Civil Trial Defense Law Firm
La Cava Jacobson handles litigation and appeals in all Florida state and federal courts.
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La Cava Jacobson Elevates David P. Young to Managing Partner of its Jacksonville Office
/in Firm NewsA graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Mr. Young has built his career defending physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice litigation and before licensing and disciplinary boards. While he will now be located in the Jacksonville office, David will continue to represent clients and try cases throughout the State of Florida.
“David is exactly the kind of lawyer you want representing your clients in a courtroom—thorough, tough, and completely prepared,” said Louis J. La Cava, Managing Shareholder of La Cava Jacobson, PA. “He has earned the trust of our clients and the confidence of this firm over a long and distinguished career.
David expressed enthusiasm about leading the firm’s Jacksonville office. “I’m genuinely excited about this next chapter,” he said. “ I look forward to the opportunity to continue the growth of the firm. I intend to bring the same standard of preparation and advocacy in every case as our clients have come to expect.”
La Cava Jacobson’s Jacksonville office is located at 1200 Riverplace Boulevard, Suite 201, Jacksonville, Florida 32207, and can be reached at (904) 564-1900.
About La Cava Jacobson
La Cava Jacobson, P.A. is a Florida-based civil trial defense law firm dedicated to representing self-insured entities, insurance carriers, healthcare providers, businesses, and professionals throughout the state. With offices strategically located across Florida, the firm handles complex litigation, appeals, and risk management matters in both state and federal courts. With over 35 lawyers, La Cava Jacobson’s attorneys are recognized for their courtroom experience, strategic advocacy, and commitment to delivering practical, results-driven legal solutions.
La Cava Jacobson Announces Addition of Six Attorneys
/in Firm NewsLa Cava Jacobson is pleased to announce the addition of Kristen J. Loerch as Partner, along with associates Nina Alessandra, Blaise Antoniou, Rachel Braziel, Olivia Lewis and Courtney Maras.
The addition of these five attorneys reflects the firm’s continued growth and commitment to providing exceptional legal services to its clients. Each attorney brings valuable experience, professional excellence, and a strong dedication to client advocacy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kristen, Nina, Blaise, Rachel, Olivia and Courtney to La Cava Jacobson,” said Louis J. La Cava. “Their talent, experience, and commitment to excellence make them outstanding additions to our team, and we look forward to their contributions to the firm and our clients.”
As La Cava Jacobson continues to expand its capabilities and serve clients across a broad range of legal matters, the firm remains dedicated to attracting top legal talent and delivering exceptional representation.
Please join us in welcoming Kristen J. Loerch, Nina Alessandra, Blaise Antoniou, Rachel Braziel, Olivia Lewis and Courtney Maras to La Cava Jacobson.
We Are Pleased to Announce That We Are Once Again La Cava Jacobson
/in Firm NewsWhile our name has been refined, everything that has defined us remains unchanged — our commitment to exceptional client service, the depth of our legal expertise, and the trusted relationships we have built over the years. Since our founding, our firm has been built on responsive client service, practical legal counsel, and a deep commitment to achieving results. Those principles continue to guide everything we do.
Our clients can expect the same trusted team, the same depth of experience, and the same dedication to delivering thoughtful, effective representation across Florida. This change reflects our continued focus on honoring the standards and service that have defined our firm from the beginning.
Our Miami Office New Location
/in Firm News9200 South Dadeland Blvd., Suite 620
Miami, Florida 33156
La Cava Jacobson Recognized in Best Lawyers’ 2026 Edition Across Multiple Practice Areas and Offices
/in Firm NewsTAMPA, FL – November 14, 2025 – La Cava Jacobson is proud to announce its recognition in the 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers: Best Law Firms – United States, earning top-tier rankings across multiple practice areas in Florida.
The firm achieved Regional Tier 1 recognition in nine practice area and office combinations, demonstrating exceptional strength in defense litigation throughout the state. These honors include:
Fort Lauderdale Office:
St. Petersburg Office:
Tampa Office:
Additionally, the Tampa office received Regional Tier 2 recognition for Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants and Regional Tier 3 recognition for Construction Law.
“This recognition by Best Lawyers reflects the dedication and expertise of our entire team,” said Louis La Cava, President and Managing SHareholder. “Our consistent rankings across multiple offices and practice areas underscore our firm’s commitment to delivering exceptional legal representation to our clients throughout Florida.”
The Best Lawyers rankings are based on an exhaustive peer-review survey comprising more than 13 million evaluations by top attorneys. The methodology is designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
About La Cava Jacobson
La Cava Jacobson is a civil trial defense law firm dedicated to representing self-insureds, insurance companies and those whom they insure. The firm handles litigation and appeals in all Florida state and federal courts, serving clients throughout the state. The attorneys of La Cava Jacobson are committed to providing exceptional legal services, and they have the experience, resources, credentials and credibility necessary to assist their clients in achieving their desired results. For more information, visit www.lacavajacobson.com.
About Best Lawyers
Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation, and lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed.
La Cava Jacobson Attorneys Present Risk Management Best Practices to Statewide OBGYN Practice
/in Firm NewsLa Cava Jacobson recently partnered with a statewide OBGYN practice to present an engaging and informative program on Risk Management Best Practices. The session was designed to equip physicians and staff with practical strategies to strengthen patient care, reduce liability exposure, and navigate the complexities of medical litigation.
