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.

Liston, Bianca Graziela

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Bianca Graziela Liston handles all aspects of litigation, as well as coordination of discovery. She defends cases from soft tissue injuries to catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims in Florida state and federal courts.  She has first and second chair trial experience.  Her practice area includes products liability, personal injury, premise liability, amusement park, DRAM shop, food/supplement, toxic tort, commercial and transportation litigation, as well as administrative actions.

Prior to admission to the Florida Bar in 2002, Ms. Liston worked in a law firm as a legal assistant and paralegal.  Because of her passion for the law, she obtained her Bachelor and Juris Doctorate Degrees from Nova Southeastern University during its night program while continuing full-time employment.   It is this commitment and determination that she brings to her clients.   Ms. Liston is committed to handling each file as if it is her only file.  Likewise, she is determined to search for and discover every fact about the Plaintiff and his/her/its claim to achieve a beneficial resolution for her client whether through dismissal, settlement or verdict.  She also understands that with many clients, especially corporate clients, there is a business aspect to each claim and that winning at trial may not be the best approach to prevailing on a claim.

Long, Sarah A.

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Sarah Long concentrates her practice in the area of products liability defense in both Florida state courts and federal court.  Sarah has been involved in the defense of automotive, heavy truck and equipment manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device manufactures, as well as other makers of consumer products in complex tort litigation, in addition to traditional tort actions.  Sarah blends her solid analytical and research skills with her strong writing capabilities, and calls upon her experience as a trial attorney to offer clients knowledgeable, reliable and consistent services in the areas of discovery, motion practice and trial support.

Mcdonald, Jr., Francis M.

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Frank McDonald is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, the highest recognition of competency, professionalism and expertise awarded by the Bar. Throughout his entire career as a trial lawyer in private practice, he has defended product manufacturers and other business entities in complex tort litigation in state and federal courts throughout the southeastern United States.

This practice has included the defense of motor vehicle companies in crashworthiness litigation as well as medical device companies, equipment manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, oil and gas companies and other makers of consumer products in products liability and toxic tort matters.

In 2008, he was invited to become a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

He has tried over 65 lengthy cases to verdict in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. Mr. McDonald started his legal career in Orlando after a clerkship at the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals with the Honorable Joseph W. Hatchett.

He has received numerous awards and honors for his legal accomplishments and has spoken at various seminars on topics that pertain to trial practice.

McKeown, Kerry A.

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Kerry focuses her practice on defending businesses in the areas of products liability, premises liability, and general liability as well as creditors’ rights matters.

Kerry had the honor and privilege of beginning her legal career working as a judicial law clerk at the Fifth District Court of Appeal for the Honorable F. Rand Wallis. After leaving the court, Kerry transitioned to civil litigation where she worked for some of the larger civil defense firms in the state. As a result, she has a wide array of experience in both state and federal courts, including breach of contract, commercial torts, premise liability, negligent security, product liability, medical malpractice, and related causes of action. Kerry also is a go-to member of the firm for complex motion drafting and appellate issues.

Kerry’s background in appellate law enables her to consider each case with a broad perspective, improving her ability to determine the most efficient and effective resolution for her clients.

Kerry was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Studies from Queen’s University. Kerry obtained her juris doctorate, magna cum laude, from Barry University School of Law in Orlando in 2017. She has made Central Florida her home since then.

Kerry is a theme park enthusiast and in her spare time can usually be found in one of central Florida’s theme parks.

Owens, Keef F.

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Keef Owens began his legal career serving as a four-year law clerk to the Honorable Charles M. Harris of Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal. Keef subsequently joined an Orlando law firm where he defended employers, insurance carriers, and servicing agents in workers’ compensation litigation and on appeal before Florida’s First District Court of Appeal. From 2016 through 2022, he served as a governor-appointed Judge of Compensation Claims. Keef brings his experience as an appellate law clerk, appellate attorney, and judge to his representation of the firm’s clients in advanced motion practice and appellate matters.