Best Lawyers in Florida, United States for Appellate Practice
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Scott Perwin represents clients in antitrust matters, other commercial disputes, and bet-the-company litigation at trial and on appeal. With decades of experience, Scott has achieved successful results based on his clients’ litigation objectives and business goals. Renowned in antitrust, Scott has been named Best Lawyers in America’ s “Lawyer of the Year” for Miami six times in either Antitrust Litigation or Antitrust Law. Scott’s work primarily focuses on the pl...
Katherine Earle Yanes was born in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Williams College, magna cum laude, with honors in economics, in 1993. In 1997, she graduated from Stetson University College of Law, magna cum laude, as valedictorian of her class. She was an associate member of the Stetson Law Review. Following law school, Ms. Yanes served as a law clerk to Chief Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Since 1999, she has rep...
Dorothy of Easley Appellate Practice PLLC focuses her work on Appellate Practice nationally, from her office in Miami, Florida. She is the published author of Successful Federal Appeals in All Circuit Courts: A Practical Guide for Busy Lawyers , a practical resource addressing federal appellate procedure and appeal strategies. She has advanced hundreds of appeals. Her work reflects a long-standing interest in legal writing, careful analysis of the record, and clear presentation of complex leg...
Brigid F. Cech Samole is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Brigid F., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brigid F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stacy D. Blank practices primarily in the area of appellate and general commercial litigation. She has litigated appeals in the Florida District Courts of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Circuit Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. She has handled appeals and trial court litigation in numerous subject areas including trust and estates, antitrust, employment law, state and federal taxation, environmental law, family law, administrative law, intellectu...
Jennifer V. Ruiz is a Partner in the firm’s Miami office and practices in the areas of General Civil Litigation, Employment and Labor, Condominium and Homeowners’ Association, Civil Rights, Directors and Officers Liability, and Professional Malpractice for the firm. She practices in state and federal courts, at both trial and appellate levels. Mrs. Ruiz Co-Chairs the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Chairs the Committee’s affinity group: CSK WIN – Wom...
Daniel Gray Thomas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Daniel Gray, who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel Gray is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lissette Gonzalez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Lissette, who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lissette is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stephen focuses on complex litigation and appeals. He has tried cases to verdict in state and federal courts and has argued more than 50 appeals. His practice spans class actions, personal injury, aviation accidents, complex commercial disputes, defamation, professional malpractice, and whistleblower claims. His abilities have been recognized in numerous publications. Benchmark Appellate observed that Stephen “possesses the rare skill set allowing him to excel at both trial and appellat...
Kristen M. Fiore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Kristen M., who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
James E. Felman has concentrated his practice of law in the defense of complex criminal matters and related civil litigation for over 30 years. Mr. Felman represents clients in federal and state matters in every phase of the criminal process -- investigation, trial, sentencing, appeal, and post-conviction proceedings. He has represented clients in a wide range of matters, including allegations of bank fraud, health care fraud, mail and wire fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, environm...
Stephen R. Senn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Stephen R., who practices law in Lakeland, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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. ...
Dinah S. Stein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Dinah S., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dinah S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
John is board-certified in appellate practice by The Florida Bar, is a member of the American Law Institute, and has argued before all of Florida’s state and federal appellate courts—including the Supreme Court of the United States. In addition to representing parties, he has represented various amici curiae (friends of the court), and wrote an amicus brief in the landmark age discrimination case Smith v. City of Jackson, presenting an entirely novel textual argument that the Supr...
Kendall Coffey is a founding member of the law firm Coffey Burlington, PL, based in Miami, which handles matters in Florida and throughout the United States. Mr. Coffey also currently serves as the Chair of the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for South Florida. Appointed by both of Florida's United States Senators, he presides over the 21-person commission that selects individuals to be considered by the White House to become U.S. federal judges and U.S. Attorney for South Florida. Mr....
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.