Best Lawyers in Florida, United States
Florida is home to more than 23 million people, hundreds of industries and a wide range of legal needs. From individuals navigating personal matters like divorce or estate planning to businesses managing complex contracts or regulatory hurdles, legal guidance plays a critical role in daily life across the state.
Florida’s unique economic drivers—tourism, real estate, agriculture and healthcare—create specific legal demands that often require attorneys with focused regional experience. Whether you're in the Keys, the Panhandle, or Central Florida, understanding the local context can be just as important as understanding the law.
When it’s time to find the right attorney in Florida for your needs, language matters too. In Florida—as in most states—lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably. But technically, only an attorney is licensed to practice law.
That distinction matters here. Best Lawyers only includes professionals who are fully licensed and actively practicing—legal advocates recognized by their peers for excellence in skill, ethics and service.
Whether you're facing a personal challenge, planning for the future, or trying to protect your business, Best Lawyers connects you with attorneys across Florida who are qualified, trusted and ready to help.
How to Use This Page
Our directory makes it easy to find a Florida attorney who fits your needs. You can search by practice area, city, or name. Whether you’re based in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tallahassee, or anywhere in between, the search tools are designed for speed and clarity.
Each attorney profile provides:
- Areas of practice
- Years of experience
- Peer-review distinctions
- Contact information and firm affiliations
This transparency helps you evaluate your options and choose someone with the right background for your specific legal issue. You’re accessing a curated list of professionals with proven reputations in their field.
This is more than a directory—it’s a research tool for making smarter legal decisions. Whether you’re hiring an attorney for the first time or seeking secondary advice on an ongoing matter, the information here helps you avoid guesswork. It’s especially useful for individuals managing high-stakes or emotionally charged issues, like a contested divorce or a business dispute with large financial consequences.
Legal Coverage Throughout Florida
No matter where you live or what kind of legal help you need, chances are we’ve got it covered. Best Lawyers recognizes attorneys in both high-demand and niche areas of practice across all corners of the state. This directory includes lawyers from large metro areas like Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville, as well as smaller communities like Gainesville, Pensacola and Sarasota, ensuring you can find representation no matter where you're located.
Some of the most commonly searched legal services in Florida include:
- Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice: With Florida’s population growth and busy roadways, personal injury and accident attorneys play a major role in helping people recover and rebuild.
- Family Law and Divorce: Family-related matters—from custody disputes to prenuptial agreements—require attorneys with both skill and sensitivity.
- Real Estate and Land Use: Florida’s hot real estate markets make it essential to have a qualified attorney for closings, zoning, development and litigation.
- Business and Corporate Law: From startups in Miami to legacy businesses in the Panhandle, attorneys guide everything from contracts to mergers.
- Criminal Defense: Experienced defense attorneys help clients navigate Florida’s criminal justice system with insight and integrity.
- Immigration Law: As a diverse and international state, Florida sees high demand for legal representation in immigration and naturalization matters.
- Estate Planning and Elder Law: With many retirees and aging residents, Florida has a strong need for attorneys who specialize in wills, trusts, Medicaid planning and probate.
We also include lawyers practicing in emerging or specialized fields, such as cybersecurity law, cannabis regulation, aviation law and education law. With so many attorneys practicing across Florida, it can be difficult to know who truly stands out. That’s where Best Lawyers adds genuine value by showing you not just every practitioner who’s licensed, but qualified attorneys who have earned the respect of their peers through years of dedicated service and proven results.
A Peer-Review Process You Can Trust
Every attorney listed in our Florida page has earned recognition through Best Lawyers’ rigorous annual peer-review process. This is a comprehensive methodology grounded in the insights of the legal community itself.
Here’s how it works:
- Nomination: Lawyers are nominated by peers or clients who have observed their work firsthand.
- Peer Review: Attorneys in the same practice area assess the nominee’s skill, integrity and results. This is confidential and weighted.
- Eligibility and Verification: Nominees must be in good standing with the bar and actively practicing law. We verify their status through state bar associations and other professional channels.
- Annual Re-evaluation: Because legal landscapes evolve, our recognitions are not static. Each year, the process begins again to ensure continued excellence.
This process helps ensure the integrity of our listings. If you’re selecting an attorney from our directory, you’re choosing someone who didn’t just claim to be the best—they were recognized by other attorneys as among the best in their field.
