Panama City Beach, FL

James Wettermark

During his 40-year career, James has been, first and foremost, a trial lawyer. He has tried over 200 jury trials to a verdict, including trials in state and federal courts in 12 different states. He obtained the largest verdict in the history of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) ($34,000,000). He also obtained what was, at the time, the largest medical malpractice settlement in Tennessee history ($6.2 million). Among his victories are multi-million dollar jury verdicts on behalf of clients from Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky. His cases and verdicts have been featured in the Atlanta Constitution/Journal, the Birmingham News, the Cincinnati Post, the Louisville Courier-Journal, the Macon Telegraph, the Florence Times, and the Birmingham Business Journal. His work on behalf of railroad workers injured by toxic chemicals was covered by National Public Radio as well as the subject of a four-part series by the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Chris Keith

Chris is entering his twenty-fourth year of practicing law. Chris’s accomplishments speak for themselves. He has represented clients in over thirty states throughout the Country and has successfully tried to a jury verdict cases in seven different states. His first seven-figure jury verdict came only three years out of law school. Chris’s list of seven and eight-figure jury verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients exceeds over fifty and the number continues to climb yearly. His practice has been diverse and wide-ranging, including the representation of injured railroad workers, product liability cases, medical malpractice cases, nursing home cases, trucking cases, premises cases, automobile wreck cases, and the list goes on. While representing clients throughout the Country, Chris has managed the growth of the law firm since 2011, from two lawyers and two paralegals to over thirty attorneys and a staff exceeding eighty-five. Under his leadership, the firm expanded from one office in Birmingham, to multiple offices now located throughout Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. Chris continues to actively handle cases on behalf of clients and manages the daily operations of the firm (though he adds, with the guidance and assistance of great talent surrounding him).

Sekou Clarke

Sékou Clarke is the founder of the Sekou Clarke Law Group. As an immigrant himself, he has firsthand experience with the intricacies and challenges navigating the U.S. Immigration system. Sekou’s unique vision and personal experiences led to the birth of The Sekou Clarke Law Group. A full-service Immigration Law firm, providing services in Family Immigration, Large and Small Business Employment visas, Sports Visas, Investor Visas, Deportation Defense and Immigrant Injury. The Sekou Clarke Law Firm is quickly making a name for itself in Personal Injury. The firm represents injured clients in Auto accidents, slip and fall and Medical negligence throughout the State of Florida. The Firm has focused on a client based approach to maximize medical and settlement recovery. Born in St. Andrew, Jamaica, Sekou’s work ethic and athletic ability earned him a full athletic Track and Field scholarship to the University of Florida where he was team captain, 10-time All-American, and helped the Gators to 2 National titles. Sekou retired from Collegiate and International Track and field competitions, with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Florida and a Master’s in Business Administration from St. Leo University. Sekou followed his dream to be an advocate for people whose voices needed to be heard and whose rights needed to be protected and pursued Law School. Sekou achieved his Juris Doctor Degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2016. Sekou started his legal career as an associate attorney at a Personal Injury law Firm in Clermont, Florida. Soon after Sekou joined a Major law Firm in Downtown, Florida & New York, as an associate Personal injury attorney and the lead attorney for the firm’s Immigration Department. Sekou’s experience working with Immigrants developed his passion for representation and honed a keen sense for litigation. The discipline and patience from Sekou’s sports background is evident in his zealous approach to fighting for his clients and his unyielding dedication in ensuring that his clients are adequately heard, represented and compensated.

Larry Perry, co-founder and managing partner of Perry and Young, is a distinguished personal injury and wrongful death attorney with over 30 years in the legal practice. He leads the firm with offices in Panama City, Panama City Beach, Marianna, and Tallahassee, focusing on personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, heavy truck accident cases, products liability, medical malpractice, and sexual abuse cases. Before becoming a lawyer, Larry worked as a legal investigator, gathering accident evidence and collaborating with experts. His comprehensive approach has resulted in securing millions of dollars in settlements and judgments for clients. Larry's commitment to justice extends beyond the courtroom; he volunteers with educational and humanitarian organizations in Panama City, including Christians United for Israel, suicide awareness seminars, and human trafficking seminars. Larry is licensed in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, and admitted to all federal district courts and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. He graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law and completed undergraduate studies at Auburn University. He is a respected member of the American Association for Justice, the Alabama Justice Association, and the Florida Justice Association, serving on the board of directors for the latter with committee assignments including Civil Procedure, Circuit Court Legislative Assessment, Medical Malpractice, and Auto Insurance. Larry hosts a live television show, 'Law Call,' addressing legal questions from the public, having hosted over 700 shows. He has received numerous accolades, including the National Trial Lawyer's top 100 list, top ratings on AVVO, and six-plus years on the Super Lawyer designation. Outside of work, Larry is devoted to his family, married to Pam for nearly 30 years, and a father to Anna, also a practicing attorney. He is a member and trustee of Northstar Church, leading a weekly small group.

