Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys - General Defense

David O. Batista

Fort Lauderdale, FL

• E-Mail: dbatista@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Insurance
• Litigation
• Class Actions
• Construction
• Corporate Law
• Financial Services

Admitted

• Michigan, 1997
• Florida, 1999
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court, Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida

David is an accomplished trial lawyer with more than 20 years of experience in complex commercial litigation, including insurance, business torts, class actions, construction, financial services, corporate, shareholder and partnership disputes, and products liability cases. He has served as lead trial counsel in high-damage federal and state jury trials and arbitrations. David is well regarded for implementing winning strategies that are both cost-effective and aligned with his client’s business interests.

Education:

• Florida International University, B.B.A., Finance, 1993
• Michigan State University College of Law, J.D. (magna cum laude), 1997

Steven M. Ebner

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: sebner@shutts.com

Admitted

• New York, 1998
• New Jersey, 1999
• Florida, 2003
• U.S. District Court, Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
• U.S. Supreme Court

A seasoned trial lawyer, Steven has litigated a broad range of cases throughout his career in public service and private practice. He is a former Senior Counsel for the City of New York and has been recognized among the Best Lawyers in America® in commercial litigation, as a "Legal Leader" by Florida Trend's Legal Elite, and listed as a "Power Leader" and "Top Lawyer" by the South Florida Business Journal.

Steven regularly represents a wide variety of clients, including financial institutions, real estate developers, property owners, general contractors, and other Fortune 500 companies in diverse and complex business disputes. He routinely advises clients involved in commercial disputes, insurance litigation, product liability, and trust and estate litigation.

Steven has represented high profile individuals such as Juan Gabriel, the most prolific and beloved singer-songwriter in the history of Mexico, and academic institutions, including Harvard University.

Prior to joining Shutts, Steven practiced in the New York City office of a large Northeast law firm, where he handled a variety of litigation matters, including those involving breach of contract, health care fraud, product liability, employment and labor law, subrogation, personal injury, and real estate litigation. He represented clients such as financial institutions, equipment manufacturers, real estate developers, insurance companies, health care providers, labor unions, and franchisers.

Memberships:

• Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit

Education:

• State University of New York at Binghamton, B.A., 1994
• Brooklyn Law School, J.D., 1997

Jonathan M. Fordin

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: jfordin@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Disability
• ERISA
• First Party Matters
• Insurance Coverage Litigation
• Life and Health

Admitted

• Florida, 1983
• District of Columbia, 1990
• New York, 1991
• U.S. District Court, Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

A Martindale-Hubbell AV® rated litigator and certified mediator, Jonathan has over 30 years of experience handling cases involving life, health and disability insurance. He regularly represents securities brokers and dealers, corporations and other business entities on claims under ERISA and state law, as well as issues related to HIPAA and first party claims.

Jonathan is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a civil litigation mediator. He's experienced in analyzing and developing efficient strategies on behalf of his clients, whether it involves negotiating an early settlement or effective litigation.

Jonathan is a member of the Defense Research Institute, an international organization of attorneys defending the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation. He's also a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy Program, where he has been on the faculty for numerous NITA sponsored trial advocacy programs.

Memberships:

• American (Trial Section) and Dade County Bar Associations
• International Claims Association
• Defense Research Institute
• National Institute of Trial Advocacy

Education:

• Cornell University, B.A., 1980
• University of Florida, J.D., 1983

Joseph M. Goldstein

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: jgoldstein@shutts.com

Admitted

• Florida, 1989
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

A Martindale-Hubbell AV® rated attorney, Joseph is among the less than one percent of attorneys who are Florida Bar Board Certified in Business Litigation. He has been recognized as a "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America®, listed as a "Power Leader" by South Florida Business Journal as well as the "Top Lawyers in South Florida" by South Florida Legal Guide.

