Attorney Whitney M. Untiedt
Whitney Untiedt has more than 14 years of legal experience in a wide range of areas, including complex civil litigation and appellate practice. At Freidin Brown, P.A., Whitney leads the firm’s national Whistleblower and Qui Tam practice, while also representing victims of medical malpractice and complex personal injuries throughout the state of Florida. Before joining the firm, Whitney was a partner and Director of Pro Bono Initiatives at an AmLaw 100 firm where she developed a national reputation for her work on behalf of nonprofit organizations and vulnerable clients facing complicated legal situations.
Whitney graduated with her B.A. from the College of William and Mary, where she received the prestigious James Monroe Scholarship, after which she worked as a writer and editor in New York City before attending law school. She attended the University of Florida Levin College of Law and received her J.D., cum laude, in 2005. During law school, Whitney served as President of the nationally-recognized Trial Team and was named a Fellow of the Center for Governmental Responsibility.
Since her admission to The Florida Bar, Whitney has spent more than a decade serving Floridians in difficult legal matters. After working as a public defender for many years, she developed a national practice representing nonprofit organizations and low-income clients facing complex legal situations. In 2016, she was named “Lawyer of the Year” for ensuring that Florida juveniles who had been unfairly sentenced received appropriate resentencing hearings. Whitney has successfully represented clients in appeals before the Florida Supreme Court and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
As a leading member of dozens of professional organizations, including The Florida Bar, the National Juvenile Defender Center, and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Whitney is unparalleled in her commitment to strengthening the national legal community. She is also passionate about the environment, and volunteers regularly with Surfrider Florida, a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving Florida’s oceans.
Practice Areas
Whistleblower Claims/Qui Tam
Complex Personal Injury
Medical Malpractice
Wrongful Death
Education
University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida
Adjunct Professor, 2007 – 2016
J.D. cum laude – 2005
Center for Governmental Responsibility Fellow
Center on Children and Families Graduate Fellow
Student Commencement Speaker
Order of the Barristers
University of Florida Presidential Award for Outstanding Student Contributions
Gerald T. Bennet Award
University of Florida College of Law Volunteer of the Year
Trial Team, President
Association for Public Interest Law, President
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia
B.A. – 1999
James Monroe Scholar
Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society
Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society
Bar Admissions & Certifications:
The Florida Bar
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Admitted to practice before the Executive Office of Immigration Review & Board of Immigration Appeals
Awards & Recognition
Advocates for Human Rights 2019 Human Rights Volunteer Award
American Immigration Lawyers Association 2019 Arthur C. Helton Memorial Human Rights Award
National Law Journal 2018 Pro Bono Hot List
Florida Trend Legal Elite, Civil Trial 2018-2019
Florida Trend Legal Elite “Up And Comer” 2017
Daily Business Review, 2016 Lawyer of the Year
West Palm Beach Office of the Public Defender, 2016 Equal Justice Honoree
Daily Business Review, 2015 Most Effective Lawyer Finalist for Pro Bono
The Florida Bar Leadership Academy, Class I Fellow, 2013-2014
National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 2010 “Next Generation” Faculty Award
Associations and Memberships
American Bar Association
Section of State and Local Government Law
Florida Bar associations:
Juvenile Law Board Certification Committee
Pro Bono Legal Services Standing Committee
Juvenile Court Rules Committee
Criminal Law Section, Executive Council
Public Interest Law Section, Executive Council
Executive Council of the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar
Vice Chair of the Mock Trial Committee
Membership Committee
Section Liaison to the Bar’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Dade County Bar Association
National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Program Director
Center for Reproductive Rights, Lawyers Network Commission
National Juvenile Defender Center, Advisory Board Member
Juvenile Training Immersion Program, Certified Trainer
Southern Juvenile Defender Center, Advisory Council
UF Law Alumni Council, Board of Directors
Publications, Lectures & Seminars:
Lighting the Way: The Johnson Amendment Stands Strong against Dark Money in Politics, 6 EMORY CORP. GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY REV. 37 (2019).
The Power of Pro Bono Partnerships, FLORIDA BAR JOURNAL, May 2018.
Moving Forward from Gault, THE CHAMPION, April 2017.
High Court’s Montgomery Ruling Fuels Demand for Pro Bono, LAW360, February 25, 2016.
The Role of the Lawyer, FLORIDA BAR JUVENILE LAW AND PRACTICE MANUAL (2011, 2013, 2015, & 2017 eds).
Juvenile Justice Handbook: published by UF Law Center for Children & Families, Accredited Contributor.
A Legal Team Committed to Results
The legal team of Guttman, Freidin & Celler is complimented by small force of lawyers, paralegals and support staff. Building and litigating complex cases and winning remarkable resolutions incredible amounts of preparation most clients don’t see. We are immensely proud of our amazing team of lawyers and staff whose support, integrity, commitment and compassion is a critical component of our formula for success.
The GF&C team represents clients with the attention of a small firm, while being able to deliver big firm results. We are proud to have a deeply-experienced staff who understand our interests are aligned with the clients. We work for you, the whistleblower and are focused on continuing the hard-won tradition of success and record-setting results. Our clients are family, and you can expect to be treated similarly.
Landmark Results
Exposing Illegality that Others Ignore
A Law Firm that
Works for You
About Guttman Freidin & Celler
The GF&C legal team prides itself on tackling complex cases and seeing them through to the end. Our commitment to these difficult cases has led to many notable verdicts and settlements — many of them record-setting — in a variety of practice areas. Our firm has the experience, skill and resources necessary to see your case to resolution — regardless of the opposing parties involved.
Testimonials
“One of the world’s most prominent whistleblower attorneys,” according to the International Business Times. Referred to as “The Lawyer Pharma Loves to Hate,” by the Boston Globe.