147 Carlton Fields Attorneys Named to 2023 Best Lawyers Lists Including Nine Lawyers of the Year

Carlton Fields is pleased to announce that 147 of its attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 lists. One-hundred and sixteen attorneys were named to the Best Lawyers lists, and 31 were named to the Ones to Watch list.

Additionally, nine Carlton Fields attorneys were named "Lawyer of the Year" for their practice areas in their communities. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is honored as "Lawyer of the Year." Lawyers receiving this accolade earn some of the highest ratings in the Best Lawyers surveys based on a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.

The Carlton Fields attorneys named "Lawyers of Year" are:

Miami:

• Neal McAliley – Litigation - Environmental Law

Tallahassee

• Douglas Hall - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning       

Tampa

• Matthew J. Conigliaro - Appellate Practice
• Edward W. Gerecke - Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
• Cristin Conley Keane - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
• George J. Meyer - Real Estate Law
• Luis Prats - Construction Law
• Wm. Cary Wright - Litigation - Construction
• Gwynne A. Young - Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Carlton Fields attorneys named "Ones to Watch" have been practicing 5-9 years. They include:

Atlanta:

• Logan Moses Owens – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action – Defendants (2022)
• Amanda D. Proctor – Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law (2021)
• Roben S. West – Commercial Litigation (*)

Hartford:

• Amanda Brahm – Litigation - Labor and Employment (2022)
• Brendan N. Gooley – Education Law, Insurance Law, Labor and Employment Law - Employee, Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2021)
• Jeremy J. Mudd – Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law (2021)

Miami:

• Jamie Bigayer – Insurance Law (2021)
• Dana Chaaban – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Insurance Law, Litigation - Construction (2021)
• Kent Crocker – Insurance Law (*)
• Matthew H. Jacobson – Financial Services Regulation Law, Real Estate Law (2022)
• Rachel A. Oostendorp – Appellate Practice (*)
• Brooke Patterson – Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law (*)
• Raina T. Shipman – Commercial Litigation (*)
• Charles M. Throckmorton – Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2021)
• Michael C. Vandormael – Tax Law (*)

New York:

• Alex B. Silverman – Commercial Litigation (*)
• Nora A. Valenza-Frost – Insurance Law (2021)

Orlando:

• Novera H. Ahmad – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (*)
• Chelsey Clements – Litigation - Construction (2022)

Tallahasee:

• Benjamin E. Stearns – Corporate Governance and Compliance Law (*)

Tampa:

• Austin Marshall Eason – Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs (2021)
• Caycee D. Hampton – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (2021)
• Erin J. Hoyle – Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Health Care Law, Litigation – Securities, Technology Law (2021)
• Steffen Michael LoCascio - Construction Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2021)
• Michael G. Rothfeldt – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law (2021)
• David R. Wright – Commercial Litigation (2022)
• Ryan Yant – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2021)

Washington, D.C.:

• Megan K. Dhillon – Health Care Law (2021)

West Palm Beach:

• Andrew Daechsel – Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law (2021)
• Ashley C. Drumm – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Plaintiffs (2021)
• Michael D. Sloan – Appellate Practice (*)

Also recognized in Best Lawyers are:

Atlanta

• Justan Bounds – Commercial Litigation (*)
• Christopher B. Freeman – Insurance Law (*)
• Gregory Null – Real Estate Law (2018) (5)
• Gail Podolsky – Privacy and Data Security Law (2021)
• Marci P. Schmerler – Real Estate Law (2020)
• Robert L. Shannon, Jr. – Commercial Litigation - Defendants (2020)
• Michael R. Tippett – Real Estate Law (*)

Hartford

• Frank A. Appicelli – Real Estate Law (2006) (15)
• Kate S. D'Agostino – Real Estate Law (2021)
• Leslie P. King – Construction Law (2021)
• Scott Miller – Real Estate Law (*)
• John Pitblado – Litigation – Insurance (*)
• James M. Sconzo – Employment Law - Management (2019)
• Jonathan Sterling (*) – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – ERISA, Litigation – Labor and Employment (*)

Los Angeles

• Brad S. Markoff – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law (2001) (20)
• Mark A. Neubauer – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2006) (15)

Miami

• Enrique D. Arana – Commercial Litigation (2015) (5)
• Bruce J. Berman – Commercial Litigation (2013) (10)
• Ann Young Black – Insurance Law (*)
• Steven J. Brodie – Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance (2007) (15)
• Jeffrey Michael Cohen – Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law (2005) (15)
• Amy E. Furness – Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2019)
• David L. Gay – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy (2017) (5)
• Merrick L. Gross – Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate (2010) (10)
• Heather M. Jonczak – Litigation – Construction (*)
• Bruce Charles King – Litigation - Construction (2005) (15)
• Roger S. Kobert – International Arbitration – Commercial (*)
• Jay Koenigsberg – Real Estate Law (*)
• Andrew J. Markus – Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2016) (5)
• Neal McAliley – Commercial Litigation, Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental (2008) (15)
• Thomas J. Meeks – Appellate Practice, Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Securities/Capital Markets Law (2003) (20)
• Thomas F. Morante – Insurance Law, International Trade and Finance Law, Tax Law (2005) (15)
• Paul L. Nettleton – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Environmental (2005) (15)
• Dennis J. Olle – Commercial Litigation, International Mergers and Acquisitions (2008) (15)
• Edith G. Osman – Family Law (2012) (10)
• Michael S. Pasano – Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2003) (20)
• Benjamine Reid – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Environmental, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2005) (15)
• Michael Jay Rune II – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction (2018) (5)
• Michele B. Softness – Real Estate Law (2022)
• Irma Reboso Solares – Litigation – Labor and Employment (*)
• Lee E. Stapleton – Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2013) (10)
• Aaron S. Weiss – Commercial Litigation (*)
• Matthew H. Jacobson – Financial Services Regulation Law, Real Estate Law (2022)
• Rachel A. Oostendorp – Appellate Practice (*)
• Brooke Patterson – Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law (*)
• Raina T. Shipman – Commercial Litigation (*)
• Charles M. Throckmorton – Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2021)
• Michael C. Vandormael – Tax Law (*)

