Best Lawyers in America for Professional Malpractice Law
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State
Don Beskind’s trial practice focuses on car and truck crash cases, medical and legal malpractice, and business torts. He is also a Professor of the Practice at Duke Law School. Don served on the American Association for Justice's Board of Governors and professional education committee - the National College of Advocacy, has been a Program Director for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, has authored case files for AAJ and NITA and is a co-author of North Carolina Evidentiary Found...
Brian Sutter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Brian, who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lauren Nuffort is a civil litigator practicing in the areas of insurance law, insurance coverage disputes, personal injuries and wrongful death, transportation law, professional liability, and construction law. She represents insurance companies and their insureds in subrogation claims against third parties for property losses. She has obtained significant recoveries for her clients in losses involving fires, water intrusion, and structural failures. She is also retained to investigate and pu...
Steve Plunkett concentrates his practice in health care and sexual misconduct defense, bringing nearly 30 years of experience to his role as litigator and counsel. Mr. Plunkett has defended health care and other clients in hundreds of cases involving bodily injury or the death of residents in group homes and assisted living or skilled nursing facilities. His health care team obtained a defense verdict in 2017 in a significant pressure wound injury case. Mr. Plunkett also represents corporatio...
Kelly Putney is a professional liability litigator who has helped clients navigate and prevent malpractice actions for more than 25 years. Also experienced in other types of proceedings including investigations, arbitrations and licensing matters, Ms. Putney is a true professionals’ lawyer, having represented and counseled hundreds of health care providers, lawyers, insurance agents and brokers, real estate agents, architects, and accountants. Most recently, Ms. Putney successfully defe...
Elizabeth C. Knight 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. Elizabeth C., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Andrew E. Vernick 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. Andrew E., who practices law in Towson, Maryland, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Todd A. Scharnhorst is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Todd A., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Todd A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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 ...
Eric G. Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Eric G., who practices law in Syracuse, New York, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Pat is a shareholder and Chairman of the board of Crivello, Nichols & Hall. With state and federal practice throughout Wisconsin, he has demonstrated expertise in professional liability, commercial litigation, construction disputes, insurance coverage issues and personal injury litigation. Maintaining the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards, he has achieved the AV Preeminent Martindale Hubbel Award, was invited into the Federation of Defense and Corporate C...
Douglas A. Pettit has extensive trial and litigation experience in the areas of civil litigation, business litigation, and professional liability. He has tried over 50 cases in California. His extraordinary record of favorable outcomes and exemplary client service has resulted in recognition by his peers over the years. He was inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2007 as the youngest member of the San Diego Chapter and has achieved Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating f...
J. Scott Paul is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance and Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. J. Scott, who practices law in Omaha, Nebraska, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice ...
Dana Maine is a founding attorney of FMG and is a member of the Firm's Executive Committee. Her practice focuses on professional liability defense and governmental litigation. Ms. Maine heads the firm's Professional Liability National Practice Section, including Lawyer's (LPL) and Miscellaneous Professional Liability (MPL) practice groups. She has defended attorneys, insurance agents, real estate agents, teachers, corporate officers, and other professionals. She is a member of the Board of Di...
Kevin C. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs and Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Kevin C., who practices law in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin C. is held by other top lawyers in the same g...
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.