Best Lawyers in America for Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
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State
David Allen practices litigation for a broad variety of clients. He has been trying lawsuits for more than 30 years with close to 100 juries empaneled during that time. A former president of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA), David is a frequent lecturer on substantive and technical aspects of trial practice for numerous sponsors of continuing legal education presentations, having addressed both the NCADA and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice in recent years. ...
John C. Ryland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. John C., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mr. Klemensic has more than 25 years experience practicing medical malpractice defense as well as general civil and insurance litigation in state and federal courts throughout Pennsylvania. His main focus is on the defense of health care providers including hospitals, physicians, dentists, podiatrists, rehabilitation facilities, therapists, and psychiatrists.
Diane Bellquist defends licensed individuals and entities before regulatory boards in Kansas and Missouri. With over 10 years’ experience working for Kansas regulatory agencies, Diane uses her insider knowledge and experience to her clients’ advantage. Having previously served as Assistant General Counsel for the Kansas Board of Healing Arts, Diane is particularly experienced with matters involving health care professionals. She regularly defends physicians, chiropractors, physici...
Lisa Smith Presta is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Lisa Smith, who practices law in Erie, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa Smith is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Matthew Joss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Matthew, who practices law in Richmond, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top law...
Since joining Watkins & Eager in 1991, Walter's practice has included both federal and state court litigation in the areas of pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, medical malpractice, general product liability, and personal injury. Walter has served as lead trial counsel in numerous product liability and medical malpractice cases in both state and federal courts and has tried multiple cases to verdict. Walter chairs the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device and Alternative Dispute Re...
Jeffrey J. Wetzel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Jeffrey J., who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Andrew Townsley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Andrew, who practices law in Huntsville, Alabama, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
James Looper serves as Co-Managing Partner for our Nashville office. He is currently licensed in Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. In addition to being licensed in a number of states, James handles complex litigation as a part of the National Trial Counsel team across the country. James’ practice is centered on medical-related issues, complex litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and health care, and he has had numerous jury trials in multiple states. Prior to attending law school...
Laura DeMartini is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Laura, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jack is an elected member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. For more than 35 years his practice has focused on the defense of hundreds of civil cases in areas including: product liability, automobile liability, wrongful death, aircraft crash liability, defamation, premises liability, professional liability, drug and device liability, employment law, commercial liability and trustee and fiduciary liability. This exposure has resulted in more than 100 civil jury trials throughout the St...
Terrence M. Connors has been recognized by his peers as one of the pre-eminent trial attorneys in the state. For the past seven years, he has been ranked as the number one lawyer in all upstate New York by Super Lawyers magazine. This year, the Erie County Bar Association named him Lawyer of the Year and, in 2006, the New York State Bar Association awarded him the prestigious Attorney Professionalism Award. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Membership in that organizati...
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.