Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
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State
John E. Cuttino Cuttino is a Partner in GWB’s Columbia, South Carolina, office. He has 32 years of experience as a trial attorney in the state and federal courts of South Carolina. John has handled cases in 40 of South Carolina’s 46 counties, in all Divisions of U.S. District Court in South Carolina, and has tried more than 75 cases to verdict. His practice is focused on the litigation of a variety of matters including class actions, design and construction defects, toxic and mass...
Senior Trial Partner Jeff Lawton is an accomplished trial attorney who has been with Martin Clearwater & Bell LLP (MCB) since 1983. Enthusiastic and motivated by the very process of representing a client at trial, he often takes on cases that other attorneys have declined. In his own words: “I don’t like my job, I love it.” Jeff excels at simplifying esoteric medical concepts and technicalities into terms jurors can understand, and savors the opportunity to educate jurie...
Jody Offutt Simmons is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Jody Offutt, who practices law in Huntington, West Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jody Offutt is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Walter G. Watkins III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Walter G., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Walter G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice...
Brian E. Tims is an experienced attorney with a strong background in general litigation. Brian represents businesses of all sizes as well as individuals in a variety of litigation matters including labor and employment, professional liability, products liability, land disputes, construction defect, premises liability, and automobile liability. He also handles commercial litigation, including breach of contract and unfair trade practice matters. In addition to his robust civil practice, Brian ...
Don O’Keefe has over 25 years of experience as a trial lawyer. In all, he has tried more than 100 cases to verdict in state and federal courts in Missouri and Illinois and arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association and United States Arbitration and Mediation. Don has argued before appellate courts in both Missouri and Illinois and has been before the Missouri Supreme Court on multiple cases. Don is a member of many prominent legal and state bar organizations including the ...
Todd D. Anderson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law, Litigation - Health Care, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Todd D., who practices law in Richmond, Virginia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Todd D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Carol Browning is an accomplished trial attorney who has tried more than 35 cases to jury verdict in multiple jurisdictions. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Her practice includes drug and medical device litigation, products liability and medical malpractice defense. She also serves as counsel to physicians and hospitals. Ms. Browning serves as national or state counsel for multiple drug, medical device and product manufacturers and is involved in multi-district litig...
Susan L. Steffey was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1987 and to the Mississippi Bar in 1991. She is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Mississippi and Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before joining Watkins & Eager in 1991, Susan practiced in Tampa, Florida, with the law firm of Sessums & Mason (1987-1990), and served as law clerk to the Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1990-19...
H. Lanier Brown II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Management, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. H. Lanier, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high estee...
Sarah M. Hoffman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Health Care, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Sarah M., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael has been practicing law for over 35 years, of which the last 20 have been devoted to insurance defense litigation. He tries significant product liability cases where there is catastrophic damage and/or serious injury or death. Michael also defends doctors, dentists, hospitals, and their employees, as well as other professionals such as lawyers, in malpractice suits and claims brought against them. To date, Michael has tried over 300 cases to verdict. Michael has also handled matters i...
Travis J. Rhoades is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Travis J., who practices law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Travis J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and ...
Peter S. Johnston is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Peter S., who practices law in Salina, Kansas, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Robert L. Massie is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Railroad Law. Robert L., who practices law in Huntington, West Virginia, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert L. is held by other top lawyers in the same ...
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.