Ronald Clayton Small
Fort Myers,Florida
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Attorney
Morgan & Morgan, P.A.
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Represent plaintiffs in personal injury and civil litigation, including negligence, premises liability, product liability, and wrongful death. Manage cases from intake through trial preparation, drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, taking and defending depositions, and negotiating settlements. Collaborate with litigation teams and provide strategic counsel to maximize client recovery.
First Assistant Federal Public Defender
Office of the Federal Public Defender
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Served as second-in-command, supervising attorneys and staff, coordinating case assignments, mentoring new attorneys, and assisting with office management. Provided strategic oversight in high-profile and sensitive federal criminal matters. Ensured compliance with constitutional and statutory protections while advancing the office’s mission.
Assistant Federal Public Defender
Office of the Federal Public Defender
01.2002 - 01.2024
- Represented indigent clients in complex federal criminal cases from pre-indictment through appeal. Litigated jury trials, evidentiary hearings, and sentencing proceedings involving drug conspiracies, fraud, firearms, and violent crimes. Researched, drafted, and argued motions and appellate briefs in U.S. District and Circuit Courts.
Associate Attorney (Mass Tort Litigation)
Hopkins, Crawley, Bagwell & Upshaw
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Focused on mass tort and complex litigation, with emphasis on product liability and pharmaceutical claims. Managed large dockets of individual and consolidated cases, coordinating discovery, motion practice, and settlement negotiations. Drafted pleadings, dispositive motions, and briefs in state and federal courts. Collaborated with national litigation teams on MDL strategy, client communications, and trial preparation.
Judge Advocate
United States Air Force
01.1991 - 01.1995
- Provided legal counsel to commanders, service members, and civilian employees on criminal, administrative, operational, and international law. Prosecuted and defended cases under the UCMJ, handled courts-martial, and advised on investigations and regulatory compliance. Drafted legal opinions and ensured adherence to statutory, regulatory, and constitutional requirements in support of mission readiness.
Associate Attorney
Davis, Wright, Unrein, Hummer & McCallister
01.1990 - 01.1991
- Handled a broad civil litigation and general practice caseload under senior partner supervision. Drafted pleadings, motions, discovery responses, and trial memoranda, and conducted in-depth legal research. Appeared in Kansas state and federal courts for hearings and motion practice, gaining early courtroom experience. Assisted in litigation matters involving insurance defense, commercial disputes, and personal injury cases.
Education
Juris Doctor - undefined
Washburn University School of Law
01.1990
Bachelor of Arts/Science - undefined
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas01.1987
Skills
Legal writing
Court procedures
Corporate and business legal issues
Case analysis
Trial experience
Litigation management
Criminal investigations
Criminal defense
Efficient researcher
Document preparation
Oral debate
Civil law
Discovery processes
Contract negotiation
Case interpretation
Legal analysis
Legal drafting
Oral advocacy
Client representation
Ethics and professionalism
Criminal law
Civil and criminal law expertise
BAR ADMISSIONS
Florida (pending admission – July 2025 Bar Exam candidate) Tennessee Mississippi Louisiana New Jersey Kansas
Timeline
Attorney
Morgan & Morgan, P.A.
01.2024 - 01.2025
First Assistant Federal Public Defender
Office of the Federal Public Defender
01.2022 - 01.2024
Assistant Federal Public Defender
Office of the Federal Public Defender
01.2002 - 01.2024
Associate Attorney (Mass Tort Litigation)
Hopkins, Crawley, Bagwell & Upshaw
01.1999 - 01.2002
Judge Advocate
United States Air Force
01.1991 - 01.1995
Associate Attorney
Davis, Wright, Unrein, Hummer & McCallister
01.1990 - 01.1991
Juris Doctor - undefined
Washburn University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts/Science - undefined
Wichita State University