The attorneys led discussions on several key areas, including:
The interactive format encouraged thoughtful questions and dialogue, allowing participants to connect legal principles with the realities of daily medical practice.
In addition to the educational component, the event included a unique hands-on opportunity. The attorneys joined physicians in practicing baby delivery skills on a dystocia simulator, gaining a deeper appreciation for the challenges OBGYNs face in high-pressure delivery scenarios. The exercise not only reinforced the importance of effective documentation and communication during emergencies but also provided a memorable way to bridge the medical and legal perspectives.
The program underscored the value of collaboration between the legal and medical communities in promoting patient safety while reducing professional risk. By blending legal expertise with clinical realities, La Cava Jacobson helped participants walk away with practical tools and a renewed focus on excellence in care.
Louis J. La Cava Named 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers® in Tampa for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
/in Firm NewsThis marks the sixth time Mr. La Cava has received the “Lawyer of the Year” distinction, underscoring his reputation as one of the leading trial attorneys in Florida. In addition to this recognition, he has been consistently listed in Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants.
With decades of experience representing healthcare providers and institutions, Mr. La Cava is recognized for his strategic advocacy, deep understanding of complex medical and legal issues, and commitment to achieving exceptional results for clients. His leadership has also been instrumental in shaping La Cava Jacobson as one of Florida’s premier defense litigation firms.
“Being recognized again by Best Lawyers is a tremendous honor,” said La Cava. “It reflects not only the hard work we do on behalf of our clients, but also the outstanding team I have the privilege to work alongside every day.”
The Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” award is based on peer review and is presented to attorneys who receive the highest overall feedback from their peers in a given practice area and location.
About La Cava Jacobson
La Cava Jacobson is a Florida-based law firm focused on providing exceptional defense representation to clients in medical malpractice, general liability, and complex litigation matters. With offices throughout the state, the firm is committed to delivering client-focused solutions with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.
La Cava Jacobson Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers® 2026 Edition
/in Firm NewsThis year, Louis J. La Cava was named Lawyer of the Year in Tampa for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants. This distinction is awarded to only one lawyer per practice area in each region, making it one of the most significant accolades in the legal community. Notably, this marks the 6th time Mr. La Cava has been honored as Lawyer of the Year during his career.
In addition to this recognition, the following attorneys were honored in the Best Lawyers® 2026 Edition:
(Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006)
(Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020)
(Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007)
(Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010)
(Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
Additionally, in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® (2026 Edition), Mark R. Messerschmidt (Tampa) was recognized for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants. He has been recognized in this category since 2022.
“Being consistently recognized by Best Lawyers® is a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and advocacy our attorneys provide every day,” said Kari Jacobson, Founder/Shareholder. “We are especially proud of Lou La Cava’s Lawyer of the Year honor, which reflects his continued leadership and reputation for excellence.”
About La Cava Jacobson
La Cava Jacobson is a Florida-based defense law firm representing clients in medical malpractice, professional liability, construction law, insurance litigation, and general liability. The firm is committed to providing strategic, results-driven representation with integrity and professionalism.
La Cava Jacobson Attorneys Share Legal Insights with Physician Assistants to Prevent Malpractice Lawsuits
/in Firm NewsLa Cava Jacobson recently had the privilege of presenting to a local chapter of the Physician Assistants Association on the timely and crucial topic of “Best Practices to Avoid Medical Malpractice Lawsuits.” The interactive session brought together dozens of Physician Assistants (PAs) from a variety of specialties to learn practical, real-world strategies for risk reduction in their daily clinical practices.
Drawing from their extensive experience in defending healthcare professionals in malpractice claims, the attorneys offered valuable legal insights tailored specifically for the PA audience. La Cava Jacobson opened the presentation with an overview of current trends in medical malpractice litigation, emphasizing the most common causes of claims, including diagnostic errors, communication breakdowns, and documentation issues. The message was clear: prevention begins with awareness.
The session concluded with a lively Q&A, where attendees asked thoughtful questions ranging from informed consent nuances to navigating electronic medical records.
This collaborative event underscored the value of proactive legal education for healthcare providers. By understanding the legal landscape and adopting preventive practices, Physician Assistants can reduce their risk while improving patient care.
Our attorneys were honored to support the PA community and look forward to continuing their outreach and educational efforts across the healthcare field. Their message was simple but impactful: staying informed and practicing with intention is the best defense against malpractice claims.
Howard Citron and Marie Tranakas Presented a Continuing Educational Program on Preventing Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
/in Firm NewsHoward and Marie drew upon years of litigation experience to deliver a practical look at the intersection of medicine and the law. Their message was clear: strong documentation does not just improve patient care – it can also keep healthcare professionals out of the courtroom. They walked residents through real-world examples and discussed how seemingly small omissions in charts or progress notes can create liability risks. Residents learned how proper documentation can serve as a key defense tool if care is ever questioned in a legal setting.
The session emphasized best practices, including timely entries, avoiding vague language, and clearly recording clinical decision-making. Attendees were reminded that strong documentation is not just a medical necessity – it is also a powerful legal shield.
The attorneys concluded by reminding residents that each note, each timestamp, and each detail can be their best protection in the unpredictable world of medical malpractice litigation.