Lewis Brisbois Expands Workers' Comp Capabilities in Florida with New Partner Hires

Tampa, Fla. (April 14, 2021) - Lewis Brisbois is pleased to announce the addition of Keith S. Howell and Jeffrey M. Novell to its Tampa office as partners in its Workers’ Compensation Practice.

“We are thrilled that Keith and Jeffrey have joined us,” said Tampa Managing Partner John Rine. “These experienced and talented lawyers will undoubtedly enhance our ability to deliver exceptional service to our clients in Florida and throughout the country. We look forward to working with them.”

Similarly, Co-Chair of Lewis Brisbois’ Workers’ Compensation Practice Lauren Motola-Davis noted, “We are excited to welcome Keith and Jeffrey to the team. Their varied and extensive experience in the workers’ compensation arena will add tremendous value to our practice not only in Tampa, but throughout our nationwide network.”

Keith Howell

Mr. Howell joins Lewis Brisbois from Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, where he practiced in the areas of workers’ compensation defense, general liability defense, and commercial litigation. Mr. Howell has extensive experience in all aspects of trial practice, including jury and bench trials. Before entering private practice, Mr. Howell worked as an assistant state attorney with the Office of the State Attorney in St. Augustine, Florida.

Prior to his legal career, Mr. Howell served as a patrol officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for five years, and as an officer and detective with the Pensacola Police Department for three years.

In discussing his decision to join Lewis Brisbois, Mr. Howell said, “I'm happy to be joining Lewis Brisbois’ team in Florida as well as working with the firm’s attorneys throughout the country to further the goals of the Workers’ Compensation Practice.”

A graduate of Florida Coastal School of Law, Mr. Howell holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Public Administration from Troy State University. He is admitted to practice in federal and state courts in Florida.

Jeffrey Novell

Mr. Novell also joins Lewis Brisbois from Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, where he practiced in the area of labor and employment law. He has spent over two decades focusing on workers’ compensation defense, employment discrimination matters, wage and hour cases, litigation involving the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as claims under Title VII and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Mr. Novell also has extensive experience counseling clients on all aspects of employer-employee relations. Prior to his tenure at Hinshaw, Mr. Novell litigated against the U.S. Social Security Administration.

“I am excited to be joining Lewis Brisbois’ Workers’ Compensation Practice and look forward to getting to know my colleagues in Florida and throughout the firm’s offices nationwide. I also look forward to drawing upon my experience to contribute to the success of the practice,” Mr. Novell said.

Outside of his practice, Mr. Novell lectures on several workers’ compensation topics and has been approved as an educator by the Florida Department of Financial Services in the field of Workers’ Compensation Law & Policy.

Mr. Novell received his law degree from Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law and his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Florida State University. He is admitted to practice in federal and state courts in Florida.