Adam R. Smart

Steve is chairman of the firm and head of its Litigation Department. Steve is a trial lawyer, with his practice centered on complex commercial litigation and insolvency matters. Steve has a successful record in extended jury trials in major business disputes. Steve represents plaintiffs and defendants in contract, business torts and corporate governance disputes. His insolvency experience includes lead representation of debtors and creditors in chapter 11 reorganizations of publicly held comp...

Donald W. St. Denis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Donald W., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Donald W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Charmaine is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and is chair of the firm’s integrated Healthcare Practice Team. She is one of only 129 attorneys certified by The Florida Bar in healthcare law, and has maintained this certification since 2012. Charmaine represents health systems and hospitals, academic medical centers, clinically integrated networks, physician group practices, and other healthcare providers in complex transactions and regulatory matters. Charmaine assists ph...

Brian J. Aull is a partner in the Jacksonville office. He practices in all phases of civil litigation, including personal injury litigation, construction litigation, employment and labor, insurance coverage and carrier representation, trucking/transportation and professional liability litigation. Prior to joining Cole, Scott & Kissane, Mr. Aull practiced as an Assistant State Attorney, in the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, where he was a member of the Homicide/Major Crimes Division a...

Neil L. Henrichsen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law, Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Neil L., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Neil L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sanjo S. Shatley is a partner in the Jacksonville office. He practices in all phases of medical malpractice, civil defense litigation, including premises liability, nursing home, professional malpractice, and products liability. His practice also includes construction litigation and risk management counseling, including the representation of design professionals in professional liability claims, developers, contractors, and subcontractors in construction defect, contract, and lien enforcement...

For nearly 40 years, Preston has been representing clients in a variety of complex commercial real estate matters. The breadth of his practice includes sales, acquisitions, leases, development, utilities, financing and loan restructuring. He regularly counsels healthcare clients across the region in major land acquisitions and development projects, including sites for hospitals, medical office buildings, ambulatory centers and more. Preston’s experience includes two decades of represent...

Jeffrey Allan Hirsch offers more than five decades of experience in resolving disputes through general civil litigation and arbitration. Jeffrey represents high-net-worth individuals and companies in matters involving a wide range of business-related problems. Throughout his career, Jeffrey has represented his clients in disputes involving contracts, estates, trusts, title insurance, insurance coverage, real estate transactions, financial institutions, fraud, lender liability, and business to...

Matthew R. Kachergus has devoted his career to representing a wide array of clients ranging from the criminally accused, those whose constitutional rights have been violated, to numerous others needing counsel for civil litigation. As a result of Mr. Kachergus’ tireless efforts in advocating for the interest of his clients, he is listed in Best Lawyers in America, in the fields of white collar and non-white collar criminal defense law , as well as Super Lawyers. Mr. Kachergus is a membe...

Michael J. Childers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Michael J., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.