Attorney Intel is pleased to announce The Top 25 Financial Services and Insurance Attorneys of 2025. These distinguished attorneys play a crucial role in maintaining the stability and integrity of financial and insurance markets. Their work spans a broad spectrum—from navigating regulatory frameworks and structuring complex financial transactions to resolving high-stakes litigation and managing risk for institutions, insurers, and investors. Whether advising on M&A deals involving representation and warranty insurance or litigating coverage disputes that impact billions in claims, their guidance is essential to ensuring legal and financial compliance.
This year’s awardees are recognized for their versatility, legal acumen, and commitment to serving clients across the banking, insurance, investment, and fintech sectors. Many are trusted advisors to top financial institutions, insurers, and corporate boards, helping clients mitigate risk, resolve disputes, and seize new opportunities.
Among this year’s awardees is Kimberly Blair, Partner at Wilson Elser, who is recognized for her national insurance litigation practice, providing coverage opinions and defending professional liability and bad faith claims across all 50 states. Bryan O’Keefe, Partner at Seyfarth Shaw, stands out for his leadership in the representation and warranty insurance space, guiding insurers through underwriting, deal execution, and claims in complex M&A transactions. Peter Weinstock, Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth, brings four decades of experience advising financial institutions on regulatory compliance, M&A transactions, securities offerings, and enforcement matters, including fair lending and BSA issues.
This year’s awardees were selected through a methodical process and careful consideration of each candidate’s career track record and industry contributions. Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Financial Services and Insurance Attorneys of 2025.
1. Kimberly Blair
Partner, Wilson Elser
Kimberly Blair is a Partner at Wilson Elser. She focuses her litigation practice on professional liability, insurance coverage, and bad faith matters. Kim sits on Wilson Elser’s Executive Committee and is a co-chair of the firm’s Lawyers Liability Practice. She has tried cases in Illinois and has appellate experience throughout the United States, including a number of published appellate decisions on coverage matters.
Carrier clients rely on Kim’s vast experience in all 50 states, rendering coverage opinions on all types of professional liability insurance policies, as well as her resolute defense of wrongful denial claims and prosecution of declaratory judgment actions. To add further value to her client relationships, Kim frequently addresses in-house claims professionals and insureds on topics such as coverage, liability, and damages.
2. Jacob Kling
Partner, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Jake Kling is Co-Chair of Wachtell Lipton’s Mergers and Acquisitions Practice. Jake’s practice primarily focuses on mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, securities law matters, and advising companies and boards of directors on takeover defense, shareholder activism, and general corporate governance matters. He has advised a broad range of public and private clients across multiple industries, including banking, financial services, healthcare and pharmaceutical, life sciences, technology, media and telecom, sports, industrial, retail, private equity, and real estate. Jake has led some of the most significant M&A transactions in the country over the past several years, including in the financial services space.
Jake holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematical economics from Brown University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a JD from Yale Law School, where he served as Projects Editor of the Yale Law Journal. He has authored multiple publications (including in the Yale Law Journal and the Stanford Journal of Law, Business and Finance) on topics relating to mergers and acquisitions and corporate law, 363 sales, and antitrust. Jake also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Dennis Jacobs, then Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
3. Bryan O'Keefe
Partner, Seyfarth Shaw
Bryan O’Keefe is a Partner in Seyfarth’s Washington, D.C. office and the co-founder and co-leader of the firm’s interdisciplinary Transactional Risk Insurance group. Since 2013, the use of representations and warranties insurance (RWI) in M&A has exploded. RWI carriers retain outside counsel to help underwrite product placement and analyze legal risks in connection with deals, and to defend them if claims arise. Since 2019, Bryan has built a premier underwriting counsel practice. Now representing over 20 insurance markets, Seyfarth’s Transactional Risk Insurance team provides world-class client service in all facets of the RWI lifecycle. Underwriting hundreds of deals each year, Seyfarth frequently acts as primary insurer counsel in large deals in which most of the RWI industry is involved, in excess positions.
