Ellen M. Avery-Smith

Mr. Eckels devotes his practice to the defense of employers and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation and Longshore claims. He practices throughout Florida and Georgia in the workers’ compensation context, while his longshore and Defense Base Act practice extends nationwide. He handles all facets of workers’ compensation and longshore claims from the initial reporting of an accident and its investigation, including site visits, through the discovery process to trial, a...

Since 1980, Elizabeth “Betsy” White has established an excellent and widespread reputation as a top lawyer in the fields of criminal defense, civil rights, and appeals. Her experience includes extensive litigation on behalf of criminal defendants as well as litigation to protect the constitutional and civil rights of individuals and groups, including women, minorities and prisoners. She has litigated at all levels of the judicial system, including the United States Supreme Court. ...

Jane Anderson practices insurance defense litigation focusing primarily on complex federal and state coverage issues and insurer bad faith cases, including appeals. Her experience includes formulating coverage opinions and litigating first and third party coverage and liability issues for auto, property, umbrella, commercial general liability, homeowners, disability, employment practices liability, and professional malpractice policies. Ms. Anderson assists insurers with agent E&O issues ...

Dick is managing partner of the firm, a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and chairman of the firm’s Business Department. Dick’s practice focuses principally on healthcare, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, contract negotiation, general corporate matters, financings, regulatory matters, and antitrust advice. Dick represents a wide range of corporations, limited liability companies and other entities, including start-up companies and healthcare providers, ...

Kristen Van der Linde devotes her practice exclusively to the defense of cases and appeals involving trucking liability, automobile liability, premises liability, wrongful death, bad faith, negligent security, and coverage issues. She is admitted to practice law in Georgia as well as Florida. Ms. Van der Linde is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar, which means that she is an expert in civil litigation before state and federal courts, administrative agencies and arbitrators....

Mr. Diebenow is a partner at the firm. His primary focus is real estate, land use, zoning, and government law. As a registered lobbyist across a wide range of issues, Mr. Diebenow represents individuals, corporations, landowners and developers to secure business and development incentives as well as entitlements including land use, zoning, concurrency and mobility fee approvals. He also provides legal counsel in real estate transactions including the acquisition, entitlement, financing, and d...

Peter P. Hargitai is a trial lawyer, focusing on real estate and complex commercial litigation. Mr. Hargitai has extensive trial experience in both traditional and alternative dispute resolution tribunals, and has handled complex matters involving real estate disputes, business torts, restrictive covenants, trade secrets and anti-competitive practices. Mr. Hargitai also has developed a banking operations practice and currently represents many national and regional banks. Prior to entering pri...

Edward B. Cole is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Real Estate. Edward B. practices law in Jacksonville, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Edward B. Cole since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Edward B. Cole is held by other lawyers.

Ross H. Chafin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Real Estate and Real Estate Law. Ross H. practices law in Jacksonville, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Ross H. Chafin since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ross H. Chafin is held by other lawyers.

E.K. Cottrell is a partner with Rivkin Radler LLP and practices in the area of complex commercial litigation . Based in Jacksonville, Florida, his work focuses on Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, and Litigation – Insurance. He represents insurers, reinsurers, financial institutions, and business entities in a wide range of disputes involving alleged improper market conduct, business practices, fiduciary duties, and regulatory compliance. E.K. regularly hand...