Start Your Search for an Attorney in Florida by Practice Area or City
Whether you’re dealing with a landlord dispute, a complicated contract, or a life-changing injury, finding the right attorney can make all the difference. Best Lawyers makes that search faster, clearer and more trustworthy.
Explore our Florida pages to find top-rated attorneys by:
- Practice Area: Choose the legal focus that best matches your needs.
- City: Get local insights and representation in your region.
Your legal matter deserves careful consideration—and the right advocate. With Best Lawyers, you’re not just searching. You’re starting from a foundation of credibility, clarity and peer-backed trust. Browse by practice area or location to get started today and feel confident knowing that every name you see here has been vetted by fellow attorneys who know what it takes to provide outstanding legal service in Florida.
Select a city or practice area from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Cities
Practice Areas
Sami R. Achem, Jr. practices in the area of general defense litigation, with an emphasis upon complex litigation involving premises liability, automobile negligence, products liability, trucking/transportation, indemnification disputes, insurance disputes, Lemon Law litigation, landlord/tenant litigation, and negligent security. Mr. Achem has been recognized by Best Lawyers of America since 2023. He was also elected to Florida Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for 2017-2021. He is as an AV Preem...
David Ackerman defends law firms in professional malpractice and legal ethics actions. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, clients value his litigation experience and strategic insight in resolving disputes through trial and appeals, negotiation, or arbitration. Ranked by Chambers USA , where he is described as “an even-keeled, thoughtful and smart attorney,” he is repeatedly recognized by Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and included in The Best Lawyers in America...
Jolyon Acosta’s practice focuses on private wealth services for high net worth individuals, families, and multi-generational business owners. Mr. Acosta counsels clients in a variety of complex estate and business planning matters related to their wealth management needs. He has extensive experience advising clients on matters involving estate, gift, and income taxes, and routinely assists family businesses in succession and other planning matters. Mr. Acosta represents clients across a...
Frank Adams is a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and is listed in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America, in the areas of trusts and estates, and trust and estates litigation. He is an AV-rated attorney, and is Board Certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates. Frank practices primarily in sophisticated estate planning and administration, including wills; revocable and irrevocable trusts; asset protection planning; special needs trusts, probate; estate, gift ...
Glenn A. Adams practices in the areas of corporate and tax law. He advises clients on a variety of business entity issues during the life cycle of the business — beginning prior to formation, continuing as the business grows and succeeds, and forward until the business, or a unit of the business, is liquidated upon sale or other circumstances. Mr. Adams has substantial experience with the formation of corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships (including general partnership...
Richard B. Adams is a partner in the firm’s Miami office. For more than thirty years he has been one of the most active trial lawyers in South Florida. Mr. Adams' practice has encompassed all aspects of civil litigation, with a focus on the defense of personal injury, professional malpractice lawsuits, and insurance coverage issues. He also has experience in appellate practice, and carries an "AV" rating with Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Adams earned his Bachelor's Degree at Washington &...
Stephanie L. Adler-Paindiris is a principal in the Orlando, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and serves as co-leader of the firm's Litigation practice group. Admitted to the United States Supreme Court and federal courts throughout the country, Stephanie defends class and collective actions on behalf of employers and provides legal advice and counsel to help her clients navigate today’s legal and business workplace challenges. ...
Kristin has been practicing law in Florida for over 27 years and focuses her practice on employment litigation and compliance and commercial litigation. She serves as counsel to a broad range of clients, public and private, in both federal and state courts, as well as before administrative agencies, and alternative dispute resolution forums. Kristin represents local, national, and international businesses, management, and individuals in employment-related matters including discrimination and ...
Todd Aidman devotes his practice to working with companies on a broad range of labor and employment matters. He is experienced in complex and class action litigation and regularly practices in the trial and appellate levels of federal and state courts, as well as administrative agencies such as the EEOC and DOL. Todd defends companies in a broad range of employment and labor disputes, including cases involving allegations of age, race, national origin, disability, sex discrimination, sexual a...
A. Brian Albritton concentrates his practice on “white collar” criminal defense; False Claims Act and Qui Tam litigation; defending regulatory enforcement actions brought by government agencies, including unfair/deception trade practice actions brought by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general; regulatory compliance; and complex commercial litigation, including the prosecution and defense of claims relating to trade secret theft, non-competition agreements and ot...
A former deputy general counsel of the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (now DEP), Silvia Alderman is the chair of Akerman’s Water Task Force, a team of multidisciplinary legal professionals and consultants advising on the regulatory and environmental challenges facing our clients. Recognized by Chambers USA , Silvia is praised for her “wealth of knowledge representing utilities” as well as being “very strong on administrative law.” Silvia represent...