Bryan serves as a subject matter expert and thought leader in RWI matters and often speaks at industry conferences and appears in media commentary. He also co-hosts “Into the Breach,” a podcast focused on developments in the RWI industry. Apart from his practice, Bryan seeks to give back to fellow lawyers by sharing guidance and affirmation through LinkedIn, where he writes about personal challenges and growth, the legal industry, leadership, mental health, and spiritual development. Bryan graduated from the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law, where he was editor-in-chief of the law review. He earned a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University.
Bryan O'Keefe's Insight
“Given geopolitical uncertainty impacting M&A worldwide, insurance will be increasingly important to dealmakers. To properly mitigate risk, buyers and sellers benefit equally from two insurance components: a strong underlying insurance program for the target, and strategic utilization of transactional risk insurance. Recognizing that no two RWI policies or deals are the same, I provide my insurer clients with bespoke advice that meets the needs of the buyer and seller in order to complete the transaction. At the same time, I work closely with the insurance industry to protect the long-term viability of transactional risk insurance in an environment of lower premiums, reduced retentions, and rising claim activity.”
4. Jonathan Forman
Partner, Baker & Hostetler
Jonno Forman is a Partner in the New York office of BakerHostetler. As co-leader of the firm’s Financial Services Regulatory and Compliance team, Forman guides financial services clients through ever-changing regulations relating to securities, money transmission, data privacy, cybersecurity, and information security.
Over the years, Forman has worked with hedge fund and private equity fund managers, investment advisers, multifamily offices, introducing and clearing brokers, banks, trust companies, insurance companies, money services businesses, payment processors and other financial services, financial technology, and emerging technology companies to address their most sensitive issues.
From tailoring compliance programs to address unique products and services (including crypto, Web3, and digital assets) to responding to regulatory examinations and government investigations, as well as resolving complex disputes, Forman acts as a trusted advisor with an interdisciplinarian approach and a practical mindset.
Jonno has successfully guided companies and individuals through investigations by the SEC, DOJ, FINRA, NY Department of Financial Services, and various state attorneys general offices and financial regulators, resolving many without charges ever being brought against them. Forman earned a JD from the American University Washington College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Emory University.
5. Laura Foggan
Partner, Crowell & Moring
Laura Foggan is a Partner at Crowell & Moring, having first joined the firm in 2016. Crowell & Moring is an international law firm with operations in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia. Drawing on significant government, business, industry, and legal experience, the firm helps clients capitalize on opportunities and provides creative solutions to complex regulatory and policy, litigation, transactional, and intellectual property issues.
Foggan is nationally known for handling high-profile appellate work and strategic counseling on litigation trends and emerging issues, and she advises clients on issues relating to artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and the commercial use of drones, as well as privacy and cyber liability, blockchain, and the Internet of Things.
Previously, Foggan was a partner at Wiley Rein LLP and, before that, an associate at DLA Piper. Earlier in her career, she worked with Wald Harkrader & Ross as an associate. Foggan earned a JD from the George Washington University Law School, as well as a master’s and bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania.
Laura Foggan's Insight
“Representing leading insurers and insurance trade groups in precedent-setting appellate matters and handling cutting-edge insurance issues in trial courts is rewarding and exciting work. New technologies wouldn’t be brought to market and multi-billion dollar projects wouldn’t be financed without insurance. My work often involves explaining how the insurance system works to judges and juries.”
6. Paul Foley
Partner, Akerman
A leading corporate and securities lawyer, Paul Foley serves as Chair of Akerman’s Investment Management Practice Group. Paul also serves as the Managing Partner of Akerman’s Winston-Salem office. He offers his clients practical, business-oriented solutions.
Paul focuses his practice on corporate, securities, and business law, with a particular focus on investment fund formation, investment adviser regulation, private securities offerings, securities enforcement, and corporate representation. He represents investment advisers, private equity funds, venture capital funds, funds of funds, hedge funds, issuers, institutional investors, broker-dealers, financial institutions, and other entities with regard to complex federal and state securities regulatory matters.