Businesses involved in disputes or government bid protests rely on his expertise, trial experience and government background. Joseph regularly represents defense companies, technology firms, construction firms and government service providers in their business disputes and government bid protests. His practice focuses on business litigation; government contracts, including bid protests; litigation involving non-competition agreements; and real estate related disputes...

Memberships:

• American, Dade County and Broward County Bar Associations
• The Florida Bar

Education:

• Cornell University, B.S., 1986
• Nova University, J.D. (cum laude), 1989
• Georgetown University, LL.M. (with distinction), 1994

Clerkship:

Law Clerk to Judge Patricia Fawsett, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Military:

Captain, U.S. Air Force, 1990-1994

Jeffrey M. Landau

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: jlandau@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Insurance Coverage Litigation
• Life and Health
• Long-Term Care
• Disability
• Insurance Defense

Admitted

• Florida, 1990
• U.S. District Court, Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals, First, Sixth and Eleventh Circuits
• U.S. Supreme Court

Jeffrey has been named among the Best Lawyers in America® in insurance law and is an experienced litigator and arbitrator. He regularly represents insurance companies in coverage disputes involving disability, life, long term care and health insurance policies, and related ERISA issues.

Jeff has previously served as a member of both The Florida Bar and Dade County Bar's Federal Court Committees. He assisted in the development of a Discovery Practices Handbook that is now an Appendix to the Local Rules of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Memberships:

• American and Dade County Bar Associations
• Defense Research Institute (Life, Health & Disability Committee)

Education:

• City College of the City University of New York, B.S., 1968
• Columbia University, M.A., 1971
• Fordham University, Ph.D., 1977
• University of Miami, J.D. (with honors), 1990

Sara Levy

Fort Lauderdale, FL

• E-Mail: slevy@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Insurance
• Litigation

Admitted

• Florida, 2006
• New York
• U.S. District Court, Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York

Sara’s practice focuses on a wide range of civil litigation matters, including insurance defense, commercial litigation, class actions, securities litigation, real estate litigation, labor and employment litigation and product liability matters.

Education:

• New York University, B.A., 2002
• Hofstra University School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2005

John E. Meagher

Chairman, Insurance Practice Group

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: jmeagher@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Bad Faith
• Disability
• Insurance Coverage Litigation
• Insurance Defense
• Life and Health

Admitted

• Florida, 1985
• U.S. District Court, Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

A Martindale-Hubbell AV® rated trial lawyer, John has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America® in insurance law and has been named a "Top Lawyer" by South Florida Legal Guide. John primarily represents large insurance companies, defending them in trial and appellate actions throughout the state and federal court systems. John also litigates commercial, real estate, and banking cases.

In the insurance context, John has experience defending first, third party, and bad faith claims involving life, health, long term care, and disability insurance litigation. He has handled large, complex cases and numerous jury and non-jury trials for clients such as MetLife, Northwestern Mutual, Unum, and Lincoln Financial Group. A recent jury trial on a large disability insurance policy before a federal Nashville court resulted in a defense verdict for his client, the insurer. In another matter, John represented a national insurer before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals that resulted in a favorable summary judgment under a $2 million life insurance policy. He has argued before the Florida Supreme Court in a case involving far-reaching issues of attorney-client privilege in first-party bad faith claims. He also was lead counsel in a precedent setting case before the Third District Court of Appeals on the issue of whether bad faith claims could be pursued simultaneously with an insured’s breach of contract claim, resulting in lower costs and exposure to insurers throughout the State.

Memberships:

• Federal District Trial and Dade County Bar Associations
• The Florida Bar
• Association of Defense Trial Attorneys

Education:

• University of South Florida, B.A. (cum laude), 1982
• Georgetown University, J.D. (cum laude), 1985

Jake Monk

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: JMonk@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Appeals
• Class Actions
• Disability
• Insurance Coverage Litigation
• Insurance Defense
• Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
• Deceptive Trade Practices

Admitted

• Florida, 2012
• U.S. District Court, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida

Before entering private practice, Jake clerked for the Honorable F. Rand Wallis and Honorable Bruce W. Jacobus at Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal. During his time at the court, Jake taught legal writing courses and a senior seminar as an adjunct faculty member for the University of Central Florida's Department of Legal Studies and Barry University's Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law.

