David G. Bates

Claire Hurley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Claire, 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 Claire 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.

John Eversole III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Aviation Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. John, who practices law in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sherry Schwartz is a partner in the firm’s West Palm Beach Office. She received her Bachelors of Science, with Highest Honors from the University of Florida, followed by her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Miami in 2001. Both in law school and in her early years as an attorney, Ms. Schwartz has successfully tried cases for her clients in criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. She joined Cole, Scott, and Kissane with experience in more than 30 jury trials, following her...

Laurie J. Briggs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs. Laurie J., 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 Laurie J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Arlene K. Kline is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Arlene K., 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 Arlene K. 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...

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 ...

Clifford I. Hertz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Clifford I., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Clifford I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With 39 years of experience as a trusts and estates lawyer, 37 of them in Naples, Florida, Andrew J. Krause focuses his practice on family wealth transfer planning, plus estate and trust settlement and administration. In particular, Andy applies leading-edge tools and techniques to help Florida residents protect their wealth. With an emphasis on tax-efficiency, Andrew assists individuals, families and multiple-generations of families with their unique estate planning issues, including domicil...