Paul Foley's Insight
“While much of our work is relatively routine, I most enjoy helping my clients work through their most difficult, complex, and unusual legal issues.”
7. Deborah Stein
Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Deborah Stein is a Partner in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s Los Angeles office. Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm recognized for advising clients on high-stakes transactions and complex disputes. She is a member of the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group and Co-Chair of its Insurance and Reinsurance Practice Group, and her experience spans the technology, insurance, entertainment, healthcare, and financial services industries. Stein is known for her ability to gain a deep understanding of her clients’ businesses in order to provide thoughtful and practical advice.
Before joining Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Stein was a partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Earlier in her career, she worked with the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut as a law clerk.
Stein serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Public Counsel, the nation’s largest provider of pro bono legal services. She also serves on the Global Advisory Board of the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) and was on the Board of Governors of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) for several years.
Stein graduated from New York University School of Law with a JD and from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and environmental studies.
8. Peter Weinstock
Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth
Peter Weinstock is a Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth. With 40 years of experience, Weinstock’s practice focuses on corporate and regulatory representation of a wide range of financial institution franchises. During the past several years, Weinstock has devoted substantial time to strategic planning, bank compensation, fintechs, and banking as a service and defense of enforcement matters, including those concerning fair lending and BSA.
Weinstock is also Co-Practice Group Leader of the Financial Institutions Section. He has counseled institutions on more than 400 M&A transactions, hundreds of securities offerings, including over a dozen IPOs, and capital planning, over 50 de novo banks, and hundreds of administrative and other enforcement actions. He has lectured at hundreds of trade group and industry functions, including as a guest lecturer for Harvard’s Kennedy School of Public Policy in Beijing, China in 2017 and 2018. Weinstock graduated from Duke University School of Law and from the University at Albany.
9. Hui Lin
Partner, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Based in New York, Hui Lin is a Partner in Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s Capital Markets Practice. She advises private equity sponsors, financial institutions, corporate issuers, and leading investment banks in connection with a broad range of transactions, including initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, registered and 144A high yield and investment grade debt offerings, and liability management transactions, as well as general corporate and securities law matters.
Lin also has significant experience in acquisition financings and regularly provides securities law advice in connection with mergers and acquisitions. Her diverse practice spans a broad range of industries, from media and technology, healthcare, and financial services to oil and gas. Lin’s clients include Silver Lake Partners, EQT, Global Infrastructure Partners, The Invus Group, Sixth Street, CAVA, Waystar, Dell Technologies, First Advantage, BellRing Brands, Zayo Group, Global Blue, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Lin earned a JD from Columbia Law School and a bachelor's degree in law from University College London.
10. Nathaniel Fowler
Partner, Frost Brown Todd
Nathaniel Fowler is a Partner at Frost Brown Todd. He is a defense attorney specializing in personal injury, property damage actions, and insurance claims. His practice covers a broad spectrum, including product liability, business litigation, premises liability, landlord-tenant disputes, exposure and risk analysis, and insurance coverage disputes.
Nathaniel has successfully defended a wide variety of claims, ranging from minor accidents involving minimal injuries and property damage to catastrophic losses and fatalities. He has extensive experience with every phase of a case, from pre-litigation risk evaluation all the way through trial support and the appellate process. Nathaniel’s background in various areas of the law and categories of claims provides critical insights in several key industries, including manufacturing, mobility, and supply chain.
11. Aviva Grossman
Partner, Perkins Coie
Aviva Grossman is a Partner at Perkins Coie. With 44 years of experience, Grossman advises independent directors of major fund complexes. She helps them work effectively with fund management while keeping the best interests of shareholders in mind.
Clients seek Grossman’s guidance on fund governance, regulatory requirements, registration, and compliance with the Investment Company Act. She has represented investment advisers and registered funds, and she analyzes Investment Company Act status issues for the availability of exemptions. She has considerable experience in mergers, acquisitions, and the restructuring of investment advisers and financial services companies.
