Matthew Foster

Matthew K. Foster is Managing Shareholder of Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney. He practices personal injury focusing on helping injured victims of auto and trucking accidents, sexual abuse, and negligent security cases. He joined Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney as a college intern in 1991, becoming an attorney there in 1994, and has led the firm's growth and development as Managing Shareholder since January 2023.

The Tallahassee native received an athletic scholarship to attend Florida State University for his undergrad where he competed on the swimming and diving team. During his time there, he was named the "Top Scholar Athlete" twice for the entire University and graduated magna cum laude. Mr. Foster also went on to earn his law degree from Florida State University College of Law in 1994 where he graduated with high honors, as well as was nominated for The Rhodes Scholarship (1992) and selected for a Supreme Court internship.

Since 2007 Mr. Foster has earned the AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. The AV Preeminent Rating is a significant accomplishment that is only awarded to lawyer's whose peers rank them at the highest level of professional excellence. During his time as an attorney Mr. Foster has been designated as one of the "Top 100 Civil Trial Lawyers" in Florida by the National Trial Lawyers (2022) and awarded the Lawyer to Legacy Golden Eagle Award by the Florida Justice Association (2018) for his dedication to civil justice. This title is awarded annually to only six lawyers in the State of Florida. He has also been named Worldwide Registry's Elite American Lawyer (2015).

Mr. Foster served as an adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy at Florida State University College of Law for twenty years and coached the school's nationally acclaimed Mock Trial team. He was also selected to serve on the board of the Florida Justice Association, which protects the rights of injured victims and consumers in the Florida Legislature. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association, as well as a board member of the Capital City Justice Association. He has served on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee and is a past president of the Tallahassee Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division.

In his free time Mr. Foster is committed to charity and volunteer work with a variety of Christian-based organizations, such as Young Life where he served as a board member. Mr. Foster, his wife Linzy, and two children attend Trinity United Methodist Church where Mr. Foster serves as the Chair of the Church Council.

Why Personal Injury?

As a result of being seriously injured on his bicycle by a distracted driver at the age of 12, Mr. Foster developed a passion for helping accident victims. He fights against insurance companies and corporations that place profits over safety. He has helped the victims of serious violent crimes obtain substantial monetary recoveries against apartment owners who failed to provide adequate security for college students and other residents. His background in both civil and criminal litigation gives him a unique perspective in handling serious negligent/failed security claims and in representing victims of sexual abuse.

Dean LeBoeuf

Dean R. LeBoeuf is the Senior Partner at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney. He focuses his practice on complicated civil litigation involving personal injury and all wrongful death matters, including accidents involving negligent motor vehicle drivers, medical malpractice cases, and nursing home abuse/neglect cases. He graduated in 1978 with honors from Florida State University with a political science degree and minors in accounting and economics. Mr. LeBoeuf then graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 1981 and went on to enter private practice with the law firm of Brooks, Callahan, and Phillips before becoming the cofounder and Managing Partner of Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney in 1987. He directed the operation and growth of the firm until 2023.

Throughout his legal career Mr. LeBoeuf has had the honor of receiving recognitions for his dedication to justice. Such accolades have included being named Trial Lawyer of The Year by the American Board of Trial Advocates all Tallahassee Chapter (2006), receiving the title of Florida Super Lawyer for his work in the area of Plaintiff Personal Injury since 2006 (an award only given to the top 5% of attorneys in the state), as well as being named by Florida Trend Magazine as one of Florida's Legal Elite (2006 - Present). Mr. LeBoeuf was also named the Best Lawyers 2023 Plaintiffs "Lawyer of the Year" in Tallahassee for the area of Medical Malpractice Law. In addition to these achievements, Mr. LeBoeuf has received the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 1997, the highest lawyer rating available based upon confidential reviews by local lawyers and judges.

