Lakewood Ranch, FL

Steven C. Ruth

Steven C. Ruth is the managing and senior trial attorney of The Ruth Law Team. With more than 40 years of experience, his legal knowledge is extensive. His professional skill has earned the respect of his colleagues and the appreciation of many clients. Steve has represented thousands of families and been successful in obtaining compensation for their injuries or wrongful death due to the negligent conduct of individuals, corporations, and insurance companies. He conducts jury trials involving auto, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as defective products, elderly abuse, and medical malpractice. He maintains a prestigious “AV Preeminent rating” by Martindale-Hubbell, the most prestigious national publication in the legal field. This honor is bestowed upon a comparatively small percentage of lawyers and law firms. It is the top rating available for any lawyer or law firm in the United States. The AV Preeminent rating reflects that an attorney has reached the height of professional excellence and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity, as well as numerous years of experience in the legal field. The practice of Personal Injury Law has been Steve’s passion and pursuit for more than three decades. He became Board Certified as a specialist in Civil Trial Law on June 1st 1987 and June 1st 1992.

Patrick Iyampillai

Patrick Iyampillai is a Partner at Hale Law, specializing in personal injury law. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University and a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law, and completed Harvard Law School’s Executive Education Program on Negotiation. He has been recognized with multiple awards including the 36 Under Thirty-Six Professionalism Award, AV Preeminent Ratings, and inclusion in the Florida Super Lawyers list from 2021-2025, and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is admitted to practice in all Florida courts and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Patrick M. Hale

Patrick M. Hale is the founder and Managing Partner of Hale Law, a personal injury firm in Florida. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law. After serving as an Assistant State Attorney and conducting over 30 trials, he founded Hale Law in 2018. He is recognized with the Elite Top Attorneys Award in Personal Injury and is a member of The Florida Bar and various legal associations. He is admitted to practice in all Florida courts and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Jessica E. Shahady

Jessica Shahady is a trial attorney with The Ruth Law Team. She has extensive experience in personal injury law and has earned millions of dollars in jury verdicts on behalf of her clients. She attended Denison University and West Virginia University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Foreign Languages. While an undergraduate, she studied abroad at the Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo in Santander, Spain, and participated in the Washington Semester Program at American University studying American Government and Politics and interning for the Office of the Corporation Counsel. She earned her Masters in Industrial Labor Relations and Human Resources from West Virginia University and her Juris Doctor degree from University of Dayton School of Law. At The Ruth Law Team, Jessica specializes in litigation and is a member of our impressive trial team. Jessica’s dedication to the community and professional work ethic have earned her an outstanding reputation in the legal community. During law school, Jessica was a law clerk for the Honorable Irene M. Keeley, Chief Judge, United States District Court, Northern District of West Virginia. She also worked as a law clerk for the Congressional Research Service, American Law Division, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. She spent her third year of law school interning for the Warren County Prosecutors Office in Ohio. Before joining The Ruth Law Team she worked for the 18th Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office in Sanford, Florida. She is admitted to practice law in the states of Florida and Minnesota. Jessica is also admitted to practice in Federal Court in the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Additionally, Jessica has been accepted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges that are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right by the seventh amendment to the U.S. constitution. Membership of this prestigious organization is extended by invitation only. Jessica was selected as a Super Lawyer Rising Star for 2013-17. Super Lawyers is a national rating service which identifies outstanding lawyers in over 70 practice areas. Value is placed on peer recognition and outstanding achievement with no more than 2.5% of young lawyers in a state receiving Rising Star recognition. The Ruth Law Team is proud to have Jessica as part of our team. Outside of the office, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, running, yoga, and volunteering in the community.

Brian Patrick Kopp

Brian Patrick Kopp is a Shareholder and Manager of the Complex Litigation and Sports Law Practice Groups at Betras Kopp. Based in the firm’s Tampa, Florida office, he co-founded the firm in 1999. Brian graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bethany College and earned his Juris Doctorate from Capital University in 1995, and an M.S.A. in Sports Administration from Ohio University. He has a distinguished record of success in significant cases, including wrongful death, and has represented various business entities and individuals in collegiate and professional sports. He was named 'Trial Lawyer of the Year' in 2000 and listed among 'America’s Top 100 Lawyers' in 2004. In 2023, he was appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Norfolk Southern train derailment matter.

David John Betras

David John Betras is the Managing Partner of Betras Kopp, directing the firm’s Criminal Law Practice Group and non-litigation activities. He graduated Cum Laude from Youngstown State University and Capital University Law School. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida, as well as federal courts including the U.S. Supreme Court. David is a Super Lawyer in personal injury and criminal law and received the Martindale-Hubbell 40-year Practice Recognition Award in 2025. He is also the host of 'Legally Speaking' on WKBN 570 Radio and Facebook Live.

Eric D. Roslansky

Eric Roslansky is a Board Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law and has earned a great reputation in the legal community. As an accomplished trial attorney, Eric has earned more than $125 million dollars in jury verdicts on behalf of his clients. He graduated with honors from the University of Nevada with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. While at the University of Nevada, Eric played NCAA Division I Tennis. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor Degree from Stetson University College of Law and interned at the State Attorney’s Office for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Pinellas County. Eric’s experience includes working at the Law Firm of Fisher & Sauls, P.A. and the Law Firm of Schofield & Spencer, P.A. before becoming associated with The Ruth Law Team. Eric is also admitted to practice in Federal Court in the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida as well as all Minnesota, Tennessee and Georgia state courts. In June 2017, Eric became a Board Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law. Only seven percent of eligible FL bar members are Board Certified in at least one of 26 specialty areas. Additionally, Eric was recently selected for membership in the Distinguished Justice Advocates, a recognition offered to less than half of 1% of all attorneys in the U.S. He has also earned membership in The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, which is offered to highly qualified civil plaintiff lawyers who meet stringent qualifications in experience, skill, and success. When Eric does take time off from work, you’ll generally find him outside with his family. He enjoys boating, fishing, surfing, and golfing. He has served as a mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America and as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.