Jennifer Lipinski

Trent Swift is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Trent practices law in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Trent Swift 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 Trent S...

Born and raised in a small town in Northeast Ohio, Pete learned from an early age that hard work pays off. Never the most intelligent student or the most gifted athlete, he excelled at both because he worked harder than everyone else. His beautiful and talented Wife is a fellow trial lawyer. Together, they have 3 children and 2 Beagles. Pete attended the University of Dayton where he received his Bachelors degree in Marketing. He later moved to Florida shortly after graduation and worked a co...

Christopher Duke serves as managing partner of Akerman’s Palm Beach County Offices. With a diverse practice in employment law and complex commercial litigation, Chris represents clients in federal and state courts, as well as in various arbitration forums and before federal, state, and local administrative bodies. His clients operate across multiple sectors, including hospitality, travel/recreation, healthcare, retail, financial services, and alternative energy. Chris routinely represen...

Noelle P. Pankey is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Noelle P. practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Noelle P. Pankey since 2027. 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 Noelle P. Pankey is held by other lawyers.

Larry Rochefort is the chair of Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group, a leading team of trial lawyers advising companies in complex litigation and arbitration across the United States and Latin America. Larry is recognized for Bet-the-Company Litigation by The Best Lawyers in America and as a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation . He represents financial institutions, developers, owners, contractors, insurers, and retailers in real estate, lending, and other disputes. He...

Matthew Z. Zimmerman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Trade Secrets Law. Matthew Z. practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew Z. Zimmerman since 2021. 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 Matthew Z. Zimmerman is held by other lawyers.

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 ...

Daniel A. Thomas is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Real Estate. Daniel A. practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Daniel A. Thomas since 2013. 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 Daniel A. Thomas is held...