Stuart Weissman Miami FL Obituary: Prominent Trial Lawyer and Partner at Ratzan Weissman & Boldt Dies After Cancer Battle
MIAMI, FL — The Florida legal community is mourning the loss of Stuart J. Weissman, a distinguished trial attorney, respected partner at Ratzan Weissman & Boldt (RWB), and a lifelong advocate for justice, who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. His death marks the end of an extraordinary legal career defined by integrity, compassion, and a relentless commitment to protecting the rights of victims nationwide.
Stuart Weissman built a formidable reputation as a leader in catastrophic negligence, medical malpractice, products liability, wrongful death, and complex commercial litigation. Throughout his career, he represented clients across Florida and in states including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Rhode Island, and Texas, earning national recognition for his trial advocacy and record-setting verdicts.
A Legacy of Justice and Advocacy
Weissman dedicated his professional life to giving a voice to those harmed by negligence and corporate misconduct. His mission centered on securing full, fair, and complete compensation for victims while holding powerful institutions accountable for unsafe practices. Colleagues and clients alike described him as a tireless advocate who never backed down from challenging hospitals, manufacturers, and major corporations.
Among his many notable achievements, Weissman, alongside law partner Stuart N. Ratzan, secured a $23 million medical malpractice verdict in Charlotte County, Florida — believed to be the largest civil jury verdict in the county’s history. The case involved a mother whose daughter suffered a severe brain injury at birth. This landmark victory earned the firm recognition from the Daily Business Review as finalists for its prestigious Most Effective Lawyers award.
Record-Setting Verdicts Nationwide
Weissman’s impact extended far beyond Florida. In 2017, he helped secure verdicts ranked among the Top Verdicts of the Year, including:
- A $46.5 million medical malpractice verdict in Arkansas — the largest in state history — for a child who suffered brain damage due to untreated neonatal jaundice.
- A $45 million verdict in Florida for the family of a medical student who died following a late-night crash at an Interstate 75 construction site in Pembroke Pines.
In 2019, Weissman and Ratzan achieved a $42.5 million verdict in a tobacco litigation case involving the wrongful death of a lung cancer victim, holding cigarette manufacturers R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris accountable.
Professional Excellence and Recognition
Throughout his career, Weissman received numerous honors for his legal excellence and community service, including:
- Super Lawyers
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Top 40 Under 40 Outstanding Lawyers
- National Trial Lawyers
- Daily Business Review recognitions
He also served on the Dade County Bar Association Board, previously led the Young Lawyers Section, and contributed to organizations such as the Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation, Dade Legal Aid, the Florida Justice Association, and Temple Beth Sholom.
Commitment to Legal Education and Community Safety
Beyond the courtroom, Weissman was deeply involved in legal strategy development. He conducted specialized focus groups for RWB and provided consulting services to fellow attorneys nationwide. His passion for improving trial preparation and legal outcomes made him a trusted mentor within the legal profession.
Weissman believed strongly in the responsibility of attorneys to improve community safety through litigation that deters unsafe practices. His work consistently reflected that principle.
Education and Early Career
Stuart Weissman earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor before obtaining his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in 2008. While at Stetson, he was a two-year member of the nationally acclaimed trial team, ranked #1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
A Devoted Family Man
Outside of his legal career, Weissman cherished his role as a husband and father. He is survived by his wife Ashley, their daughters Emma and Joey, and their son Luke. Friends describe him as a devoted family man who treasured time with his loved ones.
Final Tribute
Stuart J. Weissman’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the justice he delivered, and the standards of excellence he upheld throughout his career. His unwavering commitment to advocacy, community safety, and legal integrity will continue to inspire future generations of attorneys.
His passing leaves an immeasurable void in the legal profession and the hearts of those who knew him.
Rest in peace, Stuart Weissman.