New Jersey

• Kenneth J. Cesta – Corporate Law (*)
• Robert Novack – Commercial Litigation (2003) (15)

New York

• Ethan Horwitz – Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Trademark Law (2005) (15)
• Michael L. Yaeger – Criminal Defense – White-Collar (2007) (*)

Orlando

• Daniel L. DeCubellis – Real Estate Law (2022)
• Daniel C. Johnson – Commercial Litigation (2008) (15)
• Charlotte L. Warren – Construction Law (2017) (5)

Tallahassee

• Douglas Hall – Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning (2006) (15)
• Robert W. Pass – Commercial Litigation, Energy Law (2005) (15)
• William P. Sklar – Real Estate Law (2014) (10)
• Peter D. Webster – Appellate Practice (*)

Tampa

• Matthew Allen – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants (*)
• Ray Allen II – Land Use and Zoning Law (2016) (5)
• Jordan August – Corporate Law (2022)
• Erin E. Banks – Litigation – Construction (*)
• Dane R. Blunt – Litigation – Real Estate (*)
• Cathleen Bell Bremmer – Employment Law - Management (2016) (5)
• David P. Burke – Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law (2005) (15)
• John E. Clabby – Commercial Litigation (2020)
• Matthew J. Conigliaro – Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation (2012) (10)
• Chris S. Coutroulis – Administrative/Regulatory Law, Antitrust Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation (2005) (15)
• Richard A. Denmon – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation (2010) (10)
• Nathaniel L. Doliner – Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law (2005) (15)
• Fentrice D. Driskell – Antitrust Law (*)
• Steven C. Dupré – Commercial Litigation (2005) (15)
• Linda L. Fleming – Health Care Law (2013) (10)
• Robert S. Freedman – Real Estate Law (2008) (15)
• Jaret Fuente – Litigation – Construction, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2020)
• Simon Gaugush – Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2022)
• Edward W. Gerecke – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2005) (15)
• Joel B. Giles – Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law (2008) (15)
• William Giltinan – Patent Law (2013) (10)
• Shannon B. Gray – Real Estate Law (2013) (10)
• Jourdan R. Haynes – Real Estate Law (*)
• Lannie D. Hough Jr. – Construction Law (2021)
• Cristin Conley Keane – Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Tax Law (2015) (5)
• James J. Kennedy III – Health Care Law (2003) (20)
• Donald R. Kirk – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy (2010) (10)
• Edward Kuchinski – Litigation – Construction (*)
• John J. Lamoureux – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Construction Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy (2006) (15)
• Joseph H. Lang, Jr. – Appellate Practice (2016) (5)
• Edgel C. Lester, Jr. – Real Estate Law (2005) (15)
• Richard C. Linquanti – Real Estate Law (1995) (25)
• Jin Liu – Real Estate Law (2021)
• Laurel E. Lockett – Energy Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Real Estate Law (2005) (15)
• Kathleen S. McLeroy – Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation (2019)
• George J. Meyer – Construction Law, Real Estate Law (2006) (15)
• Edward J. Page – Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Qui Tam Law (2007) (15)
• Luis Prats – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction (2006) (15)
• Jason J. Quintero – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction (2016) (5)
• Heidi Hudson Raschke – Litigation – Insurance (*)
• Gary L. Sasso – Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants (2005) (15)
• Donald R. Schmidt – Antitrust Law, Commercial Litigation (2015) (5)
• Adam P. Schwartz – Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Qui Tam Law (2021)
• Christopher W. Smart – Real Estate Law (2020)
• Joseph W. Swanson – Commercial Litigation (2021)
• Kenneth A. Tinkler – Government Relations Practice (*)
• Paul J. Ullom – Construction Law (*)
• Sylvia H. Walbolt – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Antitrust, Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) (1987) (35)
• James Michael Walls – Energy Law (2008) (15)
• James R. Wiley – Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management (2008) (15)
• Cary Wright – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction (2008) (15)
• Eleanor M. Yost – Litigation – Intellectual Property (*)
• Gwynne A. Young – Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation - Trust and Estates (2009) (15)

Washington, D.C.

• Richard T. Choi – Securities Regulation (*)
• Gina A. Hough – Real Estate Law (*)
• Stephen W. Kraus – Tax Law (*)
• Joseph A. McManus, Jr. – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction (2003) (20)
• Stacey K. Sutton – Commercial Litigation (2013) (10)

West Palm Beach

• Alexandra D. Blye – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (*)
• Alexander D. Del Russo – Litigation - Labor and Employment (2022)
• Robert N. Gilbert – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2005) (15)
• John R. Hart – Commercial Litigation (2016) (5)
• Amanda Romfh Jesteadt – Commercial Litigation (2021)

Best Lawyers conducts exhaustive surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers, highlighting the top 6% of private practice attorneys each year. The Ones to Watch list is similarly selective, and honors lawyers that have been practicing for less than 10 years. 

The (year) indicates the first year the attorney was listed on the Best Lawyers list, and the notations of (5), (10), (20), (25), (30), and (35) indicate that the individual has been included on the practice area list for at least that many years. An (*) indicates attorneys who are listed for the first time in Best Lawyers.