Mr. LeBoeuf has also authored several articles for the Florida Bar and has lectured extensively in civil litigation and trial practice. Alongside these academic contributions, he has held many professional leadership positions such as having been President of the Tallahassee Bar Association (2003-2004), having been appointed to the Second Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee, and having served as the Chairman of the Leon County Bench Bar Committee. In addition, he has served on several professional and community board of directors, including the Bond Community Health Center, Community Christian School, Pembridge Place Homeowners Association, the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, and the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Mr. LeBoeuf and his wife Carolyn, who is also a lawyer, are committed to the fight against human trafficking. Together with their daughter Nicole they have started a jewelry business, called Victress Over Darkness and all the profits from the business are used to fight against the injustice of human trafficking throughout the world. Their daughter Nicole is also executive director of Christians Against Trafficking (CAT), that has the same mission. When they are not working, Dean and Carolyn like to travel and go to the beach with their two adult children and three grandchildren.

Scott Gwartney

Scott E. Gwartney graduated from Liberty University in Virginia in 1985 with a degree in political science and human resource management. The Tallahassee native then returned home to attend Florida State University College of Law, graduating in 1991 and has remained in Tallahassee since. After working with the first attorney to successfully submit a nursing home case to verdict in the State of Florida, renowned trial lawyer Kenneth L. Connor, the two went on to create The Connor & Gwartney law firm. The firm eventually joined the Tampa-based nursing home litigation firm of Wilkes & McHugh, becoming its Tallahassee office, where Mr. Gwartney continued to work until he joined Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney in 2002, becoming a firm partner in 2003.

Mr. Gwartney passionately believes that our senior citizens deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. In the same manner that fine china is treated with a gentle touch, our physically frail elderly citizens also need to be treated with in the same manner. They deserve no less respect and dignity than that which is afforded to any other member of our society. The results of Mr. Gwartney's experience and efforts on behalf of the elderly speak volumes about his expertise and dedication. His work on behalf of his clients has led to numerous verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more across the southeast. Mr. Gwartney's case load is very active throughout Florida and Georgia, but he is also licensed to practice law in Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Mr. Gwartney has been recognized among the Nation's Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (2014 & 2015), as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers (2012- present), and among Florida Trend Magazine's Florida Legal Elite (2012-present). Mr. Gwartney has also been named a Florida Super Lawyer for his work in Plaintiff's Medical Malpractice, an award only given to the top 5% of attorneys in the state (2006, 2014-2015, 2019-present). Alongside these achievements Mr. Gwartney has received the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 2009, the highest rating available based upon confidential reviews by local lawyers and judges. Due to his expertise, he is also frequently called upon to share his knowledge about long term care and medical malpractice litigation with peers in both the legal and medical professions and as a guest lecturer in the university setting.

When he is not working, Mr. Gwartney is active in his church and local community. Inspired by his own family experience, he served on the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration's Bone Marrow Transplant Advisory Panel from 2011-2022 and currently serves on the board of directors for several charitable organizations in the Tallahassee area including Lighthouse Children's Home and A Doctor's Heart (an organization he co-founded to support ministries serving the river people deep on the Amazon River). He is a strong believer in faith, family, and community and enjoys spending time with his wife, Cathy, and their three children. He is also an avid fan of FSU athletics.

Rhonda Bennett

Rhonda S. Bennett graduated from Florida State University in 1981 with a degree in government and went on to enter the Florida State University College of Law in 1987 following several years as a paralegal specializing in complex litigation cases. After earning her J.D. and graduating with high honors in 1990, Ms. Bennett was welcomed into Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney, becoming a firm partner in 1995.

Ms. Bennett specializes in the representation of those who have received serious injury through negligence and has a special interest in protecting the rights of the elderly and those with physical and mental disabilities. She has been instrumental in assisting the firm's efforts to obtain recoveries in excess of one million dollars. Around the office, she is affectionately referred to as "the walking library" and assists all lawyers and paralegals with her sharp mind and heart of a teacher.

Ms. Bennett is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell (2007-Present) and is included in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Registry of AV Preeminent Women Lawyers (2011 - Present). The AV Preeminent Rating is a testament to the fact that Ms. Bennett's peers and judges rank her at the highest level of professional excellence in both legal ability and ethical standards.

