Lainey W. Francisco

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...

Phillip C. Gildan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Phillip C., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Phillip C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Grasford W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Grasford W., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Grasford W. 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.

Jason Fedo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Securities. Jason, who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew E. Haynes 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. Matthew E., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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 ...

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...

Stephen D. Sanford started his legal career with Mudge Rose Guthrie Alexander & Ferdon in New York City in 1982, specializing in public finance. He joined Greenberg Traurig, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1994. Since he began his career, he has represented all of the various participants in a wide variety of municipal transactions.