With experience defending over 250 class action cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States, Marcy Levine Aldrich is chair of Akerman’s Class Action Defense Litigation Practice. Noted by Chambers USA for her “strong reputation,” Marcy litigates complex disputes, including class action litigation and complex insurance litigation with a focus on serving national and regional insurers in connection with auto insurance, property casualty and other insurance is...
Martin J. Alexander , one of the founding partners of Holland & Knight’s West Palm Beach office, practices general commercial and corporate litigation in state and federal courts. His practice includes the representation of corporate and individual clients of the firm in wide-ranging contractual and business disputes. Mr. Alexander handles matters concerning the sale and transfer of stock ownership, securities law violations, minority shareholder rights, non-compete agreements, and ...
Robert Alfert, Jr., is a Florida Bar Board Certified Attorney in Construction Law, and an experienced Construction Arbitrator. He concentrates his practice in construction law and litigation, infrastructure and transportation, including public-private partnerships. His experience in construction and infrastructure derives from his education and prior work experience in architecture, in addition to more than twenty-five years of handling complex construction matters and infrastructure projects...
Scott Allen is a principal in the Miami, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Since 1998, Scott’s legal career has been dedicated to counseling and defending employers in employment-related matters and counseling on behalf of management. He has been with Jackson Lewis since 2001. Scott represents a broad range of management clients in state and federal courts and administrative tribunals concerning all types of employment litigation, including claims of discrimination on the basis of a...
Adam Lawton Alpert’s practice focuses on the representation of debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, and trustees in Chapter 11 reorganizations and Chapter 7 liquidations. Mr. Alpert is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification, accredited by The Florida Bar. Mr. Alpert regularly represents distressed companies, unsecured creditors' committees, and purchasers of assets in all aspects of bankruptcy. Mr. Alpert's practice also includes handling ...
Cesar L. Alvarez currently serves as the Co-Chairman of Greenberg Traurig. Prior to this appointment, Cesar served the firm as its Executive Chairman for more than three years, and as its Chief Executive Officer for 13 years. He began his tenure as CEO in 1997, when the firm had 325 lawyers in eight offices and directed the firm through its growth to approximately 1850 attorneys and government professionals in more than 36 locations in the United States, Europe and Asia, including strategic a...
Hugo V. Alvarez has successfully worked on a large volume of cases with significant financial exposure. Fortune 500 companies, prominent real estate developers, municipalities, insurance companies, hotels, financial institutions, condominium/homeowner’s associations, CD brokers, freight forwarders, and general contractors have all sought his legal advice and deep local community ties to help get issues resolved. Hugo has been published in the Daily Business Review , Law360, appeared on ...
Carter Andersen has extensive experience handling complex civil litigation matters in both state and federal courts and in alternative dispute resolution settings, including arbitration and mediation. Mr. Andersen handles contract and commercial litigation disputes, construction and real estate disputes, professional malpractice matters, employment law disputes and other litigation matters. Before joining Bush Ross, Mr. Andersen practiced general commercial litigation with Jones Day in Washin...
Jessica DeBono Anderson is a Partner in the Orlando, Florida office. Since 2008, Ms. Anderson has represented management in employment litigation before state and federal courts in Florida and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Florida Commission on Human Relations, Department of Labor and other administrative agencies. Ms. Anderson has experience litigating issues such as employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, overtime and unpaid wages, leave and ...
Nick Andrews concentrates his practice on the representation of management in matters related to labor and employment law. Nick is adept at advising clients facing complex employment law issues, including disputes related to allegations of harassment, employment discrimination, and wage and hour violations. He has appeared on behalf of employers before state and federal courts as well as administrative agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations ...
Heather L. Apicella is the Principal shareholder with the law firm of Apicella Law Group, P.A. Ms. Apecella is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Marital and Family Law and a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. She is a member of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, Palm Beach County Bar Association, South Palm Beach County Bar Association, Broward County Bar Association, and South Palm Beach County Collaborative Law Group concentrating her practice in the area of ...
Eric Newell Appleton is a founding partner and member of Appleton Reiss, PLLC. Mr. Appleton has practiced community association and real estate law in Florida, including litigation and transactional matters, since 1999. He has substantial experience representing real estate owners, developers, office parks, commercial associations and residential condominium and homeowners’ associations throughout Florida. Mr. Appleton’s law practice focuses on assisting association officers, dire...
