About Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley
Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. (often simply called "Searcy Denney") is a nationally recognized firm of trial attorneys committed to fighting for the rights of people injured through negligence, deceit, or abuse of power, with over 45 years' experience in Florida and across the country.
Founded in 1972, the firm has established a reputation for delivering highly skilled and professional legal services, with substantial resources, responsiveness, commitment to clients and the community, innovation, and endurance as their hallmarks.
The firm’s mission is centered around a passion for justice, recognizing that successful legal practice is not just about them but about their clients and their important relationships with other attorneys who trust them to take on tough cases and drive results. The firm's fee policy is straightforward: “If there is no recovery, we charge our client nothing”
Services
Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley specializes in a range of legal services including:
Personal Injury
Accidents
Product Liability
Medical Malpractice
Wrongful Death
Brain Injury
Professional Liability
Strengths
Impressive track record of success, having been awarded more than $5.8 billion in settlements and verdicts for clients harmed by traffic accidents, unsafe products, professional negligence, and business disputes
Large professional staff with 32 trial attorneys, 12 paralegals, and over 100 total employees, providing substantial resources for case preparation and management
Strong relationships with nationally known experts in fields such as medicine, law enforcement, engineering, business, and economics, ensuring cases are well-founded and carefully supported
Culture of excellence fostered by the partners for over 45 years, with a commitment to sharing their wide range of personal and professional experience
State-of-the-art technology ensuring cases are organized, presentations are powerful and effective, and messages reach opposing attorneys, insurance adjusters, judges, and jurors
Client-centered approach, emphasizing open communication, responsiveness, and protecting clients from unnecessary conflict and stress
Weaknesses
While they have offices in West Palm Beach, Tallahassee, and Tampa, they may not have the same geographic coverage as firms with more locations throughout South Florida
Their self-described "aggressive" approach may not appeal to all potential clients who might prefer a different litigation style
Summary
Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley stands as one of Florida's most established and respected personal injury and trial law firms, with a 50-year history of advocating for injured clients. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in West Palm Beach with additional offices in Tallahassee and Tampa, the firm has built its reputation on securing significant verdicts and settlements (over $5.8 billion to date) while maintaining a client-first approach.
While Searcy Denney may not have the same scale as some national competitors or the most extensive geographic coverage in South Florida, it compensates with its impressive track record, deep expertise in complex litigation, and commitment to community service and legislative advocacy. Their straightforward contingency fee policy (“no recovery, no fee”) and multilingual capabilities further enhance their accessibility to a diverse client base across Florida and beyond.