
Christopher K. Speed, Aviation Attorney in West Palm Beach, Florida
Over 53 years of legal practice · focused on Aviation, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
ShareholderatSearcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.
West Palm Beach, FL
Practicing aviation in West Palm Beach since 1973.
- 53+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 5
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you Christopher K. Speed?
This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.
Quick answer
Christopher K. Speed is a shareholder based in West Palm Beach, FL. The practice focuses on Aviation, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury. Christopher has over 53 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Experience
- over 53 years
- Known for
- Aviation · Medical Malpractice · Personal Injury
- Handles Aviation, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury matters from West Palm Beach, FL.
- Over 53 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About Christopher K. Speed: Christopher K. Speed is a shareholder based in West Palm Beach, FL. The practice focuses on Aviation, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury. Christopher has over 53 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Christopher takes on
Christopher concentrates on aviation, medical malpractice, and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Christopher handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Aviation
View other Aviation attorneys
Medical Malpractice
View other Medical Malpractice attorneys
Personal Injury
View other Personal Injury attorneys
Aviation cases in West Palm Beach, Florida
Christopher takes aviation matters in West Palm Beach, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Christopher agrees to represent you.
Medical Malpractice cases in West Palm Beach, Florida
Christopher takes medical malpractice matters in West Palm Beach, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Christopher agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in West Palm Beach, Florida
Christopher takes personal injury matters in West Palm Beach, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Christopher agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Christopher K. Speed — aviation lawyer in West Palm Beach
Christopher K. Speed is a shareholder based in West Palm Beach, FL. The practice focuses on Aviation, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury. Christopher has over 53 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
CHRISTOPHER K. SPEED joined the firm as a shareholder in 1994 after representing plaintiffs in Virginia for 20 years. He has spent his entire career pursuing justice for victims of personal injury, medical and legal negligence, aviation accidents, and defective products.
Mr. Speed is also a founding member of the Northern Virginia Plaintiffs Bar, an organization of plaintiff lawyers dedicated to improving the ability of victims to pursue justice for their injuries. He often uses his experience as a licensed pilot to represent victims and their families involved in aircraft crashes.
Mr. Speed is a member of the Florida Justice Association, formerly known as the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers; the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association; and the American Association for Justice, formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. A sought-after public speaker, he has lectured on civil injury trials and in the fields of plaintiff’s personal injury and medical malpractice.
Mr. Speed has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for over 25 years.
Mr. Speed received a bachelor of arts degree from Georgetown University, and a law degree from the George Washington University Law School.
Christopher's approach to aviation cases
CHRISTOPHER K. SPEED joined the firm as a shareholder in 1994 after representing plaintiffs in Virginia for 20 years. He has spent his entire career pursuing justice for victims of personal injury, medical and legal negligence, aviation accidents, and defective products. Mr. Speed is also a founding member of the Northern Virginia Plaintiffs Bar, an organization of plaintiff lawyers dedicated to…
The kind of cases Christopher takes
Christopher reviews new inquiries case-by-case for aviation, medical malpractice, and personal injury matters in West Palm Beach and the surrounding Florida area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
George Washington University
J.D. · 1973
Georgetown University
A.B. · 1969
Jurisdictions
Christopher's state bar admissions
Florida
1992 · ACTIVE
U.S. Supreme Court
1989 · ACTIVE
District of Columbia
1974 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1974 · ACTIVE
Virginia
1973 · ACTIVE
Christopher studied at J.D. in George Washington University and A.B. in Georgetown University.
Law school and academic background
Christopher completed J.D. in George Washington University and A.B. in Georgetown University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Christopher runs in Florida is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Christopher has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Locations
Christopher K. Speed's office in West Palm Beach
Christopher's primary office is at 2139 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL, 33409-6601. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.
2139 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33409-6601
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Christopher K. Speed — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Christopher. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing aviation attorneys in West Palm Beach.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Christopher K. Speed claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Christopher K. Speed — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new aviation attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Christopher usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Christopher charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Christopher's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Christopher will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a aviation attorney in West Palm Beach, Florida
A short list to run through before you commit: How many aviation matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Christopher
Christopher discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in aviation practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every aviation matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Christopher confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Christopher's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many aviation practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Christopher K. Speed
How much does it cost to hire Christopher for a aviation case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Christopher walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Christopher offer a free consultation?
Christopher charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Christopher's office. Some aviation attorneys offer free consults — check Christopher's current terms during booking.
How long do aviation cases in Florida typically take?
Simple aviation matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Christopher gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Christopher take my case if I'm outside West Palm Beach?
Christopher is licensed in Florida. Matters governed by Florida law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Christopher will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Christopher?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Christopher will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Christopher accepting new aviation clients right now?
Christopher's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Aviation attorneys serving West Palm Beach, Miami and Tampa in Florida
Christopher handles aviation matters throughout Florida. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified aviation attorneys in that community.
- West Palm Beach3,699 attorneys
- Miami15,918 attorneys
- Tampa9,739 attorneys
- Orlando7,352 attorneys
- Fort Lauderdale6,726 attorneys
- Jacksonville5,497 attorneys
- Tallahassee4,383 attorneys
- Boca Raton3,668 attorneys
- Coral Gables3,397 attorneys
- Naples2,155 attorneys
- St Petersburg2,098 attorneys
- Sarasota1,994 attorneys
More counsel
Other top-rated aviation attorneys in Florida
If Christopher's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these aviation attorneys in West Palm Beach handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.





