Ms. Whalen is an experienced civil trial lawyer with a practice concentration in trucking, rideshare, aviation, maritime and complex negligence actions. Ms. Whalen’s innovative work in rideshare litigation led to the landmark ruling establishing that a mobile software application is a product, not a service, thereby subjecting the rideshare company to strict product liability for its defectively designed mobile software application. In that case, Ms. Whalen successfully argued that the defectively designed mobile software application caused distracted driving.
Ms. Whalen has first chaired many complex trials and obtained over 40 multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for her clients. Ms. Whalen is Chair Elect of the Rideshare Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). She is Past Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group and was the second woman in the history of the organization to lead this prestigious group of attorneys who handle complex and catastrophic cases arising from trucking accidents.
Ms. Whalen has achieved an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available from the nation’s oldest guide to the legal profession, for her legal ability and ethical standards. She has consistently been selected by The Best Lawyers in America in the field of personal injury, LawDragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, Florida “Super Lawyers” and as a “Top Lawyer” by the South Florida Legal Guide. She has also been the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Justice Barbara Pariente Award which recognizes innovative women in law who demonstrate a commitment to promoting women in the legal community.
Ms. Whalen is admitted to the Florida Bar, the New York Bar, and the Connecticut Bar. In addition to her successful law practice, she has held several esteemed leadership roles. She currently holds positions in both statewide and national trial lawyer organizations, serving on the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice and the Florida Justice Association. She is a past President of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL), Florida’s statewide women’s bar association. She has also served as a two-term President of the Palm Beach County Chapter of FAWL and was selected as a 2020 Leader in the Law. The annual awards ceremony honors women who demonstrate excellence in their chosen professions or who have made a significant difference in Palm Beach County through their volunteer work. Ms. Whalen is a Co-Founder and past Chair of the Florida Justice Association Women’s Caucus and past Chair of the Florida Bar Convention.
Ms. Whalen is a frequent lecturer sharing her knowledge and expertise with trial lawyers throughout the country. She has been active in establishing a number of seminars and popular legal education programs designed specifically for women lawyers. She has authored numerous articles in national and international legal publications. Ms. Whalen’s other professional associations include the Palm Beach County Justice Association, the National Association of Women Lawyers, the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the National Women’s Political Caucus and the National Association of Female Executives.
Ms. Whalen is actively involved in her local community having served as a Board Director of several organizations including The Palm Beach County Cultural Council and The Center for Family Services. Currently, Ms. Whalen serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach. Ms. Whalen resides in Palm Beach, Florida.
