Kegler, Philip E.

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A perceptive and energetic problem solver, Philip Kegler prides himself on assisting clients with unique and complex legal issues. Philip maintains a diverse civil practice, but his work focuses primarily on representing Fortune 500 companies in product liability and personal injury litigation in state and federal courts across the United States.

While in law school, Philip represented the University of Florida in the Willem E. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot competition in Vienna, Austria, where the team received Honorable Mention recognition for its oral arguments. Philip also honed his writing skills as an editor on the Journal of Technology Law and Policy and the Florida Journal of International Law.

Kennedy, Jessica M.

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Jessica Kennedy defends manufacturers and companies in medical malpractice, product and premises liability actions as well as creditors’ rights matters. Jessica has appeared on behalf of her clients throughout the country and has handled matters through the appellate stage.  She has worked extensively in defending corporate clients in complex discovery matters and undertaken electronically stored data collections, both domestically and abroad. Jessica currently serves as national discovery counsel for one of her manufacturing clients.

Prior to joining McDonald Toole Wiggins, Jessica worked in-house for LG Electronics Alabama, Inc. At LG she established nation-wide resolutions for consumer defective repair claims, developed risk management evaluations in conjunction with cost saving analysis, and was a member of the Customs Compliance Team, assisting logistics and sales in managing international trade while preserving Federal and internal compliance regulations.

Kenney, Francesca E.

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Francesca focuses her practice areas on defending businesses in the areas of products liability, premises liability, and general liability.

Francesca is from Northeastern Pennsylvania. She received her undergraduate degree from King’s College in English, graduating magna cum laude. Upon moving to Florida, she attended law school at Florida A&M University College of Law where she graduated at the top of her class. During law school, Francesca worked full time as a paralegal at a criminal defense firm, which quickly led to her first associate attorney position as a criminal defense attorney. She has also practiced Family Law in the Central Florida region, which lends a hand to her unique experience in both civil and criminal litigation matters. Prior to joining the firm, Francesca has undergone extensive training in trauma informed courts and collaborative law.

Francesca was inspired to become an attorney by her late aunt, Christine Trottini, whose poise and passion for the law was infectious. She has long recognized that the legal system is one of the more complex written rules of society, and practicing law as an attorney is one of the most respected professions in the workplace. Francesca takes her knowledge, respect, and experience, and turns it into dedicated and committed client representation.

King, Courtney M.

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Courtney King focuses her practice on products and premises liability litigation, primarily representing automobile and medical device manufacturers, as well as theme parks. With a strong interest in her clients’ concerns and objectives, she calls on her trial experience, as well as her observations of strengths and weaknesses in individual cases, to skillfully and efficiently represent her clients.

Select Experience

Examples of Ms. King’s representative experience include the following:

  •  Co-Represented an automobile manufacturer to defense verdict at trial in Hillsborough County, Florida in a case involving a plaintiff who sustained burns to over seventy-five percent of his body in a vehicle fire;
  •  Represented an automobile manufacturer in personal injury and wrongful death cases involving rollover events, ejected occupants and/or vehicle fires;
  • Obtained summary judgment for an automobile manufacturer in a rollover case venued in Pinellas County, Florida;
  • Represented multiple medical device manufacturers as local and national counsel in cases venued in Florida and Pennsylvania;
  • Represented medical device manufacturers in multidistrict litigation in Alachua County;
  • Represented a major theme park in multiple cases venued in Orange County involving negligence, failure to warn, and negligent mode of operation claims.

About Me

What do you enjoy most about the practice of law?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is the creativity involved at every stage of litigation, whether it is determining the most cost-efficient way to defend a case or strategizing as to the most advantageous manner of proceeding with discovery.

What are your favorite activities in your leisure time?

I enjoy family time, which consists mostly of keeping up with my daughter’s latest activities and interests. I also enjoy traveling and reading.

Leiva, Flor M.

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Flor Leiva focuses her practice in the areas of products liability, premise liability, and general liability.

Flor began her legal career working at an insurance defense firm representing insurance carriers in first-party property suits. She then had the honor and pleasure of serving four years as a judicial law clerk at the Fifth District Court of Appeal, clerking for Judge F. Rand Wallis and Chief Judge James A. Edwards. Upon leaving the Fifth DCA, Flor came to work with us here at McDonald Toole Wiggins, where both Judge Wallis and Judge Edwards previously worked.

Flor received her undergraduate degree from Florida State University, and then went on to earn her law degree from Barry University School of Law. During law school, Flor competed in national Moot Court competitions and served on the Executive Board of Barry’s Moot Court program. She also worked as a legal assistant and law clerk while completing her studies.

In her free time, Flor enjoys yoga, outdoor activities, traveling, and exploring local farmer’s markets with her dog.

Liptak, John M., III

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John is an Associate Attorney at McDonald Toole and Wiggins, PA whose practice focuses on general liability defense including product liability matters, motor vehicle accidents and trucking litigation. He earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law and is admitted to practice in Florida. Throughout law school, John served as the Vice President of the Federalist society and was a member of the second amendment society. In addition, John worked as law clerk for the honorable Judge John E. Steele in the Middle District of Florida Fort Myers Division, and he was an intern for the United States Attorney’s Office of Tampa helping to prosecute both white collar crimes and drug traffickers. He then worked as a CLI for both the Tampa and Sarasota State Attorneys’ office where he gained courtroom experience.

Upon graduation, John worked for Florida’s largest Civil Defense firm defending some of the nation’s largest retail stores and insurance companies. John now serves as part of a team that is national counsel for a major truck servicing company and a major forklift manufacturer, including the defense of personal injury cases involving company vehicles.