Daniel P Mitchell

Class of: 1980
Deceased: 2017-08-20

Daniel served his country as an officer in the United States Army from 1968-1975, serving a tour of duty with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Vietnam, for which he was recognized for his meritorious, courageous and heroic performance of his duties. After his military service, Daniel attended the Stetson University College of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Stetson Law Review, and graduated first in his class in 1980.

During the next four decades, Daniel established himself as one of the most accomplished and well-respected attorneys in the state of Florida. Daniel was Board Certified by the Florida Bar as an expert Civil Trial Lawyer, having participated in well over 100 jury trials during his career, and argued several significant appellate victories. He was consistently recognized as being among the most elite attorneys in the state of Florida. His contributions to the practice of law were extensive, including frequent seminars and lectures to attorney and professional groups, law review and professional journal articles, teaching as an adjunct law professor, and serving on a number of committees, including the Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions. He also enjoyed mentoring young attorneys, many of whom developed into elite attorneys and judges based on his guidance.

Daniel also enjoyed the outdoors, including camping, fishing, and hunting, and enjoyed mentoring youth. He served as a Boy Scout leader for more than a decade, mentoring numerous young men in the principles of citizenship, character, self-reliance, leadership, and community service. He also coached girls’ little league softball and basketball, serving as the president and board member of Bayshore Little League for several years, and as the mentor of numerous young women. Daniel was very intelligent and had a passion for cooking, history, music and reading. He loved traveling with his family during school breaks, at which times they would visit battlefields and national parks. He always considered the time spent with his children as priceless.