After decades of serving as an advocate, litigator and advisor, Barbara has developed the ability to manage and coordinate complex multi-jurisdictional, multi-party class and mass action proceedings. She has advised on claims that range from business litigation and first amendment law, to trust and estate disputes and products liability defense. Her practice includes the resolution of litigation involving insurance and corporate clients, ERISA, fraud, coverage, sales practices and investigations, pharmaceutical and medical device defense, and professional liability. Barbara also advises on federal False Claims Act and Florida Whistleblower Protection Act related matters.

Committed to problem solving and to seeking solutions that are cost-effective, Barbara knows that litigation is not the only means to resolving a dispute. She strives to employ her honed negotiation skills and techniques as well as alternative methods such as diplomatic negotiation and mediation to resolve even the most serious, high-stakes controversy. However, in the event that a claim cannot be settled, Barbara has defended hundreds of cases in federal, state and multi-district proceedings involving a wide variety of substantive business issues.

Notably, Barbara’s experience includes myriad specialized industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health insurance and banking. She provides legal counsel and guidance focused on helping such businesses address shifting regulatory, compliance and risk management obligations, as well as advises on policy changes governing personal data, privacy protection and the impact of technological advancements in the workplace.

Barbara recently applied her strategic planning, project management and complex litigation skills to guide a major national bank’s exit from the personal trust business. Over a three-year period, Barbara created and managed a “virtual law firm” comprised of more than 50 experienced trust counsel to address fiduciary and trust administration transitions in 30 states.

Prior to the law, Barbara served as CEO of a $1.2 million not-for-profit organization in Southwest Florida. Today, she remains dedicated to bringing this business perspective to her litigation practice.

• Coordinated and managed complex, multi-jurisdictional, multi-party legal proceedings on behalf of a major national bank over three-year period, implementing the bank’s decision to exit the personal trust business throughout the United States
• Effectively managed complex multi-district litigation, developed and applied legal strategy in discovery, pleadings, pre- and post-trial motions, and memoranda of law on behalf of pharmaceutical and medical device clients in Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) and related state court proceedings
• On appeal from a non-final order denying our client’s motion to dismiss claims alleging tortious interference with a business relationship, the District Court of Appeal, Fourth District, directed the trial court to enter an order dismissing the appellee’s amended complaint in its entirety

• The Best Lawyers® in America, Commercial Litigation, 2023-24

• “PLI Global Business Fraud and the Law: Preventing and Remedying Fraud and Corruption,” False Claims Act section, co-author, 2015

• American Health Lawyers Association, 2013-present
• The Florida Bar
  • Media and Communications Law Committee, 1997-2005
    • Chair, 2001-2002
    • Vice-Chair, 1999-2001
• Palm Beach County Bar Association, 1997-present

• Southern Legal Counsel
  • Chair, 2024
  • Board of Directors, 2005-present
• Trustbridge, Inc.
  • Board of directors, 2010-18
  • Governance and compliance committee, chair, 2011-18