Elissa M. Fitzmartin

Kristin Ahr is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kristin, 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 Kristin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Gobeo is the Office Managing Partner for FordHarrison's West Palm Beach office. He focuses his practice on the representation of management in a broad range of employment matters including against claims of discrimination, harassment and wage and hour violations. David routinely handles lawsuits involving the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and th...

Roy E. Fitzgerald III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Roy E., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roy E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Ackerman defends law firms in professional malpractice and legal ethics actions. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, clients value his litigation experience and strategic insight in resolving disputes through trial and appeals, negotiation, or arbitration. Ranked by Chambers USA , where he is described as “an even-keeled, thoughtful and smart attorney,” he is repeatedly recognized by Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and included in The Best Lawyers in America...

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.

Richard D. Schuler is the founding partner of Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller & Overbeck, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Since the firm began in 1978, he has actively been involved in representing plaintiffs in Civil Trial Litigation throughout the State of Florida and nationally. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Syracuse University. Since 1984, he has been Board Certified by The Florida Bar as a Civil Trial Lawyer.

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...

Mr. Crawford is the General Products Team Leader overseeing products, admiralty, and general negligence matters defended by the firm. He has substantial experience in the defense and trial of product design and manufacture defect claims involving products such as heavy construction equipment and power tools, motor vehicles, recreational watercraft, gas, and diesel engines. Mr. Crawford has been involved in complex litigation regarding the defense of foreign substance food cases, carcinogenic ...

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 ...

Michael J. Pike is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation - Real Estate and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael J., 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 Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.