Jason Derry is a personal injury attorney at Farah & Farah’s Tampa office who brings extensive trial experience and the confidence to go to court when a case demands it. Competitive by nature and steady under pressure, he prepares every case with the expectation that it could go to trial. His career has been shaped by years in the courtroom, and he now uses that experience to advocate for people whose lives have been disrupted by serious injuries.
From Competition to the Courtroom
I did not always plan on becoming a lawyer. Early on, I actually wanted to be a sports agent. I have always been hypercompetitive, and I was drawn to work where that drive could translate into performance. Over time, I realized that trial work offered the same intensity and challenge, with the added purpose of making a real difference for someone facing a hard moment.
I spent ten years as a prosecutor in Tampa because I believed it was the best trial training I could get. I wanted to learn the work by doing it, in court, with real responsibility. During that time, I tried more than 50 jury trials. Many of those cases were serious and included homicides and racketeering, demanding both focus and thorough preparation. I also experienced what it looks like when a case becomes a marathon, including a four-month racketeering trial involving multiple defendants that remains the longest jury trial in Hillsborough County history.
During those years, I wasn’t just trying cases. I served as lead trial attorney in an economic crime unit and later supervised attorneys in the felony division. That kind of responsibility forces you to think beyond the next hearing and build each case with discipline, clarity, and purpose.
Representing Injured People With a Trial-Ready Mindset
After my time as a prosecutor, I moved into private practice and spent years handling cases for everyday people, shifting fully into personal injury law over time as it became clear why this work matters. My clients are often seriously injured and need real help, and being able to pursue justice and relief for them is incredibly rewarding. They deserve an attorney who takes their case seriously and is willing to do what it takes to put them in the strongest position possible.
What keeps me motivated is the preparation that goes into getting a case ready for trial. Knowing you are responsible for someone’s outcome stays with you, and it pushes me to do the work the right way. Trial readiness is not about being aggressive for its own sake. It is about being prepared enough to protect a client when the other side is not taking their situation seriously. That mindset strengthens cases both in the courtroom and at the negotiating table.
How Confidence and Preparation Changed the Outcome of a Case
One case that stays with me involved a client with serious back injuries. At mediation, the defense offered very little, and my focus became making sure my client understood the value of her case and felt confident holding the line. I believed in her and in the case, and I knew it would resonate with a jury. We kept preparing, stayed patient, and continued pressing forward, and a few months later, they paid what we were asking. That experience reinforced what I believe, which is that real preparation and a willingness to go to court can change the outcome.
Why Farah & Farah Feels Like the Right Fit
Farah & Farah has been a great transition for me because it feels more personal. There are fewer layers of management and less bureaucracy, which keeps the focus where it should be: on the clients and the work it takes to build a case the right way. I appreciate being in an environment that values direct advocacy, especially when a case needs to be pushed forward with urgency and purpose. I also served as chairperson for a Florida Bar Grievance Committee in Hillsborough County for two years and am a member of the Florida Justice Association, roles that reflect how seriously I take the responsibilities of this profession.
Family, Hockey, and Getting Outside
My life outside of work centers on my family. I try to be present as much as I can, whether that means time at home or on the go. Hockey has been a constant thread for me. I played as a kid, stepped away from it for a while, and eventually found my way back to the ice. Coaching youth hockey has become one of the most rewarding ways for me to stay connected to the sport.
Living in Florida, my love for the game really took off once I went to a Tampa Bay Lightning game and got hooked, and now I am a lifelong fan. When I am not at the rink, I recharge by golfing and cycling. My family and I love being outdoors. We spend time at parks, bike together, and take hiking trips, including visits to the Smoky Mountains. Those days give me balance and a reset, and they are some of the moments I value most.
