Founder and Managing Partner

Efrain is the co-founding partner of R+C Litigators. Efrain has 25 years of substantial litigation experience and is a veteran trial lawyer. Efrain provides clients with sound legal advice and innovative business solutions. Clients often retain Efrain for his extensive litigation knowledge and ability to deliver results in and out of the courtroom. He routinely helps clients navigate the legal system and provides cost-effective legal representation. Efrain’s ability to evaluate a case early on and look ahead at the turns and pitfalls that each case presents while eyeing trial strategy is a talent and depth that sets him apart from his adversaries.

Efrain handles a diverse array of cases throughout Florida and in other state and federal jurisdictions throughout the United States. Efrain’s law practice focuses on claims brought under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), Defense Base Act (DBA) as extended by the LHWCA, passenger and crew claims, marine insurance disputes, salvage claims, vessel collisions, groundings, navigation & piloting errors, cargo damage claims, bills of lading disputes, marine subrogation & recovery, marina and shipyard owners’ liability, Jones Act, Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) and Limitation of Liability Actions (LOLA).

Efrain also represents insurers and private companies in premises liability claims, product liability, toxic tort (asbestos/mesothelioma), professional liability (E&O and D&O claims), first and third-party claims,  and commercial litigation matters. Efrain has defended bad faith claims, complex insurance disputes and appellate issues in connection with nearly all of his areas of concentration. 

Efrain is a Florida approved continuing education (CE) instructor and is available for speaking engagements to provide CE seminars or CE courses for insurance industry professionals and adjusters to meet their CE licensing obligations.  

As a licensed sailing captain, Efrain is highly familiar with the inner workings of vessels and the USCG protocols needed to safely operate vessels. Efrain works closely with marine surveyors and marine experts to ensure each client’s interests are well protected during all phases of pre-suit and litigation with the goal of providing cost-effective legal representation and speedy resolution to clients.

Before launching his legal career, Efrain was a law clerk to  U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen T. Brown (retired), United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, and also clerked for Judge Nancy J. Pollock (retired), Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County. He also was a Special Agent Intern in the Miami Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives where he participated in alcohol and drug raids throughout South Florida.

BAR ADMISSIONS
Florida

EDUCATION
Nova Southeastern University, J.D., 2001
Articles Editor, Nova Law Review
Technical Teams Editor, Moot Court Honor Society
Editor, Journal of International & Comparative Law
Florida State University, B.S., 1995

COURT ADMISSIONS
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida 

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

Elis is the co-founding partner of R+C Litigators.  Elis has over a decade of significant litigation and trial experience. Elis is dedicated to passionately representing her clients and delivering legal solutions that are cost-effective to conserve time and resources. She is committed to productive communication and to efficiently designing case strategies tailored to each client’s needs.

Elis focuses her practice on representing the interests of employers and insurance carriers in claims brought under the Defense Base Act (DBA), Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA), and War Hazards Compensation Act (WHCA). She has obtained favorable results for her clients before the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) and in mediations.

Elis has extensive experience representing clients in all aspects of insurance defense litigation, including premises liability, general liability, first and third-party property claims, products liability, professional liability and maritime claims. Elis previously practiced law at a national law firm where she gained considerable litigation and trial experience at the state and federal levels through her tenacious advocacy for leading retailers, manufacturers, and transportation companies.

Prior to private practice, Elis worked as a law clerk to Judge Harvey Erwin Schlesinger, United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, and with Magistrate Judge Thomas E. Morris, United States District Court, Middle District of Florida. Working behind the scenes at the courthouse provided Elis the opportunity to gain invaluable understanding of the judicial system and practicing law at the highest ethical standards.

Elis has been a featured panelist at WCI – Workers’ Compensation Institute Annual Conference and Annual Longshore Conference.  Elis has been recognized numerous times as a “Rising Star” by Florida Super Lawyers (2019-2022, 2025, 2026), and selected by her peers for Best Lawyers-Ones to Watch (2022-2026).

BAR ADMISSIONS
Florida

EDUCATION
Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D., 2014
University of Florida, B.S., 2010

COURT ADMISSIONS
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Admiralty Law Committee Member, Florida Bar
Fort Lauderdale Mariner’s Club

Of Counsel

Ethan brings to R+C Litigators a strong foundation as a trial lawyer, forged through years of experience as a top criminal defense attorney. In that role, he represented clients in complex, high-stakes matters ranging from DUIs and domestic violence to drug trafficking and homicide cases. This intensive courtroom work before renowned Florida judges and jurors has sharpened Ethan’s litigation skills as a zealous advocate.  Ethan’s cross-examination, legal research, and strategic writing abilities, seamlessly into defending employer/carrier clients under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), the Defense Base Act (DBA), and admiralty and maritime litigation. A graduate of Barry University School of Law, where he finished in the top 10% of his class and served as Senior Editor of the Barry Law Review, Ethan distinguished himself academically with multiple Book Awards , and graduated twelfth in his class with honors, magna cum laude.

Ethan began his career working closely with seasoned trial attorneys, gaining hands-on experience long before passing the Florida Bar.  At R+C Litigators, Ethan leverages his trial-tested advocacy and meticulous trial preparation to advance our clients’ interests in complex insurance defense and maritime matters. His ability to navigate high-pressure courtroom environments and think quickly on his feet adds significant depth to R+C’s litigation team. 

BAR  & COURT ADMISSIONS 
Florida

EDUCATION 
Juris Doctorate, Barry University , School of Law (2022)
Senior Editor, Barry Law Review 
Bachelor’s Degree, Legal Studies, University of West Florida (2018)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS &  MEMBERSHIPS 
Seminole County  Bar 
Orlando  Bar Association 

Associate

Yasmin joined R+C Litigators in 2025, bringing a diverse professional background that enhances her approach to complex litigation.

Prior to her legal career, Yasmin excelled in client-facing roles within the hospitality and business sectors, where she developed strong communication skills, the ability to manage high-pressure situations, and a commitment to client advocacy. Transitioning into the legal field, Yasmin gained experience in estate planning, assisting attorneys and honing her problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and organizational skills. These experiences have equipped her to provide efficient and thoughtful support throughout all stages of litigation.

Yasmin earned her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law and is a member in good standing of the Florida Bar. She is dedicated to delivering high-quality legal services and upholding the firm's commitment to excellence in representing the insurance industry.

BAR & COURT ADMISSIONS 
Florida

EDUCATION
Juris Doctorate, Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center (2022)
Bachelor’s Degree, Hospitality Management, Florida Atlantic University (2018)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Broward Bar

Associate

Andrey is an associate attorney at R+C Litigators, PLLC, where he focuses his practice on the defense of claims arising under the Defense Base Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. He represents employers and insurance carriers in all stages of DBA/LHWCA litigation, including claim investigation, discovery, medical and vocational development, motion practice, and hearings before the U.S. Department of Labor.

Andrey earned his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law in May 2025 and is admitted to practice in the State of Florida. Prior to joining R+C Litigators, he developed a strong foundation in immigration law and finance, experience that enhances his analytical approach to complex statutory frameworks, wage calculations, and credibility issues frequently present in DBA and Longshore claims.

With a detail-oriented and disciplined approach to litigation, Andrey is committed to providing strategic, efficient, and practical defense representation tailored to the needs of employers and carriers navigating high-exposure federal workers’ compensation matters.