Brian R. Denney
Shareholder
BRIAN R. DENNEY is a powerhouse litigator and fierce advocate for his clients. A Shareholder at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida, Mr. Denney is known for his relentless pursuit of justice. As President of the Palm Beach Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Mr. Denney is recognized as a leader in civil trial law. His Florida Bar Board Certification in Civil Trial Law – a distinction held by fewer than 7% of attorneys in the state – demonstrates his unmatched skill, integrity, and dedication to his clients.
Mr. Denney has found his calling in representing those who have suffered life-altering circumstances. He considers it an honor and privilege to fight for families devastated by catastrophic injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one. His commitment extends far beyond the courtroom – he builds strong, supportive relationships with his clients, guiding them through the complexities of the legal system with compassion and tenacity. He has sat in the living rooms of grieving families across Florida, offering comfort in their darkest hours while taking on their fight so they can focus on healing and rebuilding their lives.
With a remarkable track record in personal injury, wrongful death, automobile negligence, medical malpractice, and product liability cases, Mr. Denney has secured life-changing verdicts for his clients. Some of his notable trial victories include:
- A groundbreaking $21 million verdict against two tobacco companies in Escambia County.
- A historic $10 million verdict in Volusia County for a wrongful death case involving a pedestrian and an RV.
- A high-profile $1 million verdict in Palm Beach County for an automobile negligence case involving a college basketball player.
- A $720,000 verdict in Palm Beach County for an automobile negligence case, overcoming the challenge of a pre-existing condition.
- A landmark $3.5 million verdict in Highlands County’s first tobacco case for a 92-year-old widow.
- Over $3 million in a verdict for a victim of automobile negligence in Palm Beach County.
Mr. Denney’s commitment to securing justice for his clients has also led to settlements totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, often reached on the doorstep of trial. He has helped parents secure justice for their severely injured children, assisted widows in obtaining compensation after the wrongful death of their spouses, and ensured that paralyzed or otherwise severely injured victims receive the medical care they need to live with dignity. Many of Mr. Denney’s cases have drawn national media attention due to the high-profile defendants involved and the profound impact on the lives of his clients.
Mr. Denney’s reputation for excellence has earned him recognition in Best Lawyers in America since 2016 and Florida Super Lawyers since 2013. He has been honored as a Top Lawyer by South Florida Legal Guide, one of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, a Top 10 Attorney by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, and among the Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers. He has also served on the executive committee, which is a guiding voice for the firm. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Denney is a sought-after lecturer on trial advocacy for lawyers and law students, helping shape the next generation of trial attorneys.
A native of West Palm Beach, Mr. Denney graduated from Stetson University before earning his Juris Doctor, with honors, from Stetson University College of Law, where he received the prestigious Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award. He began his legal career in the general trial division of a prominent statewide law firm in Tampa, where he quickly distinguished himself as a formidable civil litigator.
Outside his legal career, Mr. Denney’s greatest joy is his family. He resides in West Palm Beach with his wife, their four beautiful daughters, and their beloved dogs.
To learn more about Brian Denney, see:
Publications & Presentations
- Evolving Technology in Autonomous Vehicles — When will states catch up?
- Can Helmets Make the Difference? — Life & Death
- The Trolley Dilemma and Autonomous Cars — Critical Decisions
- Samsung Problems: Cell Phones, Washing Machines
- Tesla Autopilot Crash — Limitations of advancing vehicle technology
- Buyer Beware: Used Cars Subject to Different Protections Than New Cars
- What is a Board Certified Attorney in Florida?
- Florida Justice Association Masters of Justice Seminar – Autonomous Vehicles, Who is in the Driver’s Seat? September, 2016
- Workers Injury Law and Advocacy Group 2013 Annual Convention – Trial Tactics, October, 2013
- Florida Justice Association Al J. Cone Trial Advocacy Institute– Direct Examination of an Expert Witness, August, 2013
- Florida Justice Association Workhorse Seminar – How to avoid “Gotcha” Moments and other Pitfalls at Trial, February, 2011.
- Palm Beach County Justice Association SCOPE Seminar – Strategies on Cross-Examining the Opposing Professional Examiners, December, 2010.
Awards
- Best Lawyers in America – 2015 to present
- Super Lawyers 2013-2016
- Nation’s Top One Percent – National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40”, 2012-2013
- Florida Trend’s “Legal Elite” 2012
- South Florida Legal Guide “Top Up & Comer” 2009 and 2010
Prior Cases
- Attorney representing victims of personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, property damage and defective products
- $38,250,000.00 confidential settlement in Palm Beach County medical malpractice case
- Trial counsel in $21,496,943.00 verdict in Escambia County tobacco case
- $16,000,000.00 confidential settlement in Monroe County wrongful death premises liability case
- $16,000,000.00 confidential settlement in Pinellas County medical malpractice case
- $10,000,000.00 verdict in wrongful death of a 29 year old pedestrian vs. RV case in Volusia County with pre-trial offer of $1,500,000.00
- $8,000,000.00 confidential settlement in Palm Beach County medical malpractice case
- $7,500,000.00 confidential settlement in Orange County theme park liability case
- $7,549,000.00 confidential settlement in Dade County medical malpractice case
- $6,000,000.00 confidential settlement in Palm Beach County negligent security case involving brain injury
- $6,000,000.00 confidential settlement in Dade County products liability case
- $6,100,000.00 confidential settlement in Palm Beach County medical negligence case involving brain damage as a result of brain surgery
- $5,900,000.00 confidential settlement in Palm Beach County liquor liability (dram shop) case
- $5,500,000.00 Confidential settlement in Palm Beach County medical malpractice case.
- $5,000,000.00 Confidential settlement in Palm Beach County premises liability case.
- $5,000,000.00 confidential settlement against multi-national product manufacturer for defective airbag injury
- $4,000,000.00 confidential settlement in Palm Beach County medical malpractice case
- Presented claims bill argument before Florida Legislature Special Masters in Tallahassee resulting in passage of $3,900,000.00 claims bill
- Trial counsel in $3,509,471.88 verdict in Highlands County tobacco case
- $3,500,000.00 confidential settlement in Palm Beach County medical malpractice case
- Trial counsel in $3,220,000.00 verdict in Palm Beach County automobile negligence case with pre-trial offer of $50,000.00
- Trial counsel in $3,155,682.00 verdict in Palm Beach County
- $3,000,000.00 confidential medical malpractice settlement on behalf of brain damaged baby girl in Hillsborough County
- $2,414,000.00 confidential settlement in Sarasota County maritime liability case
- Trial counsel in $2,100,000.00 medical malpractice case in Dade County (settled during trial)
- $1,750,000.00 confidential settlement in Broward County wrongful death case
- $1,500,000.00 verdict in Palm Beach County automobile negligence uninsured motorist case.
- $1,250,000.00 confidential settlement in Collier County automobile negligence case involving knee injuries
- Trial counsel in $1,094,034.33 verdict in Palm Beach County
- $1,000,000.00 settlement in uninsured motorist automobile negligence case in Palm Beach County after zero offers before trial date
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Brian Denney
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