Starnes Davis Florie

Joseph S. Miller (Joe)

Partner

Joseph S. Miller

Joseph S. Miller (Joe)

Partner

100 Brookwood Place
7th Floor
Birmingham, AL 35209

Joe is a Partner and has been at Starnes Davis Florie LLP since 1992. Joe has served as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.  His practice is devoted to defending physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases.  Joe has participated in trying over 86 cases to juries throughout the State of Alabama.  He regularly speaks at legal and medical seminars regarding medical malpractice litigation.

Professional Recognition

  • Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)
  • Member of The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) Judicial Independence Committee for 2023 – 2024
  • Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Past President, Vice-President and Treasurer of ABOTA's Alabama Chapter.
  • Top Leading Litigator by Chambers USA.
  • Super Lawyer in Alabama by Mid-South Super Lawyers® magazine.
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America®. In addition, Best Lawyers in America® has named Joe Miller “Birmingham Best Lawyers Medical Malpractice Defense Lawyer of the Year” for 2021
  • Listed as a Local Litigation Star for the State of Alabama in Benchmark Litigation

Community Involvement

  • Joe is a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church, and supports various local charities.
  • Joe and his wife, Elizabeth, have two sons

Highlights

  • Obtained a defense verdict for a defendant emergency physician in a case alleging negligent failure to diagnose aortic dissection, resulting in the death of a 47 year old patient the day after being treated and released from the emergency department.
  • Obtained a defense verdict for a psychiatrist in an 8-day trial, in a case alleging medical malpractice and wrongful death.
  • Obtained a jury verdict for a general surgeon accused of negligently performing a gallbladder removal surgery, causing a bile duct injury.
  • Obtained a jury verdict in favor of two surgeons accused of negligently delaying surgery to repair a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
  • Obtained a defense verdict for an obstetrician in a case claiming negligence in failing to remove a sponge from the patient’s body after vaginal delivery, resulting in alleged permanent pelvic floor injury.
  • Obtained a defense verdict for a family practice physician in Madison County in a case alleging wrongful death after prescribing antibiotics for community acquired pneumonia.
  • Obtained a defense verdict for a defendant gynecologist after a 5 day trial in a case alleging negligent failure to diagnose breast cancer, resulting in mastectomy and chemotherapy.
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Presentations and Publications

  • Professionalism, American College of Trial Lawyers Panel, University of Alabama School of Law, May 18, 2022.
  • Professionalism, American College of Trial Lawyers Panel, Cumberland School of Law, October 15, 2021.  
  • Defending Fetal Death Cases: CLE Presentation at medical malpractice conference for Alabama attorneys.
  • Medical Expert Witnesses – Why Do We Have Them and What Do They Go Through?  CLE Presentation regarding legal challenges facing healthcare providers, Cumberland School of Law.
  • Depositions in a Medical Negligence Case From a Defendant’s Point of View.  CLE Presentation.  The Art of Taking and Defending Depositions, Birmingham, Alabama.
  • Strategies for Working with Evidence at Trial.  CLE Presentation.
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