Before joining Perkins Coie, Grossman was a special counsel at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP. A former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lawyer in the Division of Investment Management, Grossman offers clients a dynamic perspective on regulatory matters. Grossman graduated from the Cardozo School of Law with a JD and from Yeshiva University with a bachelor’s degree.
12. Daniel Shatz
Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson
Daniel Shatz is a Partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in Miami, Florida. His litigation practice specializes in general commercial disputes, with a heightened focus on insurance coverage controversies. He serves as trusted counsel to numerous insurers in rescission and declaratory judgment actions regarding the existence and scope of insurance coverage. He began his career as a judicial clerk with Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeals following his graduation from Cornell Law School and Skidmore College.
Daniel Shatz's Insight
“I am incredibly fortunate to work with sophisticated clients and a team of highly skilled and personable attorneys, who make the practice of law all the more rewarding and enjoyable.”
13. Howard Epstein
Partner, Schulte Roth & Zabel
Howard Epstein founded the insurance and environmental group at Schulte Roth & Zabel. Howard’s practice regularly includes transactions and litigation representing both policy holders and insurers. His experience ranges across multiple disciplines, including policy drafting and negotiation, as well as coverage disputes involving manufacturing, waste disposal, energy and utilities, pipelines, C-suite disputes, dams, construction failures, and mergers and acquisitions. He is a certified mediator and has successfully mediated numerous insurance-related matters.
Howard Epstein's Insight
"After leaving government, I had the opportunity to represent the most active insurer in the emerging pollution insurance market. Their influence eventually grew to nearly a billion dollars, and I established a reputation as a leader in the field of pollution insurance."
14. Michele Clancy
Partner, Greenspoon Marder
Michele Clancy is a Partner and the Supervising Attorney in the Financial Services Practice Group at Greenspoon Marder. Clancy focuses her practice on representing lenders and services throughout Florida in residential and commercial mortgage foreclosure. She handles mediations, litigation, and trials and also assists lenders in compliance issues, loss mitigation, modification agreements, and senior lien monitoring.
Clancy has practiced in various areas of law, including family law, commercial litigation, construction lien, collections, community association law, and residential foreclosures. She holds a JD from the Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center and received her bachelor’s degree from Benedictine College with a double major in political science and sociology.
Michele Clancy's Insight
“Pursuing a career in law has been my passion since I was a child. I found my home in financial services where I can utilize daily all the skills I have developed throughout the last twenty plus years of my career.”
15. Mark Whitford
Partner, Barclay Damon
Mark Whitford is a Partner at Barclay Damon, having first joined the company in 2006. A former New York Supreme Court Appellate Division attorney, Whitford concentrates on providing advice and litigation support to insurers across the country concerning their complex insurance needs, with a specific focus on commercial and excess liability, construction defect, property, directors and officers, and personal lines policies. Whitford strives to deliver upfront, candid guidance to his clients concerning their complex needs, and he focuses on creating direct paths for resolving concerns.
Whitford has briefed, argued, and succeeded on many commercial and insurance-related appeals throughout New York state and federal courts during his career. In addition to his own practice, Whitford regularly volunteers to provide advice to pro se litigants in state and federal courts. Whitford serves as the managing director of Barclay Damon's Rochester office and is a member of the firm's Management Committee. Whitford earned a JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from the University at Buffalo.
Mark Whitford's Insight
“Clients often reach out to me because they are facing complex and significant insurance-related risks and they need practical and strategic guidance about how to proceed. I enjoy working with my clients to find creative ways to solve their problems and effectively counseling them through litigation or the claims process.”
16. Roya Fohrer
Partner, Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester
Roya H. Fohrer is a Partner in the Los Angeles office of Manning Kass. She is the Los Angeles leader of the Insurance Coverage / Bad Faith team, and a member of the Construction Law, Premises Liability, and Professional Liability teams.
