HR LAW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate in HR Law 's Fort Pierce Office
Amy R. Ritchey is a senior associate in HR Law's Fort Pierce Office. A member of the Florida Bar since 2007, her clients include the State of Florida, Zenith, Broadspire, FFVA, Southeast Personnel Leasing and FrankCrum, two of the state's largest professional employer organizations (PEO).
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida and her Juris Doctor from the Stetson University College of Law. In addition to her experience in Workers' Compensation defense, Amy has practiced DUI and criminal defense. She resides in Fort Pierce with her husband, daughter, and a host of horses, dogs, and goats.
Andrew R. Borah, a shareholder in charge of HR Law's Deerfield Beach and Miami offices, is one of the most seasoned and successful Workers' Compensation trial attorneys in South Florida. His trial record for Employer/Carrier wins since 2009 averages 84 percent.
His clients include major insurance carriers, municipalities, large and mid-sized employers, staffing companies, and professional employer organizations (PEOs).
Anthony M. Amelio, a shareholder in HR Law's Fort Pierce office, was admitted to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court in 2019. A member of the Florida Bar since 1996, he has been Board Certified as a Specialist in Workers' Compensation since 2005.
Brian M. Ricotta is a partner in HR Law's Winter Park office. His practice centers on defending Workers' Compensation matters for employers, carriers, and TPAs, with a focus on trucking and delivery companies. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Summa Cum Laude, from Syracuse University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida's Levin College of Law in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in HR Law 's Winter Park
Brittany Caitlin Golden is an associate in HR Law's Winter Park office. An Alabama native, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications and Film, and earned her Juris Doctor Cum Laude from the University of Florida in 2018.
Derrick E. Cox is a shareholder in the Winter Park office. Since 1992, his primary practice has been representing the interests of employers, carriers and claims-handling entities in litigated Workers' Compensation claims.
Derrick has extensive experience representing large employers including Brevard County, NextEra/Florida Power & Light, Winn-Dixie, Lennar Homes, Charter Schools USA, Orange County Public Schools, Massey Services, HCA, Steward Health, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, United Launch Alliance, Gate Precast, Jos. A Bank, Men's Wearhouse, Sealy Corporation, Papa Johns, Captain D's and Logan's Roadhouse.
He represents numerous carriers and servicing agents, including Broadspire, Sedgwick, Gallagher Bassett, Preferred Governmental Claim Solutions, Occusure, Florida Insurance Trust, PestSure, AmTrust, Normandy Insurance, ESIS, TriStar, Johns Eastern, Liberty Mutual, Hartford and Old Republic.
Derrick is Board Certified as a Workers' Compensation specialist, has an AV peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized annually as a Florida Super Lawyer since 2006. In 2010, he received the Pro Bono Champion Award of Excellence for representing the poor through the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association.
Born and raised in Brevard County, Derrick is a proud Gator who earned his undergraduate degree in finance, graduating with high honors from the University of Florida in 1986. He earned his Juris doctorate from the UF College of Law, graduating with honors in 1990.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate in HR Law 's Fort Pierce
Evan R. Heffner is a senior associate in HR Law's Fort Pierce and Deerfield Beach offices. A Boca Raton native, he represents a variety of employers, carriers, and third-party claims handlers in Workers' Compensation matters. Prior to joining HR Law, Evan spent five years practicing in the foreclosure sector.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida in 2010, and his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 2013.
Gregory D. White is a shareholder in HR Law's Winter Park office. He has been defending employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators in Workers' Compensation matters since 1996. Board Certified as a Specialist by the Florida Bar since 2002, he has forged a strong reputation in the professional employer organization (PEO) sector.
Gregory S. Raub, a partner in HR Law's Winter Park office, has been practicing Workers' Compensation defense for more than 20 years.
He represents major insurance carriers, TPAs, large and mid-sized employers, staffing companies, and professional employer organizations (PEOs). Representative clients include Amtrust North America, Gallagher Bassett, Michael's, EmployBridge and AlphaStaff.
Board Certified since 2005 by the Florida Bar as a Workers' Compensation Specialist, he is certified by the Florida Department of Insurance as a lecturer and presents regularly to employer and insurance groups.
Greg earned his Juris Doctor from Mercer University in Georgia and his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Florida.
Heather D. Bondhus is a partner in the Winter Park office of HR Law. A member of the Florida Bar since 2005, she worked previously as Assistant State Attorney in Lake County's Fifth Judicial Circuit and served as conflict counsel for Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida and earned her Juris Doctor with Honors from the first graduating class at Florida A&M University's College of Law.
Heather has focused exclusively on Workers' Compensation defense since 2015. She has significant experience representing large employers such as Tradesmen International, Adventist / Florida Hospital, and YRC Freight, as well as TPAs including Sedgwick and Gallagher Bassett.
Jamey S. Rodgers has more than 30 years of experience in Florida's Workers' Compensation industry.
