Craig Distel

James Duffy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. James, 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 James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard B. Comiter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Richard B., who practices law in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rosalyn “Sia" Baker-Barnes is a Shareholder at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A., and the Chairperson of the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. In her over 20-year career, she has successfully pursued justice for victims in personal injury, medical negligence and product liability cases and frequently lectures throughout the United States on catastrophic injury cases. She has achieved numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, includi...

JUAN C. DIAZ AVIL A has devoted his legal career to the litigation of personal injury, premises liability, wrongful death, negligent security and products liability claims, representing his clients in both state and federal courts from inception of the case through trial. As a native Spanish speaker, he is especially well equipped to understand and serve the needs of the Latino community. Before joining Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart, & Shipley, P.A. Mr. Diaz Avila worked with the larg...

Linda C. Sweeting is a civil trial attorney in the firm’s West Palm Beach office. She has had a diversified practice that includes litigation and management of civil cases including catastrophic and personal injury, wrongful death, automobile negligence, premises liability, medical malpractice, negligent security, product liability, toxic tort, trucking accident litigation, general civil litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. Over the years, Ms. Sweeting has represented both de...

MATTHEW K. SCHWENCKE earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law, where he was a member of Stetson's award-winning moot court board. While in law school, he served as intern to a federal magistrate judge and also prosecuted misdemeanor criminal offenses as a Certified Legal Intern for the Pinellas County State Attorney's office. As an undergraduate, Mr. Schwencke attended the University of Florida on a Bright Futures Scholarship; he graduated with honors. A Palm Beach County ...

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...

Brian F. LaBovick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Brian F., who practices law in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph J. Reiter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joseph J., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 1989. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

ADAM HECHT , a veteran of more than 75 felony and misdemeanor jury trials as an Assistant State Attorney, now works with Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. handling medical malpractice, personal injury, wrongful death and products liability cases. Mr. Hecht is licensed to practice law in all jurisdictions in the State of Florida and has been admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He has served on the Young Lawyers Board of Directors ...