Ms. Fohrer has a multi-faceted practice representing a wide spectrum of domestic and international carriers in insurance coverage and bad faith claims. She has counseled numerous companies regarding risk management, subrogation recovery, and litigation avoidance issues.
Additionally, Ms. Fohrer regularly advises government entities, public municipalities, design professionals, architects, engineers, contractors, owners, subcontractors, and other clients in a variety of complex commercial construction litigation, insurance coverage, and professional and general liability matters. Ms. Fohrer’s services include consultation and risk management/avoidance, contract review and negotiation, professional error and omissions, delay/disruption claims, insurance coverage disputes, and complex construction and business litigation.
Ms. Fohrer handles all phases of litigation, including law and motion, discovery, and through the alternative dispute resolution process, representing clients in both state and federal court and before civic governing bodies.
Ms. Fohrer has a unique perspective that helps her solve complex coverage disputes and sensitive legal problems through negotiation and litigation, with a constant focus on client service and value. She has the experience to achieve her clients’ goals by looking at individual cases and claims in the context of the client’s business and strategy.
In addition to her litigation experience, Ms. Fohrer is a noted speaker on issues involving insurance carriers, land owners, developers, general contractors, and design professionals. She regularly participates as a speaker in seminars relating to good faith claims handling practices, annual training seminars on the California insurance claims handling regulations, trainings for a broad array of construction professionals, and mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) training for attorneys.
Ms. Fohrer earned her JD from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, and her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego.
17. Matt Bergman
Partner, Potomac Law Group
Matt Bergman is a Partner in Potomac Law Group's Banking and Commercial Lending Practice. Bergman has closed more than $3.5 billion in deals while representing both lenders and borrowers. He and his team cost-effectively serve the Washington D.C. Metro area and national clients as a trusted business and legal advisor on working capital lines of credit, acquisition financings, real estate loans, leveraged buy-out financings, asset-based loans‚ hard money loans, and virtually every other secured or unsecured financing arrangement with values from $50,000 to $500,000,000.
In addition to financial services, clients from professional services, technology, construction, hospitality, real estate, and retail businesses regularly seek Bergman’s counsel and guidance on all types of business contracts and agreements. He and his team assist national, regional, and local clients in reviewing their agreements with customers, suppliers, vendors, point-of-sale providers, and merchant banks to manage and properly allocate the risk, liability, and losses that may result from virtually any event or circumstance, including cybersecurity and data breaches. He has developed a deep base of experience in information management-related issues as part of advising his financial services industry clients and the broad range of businesses with whom they work.
Before joining Potomac Law Group, Bergman was a shareholder, the chair of the commercial finance and banking practice, and the co-chair of cybersecurity at Shulman Rogers and, before that, a partner at Dickstein Shapiro LLP. Earlier in his career, he worked with Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP as an associate. Bergman graduated from The George Washington University Law School with a JD and from Brandeis University with a bachelor’s degree in English, pre-law, and American studies.
Matt Bergman's Insight
“It has been an interesting road traversed through my 33+ year career of representing banks and lenders in commercial loan transactions, having started in the trenches, representing the Resolution Trust Corporation in litigating bank director and officer liability for the savings and loan crisis, to the rise of the big banks, representing some of Wall Street’s finest, through the economic struggles of the late 2000s and the “Too Big To Fail” era, and now currently representing many national and regional lending institutions financing work for the federal government, all the while with a dire sense of curiosity as to what the future holds for the banking industry.”
18. David Paseltiner
Partner, Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran
David Paseltiner is Chair of Jaspan Schlesinger’s Corporate and Commercial Transactions Practice group and a member of its Banking and Financial Services Practice group. He regularly represents lenders and borrowers in complex financial transactions, including asset based lending, revolving and term loan facilities, and review of syndicated facilities.
David also represents businesses in a wide variety of industries, ranging in size from small start-ups to well-established firms with national and international operations. He also represents individuals in connection with employment agreements, shareholders’ agreements, and operating agreements.