Senior partner, Chris Young, was born and raised in Altha, Florida. He graduated as Valedictorian from Grand Ridge High School in 1995 before completing his undergraduate studies at Chipola College. After seeing his father undergo a life-altering event that left him a paraplegic, Chris decided to pursue a career representing injured people. He began his legal career in 1997 as a law clerk in Marianna, Florida, and worked with Larry Perry during law school. In 2003, Chris received his Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University - Paul M. Hebert Law Center and continued to devote himself to representing injured people and their families throughout Florida. In 2008, Chris and Larry Perry established Perry & Young, which has grown into one of the largest personal injury law firms in the Florida Panhandle. Chris and his team have obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and judgments for their clients. Chris is licensed to practice law in Florida and the Federal Court for the Northern District of Florida and has been admitted Pro Hac Vice in multiple other state courts. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Florida Justice Association, and American Association for Justice. Chris has received prestigious honors such as the Million Dollar Advocate Award, Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Award, and Top 100 Trial Lawyers. He and his wife, Ashley, are involved in numerous charities and organizations, including the Perry & Young Foundation Scholarship, Big Brothers and Sisters of Northwest Florida, The ARC of the Bay, and the Chipola Appreciation Club. Chris was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Board in 2023 and to the Board of Trustees for the University of West Florida in 2024. He and Ashley are avid anglers, LSU football fans, and car enthusiasts, and are deeply involved with Hiland Park Baptist Church.

Jaime Aird

Jaime brings to the Sekou Clarke Law Group a tenacious spirit for litigation and trained eye for detail. Having attained his Bachelor of Business Administration at the Florida International University and his Master of Business Administration at Nova Southeastern University, Jaime set his sights on the law. At the Florida International University College of Law Jaime was exposed to varies aspects of the law through opportunities to assist others in the FIU pro bono clinic, where he spent countless hours giving back to those who could not afford to pay for legal services. After graduating Jaime entered into the legal world as a prosecutor, first at the West Palm Beach State Attorney's Office, then later at the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office. After learning, training, and fighting for the State of Florida, Jaime decided to enter private practice. Jaime took all of his training and experience and started the Law Offices of Jaime A. Aird, P.A., where he practices criminal defense, driving under the influence, immigration and personal injury in South Florida.

Nevin Zimmerman

Nevin Zimmerman is a resident in the firm’s downtown Panama City office, and he has experience practicing in the areas of governmental law, administrative law, land use law, contract law, real estate financing and municipal bond finance law. In his representation of Bay County for over 20 years, Mr. Zimmerman gained considerable expertise in the areas of land use, growth management, environmental permitting and infrastructure financing. Nevin presently serves as the City Attorney for Panama City. Nevin has also assisted numerous clients with a variety of land use and permitting issues; he has provided valuable guidance to developers and landowners in interpreting the State land use laws, in navigating through the local land use codes and comprehensive plans, and in assisting in the financing of their projects, including FHA and HUD insured loans. Recently, Mr. Zimmerman represented numerous borrowers of FHA/HUD insured loans to construct and refinance apartments, workforce housing facilities and nursing home facilities. He has also represented clients obtaining bonds and tax credits through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and USDA Rural Development loan guarantees for senior living housing projects. Mr. Zimmerman has served as local counsel and consultant for court appointed receivers, developers, lawyers, architects and engineers, and he can be a valuable member of any development and problem solving team. Teamwork and consensus building are important aspects of Mr. Zimmerman’s practice, and he is available to assist you in arriving at solutions for your project challenges. Nevin has lived in Bay County since 1979, and he and his wife have four daughters. He was admitted to practice law in the state of Florida in 1979. Nevin and his wife (Gigi) have organized and sponsored traveling youth choirs for over 20 years, and he serves as President of the Bay County Christian Youth Choir, Inc.