Levin Papantonio Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Levin Papantonio is proud to announce that seven attorneys have been selected for the 2026 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists, recognizing their professional achievements and dedication to serving clients throughout Florida and across the nation.

Published annually by Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers honors attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes peer nominations, independent research, and peer evaluations. Only a select percentage of attorneys in each state are recognized as Super Lawyers, while Rising Stars honors outstanding attorneys who are either 40 years old or younger or have been practicing law for 10 years or less.

2026 Florida Super Lawyers

Virginia M. Buchanan

Virginia M. Buchanan has been recognized in the area of Medical Malpractice. A shareholder with Levin Papantonio, Buchanan has dedicated her career to representing individuals and families harmed by medical negligence and has also helped lead some of the firm’s most significant complex litigation.

In addition to leading the firm’s Medical Malpractice Department, Buchanan serves as co-chair of the Class Action Department. Her practice includes medical negligence, class actions, environmental litigation, and other complex cases involving catastrophic injuries. Throughout her career, she has represented clients in cases involving defective medical products, toxic exposure, and institutional negligence while helping achieve meaningful results for those affected.

Rachael R. Gilmer

Rachael R. Gilmer has been recognized in the area of Personal Injury. Since joining Levin Papantonio in 2004, Gilmer has built a practice focused on helping individuals and families recover after serious injuries caused by negligence.

Her work includes cases involving motor vehicle collisions, premises liability, wrongful death, and other catastrophic injuries. Known for her client-centered approach, Gilmer works closely with those she represents, guiding them through every stage of the legal process while advocating for the compensation they need to move forward.

Peter Mougey

Peter Mougey has been recognized in the area of Securities Litigation. As chair of Levin Papantonio’s Securities and Business Litigation Department, Mougey represents investors, businesses, financial institutions, governmental entities, and whistleblowers in complex litigation nationwide.

Throughout his career, he has played a leading role in major securities fraud, consumer protection, and business litigation matters, helping clients recover billions of dollars. In addition to his litigation practice, Mougey frequently serves in leadership positions in significant national cases and has been recognized for his work protecting investors and promoting corporate accountability.

Timothy M. O’Brien

Timothy M. O’Brien has been recognized in the area of Products Liability. O’Brien focuses his practice on representing individuals harmed by defective pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other dangerous consumer products.

He has served in leadership positions in numerous multidistrict litigations involving some of the country’s largest product liability cases. Through his work, O’Brien has helped hold manufacturers accountable while advocating for clients who have suffered life-changing injuries caused by defective products.

Mike Papantonio

Mike Papantonio has been recognized in the area of Class Action and Mass Torts. As a senior partner of Levin Papantonio, Papantonio has spent decades representing individuals in high-profile litigation involving dangerous products, environmental contamination, pharmaceutical drugs, and corporate misconduct.

His leadership has helped shape many of the nation’s most significant mass tort cases, and he has served in leadership positions in numerous multidistrict litigations. Throughout his career, Papantonio has remained committed to holding powerful corporations accountable while pursuing justice for individuals and communities harmed by corporate wrongdoing.

Matt D. Schultz

Matt D. Schultz has been recognized in the area of Personal Injury. Schultz represents clients in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation and serves in leadership roles in complex national multidistrict proceedings.

His practice includes representing individuals injured by defective products, dangerous drugs, and negligent conduct. Schultz currently serves in leadership in several national litigations and has built a reputation for handling complex cases that require extensive investigation, collaboration, and trial preparation on behalf of injured clients.

2026 Florida Rising Star

Sara Papantonio

Sara Papantonio has been recognized as a Rising Star in the area of Class Action and Mass Torts. Her practice focuses on representing individuals in complex multidistrict litigation involving defective products and other large-scale consumer cases.

Although early in her career, Papantonio has already taken on significant responsibilities in national litigation and continues to help advance complex cases for clients nationwide. Her selection as a Rising Star reflects her growing contributions to the legal profession and her commitment to advocating for those who have been harmed.

Levin Papantonio congratulates each of these attorneys on this well-deserved recognition. Their selection to the 2026 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists reflects not only their professional accomplishments but also their continued commitment to providing skilled representation for clients and pursuing justice in complex and challenging cases.