David has extensive experience in a broad range of sophisticated commercial matters, including structuring, negotiating, and implementing mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; negotiating and drafting employment and compensation agreements and agreements among shareholders, partners, and limited liability company members; and other corporate, commercial, and real estate transactions.
In addition to his professional activities, David is a member of, counsel to, and former chairman of the board of directors of the EAC Network. He is a former member of the board of directors of Long Island Cares – The Harry Chapin Food Bank, where he is also a former board president, the Long Island Region of the American Heart Association, and the Long Island Region of the March of Dimes.
19. Debbie Klis
Partner, Rimon Law
Debbie Klis is a Partner at Rimon P.C., where she advises U.S. and foreign businesses on a range of regulatory and transactional matters, from corporate transactions and securities law matters to corporate governance and strategic mergers and alliances. For corporate matters, she counsels clients on capital raising and distributions, and strategic transactions representing issuers and investors, buyers and sellers, investment banks, investment funds, boards of directors, and special committees.
She has extensive experience in all aspects of IPOs and private securities offerings, follow-on equity and debt offerings, PIPEs, private placements, a wide variety of private investment funds, financial products, convertible note deals, and SPAC transactions.
In addition to Debbie’s traditional legal work, she represents the African Women Council, Inc., a U.S.-based nonprofit that facilitates investment into the Democratic Republic of Congo, on a pro bono basis since 2011.
20. Robert Berg
Partner, Michelman & Robinson
Robert Berg is a Partner in Michelman & Robinson’s San Francisco office. His practice is focused on insurance (including coverage) and environmental law and civil litigation. An insurance industry authority with over three decades of experience, Berg principally represents clients in large complex insurance coverage and bad faith disputes.
Over the years, he has litigated many such cases involving commercial general liability, professional liability, first-party coverage, and admiralty policies. Berg also handles contractual commercial litigation and toxic torts, as well as matters involving the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), maritime law, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). In addition, he has successfully litigated numerous severe injury and death cases.
Berg first got his start in 1988 as a partner at Fisher & Hurst, before eventually rising to partner at Sedgwick LLP, his most recent position prior to joining Michelman & Robinson. Berg graduated from the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco with a JD and from the University of California, Davis with a bachelor’s degree in history.
Robert Berg's Insight
“I have been involved in the insurance field for about 40 years. I have worked in many lines of insurance, including CGL, Professional E&O, Corporate D&O, Commercial Property, Cyber, and both buyer and seller-side representations and warranty insurance. Most of my work has been in coverage advice and coverage litigation, but I have also done transactional work. I have co-written two books and have authored numerous articles. I have also been a presenter in the insurance field on many occasions.”
21. Scott Williams
Partner, Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell
Scott Williams is a Partner at Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, having first joined the firm in 2013. Williams focuses his practice on bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors’ rights, and commercial litigation. He represents creditors and debtors in complex bankruptcy matters and has substantial experience in handling complex commercial litigation cases.
In addition, his experience extends to litigation and transactional work in a number of areas, including the automotive, energy, healthcare, and municipal finance sectors. Williams also has ongoing experience as a Future Claims Representative under the Bankruptcy Code and serves the Congoleum and Shook & Fletcher Asbestos Trusts.
Prior to entering private practice, Williams served as Counsel to U.S. Senator Howell T. Heflin on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice (1988-1992). Williams played a significant role in drafting the United States Bankruptcy Code Amendments enacted in 1995, while serving as Counsel to Senator Heflin. Two provisions of the Bankruptcy Code that Williams played a key role in their enactment are §524(g) and §1114. Williams also served as a law clerk for the United States District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn.
Previously, Williams was a partner at Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker, LLC. Williams earned a JD from The University of Alabama and a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and rhetoric from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Scott Williams's Insight
“I enjoy practicing in the fast-paced and complex world of corporate restructuring and bankruptcy. My practice has allowed me to appear in many different courts and become familiar with a wide variety of businesses who are navigating their way through the bankruptcy process. My practice and the colleagues that I interact with on a daily basis have made mine a very rewarding career.”
