Chad S. Paiva

Raymond E. Kramer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Real Estate. Raymond E., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Raymond E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melissa S. Zinkil is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Melissa S., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tracy T. Segal is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Tracy T., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tracy T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Katherine W. Harris is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Katherine W., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katherine W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rob Barkin’s practice involves the representation of clients in all aspects of commercial real estate matters. Rob represents community, regional and national institutional lenders in construction and permanent loan transactions secured by real property as well as distressed asset loan restructuring and alternatives to foreclosure. Rob also represents institutional lenders in the disposition of assets including loan documents and real property acquired through the foreclosure or loan wo...

Scott B. Smith is an accomplished Florida personal injury attorney with many years of experience. He provides aggressive representation to individuals and families who have been injured in auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, commercial motor vehicle accidents, boating accidents, elevator accidents, train accidents, aviation accidents and slip & fall accidents. Scott also represents those injured by defective products and families who have lost a loved...

DONALD J. WARD III is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he earned his degree cum laude. At age 26, in his first jury trial, Mr. Ward obtained a verdict of $824,200, which was more than thirteen times what the defendant had offered to settle the case. Since joining Searcy Denney, he has recovered in excess of $100 million on behalf of his clients. He currently serves as President of the Palm Beach County Justice Association, a countywid...

Joseph C. Coates III focuses his practice on securities litigation, regulatory and class actions and serves as the head of the West Palm Beach Securities Litigation Group. Joe has represented most of the major broker/dealers in all aspects of their business, including federal and state courts, regulatory matters, and arbitrations. His representation of clients include appearances as appellate counsel in securities litigation cases in federal and state courts. Joe also focuses on shareholder d...

CHRISTOPHER K. SPEED joined the firm as a Shareholder in 1994 after representing plaintiffs in Virginia for 20 years. He has spent his entire career pursuing justice for victims of personal injury, medical and legal negligence, aviation accidents and defective products. Mr. Speed is also a founding member of the Northern Virginia Plaintiff’s Bar Association, an organization of plaintiff lawyers dedicated to improving the ability of victims to pursue justice for their injuries. He often ...

Elizabeth F. Hodge is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Elizabeth F., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.