HBS Jacksonville Welcomes Partner Dave Reeves and Attorney Marli Messina

The Jacksonville office is expanding with the addition of new Partner Dave Reeves and Associate Marli Messina.

“We are pleased to welcome Dave and Marli to the Jacksonville office and our firm,” said Managing Partner Geoffrey Sessions. “Dave brings more than 30 years of extensive civil litigation experience, representing clients in a wide range of complex matters across Florida. His depth of knowledge and strategic approach to large-scale litigation will be a significant asset to our team. Marli’s litigation background and experience in medical malpractice defense further strengthen our ability to serve clients effectively. Both bring valuable experience and perspective that will enhance our firm.”

About Dave Reeves

Dave is a Partner with the firm and brings more than 30 years of broad and seasoned experience to his civil litigation practice. He represents individuals, businesses, and multinational corporations in a wide range of complex matters, including commercial disputes, class actions, personal injury, and wrongful death claims. Dave has appeared in state and federal courts throughout Florida, handling cases valued from thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Over the course of his career, he has successfully represented defendants and is known for his innovative use of technology to develop back-office tools and processes that improve the efficiency of large-scale litigation involving vast document collections and numerous witnesses.

Before joining the firm, Dave practiced with several law firms across Florida, gaining experience in commercial and insurance defense litigation, as well as FINRA arbitrations involving financial advisors. His diverse background in both prosecution and defense gives him a balanced perspective and strategic insight into complex civil matters.

Beyond his practice, Dave is deeply involved in the legal community. He is a past president of the Federal Bar Association’s Jacksonville Chapter and recipient of its annual Pro Bono Award. In 2015, the Florida Supreme Court appointed him to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, where he served a five-year term, including as Vice Chair (2018–2019) and Chair (2019–2020).

Dave earned his Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, and his Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University.

About Marli Messina

Marli is an associate whose practice centers on medical malpractice defense. She represents hospitals, healthcare providers, businesses, and insurers throughout all stages of litigation, with experience conducting legal research, preparing dispositive motions, and evaluating complex medical and discovery records to support effective litigation strategies.

Before joining HBS, Marli practiced at a boutique law firm in Jacksonville handling insurance defense matters and plaintiff-side medical malpractice cases. In that role, she worked closely with clients, evaluated liability and damages, and prepared motions and memoranda addressing issues ranging from medical malpractice to limited warranties in Lemon Law disputes. Her experience on both the defense and plaintiff sides provides her with a well-rounded litigation perspective that informs her current practice.

Marli also brings substantial hands-on legal training from her clinic work during law school. She served as a participant in the domestic violence clinic at South Carolina Legal Services, where she interviewed clients, assessed safety concerns, and drafted legal guidance letters for individuals seeking protection and remedies related to domestic abuse.

Marli earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Charleston School of Law, where she received multiple CALI Awards. She holds a dual Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business and Transportation & Logistics, magna cum laude, from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

About Hall Booth Smith

Established in 1989, Hall Booth Smith, P.C. is a full-service law firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Experienced across a wide range of legal disciplines, HBS attorneys pride themselves on providing knowledgeable, proactive, client-specific counsel to individuals, domestic and international corporations, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The firm’s promise: “Serving to Achieve Excellence.” To learn more, please visit: www.hallboothsmith.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.