Ms. Bennett and her husband, Dan, moved to the Bradenton area during the COVID lock-down, and Ms. Bennett now enjoys working from her home office overlooking the beautiful Terra Ceia Bay. Ms. Bennett enjoys spending her leisure time at the beach. She is an animal lover and passionate FSU football fan.

Ryan Molaghan

Ryan P. Molaghan is a Partner at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney. Having the joined the firm immediately upon graduating from Florida State University College of Law in 2015, Mr. Molaghan focuses his practice in the areas of Civil Litigation including Personal Injury, Civil Rights, and Professional Negligence, as well as Criminal Defense. In his pursuit of justice, Mr. Molaghan has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and successfully preserved and protected the innocence of those criminally accused. Most notably, several of Mr. Molaghan's cases have received national attention resulting in substantial policy reform aimed at preventing future injustices.

Mr. Molaghan was born and raised in Massachusetts and was an avid athlete throughout his adolescence, ultimately deciding to pursue his passion for baseball at the University of Tampa. Upon graduating with a degree in Finance, Mr. Molaghan worked as a financial analyst for one of the "Big Four" banks in New York City. However, Mr. Molaghan's competitive yet compassionate nature drove him to pursue a career in professional services as an attorney.

While in law school, Mr. Molaghan excelled including in his roles as the President of the nationally ranked Mock Trial Team and as an elected class representative of the nationally recognized Student Bar Association. Mr. Molaghan is admitted to practice law in Florida and Georgia, including all Federal and State Courts. He is also a current member of the American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, the Tallahassee Bar Association, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Florida Justice Association, and the Capital City Justice Association.

Paul Aloise, Jr.

Paul M. Aloise Jr. joined Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney as an attorney in 2020 and is dedicated to advocating for those who have been criminally accused or who have fallen victim to the negligence, malfeasance, or misfeasance of others. He focuses his practice in the areas of criminal defense and civil litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury, sexual assault, sexual harassment, civil rights protection, employment law, and sports and entertainment law.

Mr. Aloise was born in Massachusetts, but grew up primarily in Palm City, Florida. After graduating from high school, Mr. Aloise attended Florida State University where he graduated Cum Laude with degrees in both Criminology and Sport Management. In addition to his undergraduate studies, Mr. Aloise played linebacker for the FSU football team and was a member of the 2013 BCS National Championship team. Mr. Aloise then went on to earn his J.D. at Florida State University College of Law.

While in law school he was an active member of the Trial Team, and sat on their Executive Board. Since graduating from FSU College of Law, Mr. Aloise has worked as a prosecutor at the State Attorney's Office in both the 15th Circuit (West Palm Beach) and the 2nd Judicial Circuit (Tallahassee). During his tenure as a prosecutor, he worked as lead counsel in the Juvenile, Misdemeanor, and Felony divisions. Mr. Aloise has litigated hundreds of cases with over 50 cases proceeding to trial with charges ranging in severity from DUI to murder.

Since starting at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney, Mr. Aloise has won both Jury and Non-Jury trials for his clients, along with having settled cases involving Personal Injury, Civil Rights Violations, Workplace Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Defamation, Bed Bugs, Products Liability, and Breach of Contract claims. For his work, he has been honored with awards by Super Lawyer's Florida Rising Stars (2021 - Present), The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 for Criminal Defense (2021 - Present), Elite Lawyer for Criminal Defense (2020), and was given the AVVO Clients Choice award (2020 & 2022).

Mr. Aloise has served on the Board of Directors for the Young Lawyers Section of the Tallahassee Bar Association and is in good standing with the Florida Bar. In addition to practicing law, Mr. Aloise is an Adjunct Professor at FSU College of Law, where he has taught a Trial Practice Course, and is currently creating an Executive Education Course which focuses on Sports Agency, NCAA, & N.I.L. Marketing. Mr. Aloise is also an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor and represents NFL athletes in their professional transactions with the league, including having negotiated 19 NFL Contracts in the last 4 years.

