Michael R. Bakst

John A. Chiocca is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. John A., 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 John A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

T. HARDEE BASS III practices exclusively in the firm’s tobacco litigation unit, litigating cases against cigarette-making giants Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard Tobacco Company, and Liggett. He has tried numerous complex, multi-week tobacco cases in venues across the state of Florida, and has obtained multiple seven and eight figure verdicts, including: $21 million, Escambia County (2010) $21 million, Sarasota County (2018) $20 million, Palm Beach County (2014) $13.1 million, Pi...

Ryan Fogg is a distinguished medical malpractice lawyer renowned for his expertise in advocating for patients’ rights and seeking justice for individuals harmed by medical negligence. A seasoned attorney with years of experience in medical malpractice litigation and personal injury lawsuits, Ryan’s practice focuses on providing comprehensive legal counsel to people who have suffered catastrophic injuries ranging from birth-related neurological trauma to sexual assaults. Throughout...

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...

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.

Scott B. Smith is an accomplished Florida personal injury attorney with many years of experience. He provides aggressive representation to individuals and families who have been injured in auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, commercial motor vehicle accidents, boating accidents, elevator accidents, train accidents, aviation accidents and slip & fall accidents. Scott also represents those injured by defective products and families who have lost a loved...

Adam K. Hodges is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Adam K., 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 Adam K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew H. Triggs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Matthew H., 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 Matthew H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Spector has a broad based complex commercial litigation practice with an emphasis in the investigation and litigation of complex fraud schemes and unfair and deceptive practices on behalf of some of the nation's largest insurance companies. Through David's insurance litigation practice, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry and regularly consults with his clients on best practices of fraud detection and investigation. Further, David defends professional neglig...

CHRISTIAN D. SEARCY is president and CEO of Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. and writes and lectures extensively about civil trial practice, personal injury and wrongful death. For 46 years he has litigated cases primarily involving catastrophic injury and death in venues throughout Florida as well as in other states. At age 29, he had the distinction of being the youngest lawyer in the United States to achieve a verdict of $1 million for a single personal injury lawsuit. In...