Garrett Kesl Senior Counsel

Garrett E. Kesl is Senior Counsel for the firm whose practice focuses on complex civil and business litigation, with particular depth in insurance-related disputes, first-party property claims, real property matters, and high-exposure commercial and contract litigation. He brings nearly a decade of experience managing large, active dockets from inception through trial and appeal, and has served as former in-house counsel for a property insurance carrier, giving him a coverage-side perspective that informs his approach to litigation strategy and risk assessment.

Mr. Kesl’s practice includes complex business disputes, contract litigation, mortgage foreclosures, landlord-tenant litigation, HOA disputes, and injunctive proceedings, with experience managing docket loads exceeding 100 active matters at a time. His approach emphasizes early case evaluation, disciplined budgeting and settlement strategy, and coordinated trial preparation, including witness preparation, expert management, and exhibit development. He regularly conducts depositions, evidentiary hearings, mediations, argues dispositive and evidentiary motions, and appellate briefs involving significant legal and factual issues, appearing in courts throughout Florida and in jurisdictions nationwide.

As former in-house counsel for a property insurance carrier, he evaluated and resolved first-party property claims involving significant exposure and complex coverage issues, conducted Examinations Under Oath and claim investigations, and advised claims professionals on policy interpretation, coverage determinations, and litigation risk. He has coordinated large-loss and high-exposure claims with adjusters, engineers, and contractors, and participated in policy language review and claims-handling procedure development.

In addition, his experience includes:

• Personal injury litigation, having managed more than 150 matters in pre-suit and litigation phases, including drafting pleadings, motions, and settlement documents and negotiating substantial settlements;

• Oil and gas lease acquisition and title work, including negotiating leases, easements, and right-of-way agreements and conducting complex title and ownership research;

• Attorney and staff supervision, including mentoring associate attorneys and paralegals and overseeing litigation workflow and case progression; and

• Client and carrier relations, including case evaluations, settlement negotiations, and ongoing communication with clients, carriers, and providers.

Mr. Kesl’s litigation experience spans state and federal courts throughout Florida and jurisdictions nationwide, with a consistent focus on efficient case management, strategic resolution, and trial readiness.