The Team

Zappitell Law Firm the attorneys, paralegals and staff devote all their skills and energy to the representation of injured people. We take great pride in achieving the best possible results for our clients. The combined strengths and diverse backgrounds of the attorneys allow us to handle all matters with great skill and efficiency. When necessary, we call upon the expertise of highly respected experts in engineering, medicine, vocational rehabilitation and economics, among other specialties. We would be proud and more than happy to provide a free consultation, should you have a legal question.

 

David J. Zappitell, the firm’s founding partner, is an “A.V.” rated “preeminent” attorney in the prestigious Martindale Hubbell legal rating publication (highest rating). Mr. Zappitell attended Michigan State University and the University of Miami School of Law where he was moot court champion. Mr. Zappitell has worked for General Electric as a financial analyst – he understands the value of every case.

Mr. Zappitell is Board certified by the Florida Bar in the area of Civil Trial Litigation, thus he is a specialist in his area of practice. Mr. Zappitell is a member of the Florida Bar, U.S. District Court (Southern and Middle Districts of Florida) and has been a repeat guest lecturer at the National Business Institute Seminars regarding the technical issues surrounding Uninsured Motorist Insurance coverages. Mr.Zappitell has been a guest lecturer at a round table discussion regarding elderly people with the Palm Beach Guardianship Association, and is also listed in Who's Who in Executive and Professionals. Mr. Zappitell has been listed as a “Super Lawyer” by the Miami Herald as chosen by his peers (Top 5% of attorneys in Florida) and has been selected as one of the top 3,000 Plaintiff's Lawyers in America. Mr. Zappitell is a founding member of the Wall of Tolerance Monument, serves on sevral Boards and Lectures to Schools as a Children's Safety Advocate.

Mr. Zappitell is a past president of the Boca Square Civic Association, current member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association, American Justice Association, Florida Justice Association (EAGLE), and American Bar Association, a past presiding Judge at the Association of Trial Lawyers of America trial competition, sits as a Board member of one national corporation and several local not-for-profits, and has achieved significant settlements and verdicts in all areas of personal injury.

Mr. Zappitell is married and has three children.

Stephen M. Kapral, Jr., is a team member and is A.V. rated by Martindale Hubbell legal rating publication (highest rating). Mr. Kapral is a member of the Florida and North Carolina Bars, U.S. District Court (Middle and Southern Districts of Florida), and a cum laude graduate of Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he received his B.A. in 1987. He achieved his J.D. from the University of Miami in 1990. Mr. Kapral was a past intern for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Mr. Kapral was recently selected as one of the top 3,000 plaintiff’s lawyers in America and is a member of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocacy Forum. Mr. Kapral is past Vice President of the Boca Square Civic Association and past scoring judge at the Association of Trial Lawyers of America National Student Trial Advocacy competition. Mr. Kapral is also a member of the following organizations: Palm Beach County and American Bar Associations, Florida Justice Association, and the American Justice Association.

Mr. Kapral is married and has two children.

Joseph P. Wagoner is a team member of Zappitell Law Firm is a member of the Florida Bar and achieved his J.D. from the University of Miami in 1990. He is a member of the Florida Justice Association – he has EAGLE status. Mr. Wagoner is also a cum laude graduate of the American University in Washington, D.C. where he received his B.A. in Criminal Justice in 1986. His Honors include the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society and Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Society for Public Affairs and Administration.

Mr. Wagoner resides in Miami Beach, Florida.

 

Cheryl Gunnarson studied journalism at the University of Connecticut and graduated first in her class from the Paralegal program at Keiser College in 1990.

Ms. Gunnarson is a highly qualified legal assistant with over 20 years of legal experience in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death and medical negligence matters, from inception through trial and post trial matters. Her disposition helps every client cope better with their tragedy.

Ms. Gunnarson resides in Deerfield Beach and has two children