22. Todd Schenk
Partner, Tressler
Todd Schenk is a Partner at Tressler. He is highly experienced in providing insurance coverage counseling and litigation representation to insurance companies throughout the country. He is particularly skilled in handling third party claims involving advertising injury and product liability, and first party claims under residential and commercial property policies.
Many of his cases require the defense of common law and statutory bad faith claims, which Todd litigates in venues around the country. Todd has also handled appeals in both state and federal courts nationwide and is known for his creative solutions and responsive client service. Todd serves on Tressler’s LLP three-person Executive Committee, which is the governing body of the firm.
23. Jenna Smith
Partner, Boies Schiller Flexner
Jenna is a Partner at Boies Schiller Flexner. She is an experienced litigator who represents clients in high-stakes commercial disputes and class action litigation. She has represented plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts throughout the country in areas including antitrust, contract disputes, financial services, consumer protection, False Claims Act, and data breach litigation. She also has extensive experience litigating complex adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court.
Jenna has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of disputes across the insurance and financial services industries. Jenna joined Boies Schiller in 2016 following a clerkship in the Northern District of New York. She is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law and earned her bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in government, environmental studies, and economics.
24. Jacob Linhart
Partner, Groelle & Salmon
Jacob Linhart is a Partner in Groelle & Salmon’s West Palm Beach office. He is AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and brings almost four decades of experience as a litigator. He has spent the great majority of his career representing insurance carriers and insureds in first and third-party claims and subrogation claims in the areas of homeowners’ insurance, property damage, auto negligence, premises liability, and rental car law. For twelve years, he was the managing partner of a prominent multistate insurance subrogation litigation firm.
Jacob is licensed to practice in all the State Courts of Florida, New York, Texas, and the District of Columbia and has lectured extensively nationwide to insurance adjusters and other insurance professionals on the subjects of automobile and property loss. He is certified by the Florida Department of Insurance as an Instructor for continuing education courses, qualified by the Florida Supreme Court as an Arbitrator, certified by the Better Business Bureau as an Auto Line Arbitrator, and is a former Florida Circuit and County Court Mediator.
He has served as both a Collections Court General Master and a Traffic Court Magistrate with the Palm Beach County Court and has been a member of the Florida Bar Civil Procedure Rules Committee, Traffic Court Rules Committee, Small Claims Rules Committee, and Consumer Protection Law Committee. Prior to entering the practice of law, Jacob served in law enforcement as a Deputy Sheriff, Bailiff, and Auxiliary Police Officer. He obtained both his bachelor’s degree and JD from the University of Miami School of Law.
25. Johnathan Bolton
Partner, Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel
Johnathan C. Bolton is a Partner at Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, where his law practice focuses on business and commercial law, real estate and business litigation, debtor/creditor rights, collections, and bankruptcy law. He is licensed to practice law in Hawai’i, New York, and Texas and is a Solicitor in the United Kingdom. He is the Chair of Goodsill’s Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights practice group and is also a member of the Business Litigation and Real Estate & Insurance Litigation practice groups. He has been board certified in Business Bankruptcy Law for over 15 years and serves on the board that certifies attorneys in bankruptcy and creditor’s rights law nationwide.
In over 25 years in practice, Johnathan has represented U.S. and international clients in various disputes, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to individuals, in proceedings in State, Federal, Appellate, and Bankruptcy Courts in Hawai’i, Guam, and on the U.S. Mainland. He also has experience in commercial arbitration proceedings involving investments, contracts, torts, and real estate-related claims. He frequently deals with international and cross-border issues.
Clients seek Johnathan for his knowledge, skill, and experience in complex, high-stakes situations. He is known for his zealous representation of clients and for finding creative solutions to complex legal problems. He regularly advises and represents local Hawai‘i companies and financial institutions, as well as U.S. mainland and foreign entities conducting business in Hawai‘i and across the Pacific.
