Peterson Bernard's web page listing attorneys Eric Peterson, Ted Mortell, Heather Bridwell and Matthew Fiorello, all who died in a plane crash.

Peterson Bernard partner Bill Martin wants people to know that his firm will persevere.

Two weeks ago, firm co-founder and Martin's business partner of 32 years, Eric Peterson, died in a plane crash in western Palm Beach County along with pilot Eduardo Mulet and three other Peterson Bernard colleagues — Ted Mortell, Heather Bridwell and Mathew Fiorello — as they were returning from a client meeting in Tampa.

William Martin

Now, Martin is in charge of leading Peterson Bernard into its new, uncertain future without its two founders. Peterson co-founded the firm in 1981 with Leonard Bernard, who died in 1996.

Martin came on in 1987 after becoming a partner on a handshake, an anecdote he said speaks to the culture that Peterson fostered at the firm.

“His era of practicing law goes back to when people can trust each other on a handshake. Now everything is technical and on paper and people feel very intimidated by their clients,” Martin said. “But that wasn't the case in Eric's era.”

The firm still has 10 partners, including Martin, and 16 total attorneys. All three of the firm's offices have been open, and clients are being redistributed mainly by geography.

In fact, on March 9, just hours after Peterson Bernard attorneys heard of the crash, they sprung into action, even as they tried to cope with the tragedy.

“I was surprised to see that lawyers came in on Saturday morning to hit the ground running, reaching out to clients and rescheduling meetings,” Martin said. ”It's a huge loss and things will never be the same. But our intention is to stick together.”

The firm has traditionally had a decentralized management system with little collaboration between offices, and has long operated on a co-assignment system, where junior and senior attorneys work together on each case.

“In terms of the day-to-day requirements of all of our cases, our attorneys are up-to-date,” Martin said. “Ultimately the decision to stay is up to the clients.”

In the wake of the tragedy, Martin said he and his colleagues have been struck by the outpouring of support from clients, attorneys and judges.

“It's very encouraging,” Martin said. “Everybody has indicated they are willing to work with us.”

Peterson Bernard partner Lauren Smith will head up the firm's Stuart office, which had been run by Mortell. Veteran partner Dennis Vandenberg will take over leadership of the West Palm Beach office, previously run by Peterson. Martin will continue to oversee the Fort Lauderdale office, likening his role not to that of a de facto leader, but a “father figure.”

“Am I putting my best face on? Sure,” Martin said. “But we have a lot of talent left.”

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