The Best Lawyers in America 2026 edition honored eight Bedell attorneys for excellence in their respective practice areas, including Bobby Farnell, who also earned the prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” designation in Litigation-Real Estate. Since 1983, the Best Lawyers publication has been universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.
Congratulations to the following attorneys for their recognition in their litigation categories.
2026 Best Lawyers in America Rankings
DAVID BARKSDALE (RECOGNIZED SINCE 2007)
- Criminal Defense: General Practice
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar
AL BROOKE (RECOGNIZED SINCE 2010)
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar
BRIAN COUGHLIN (RECOGNIZED SINCE 2020)
- Corporate Compliance Law
- Criminal Defense: General Practice
HANK COXE (RECOGNIZED SINCE 1987)
- Criminal Defense: General Practice
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar
BOBBY FARNELL (RECOGNIZED SINCE 2007)
- Commercial Litigation
- Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
MICHAEL LOCKAMY (RECOGNIZED SINCE 2020)
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
TROY SMITH (RECOGNIZED SINCE 2021)
- Commercial Litigation
JOHN WOODLEE
- Appellate Practice
- Commercial Litigation
Best Lawyers utilizes an exhaustive peer-review evaluation process to provide the public with the most reliable and unbiased source of legal referrals. Our firm is honored to see our attorneys listed in the publication each year.
2026 “Lawyer of the Year” Awards
BOBBY FARNELL
- Litigation – Real Estate
This honor is awarded to a single lawyer in each practice area and geographic region for every edition of Best Lawyers in America, underscoring the exceptional quality of his work and the respect he has earned from his peers.
About Bedell
As the oldest law firm in continuous existence in the State of Florida, Bedell has a long-standing history of providing exceptional legal services to our clients. Our core practice areas include civil litigation, criminal defense, and family law litigation. If you have a legal matter that requires a depth of experience, contact Bedell at (904) 353-0211.