While in law school, Jake interned with the Appellate Division of the Public Defender's Office in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit and completed a health law externship. He also competed nationally and won first place brief for appellate advocacy in moot court.

Prior to practicing law, Jake spent several years working in consulting and project management with hospitals and regional physician networks that transitioned from paper to electronic medical records. He has experience training on medical systems and best practices in clinical charting, administrative systems, and medical billing.

Education:

• The Ohio State University, B.S.B.A., 2006
• University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 2012

Frank A. Zacherl

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: fzacherl@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Automobile
• Bad Faith
• Commercial General Liability
• Directors and Officers Liability
• First and Third Party Matters
• Homeowners
• Litigation
• Tort Litigation

Admitted

• Florida, 1990
• U.S. District Court, Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

A Martindale-Hubbell AV® rated attorney, Frank concentrates his practice in complex civil litigation and electronic commerce, with an emphasis on trial work, class action defense, and high-stakes commercial matters. His practice areas include insurance litigation, electronic commerce and cybersecurity consultation and litigation, and commercial litigation.

Frank has served as lead counsel in dozens of significant jury trials (to verdict), and numerous bench trials. He’s tried the issue of class certification in numerous large class action cases, and has coordinated complex insurance litigation and class actions on a state and national level for insurers and telecommunications companies.

Frank is actively defending, and has extensive experience handling, national and statewide class actions in state and federal courts throughout Florida. He's obtained early dismissal of these cases in many instances. He also provides consultation and representation to insurers regarding claims handling issues, and he’s frequently consulted on matters presenting significant potential exposure to insurers and other companies.

Memberships:

• American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar (Trial Lawyers Section)
• Defense Research Institute

Education:

• University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1987
• The George Washington University, J.D., 1990

Oliver Sepulveda

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: osepulveda@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Insurance
• Litigation

Admitted

• Florida, 2014
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

Oliver has experience representing insurance companies throughout the claim process. Oliver has litigated declaratory judgment actions involving third-party liability claims under homeowner personal liability or commercial general liability policies. Oliver also has experience representing insurance companies and their insureds in the appellate courts, including appeals to the Florida Supreme Court.

While in law school, Oliver held internships in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, the Florida Third District Court of Appeal, and the Florida Office of the Attorney General.

Education:

• Florida International University, B.B.A., 2007
• Florida International University, M.S., 2008
• University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 2014

Mayte Pena

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: MPena@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Insurance Litigation
• Cuba Task Force

Admitted

• Florida, 2013

Mayte represents insurance carriers in personal injury protection litigation matters, specializing in the interpretation and application of automobile insurance policies under applicable state laws. Mayte also represents insurance carriers in matters involving life, health and disability claims under group insurance plans governed by ERISA. Mayte is also a member of the firm’s Cuba Task Force where she has assisted in providing legal advice to clients regarding business prospects in Cuba and compliance with the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba.

Memberships:

• Cuban American and Miami-Dade County Bar Associations
• Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association
• Defense Research Institute

Education:

• Miami-Dade Community College, A.S., 2005
• Nova Southeastern University, B.S., 2007
• Florida International University College of Law, J.D., 2012

Kelscey A. Boyle

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: kboyle@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Insurance
• Litigation

Admitted

• Florida, 2017
• New Jersey
• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Education:

• Villanova University, B.A., 2012
• Seton Hall University School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2016

Stephanie Zinni

Miami, FL

• E-Mail: szinni@shutts.com

Practice Areas

• Insurance

Admitted

• Florida, 2018

Education:

• Florida International University, B.A., 2011
• Florida International University College of Law, J.D., 2018