Reflecting with gratitude on a successful year driven by client trust and dedicated service 

As we gather to celebrate this Thanksgiving season, the team at Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe (ZKS) reflects with gratitude for the trust our clients place in us and the meaningful relationships we share within our community. This quarter highlights the commitment, excellence, and care our attorneys bring to every partnership. Read on for a roundup of ZKS’s significant recognition, new talent, and community service initiatives that closed out our year.

Honored Among the 2026 Best Law Firms 

Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe is proud to be recognized in the 2026 Best Law Firms rankings for outstanding performance across multiple practice areas. The annual evaluation considers more than 110,000 client references and 200,000 peer evaluations across 127 practice areas and 188 local jurisdictions. This achievement highlights the dedication, integrity, and excellence our attorneys bring to every matter we handle.

Join us in celebrating our honored attorneys: Bradley J. Anderson, David Melvin, Ellen Trompeter, D. Scott Baker, Sancha Brennan, Andrea Caro, Matthew Petra, William “Bill” Robbinson Jr., Kevin Robinson, Tim Schulte, Laura Sundberg, Andrew Thompson, Jay Wettach, Mark Rabinowitz, and Scott Price.

Congrats on 30 years at ZKS, Lori!

Please join us in congratulating Lori W. Smith on 30 remarkable years with ZKS. Throughout her career, Lori has been a trusted advisor, mentor, and advocate—embodying professionalism, integrity, and dedication in all she does. We’re grateful for her leadership and lasting impact on our firm and community.

Welcoming Ryan Fojo to Civil Litigation

Ryan Fojo joins ZKS as an attorney in our Civil Litigation Department. He brings experience in defamation, family law, business litigation, and mortgage foreclosure defense, with a strong background in consumer bankruptcy and client advocacy. 

Austin Esposito joins Commercial Litigation

Congratulations to Austin Esposito on passing the bar in September. Austin joins our Commercial Litigation Team and will support clients with fresh insight and enthusiasm as he begins his legal career.

Honoring our veterans and their service

Earlier this month, we proudly joined in recognizing Veterans Day and expressing gratitude to those who have served our country. We’re especially proud of Kevin Malchow, featured in the Orlando Business Journal’s People on the Move: Veterans Month Edition, whose leadership and service reflect the values we uphold at ZKS.

Read more about Kevin’s feature here

ZKS in the community: Giving thanks through service

Supporting the T1D community at the Orlando Imagine Gala

As sponsors, ZKS team members attended the Orlando Imagine Gala in October at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, honoring Carla Voorhees-Toll. Sarah Pape hosted her colleagues at the event benefiting the local T1D community. We are proud to support efforts to turn type 1 into type none.

Celebrating 40 years of supporting Moot Court

Several ZKS attorneys attended the Moot Court Final Four, and we received a thoughtful thank-you letter recognizing our sponsorship. This year marks 40 years of supporting the competition. Congratulations to all participants for their advocacy and professionalism. We’re honored to help cultivate the next generation of legal minds.

Engaging with business leaders

ZKS attorneys joined business owners and experts at the Aligned for What’s Next symposium to discuss purposeful growth and long-term success. The event offered valuable insights and inspiring stories from founders, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with such driven leaders.

Championing non-profit storytelling with Victory Cup

For the fourth year in a row, ZKS is proud to be the “Alumni Sponsor” for the Victory Cup Initiative. We are the sponsor for the Victory Cup Alumni group and look forward to hosting events throughout 2026. We will also participate in the Story Season Kickoff coming up on Wednesday, the Story Showcase Breakfast in February, and the Spring Celebration in April. With partner Erin Gray Burke on the board and William “Bill” Robbinson Jr. as past chair, we look forward to hosting alumni events throughout 2026 and joining the upcoming Story Season Kickoff, February Showcase, and April Celebration. 

Learn more here

About ZKS LAW

With decades of experience and a client-first approach, ZKS LAW provides comprehensive legal solutions tailored to your needs. Whether navigating complex business matters, defending workers’ compensation claims, or offering strategic counsel, our team is committed to delivering results. As a trusted legal partner in Florida and beyond, we strive to exceed expectations through integrity, expertise, and a deep commitment to our clients.

From all of us at Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends.