Mr. Gartland was born in Newtown, Connecticut, and moved to the Southwest Florida area when he was a child with his parents and younger brother Colin. Since then, Mr. Gartland has always called and considered southwest Florida his home. After graduating from Port Charlotte High School, Mr. Gartland attended Florida Gulf Coast University (“FGCU”) where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Forensic Studies and Criminal Justice, graduating with academic honors. Mr. Gartland then attended the University of Cincinnati where he received his Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice with academic distinction. Mr. Gartland then attended the esteemed and prestigious University of Florida, Levin College of Law in Gainesville, Florida – where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 2018.
While in law school, Mr. Gartland was a member of and participated in trial team, served as president of the Law Student Transfer Organization, received the Wildcard Award for oral advocacy, obtained a certificate of concentration in Criminal Justice, and a pro-bono award for his philanthropic work volunteering while in law school. During his time at UF Law Mr. Gartland took numerous courses centered around litigation, negotiation, advocacy, and trial. During his academic career at UF Mr. Gartland also worked as a certified legal intern (“CLI”) with the Law Offices of Kathleen A. Smith, Public Defender, for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida in Fort Myers to gain trial experience before graduating from law school.
After graduation and passing the Florida Bar Exam. Mr. Gartland began his legal career as an associate attorney at Swope, Rodante P.A., in Tampa, where he represented and assisted individuals and families who had been injured or killed because of greed, carelessness, and negligence. While at Swope, Rodante P.A., he assisted in the litigation and trial of a personal injury case that resulted in a top 25 trial verdict for the State of Florida in 2019, with a jury award of over $3.83 million dollars. Mr. Gartland continued to realize success as a litigation attorney at Gunter Firm in Fort Myers where he litigated, negotiated, and settled numerous employment, breach of contract, and personal injury type matters, claims, and cases. In April of 2021, Mr. Gartland joined The Pendas Law Firm’s Fort Myers office to continue to develop and hone his litigation and trial skills. During his time at The Pendas Law Firm Mr. Gartland succeeded in resolving more than $8,000.000.00 dollars’ worth of cases, claims, and legal matters for his clients. During his time at The Pendas Law Firm, Mr. Gartland organized and spearheaded the Pendas Law Firm Disaster Relief Center in the aftermath following Hurricane Ian wherein food, water, supplies, and information was given out and disseminated to individuals and families in need after the storm to help them start their respective post-storm recoveries.
In the first quarter of 2024, Mr. Gartland joined the litigation team at Garvin Injury Law, bringing with him his wealth of experience and successes in compassionately and zealously representing individuals and families who have been injured or killed because of someone’s greed, carelessness, or negligence. Mr. Gartland takes a client-centered approach to the personal injury process, which begins at the time that a client retains the Firm and continues all the way up and through the trial process. Mr. Gartland works tirelessly and aggressively to be a light for his clients during what can often be the darkest time of their respective lives. As a result of Mr. Gartland’s relentless pursuit of justice for his clients the legal industry in Florida has taken notice. In 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, Mr. Gartland was named to the prestigious “Top 40 Under 40” list by The National Trial Lawyers Association in the State of Florida, for his work in plaintiff side civil litigation. In 2023, Mr. Gartland served on the executive board of the Lee County Bar Association, the Lee County Bar Association Foundation, and was also the President of the Young Lawyers Division of the Lee County Bar Association (a/k/a “Lee YLD”). Mr. Gartland’s drive, dedication, compassion, legal acumen, and no-quit attitude have culminated with him being named as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers in 2023 and 2024, an honor bestowed upon less than 2.5% of all lawyers in the State of Florida.
In his little free time Mr. Gartland enjoys giving back to the Southwest Florida community by volunteering with various philanthropic organizations, attending and sponsoring events locally in partnership with the Lee County Bar Association, playing sports, traveling, camping, writing music, going to the beautiful beaches of Southwest Florida, and attending church.
Education
J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law (UF)
M.S. in Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati (UC)
B.S. in Criminal Forensic Studies & Criminal Justice, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
State of Florida
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Professional & Bar Association Memberships
Florida Bar
Member Since: 2018
Hillsborough County Bar Association
Member Since: 2018, 2019
Lee County Bar Association
National Trial Lawyers Association
Member Since: 2021
Super Lawyers – Rising Star
Member Since: 2023
Awards
