Ten Kelley | Uustal Trial Attorneys have been recognized in the latest edition of Best Lawyers®, with Founding Partner John J. Uustal named “Lawyer of the Year” in Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions for Plaintiffs in the Fort Lauderdale area.
Kelley | Uustal was built to win for people who can’t afford to lose. This recognition reflects the standard we set for exceptional preparation, relentless advocacy, and delivering extraordinary results in some of the country’s most consequential trials.
John Uustal Named Lawyer of the Year in Best Lawyers® 2027
K|U Founding Partner John J. Uustal has been named Lawyer of the Year for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions for Plaintiffs in Fort Lauderdale by Best Lawyers®. The distinction is awarded to only one attorney in each practice area and geographic region and is based on the highest overall peer review feedback received from other leading attorneys in the profession.
Uustal has built his career on taking cases others have labeled too complex, too difficult, or unwinnable and turning them into landmark victories.
In recent years, his verdicts include $82 million secured for musician Flo Rida in his highly publicized breach of contract case against Celsius Holdings. The defendant appealed but the fight continued, ultimately resulting in a $101 million judgment. It is one of many examples of Uustal’s determination to fight for his clients until the very end.
Uustal’s work has centered on holding powerful defendants accountable for conduct that has permanently changed or ended the lives of those they harmed. His cases focus on defective and unsafe products, catastrophic injuries and commercial/celebrity cases.
Read more about our landmark cases here.
Best Lawyers® in America 2027: Recognized K|U Attorneys
Best Lawyers® uses a peer-review process in which attorneys are nominated and evaluated confidentially by other lawyers already recognized in the same practice area and region. This year’s 33rd edition recognized roughly 5% of practicing attorneys from more than 3 million submissions, marking the most selective year in the award’s history, according to Best Lawyers. Five Kelley | Uustal Trial Attorneys earned this distinction in the 2027 edition:
Robert W. Kelley (Recognized since 2008)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
- Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
John J. Uustal (Recognized since 2008)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
- Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Todd R. Falzone (Recognized since 2011)
- Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
David Hammer (Recognized since 2026)
- Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Cristina M. Pierson (Recognized since 2024)
- Commercial Litigation
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
Best Lawyers Ones to Watch: Recognized K|U Attorneys
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® recognizes attorneys with typically five to nine years into practice, through the same rigorous, confidential peer-review process used for the flagship Best Lawyers® award. Now in its 7th edition, the program recognized just 2% of the early-career lawyers evaluated. Five Kelley | Uustal Trial Attorneys were honored in this year’s class:
Charles Scott (Recognized since 2026)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Ricky Armand (Recognized since 2026)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Joshua Novak (Recognized since 2026)
- Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Jeffrey Popoviz (Recognized since 2026)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Bruno Renda (Recognized since 2021)
- Commercial Litigation
- Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Transportation Law
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