Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Lisa Williams McKay was born in Columbus, Mississippi, but has lived in Jackson, Mississippi since graduating from law school in 1993. She has litigated matters in state and federal court with particular emphasis on the defense of doctors, hospitals and nursing homes. Mrs. McKay is married to Kevin McKay and they have two daughters. The McKays are active members of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.

David A. Herrero is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. David A. practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized David A. Herrero since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which David A. Herrero is held by other lawyers.

Gerald (“Jerry”) E. Durbin, II began his legal career in 1971. Over the past 45 years, Jerry’s practice has concentrated in the area of complex civil litigation. He has represented many national insurers and individuals in obtaining some of the most significant verdicts rendered in the State of Oklahoma. In 2010, Jerry was elected as a fellow in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, a recognition reserved to the top 1% of trial lawyers in each state. Jerry has a...

Kurt C. Peterson is a Portland, Oregon–based attorney who focuses on civil litigation and trial work. He represents governmental entities, businesses, insurers, and individuals in matters involving aviation, personal injury, property disputes, construction defect, employment, and insurance coverage. Kurt has extensive trial experience, having tried more than 100 jury cases and over 70 arbitrations in Oregon and Washington. His practice includes representing clients in both state and fed...

Jonathan Eck biography

JAMES B. HADDOW was born in Quincy, Massachusetts on June 25, 1959. He is admitted to practice in Maine, the United States District Court for the District of Maine, the United States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. He is the author of The Evolution of the Maine Law of Attachment on Ordinary and Trustee Process, 7 Me. Bar Journal 2 (1992), and Legal Is...

Robert Schrader is a shareholder in the firm and has over 25 years of state and federal litigation experience. He concentrates his practice in the areas of general litigation and trial advocacy. He serves a diverse client base and maintains an active caseload throughout Florida in matters involving premises liability, general liability, automobile personal injury defense, trucking liability, negligent security, wrongful death, and products liability. Mr. Schrader has tried numerous jury and n...

Gray T. Culbreath represents corporations, individuals and insurers in trials and appeals. For over 35 years he has handled complex trials and appeals in federal and state courts across South Carolina. His career has taken him from Army courtrooms to every federal and state courthouse in South Carolina. His principal areas of practice include complex commercial and class action litigation, including antitrust, product liability and mass tort as well as claims of sexual abuse. Gray’s law...

Thomas R. Julian is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Thomas R. practices law in Madison, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Thomas R. Julian since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard ...

Mr. Delo practices primarily in the areas of medical malpractice defense, healthcare law, personal injury, and commercial litigation. He focuses his practice on the defense of physicians in medical malpractice cases on behalf of the largest medical liability insurer in Arizona and other carriers. Mr. Delo has significant experience in litigating healthcare coverage issues and has represented health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in numerous matters. He also represents physicians in discipli...

Doug Vaughn is a problem solver for his clients. He represents people and businesses when they need a voice to be heard and brings fresh ideas to claims to get a resolution in the client’s best interest. In practicing law, there is no one size fits all approach. Clients have different ideals and objectives when they bring a case or a matter in need of resolution. Doug spends time listening to clients, understanding their culture, understanding what's important to them and then tailors a...

Michael H. Abraham is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Michael H. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Michael H. Abraham since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professio...

Joshua M. Auxier is a litigator with nearly two decades of experience representing clients in professional liability, directors and officers liability, and general liability matters. He is retained by some of the country’s most prominent insurance companies to defend their insureds: accountants, actuaries, engineers, insurance brokers and agents, lawyers, and other professionals, as well as directors and officers of corporate and nonprofit boards. He handles general liability matters fo...

Mr. Gilbert is a partner in the Santa Fe office. He and his wife, Elicia Montoya, have been married for nineteen years, and are parents to two wonderful children. When not working, Kurt is most likely participating in (or sometimes just driving children to and from) some athletic, educational, or artistic endeavor. Kurt has coached soccer for the past eight years and basketball for the past three. Kurt also enjoys long-distance running, skiing, playing guitar, travelling, and cooking.

Emily L. Herman-Thompson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Emily L. practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee Best Lawyers has recognized Emily L. Herman-Thompson since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which ...

Jim Clancy is the president of Branscomb | PC. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. He also handles selected matters defending the firm’s clients in personal injury lawsuits. His experience includes million dollar verdicts for his clients and numerous significant settlements and dismissals. Jim’s greatest professional satisfaction is serving as a trusted advisor. A West Point graduate, Jim is a former Armored Cavalry Captain. He served with the 1st Cavalry Divisi...