The legal professionals at Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas combine extensive legal experience with unwavering dedication, delivering strategic representation across diverse industries and complex legal matters. With a forward-thinking approach and a disciplined commitment to excellence, our attorneys consistently provide exceptional service tailored to each client’s needs.
Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas, LLC is pleased to announce that six attorneys, including all of its founding partners, have been included in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Additionally, Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas congratulates four attorneys who have been included in the 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, which recognizes attorneys who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Best Lawyers® is the leading source for legal excellence, and honorees are selected through its time-tested Purely Peer Review® methodology—a rigorous, confidential evaluation process that sets the gold standard for recognizing outstanding legal professionals. Unlike other awards, Best Lawyers relies exclusively on feedback from legal peers to identify top talent across geographic regions and practice areas. Each eligible candidate is assessed on the quality of their legal work, professional integrity, and reputation within the legal community.
Please join us in congratulating the following partners for their inclusion in the 2026 Best Lawyers list:
- Seth Gausnell for his recognition in the categories of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants
- Don O’Keefe for his recognition in the categories of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation–Defendants
- William Thomas for his recognition in the categories of Construction Law and Litigation–Construction
- Derek Ruzicka for his recognition in the categories of Litigation–Construction, Litigation–Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions–Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation–Defendants
- Jim Gottschalk for his recognition in the categories of Litigation–Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants, Product Liability Litigation–Defendants, and Professional Malpractice Law-Defendants
- James Ribaudo for his recognition in the category of Insurance Law
We also celebrate the following attorneys for their inclusion in the 2026 Best Lawyers Ones to Watch in America:
- Najla Hasic for her recognition in the categories of Construction Law, Litigation–Construction, Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants, Product Liability Litigation–Defendants and Transportation Law
- Hayley Hughes for her recognition in the categories of Construction Law, Litigation–Construction and Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants
- Courtney Otis for her recognition in the categories of Construction Law, Intellectual Property Law, Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants
- Zachary Walker for his recognition in the categories of Construction Law, Litigation–Construction, Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants
Being recognized by Best Lawyers is a testament to the tireless work, integrity, and professionalism that define our practice and our role as trusted advocates throughout the Midwest. Congratulations to the distinguished attorneys for their well-earned recognition.