A former Assistant U.S. Attorney with a focus on public corruption and national security, Jacqueline Arango is co-chair of Akerman’s White Collar Crime & Government Investigations Practice. She leads a team including former federal prosecutors, senior enforcement lawyers at the SEC, and government lawyers representing corporations, financial institutions, boards of directors, and individuals in government investigations, regulatory enforcement matters, grand jury probes, internal in...
Ranked by Chambers USA , which lauds his reputation as a corporate lawyer “who serves his clients very well,” William Arnhols has more than three decades of experience navigating public and private debt transactions. He has negotiated complex billion dollar transactions, and frequently acts as borrower’s counsel for revolving credit and term loan facilities utilizing a variety of structures and in a broad range of industries.
Richard Alan Arnold is a nationally recognized trial lawyer specializing in complex litigation. He has tried antitrust cases for plaintiffs and defendants. During his over 30 years of concentration on these cases, his practice has emphasized individual plaintiff cases rather than class action or mass action representation. He has represented public companies, entrepreneurial individuals, and privately-held companies in plaintiff’s antitrust cases in a wide variety of industries, includi...
Mark I. Aronson has practiced in the area of commercial real estate law for 30 years and has handled a wide range of transactions as counsel for developers, institutional lenders and public and private entities. Mr. Aronson has significant experience working with a variety of large scale multi-use real estate developments. He has represented developers of resort and golf course projects, regional malls and shopping centers as well as urban and suburban office building projects and condominium...
Harsh concentrates in the areas of domestic and international corporate transactions and related business dispute resolution. He counsels public and privately held companies as a boardroom advisor and a courtroom advocate in high-stakes corporate matters. Harsh serves as general counsel for businesses with a prominent national or international presence. His general counsel practice focuses on preventative counseling and business structuring. Harsh advises clients on mergers, acquisitions, con...
Alex Arteaga-Gomez is a Partner at Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen, representing victims in general liability, mass tort, and medical malpractice matters. Before joining the firm, he acted as an assistant federal public defender at the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, where he represented clients at trial and on appeal. He has tried cases and argued appeals in both state and federal courts and represented clients before the U.S. Supreme Court.Between his ...
SCOTT A. ARTHUR is a partner with Diaco Law, a firm dedicated to the representation of individuals and families in catastrophic personal injury cases. Previously he was a shareholder at Gunn Law Group, P.A., where his practice focused on representing policyholders and the injured in claims against insurance companies, including cases involving insurance coverage, bad faith, and unfair claims settlement practices. Mr. Arthur has served as lead trial counsel in personal injury, coverage, produc...
David C. Ashburn represents a diverse array of clients in their dealings with numerous state and federal regulatory agencies. David’s understanding of governmental regulatory processes has also enabled him to provide counsel to buyers and sellers of health care related businesses, and to lenders and private equity groups that finance those transactions. The many types of health care, managed care and insurance related clients David has represented include the following: Ambulatory surge...
Brian J. Aull is a partner in the Jacksonville office. He practices in all phases of civil litigation, including personal injury litigation, construction litigation, employment and labor, insurance coverage and carrier representation, trucking/transportation and professional liability litigation. Prior to joining Cole, Scott & Kissane, Mr. Aull practiced as an Assistant State Attorney, in the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, where he was a member of the Homicide/Major Crimes Division a...
Michael Austin focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation matters, arbitration and regulatory investigation matters, with a particular emphasis in the healthcare industry. Michael serves as co-chair of the firm’s healthcare litigation team, and represents a wide range of healthcare clients, including health systems, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic imaging companies, home health agencies, and medical and physician practice. Mike handles a variety of complex ...
Jonathan Awner serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. Ranked by Best Lawyers in America , Chambers USA , and The Legal 500 as a preeminent corporate lawyer, Jonathan Awner advises clients in automotive retail, aviation, distribution, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, services, technology, waste management and other industries. Described by a client quoted in Chambers USA as a “top-notch” lawyer who is “smart, hard-working and practical,” J...
Juan counsels and assists financial institutions and FinTech companies on the development, implementation, and execution of sound, comprehensive risk management frameworks—including tailored consumer and financial crime compliance management systems (CMS)—that identify, manage and effectively mitigate the risks associated with the development, offering, and delivery of cutting-edge FinTech products and services, such as marketplace lending (MPL) and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL), banki...