Harold "Hal" Mardenborough

Harold "Hal" Mardenborough is an attorney with Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney. Hal joined the firm in July of 2022 and dedicates majority of his practice to litigation with the goal of serving those who have been injured by no fault of their own in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and insurance law.

Hal obtained his bachelor's degree from Clemson University and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Florida State University's College of Law where he graduated with high honors and membership in The Order of Barristers. During his time in law school, Hal was a member of the Law Review, Moot Court team, and Mock Trial team. As a member of Moot Court, Hal and his team won both the title of Best Brief and the overall competition at the 1991 Staff Insurance Law Competition. Hal has continued to support the FSU Moot Court team for over 25 years, coaching teams locally and traveling with law students for national competitions.

From 1992 until 2016, Hal worked as an insurance defense attorney where he learned valuable skills and information that helped in the transition to personal injury and related legal cases. He was previously a member of Florida Defense Lawyers Association, the Defense Research Institute, and other similar professional organizations. He is currently a member of the Florida Justice Association, and American Association of Justice. Hal also practiced for several years as a certified mediator, through which he gained valuable insights in the area of negotiation.

Hal has been AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 2005. This is the highest rating available based upon confidential reviews by local lawyers and judges, reflecting that Mr. Mardenborough's peers and judges rank him at the highest level of professional excellence.

Hal is very involved in Springtime Tallahassee and enjoys participating in various charity events during the year, from the Purple Craze and Parrothead Phrenzy which both support the Alzheimer's Project to the annual Havana Nights fundraiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. When he is not working or doing those things, you can usually find him in a garden or kitchen or behind his grill.

Mr. Mardenborough is in good standing with The Florida Bar and is admitted to practice in all Florida Courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Samuel Watford

Samuel E. Watford, Esq. has been attorney with Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney since 2022 and focuses his practice on civil litigation with an emphasis on personal injury, business and employment, and nursing home neglect litigation. He represents individuals and businesses in the Tallahassee area and throughout the state of Florida. Mr. Watford was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2022 and is a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar.

Mr. Watford is a Tallahassee native and has been with Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney since 2016. He first started working at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney as a runner, just looking to get experience in the legal field. Throughout his undergraduate education at Florida State University, he continued to work at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney and took advantage of his position to meet professionals in the field. After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in Finance in 2019, Mr. Watford made the decision to attend Florida State University's College of Law. While in law school, he worked as a law clerk at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney and was an editor of the Florida State University College of Law's Business Law Review. Additionally, Mr. Watford received the Book Award in Advanced Legal Research and the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for his commitment to pro bono service throughout law school.

Upon his graduation from law school and admission to the Florida Bar, Mr. Watford became an attorney at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney. In addition to the practice areas above, Mr. Watford handles Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney's landlord tenant practice in which he represents over 40 properties throughout the state of Florida. He is passionate about assisting individuals and businesses alike assert their rights and achieve the justice they deserve.

Carolyn LeBoeuf

Carolyn LeBoeuf obtained her Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of South Florida in 1977, graduating cum laude. She went on to obtain her law degree from the Florida State University College of Law, graduating with honors in 1982. She started her legal career as an assistant state attorney in Leon County. In fact, that is how she met her husband, Dean LeBoeuf. He was defending a client whom she was prosecuting.
After leaving the State Attorney's Office, Carolyn entered private practice and has handled many types of cases over the years. She now specializes in wills, trusts, estates, guardianships, and probate law. Over the years, she has worked with the firm on several joint projects and eventually became an "of counsel" member of the firm. She has provided probate and guardianship legal services to many of the firm's clients.

Carolyn is a member of The Florida Bar, The Tallahassee Women Lawyers, and the State of Florida Guardianship Association - Big Bend Chapter. She is also very active in the community and with Four Oaks Community Church. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two adult children.