Practicing in HR Law's Winter Park office, Jamey provides a uniquely well-rounded understanding of the comp industry, having worked in every legal perspective from defense to claimant side, from solo practitioner to in-house carrier counsel, to mediator.
Prior to joining HR Law, he spent 20 years in private practice as co-founder of McDonald & Rodgers, P.A. Previously, he served seven years as in-house counsel for Cigna Insurance's Workers' Compensation division. Prior positions included two years as a WC claimants' attorney and one year as Public Defender with Orange County.
Certified as a Circuit Court mediator, Jamey holds a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Illinois University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida.
Jonathan L. Cooley, a shareholder in HR Law's Fort Myers office, has been representing employers, carriers, and their claims-handling agents for nearly 20 years.
He provides counsel to numerous clients in the professional employer organization (PEO), agricultural, and public entity sectors. Jonathan's clients include the State of Florida Division of Risk Management, Lee County School Board, Collier County Sheriff, Johns Eastern, Packard Claims, Amerisure, and FFVA insurance companies, as well as SouthEast Personnel Leasing and FrankCrum, two of the state's largest PEOs, associated collectively with 300,000 Florida employees.
Board Certified as a WC Specialist since 2014, he is certified by the Florida Department of Insurance as a lecturer and presents frequently to employer and insurance groups.
Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Liberty University in Virginia and earned his Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, from Nova Southeastern University in 2002.
Kate E. Albin is a partner in the Broward and Miami offices of HR Law. A member of the Florida Bar since 2011, Ms. Albin has focused exclusively on Workers' Compensation defense since the start of her practice. She has significant experience representing large carriers such as AmTrust, large employers such as the State of Florida, and numerous mid-sized employers through FrankCrum, which is one of the largest professional employer organizations / staffing companies in the state, associated with 50,000 employees.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida's Levin College of Law. She resides in Boca Raton with her husband, son, and twin daughters.
Matthew W. Bennett is a shareholder in HR Law's Tallahassee office, which he launched for the firm in 2006.
Since 2000, Matt's primary practice has been representing the interests of employers, carriers, and claim-handling entities in litigated Workers' Compensation claims. He has extensive experience in the public and private healthcare sectors, self-insureds, PEOs, insureds under high-deductible programs and some of the largest carriers in the State. He has been Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a Specialist in Workers' Compensation since 2006.
Matt earned his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law, where he graduated Cum Laude and was a member of the Stetson Law Review. Certified by the Florida Department of Insurance as a lecturer, he presents frequently to employers and insurance groups.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in HR Law 's Deerfield Beach
Nikoleta S. Barr is an associate in HR Law's Deerfield Beach and Miami offices. A member of both the Florida and New York bars, Nikoleta has been practicing law since May 2012. For the bulk of her legal career, she worked in the healthcare sector, assisting hospitals nationwide with the pre-litigation process and disputes of high-dollar claims by carriers.
Fluent in Russian and Hebrew, Nikoleta holds a dual Bachelor of Science in Accounting & Economics from Queens College of the City University of New York, and her Juris Doctor from New York Law School. While working full time as a paralegal during her undergrad studies, Nikoleta was named to the Dean's List, earned High Honors, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She also worked full time in Ernst & Young's Tax Compliance Department through law school.
Paul L. Luger is a shareholder and the managing partner of HR Law's Fort Pierce office, which serves the Palm Beach County, Treasure Coast, Space Coast, Broward, and Dade regions of Florida. A partner with the firm since 2002, Paul concentrates on Workers' Compensation matters, and has significant expertise in the professional employer organization (PEO), institutional and health care sectors.
Representative clients include FrankCrum, one of the state's largest PEOs, responsible for WC coverage of more than 50,000 Florida employees; HCA Healthcare, which operates 46 hospitals and 31 surgery centers across the state; and healthcare provider WellPath, LLC. Previously, he was Assistant State Attorney with the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.
In addition to providing counsel to clients, Paul has been active in his community, serving as a both a Commissioner and as Mayor of the Town of Sewall's Point. He previously served on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and the Florida League of Cities Legislative Planning Committee.
Paul earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern Law University.
Rex A. Hurley has earned a reputation as one of the most respected attorneys in Florida's Workers' Compensation industry. From construction and agriculture to retail and transportation, hospitality and healthcare to numerous municipalities and the State of Florida, he and the firm he cofounded in 1992 have defended employers, insurers and TPAs in every industry sector.
Rex's current case load includes large loss claims, heart/lung presumption claims and the defense of professional employer organizations throughout Florida, as well as all other Workers' Compensation related matters.
Board Certified in Workers' Compensation since 1990, Rex has played an integral role in furthering professional growth in Florida's comp industry. He has held numerous leadership roles, including Vice Chairman of the Florida Bar's Board Certification Committee and the Workers' Compensation Rules Committee. Certified as an instructor by the State of Florida, he regularly presents seminars and continuing education to adjusters, risk managers and attorneys. He is rated as an AV Preeminent Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, and annually recognized in the SuperLawyers ranking.
