Best Lawyers in America for Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants

Kurt Bratten is a partner in our Health Law Department. His practice includes a wide range of civil litigation, transactional work, compliance and other advisory services. Kurt’s primary focus is on counseling health care providers regarding various compliance and transactional matters such as state and federal data security and privacy requirements, managed care and other contractual matters, and state and federal regulatory requirements applicable to various provider groups. He freque...

Sherry Schwartz is a partner in the firm’s West Palm Beach Office. She received her Bachelors of Science, with Highest Honors from the University of Florida, followed by her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Miami in 2001. Both in law school and in her early years as an attorney, Ms. Schwartz has successfully tried cases for her clients in criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. She joined Cole, Scott, and Kissane with experience in more than 30 jury trials, following her...

Benjamin Gooding is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Benjamin, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jill F. Bechtold is an attorney with Rivkin Radler LLP in Jacksonville, Florida, where she focuses her practice on civil litigation. Her work includes Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants, employment disputes, trucking litigation, and insurance defense. Jill represents a wide range of clients, including drug and medical device manufacturers, business owners, physician...

Roy is proactive in his approach to cases from the minute a file is referred. He makes an early analysis as to liability and damages and then works with the client to determine the best and most cost-effective strategy toward a favorable resolution, appropriate dismissal motion or trial of the case. Professional Affiliations ALFA International American Bar Association Association of Transport Law, Tort and Insurance Practice Committee Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Defense ...

Matthew C. Smith has extensive experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including trials, arbitrations, and mediations. Matt represents individuals and business clients on a wide variety of professional and business litigation matters. He has served as lead counsel or co-counsel in more than a dozen trials and arbitrations. Matt also handled several successful appeals and has argued before the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Matt earned his Juris Doctor from Washington & Lee Univer...

Kimberly Longford is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Health Care, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Kimberly, who practices law in Columbia, Maryland, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberly is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chip Horner’s law practice focuses on defending medical negligence lawsuits, including high exposure birth trauma claims, ophthalmology, autism, failure to diagnose cancer, wrongful death and surgical matters. He is experienced in all aspects of health law. Chip’s clients range from large integrated health systems to solo practitioners, nurses, midwives, dentists, and many different allied health professionals. Chip also represents clients before licensing boards in Oregon and Was...

2020 Dallas Bar Association President Robert Tobey knows where all the bodies are buried. He is a master at preparing and handling cases for trial, arbitration, or settlement. Robert litigates cases himself and as part of the Johnston Tobey Baruch trial team. “Robert’s attention to detail is phenomenal,” says firm co-founder Randy Johnston. “He can tell you exactly how to keep yourself out of trouble.” Robert is Board Certified in Consumer and Commercial Law by t...

Marshall Redmon practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. For more than twenty years, he has focused on insurance coverage, professional liability defense, bad faith counseling, and related litigation. As a young lawyer Mr. Redmon completed a secondment to a Lloyd’s non-marine syndicate, during which period he provided in-house advices to several London market insurers. His experience includes litigating a variety of non-marine matters, with an emphasis on professional liabili...

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...

Mark Griffee is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Mark, who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

NJ medical malpractice lawyer, Barry R. Eichen, grew up in the middle class neighborhood of South Edison. His father was a manager at an auto parts store and his mother worked part-time while raising five children. After graduating from Edison High School, Mr. Eichen worked at night while attending college to help pay for his education. After graduating from law school, Mr. Eichen opened his own law practice in 1987. Mr. Eichen is one of New Jersey’s most seasoned and well-respected tri...

Molly Craig is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law, Litigation - ERISA, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Molly, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exha...

With over 20 years of experience in several areas of commercial litigation, Ronald Israel has focused on representing clients in complex matters. He has represented the State of New Jersey in numerous matters, represented three governors, and litigated serious constitutional issues in both Federal and State courts. In the end, though, Ron knows that his job is to zealously advocate for his clients in the most cost-effective manner possible looking for business solutions, not just litigation. ...

Published Works · Articles on Litigation (Co-Authored) Representative Cases · IEL Liquidation Proceedings, Wayne C. Metcalf, Insurance v. Gary L. Vose, et al · HIG Rehabilitation, HUI/UNICO Liquidation and Linda v. Hawaiian Electric Co. · State v. Kealakekua Ranch · Maunawili Lessees v. Trustees of Castle Estate · State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Robinol, 699 F.Supp. 819 (D.Hawai'i 1988) · Tilton v. Rivera · Eder v. County of Kauai and ...