News Release

McGlinchey’s Israel, Ferachi named to Litigation Counsel of America

December 26, 2023

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Kimberly H. Israel (Jacksonville) and Michael D. Ferachi (Baton Rouge) have been named Fellows in the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). The LCA is an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.

Practicing in McGlinchey’s Financial Services Litigation group, Kim represents clients throughout Florida in state and federal court, including bankruptcy courts and at the appellate level. Handling jury and non-jury trials and appeals, she advocates on behalf of business entities, financial institutions, and individuals in general civil and commercial matters. Kim guides and counsels companies in complex financial services litigation, construction, commercial litigation, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy. She has a background in maritime and admiralty law and has experience with insurance defense and personal injury litigation. Kim has also served as a Court-appointed Receiver multiple times in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Duval County, Florida.

Kim is the Co-Managing Member of McGlinchey’s Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale offices and Co-Chair of Uplift, McGlinchey’s Women’s Initiative, an affinity group that she helped to rebrand and relaunch in 2021. Highly regarded in the Florida legal community, she currently holds leadership roles in the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL), Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association (JWLA), has served on the Board of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and is a Bencher in the Chester Bedell American Inn of Court. Earlier this year, Kim received FAWL’s 2023 President’s Award, honoring a member who has dedicated their time, talent, and support to the FAWL community and mission. Kim holds a J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and a B.A. from Vanderbilt University.

Michael is also a member of McGlinchey’s Financial Services Litigation group. He is an experienced trial attorney who advises clients on consumer finance litigation, class actions, business disputes, and insurance defense matters. Michael’s work includes litigating disputes involving consumer finance institutions of all sizes as well as airlines, outdoor advertising, commercial finance entities, construction companies, and other entities. He has tried numerous cases to verdict and handled dozens of appellate matters before district and trial courts as well as the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Louisiana Supreme Court, and the Louisiana First, Second, and Fifth Circuit Courts of Appeal. Michael has also represented clients in numerous class actions nationwide.

Serving as McGlinchey’s Managing Member since 2021, Michael divides his time between client service and providing strategic direction for the growth and management of the firm. He received the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico award in 2014. Michael is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell, Louisiana Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America, including being named Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year for Baton Rouge banking and finance litigation in 2023. Active in numerous legal, industry, and community organizations, Michael served as President of the Baton Rouge Bar Association in 2004 and previously led the executive boards of St. James Episcopal Day School and Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge. Licensed to practice in Louisiana, he holds a B.S. and J.D. from Louisiana State University/ the Paul M. Hebert Law Center.

Fellows are selected and invited into Fellowship after being evaluated for effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation and trial work, along with ethical reputation. The number of full Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, allowing qualifications, diversity, and inclusion to align effectively. Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level or are independent practitioners with twelve or more years’ experience. Fellowship in the LCA also includes membership in the Diversity Law Institute and the Trial Law Institute.

Kim and Michael join six other McGlinchey attorneys in five states as LCA Members: Tarush R. Anand (Senior Fellow), G. Dewey Hembree, III (Senior Fellow), Deirdre C. McGlinchey (Senior Fellow), Colvin G. “Woody” Norwood, Jr. (Senior Fellow), Shaun K. Ramey (Fellow), and Patrick T. Voke (Fellow).