Michael S. Dawkins

Tom Neal is a native Floridian who was born and raised in Orlando. He graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1982. As an undergraduate, he played football for the legendary Coach Bo Schembechler and participated in two Rose Bowls, the Gator Bowl, and the Blue Bonnet Bowl. Tom graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Law in 1985. He holds the highest ranking an individual attorney can receive (AV – Preeminent) as designated by the Martindal...

Kimberly Lopez Narbona is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Kimberly Lopez, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberly Lopez is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jessica Walberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jessica, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jessica is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

C. David Brown II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. C. David, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which C. David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James M. McCrae is a Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Lawyer who represents contractors and subcontractors in the area of construction litigation. Most recently, Mr. McCrae represented a floating dock contractor in appeals regarding the bond principal's defense of the surety's claim for indemnification before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Florida Supreme Court. Prior to practicing law, Mr. McCrae worked as a project manager for a local general commercial c...

Monte S. Starr is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Monte S., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Monte S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick Brackins received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Florida and, in 2006, his Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. Patrick moved to Orlando in 2006, where he began his career as a staff attorney for Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. Prior to joining Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins, P.A., from 2008 to 2016, Patrick served as the career law clerk for a United States Magistrate Judge in the Orlando Division of th...

Michael Maher’s extensive experience as a trial lawyer has made him one of the nation’s outstanding client advocates with an impressive list of precedent-setting settlements and verdicts and a recognized leader in the legal profession. One of his most notable accomplishments was chairing the 11 legal firms making up the People’s Trial Advocates appointed by the state of Florida and resulting in the long-term recovery of more than $25 billion from the tobacco industry. Mr. Ma...

John W. Bocchino is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. John W., who practices law in Maitland, Florida, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David H. Simmons is one of the founding partners of DSK Law Firm in Orlando, Florida. As DSK Law’s financial managing partner, David is responsible for the firm’s overall practice, management, and day to day operations. David Simmons was born in Nashville, Tennessee. David graduated with highest distinction from Tennessee Technological University, where he was first in his class in Mathematics and received both the R. H. Moorman Scholarship and the Mathematics Award. At Vanderbilt...