Best Lawyers in America for Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
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State
Dave Cecil is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Professional Malpractice Law. Dave, who practices law in Lexington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dave is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jessica K. Formichella focuses her practice on state and federal commercial litigation matters. Jessica served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Peter G. Sheridan, U.S.D.J., United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and to the Honorable Jose L. Fuentes, P.J.A.D., Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. Prior to joining the firm, Jessica was an associate at a large regional law firm. Jessica earned her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, cum laude , where sh...
Elizabeth E. Ewing is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law. Elizabeth E., who practices law in Manchester, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stephen Bell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Professional Malpractice Law. Stephen, who practices law in Wilmington, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Nathan Heffernan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Legal Malpractice Law and Professional Malpractice Law. Nathan, who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nathan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jacob Wassenaar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law, Litigation - Construction and Professional Malpractice Law. Jacob, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jacob is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Samuel C. Zatz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law. Samuel C., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Samuel C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and ...
Sarah Frierson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law and Professional Malpractice Law. Sarah, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rabia Ahmad is an attorney at Helsell Fetterman LLP in Seattle, Washington. Her practice includes Health Care Law and litigation , with a focus on defending physicians, hospitals, and other health care professionals in medical malpractice lawsuits and professional licensing matters. Rabia represents clients in complex disputes involving patient care, professional liability, and regulatory compliance, and she works closely with medical providers and institutions facing high‑stakes claims. Befo...
The focus of my practice is in commercial disputes, professional liability defense, and personal injury defense. I have handled numerous cases before the state and federal trial courts in both New Jersey and New York. In addition, I have significant experience in appellate advocacy and have successfully pursued and opposed appeals before the New Jersey Supreme Court and Appellate Division.
Morgan M. Menchaca is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy and Professional Malpractice Law. Morgan M., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Morgan M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael R. Lavoie is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law. Michael R., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jesse Basel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law and Professional Malpractice Law. Jesse, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jesse is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Agustina Kloosterboer focuses her practice on commercial litigation and professional malpractice defense. She represents clients in business disputes and antitrust lawsuits, as well as law firms and accounting firms on issues arising out of the representation of a former client. Agustina is of Argentinian and Dutch descent. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and raised in Barcelona, Spain, before moving to Florida. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Agustina is an excellent communicato...
Jeff Partlow is a partner in the firm’s Orlando office. Jeff litigates and manages risk in complex commercial, professional malpractice, directors and officers, errors and omissions and community association cases in state and federal courts throughout Florida. Jeff graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University where he obtained a B.S.B.A. with a double major in finance and real estate. He then graduated summa cum laude from Capital University Law School where he was the Vale...
Vordman Carlisle Traywick III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law. Vordman Carlisle, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Vordman Carlisle is held by othe...
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.