. Professor Bonner is currently serving as an adjunct professor at Barry Law.Professor Bonner is a frequent lecturer on a variety of legal topics, including civil procedure, evidence, ethics and federal practice.