About Kelley | Uustal
Founded in 2008 by nationally-recognized attorneys Robert Kelley and John Uustal, Kelley | Uustal has established itself as a premier trial law firm serving both national clients and those in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami areas for more than a decade.
Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the firm has built its reputation on fighting for justice by protecting victims and punishing intentional wrongdoing and negligence, with a track record of success that includes fighting against some of the largest corporations in the world.
What truly sets Kelley | Uustal apart is their commitment to "taking on the cases that can't be won, for the families that can't afford to lose," demonstrating their dedication to tackling complex, challenging cases that other firms might avoid. Since its founding, the firm has grown to include multiple award-winning attorneys who have secured more than $1 billion in life-changing verdicts and settlements for their clients using what they call their “Personal Victory” process. Their approach emphasizes that victories are personal and mean everything to those who have been wrongfully harmed, which is why they exist as a firm.
Services
Kelley | Uustal's legal practice goes far beyond the standard personal injury model, focusing specifically on cases involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death where the stakes are highest. Their attorneys navigate the complex terrain of cases that require extraordinary dedication and specialized expertise, often taking on legal battles that other firms might view as too risky or resource-intensive.
At the core of their practice is a specialized approach to complex litigation, backed by their unique Forensic Discovery Methodology. This allows their team to reverse-engineer accident scenes, injuries, or product malfunctions, working alongside engineers, doctors, and scientists to trace the root causes of personal tragedies back to their earliest origins: often following the evidence trail all the way to manufacturing facilities or corporate boardrooms.
Their service areas encompass a comprehensive range of serious cases including personal injury litigation, auto accidents and defects, business litigation, catastrophic injury, class action lawsuits, dangerous and defective products, financial misconduct, medical malpractice, medical device and drug defects, tobacco litigation, and wrongful death. The firm's approach to each of these practice areas is characterized by meticulous investigation, thorough preparation, and a willingness to stand toe-to-toe with powerful defendants, including major corporations with extensive resources.
Strengths
Impressive track record with over $1 billion in life-changing verdicts and settlements secured for clients, demonstrating exceptional success in high-stakes litigation
Unique Forensic Discovery Methodology that allows the firm to reverse-engineer accidents and trace root causes back to corporate decisions, providing a significant advantage in complex cases
Willingness to take on extremely challenging cases that other firms consider too risky or expensive, showing courage and conviction in pursuing justice
Selective case acceptance strategy that allows attorneys to focus intensely on fewer, higher-value cases rather than spreading resources across many smaller matters
Notable landmark cases include verdicts against major corporations like R.J. Reynolds (tobacco) and representing celebrity clients such as rapper Flo Rida in an $82.6 million verdict
Dedicated to community involvement beyond litigation, regularly partnering with local and national charities and organizations
Continued growth and expansion, including moving into new markets such as representing tobacco victims in Chicago
Weaknesses
Highly selective case acceptance may mean turning away clients with valid but less severe cases, limiting their reach to a broader client base
Specialized focus on catastrophic injury and wrongful death may limit their expertise in other legal areas where more general practice firms might have an advantage
Founded in 2008, the firm is younger than some long-established South Florida competitors, potentially affecting their historical network and legacy connections
Primary office location in Fort Lauderdale may limit geographic accessibility for clients in other parts of South Florida compared to firms with multiple office locations
Their intense focus on each case may result in taking on fewer clients than larger volume practices, potentially limiting overall market presence
Summary
Kelley | Uustal stands as a formidable legal force in South Florida's personal injury landscape, distinguished by its focused approach to high-stakes litigation. Founded in 2008 by Robert Kelley and John Uustal, the Fort Lauderdale-based firm has built a reputation for taking on cases deemed "unwinnable" by other firms and turning them into significant victories.
What truly sets this firm apart is its unique Forensic Discovery Methodology that enables attorneys to work with engineers, doctors, and scientists to trace injuries back to their root causes, often all the way to corporate boardrooms. This approach has resulted in landmark verdicts against major corporations like General Motors, R.J. Reynolds, and others, securing over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients, including an $82.6 million verdict for rapper Flo Rida.
While the firm's relatively small size and highly selective case acceptance approach may limit their capacity compared to larger competitors, these same characteristics enable their attorneys to provide exceptional dedication to each case they take on. Kelley | Uustal doesn't aim to be the biggest firm handling the most cases; rather, they focus on being the most effective advocates in the most challenging cases, particularly those involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death where the stakes couldn't be higher for their clients.