After merging his practice with fellow trial lawyer Todd McPharlin in November, Broward County trial lawyer Sam Coffey oriented the new personal injury firm as close to the county courthouse as possible.

“The courthouse is the great equalizer,” Coffey said in an interview. “Insurance companies make low-ball offers, defense lawyers keep making money every month a case stays open. Until we can get to a courtroom with every case, there’s no incentive to settle.”