W. Braxton Gillam IV

Mr. Samuels concentrates his practice on workers’ compensation disputes in Florida state courts. He also regularly defends claims brought under the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act throughout the southeastern United States. Mr. Samuels’ breadth of experience in the employer liability arena allows him to provide practical, in-depth knowledge of the law when counseling employers, manufacturers, insurers, servicing agents, and self-insured entities on a di...

Lori K. Mans is a principal in the Jacksonville, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She has devoted her entire career to working with employers on labor and employment law issues. Lori represents management in state and federal court employment litigation, and also represents employers in traditional labor law matters, including collective bargaining negotiations and grievance arbitrations. Lori works closely with employers of all shapes and sizes, and in various industries, providing gene...

William E. Gibbs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. William E., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kathryn M. Oughton is a shareholder and Practice Group Leader of the firm’s Property Damage Claims practice area. Kathryn’s practice focuses on civil litigation with an emphasis on the defense of cases involving first party property claims. Other practice areas include automobile liability, premises liability, wrongful death, and bad faith and coverage issues. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Oughton worked for a state-wide defense firm where she served as head of the civil litigati...

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. ...

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...

Melissa A. Dearing is a Partner in the firm’s Immigration Practice Group, where she assists employers in seeking non-immigrant and immigrant status. Melissa has extensive experience with H-1Bs and the PERM-based green card process, particularly with respect to information technology professionals, engineers and pharmacists, among other professionals. She also represents foreign nationals regarding family immigration matters and assists employers with I-9 and other immigration compliance...

Katie DeSantis McCranie is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Katie DeSantis, who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katie DeSantis is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Meg is an experienced advisor and litigator working in the firm’s healthcare, labor and employment, and litigation practice areas. For more than a decade, she has supported clients in managing a broad range of complex legal issues in employment and healthcare matters. A key focus of Meg’s practice includes counseling firm clients and businesses of all sizes in navigating personnel management issues like employee contracting, discipline and termination; employer best practices, pol...

Frank E. Morreale is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Insurance. Frank E., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Frank E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.