Eric Hostetler began his legal career in 1994 in the Midwest as a runner for a plaintiff’s medical malpractice firm in Louisville, KY. In 1997 he moved to Jacksonville, Florida to attend Florida Coastal School of Law. Eric worked full time as a clerk while attending law school at night. After earning his law degree, Eric stayed in Jacksonville and worked for a state-wide firm where he focused on the areas of collection, foreclosure and subrogation and represented many local credit unions and credit card companies in collection matters, as well as insurance companies dealing primarily in subrogating automobile accidents.

Eric moved to Brevard County in 2004 and began working for a state-wide collection and subrogation firm, where he continued his practice of representing local credit unions in collection and foreclosure matters but focused on his main area of practice of representing insurance companies in subrogation matters, dealing specifically with automobile accidents.

Eric joined the firm of Widerman Malek in 2013 and focuses his practice on the areas of commercial litigation, business litigation, real estate law, and general civil litigation, which includes handling certain insurance matters on behalf of insureds.

Eric also takes the time to give back to the community by being involved in the United Way of Brevard County, where he has served on the Board of Directors and continues to be involved as the ECM (employee campaign manager) for Widerman Malek. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Eric serves on the Board of Directors for the Vasser B. Carlton Inn of Court as the Membership Chair and is a past president of the Melbourne Civic Theatre located in downtown Melbourne.

Education

  • Indiana University Southeast (B.S., Marketing, 1994)
  • Florida Coastal School of Law (J.D., 2001)

Admissions

  • Florida
  • Supreme Court of Florida
  • U. S. District Court of Florida (Middle District)
  • U. S. District Court of Florida (Southern District)

Areas of Practice

  • Commercial
  • Litigation
  • Foreclosure
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Landlord/Tenant Law
  • Business Litigation
  • Insurance Law
  • Employment Law
  • Real Estate Law

Professional Activities

  • Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce (Board of Directors: 2018–Present; Executive Committee: 2020-2021; Former Vice-Chair, Board Governance)
  • Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court (2007–Present); Board of Directors, Membership Chair (2021-Present); Assistant Director of Membership (2016–2021)
  • Brevard County Bar Association (Board of Directors: 2009–2010, 2011–2015)
  • Brevard County Law Library (Chairperson: 2012–2015)
  • Brevard County Legal Aid (Board of Directors: 2012–2013)

Civic Activities

  • United Way Emerging Leaders (Chairperson: 2011-2012)
  • United Way of Brevard County (Board of Directors: 2011-Present) 
  • United Way Campaign Cabinet (2011-Present)