Robert J. Osburn is a partner in HR Law's Winter Park office. He has represented employers, carriers and third party claims handlers in Workers' Compensation matters since 1998.
Rob works with a variety of small to large employers, including pool builders, landscapers, electrical and building contractors.
He is a double ‘Nole who earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Florida State University in 1993 and a Juris Doctor with Honors from FSU's College of Law in 1998.
Scott B. Miller is a shareholder in the Winter Park office of HR Law. Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a Specialist in Worker's Compensation since 1997, he represents employers, insurance carriers and TPAs in the defense of Workers' Compensation claims, with a special focus on the health care, trucking, construction and retail sectors. Representative clients include Protective Insurance, AIG, Gallagher Bassett, YRC Trucking, Cemex, Suffolk Construction, Whole Foods and Advent Health.
A native of Winter Park, Scott received his undergraduate degree from Duke University in 1986 and his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1989. He holds an "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Scott serves on the Board of the Florida Association of Self-Insureds (FASI) and is a certified instructor with the Division of Workers' Compensation.
Sofia A. Rogner is an associate in in HR Law's Winter Park office.
An Orlando native, Sofia earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida's Levin College of Law. She holds a Master's in Latin American Studies and a Bachelor's in English and Literature, Political Science and Latin American Studies, also from the University of Florida.
While at UF Law, she won prestigious Book Awards for earning the highest grade in her class in both Law & Policy in the Americas and in International Human Rights Law.
Prior to joining HR Law, Sofia held summer associate positions at two Orlando firms focusing on litigation, trusts and estates, real estate and bankruptcy. She also served as a legal intern at Catholic Charities of Atlanta.
Tim F. Stanton is a partner in the Winter Park office of HR Law. Practicing law since 1989, he has been Florida Bar Board Certified as a Specialist in Worker's Compensation since 1996. He represents employers, insurance carriers, and TPAs in the defense of Workers' Compensation claims with a special focus on the professional employer organization (PEO) sector. Tim brings particular insight to defense from the eight years he spent on the claimant side of the industry.
Tim graduated Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, and then earned his Juris Doctor with honors from the FSU College of Law in 1989.
Vanessa R. Irvin is a partner in HR Law's Deerfield Beach and Miami offices. She represents employers, carriers and third-party claims handlers in Workers' Compensation matters, defending claims before JCCs in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. She began her legal career in Chicago in 2011 before returning to her home state in 2014.
Vanessa's clients at HR Law include the State of Florida, AmTrust, Gallagher Bassett, MEMIC Insurance and FDI Services.
Vanessa holds undergraduate degrees in Political Science and History, Cum Laude, from Loyola University of Chicago. She earned her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law, through which she studied employment, labor law and international business at Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, Spain. While at DePaul she won the prestigious CALI Award for Excellence in Forensic Evidence.
W. Rogers Turner, Jr. is a shareholder in the Winter Park office of HR Law, P.A. Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law and AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, he is a member of the Florida Bar's WC Section Executive Council, past chair of the Board Certification Committee and President of the Judge William Wieland American Inn of Court. Fluent in Spanish and German, he was admitted to the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court in 2019.
Since 1998, Rogers' primary practice has been representing the interests of employers, carriers and claims-handling entities in litigated Workers' Compensation claims. Large employer clients include Orange County Public Schools, Delta Air Lines, FrankCrum PEO, FreshPoint and Waffle House. Certified by the Florida Department of Insurance as a lecturer, he presents frequently to employer and insurance groups.
Prior to practicing law, Rogers worked in both the United States Congress and the Florida Legislature, as well as the Division of Workers' Compensation. He edits the case notes section of the Florida Bar's News and 440 Report and serves as a faculty presenter for the Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Forum. Rogers earned his B.A. in German and History from Tulane University, a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Health Policy from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law.
Inducted into the Workers' Compensation Institute's Hall of Fame in 2018, William H. Rogner co-founded the firm in Orlando in 1992 (as Hurley & Rogner, P.A.). Since then, HR Law has expanded to six offices and earned a reputation as one of Florida's leading authorities on Workers' Compensation law.
Bill is Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a Specialist in both Appellate Practice and Workers' Compensation, a dual designation attained by very few. He has handled nearly 500 appeals before the District Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Florida, and served as 2014-2015 Chair of the Workers' Compensation Section of the Florida Bar. He is an honors graduate of the University of Florida's Levin College of Law and Warrington School of Business.
Bill's principal clients include the Brevard County School Board, SouthEast Personnel Leasing, Sedgwick CMS, Zenith Insurance Co. and Amerisure Insurance Co., along with many others.
"The challenge for the Claimant's attorney in this case is not the legal issues, but the knowledge and experience of opposing counsel (Bill Rogner), who is one of the most respected appellate attorneys in the Workers' Compensation field."
Bill Rogner, named to the Workers' Compensation Institute Hall of Fame in 2018, is one of just three Florida attorneys to be Board Certified in both Appellate Practice and Workers' Compensation.