BRIAN R. DENNEY is a shareholder at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley. He has earned Florida Bar Board Certification in Civil Trial Law, the highest level of recognition for the competency and experience of a civil trial lawyer.  Since joining the firm in 2007, he has tried numerous cases throughout the State of Florida, resulting in successful verdicts on behalf of his clients. By developing positive relationships with his clients, he is able to serve as their advocate at trial, taking into account the unique circumstances of each case.

Mr. Denney has extensive experience in personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and products liability cases. In 2010, he obtained a verdict in excess of $21 million against two tobacco companies in Escambia County; a verdict in excess of $1 million in Palm Beach County in a high-profile automobile negligence case on behalf of a college basketball player; and a verdict of $720,000 in Palm Beach County in a challenging automobile negligence case involving aggravation of a pre-existing condition.  In 2012, Mr. Denney obtained a $3.5 million verdict in a wrongful death action on behalf of a 92-year-old surviving spouse in the first tobacco case tried in Highlands County.

Named as a top “Up and Comer” Lawyer by South Florida Legal Guide for personal injury/medical malpractice and an “Up and Comer” by Florida Legal Elite, Mr. Denney was recently listed in the National Trial Lawyers Association’s “Top 40 Under 40.” He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Florida Justice Association, the Palm Beach County Bar Association, and the Palm Beach County Justice Association, and has lectured on trial advocacy to lawyers and law students.

A native of West Palm Beach, Mr. Denney earned his undergraduate degree from Stetson University prior to receiving his Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from Stetson University College of Law, where he was the recipient of the Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award.  He began his legal career in the general trial division of a well-known statewide law firm at its primary office in Tampa, Florida, where he gained experience in civil litigation and successfully tried cases to verdict. He was then invited to become a shareholder in another Tampa law firm, where he represented medical professionals and manufacturers in medical malpractice and products liability litigation.

Because he defended clients in all facets of civil litigation before joining the firm, Mr. Denney brings a unique perspective to Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley.