Rachael Flanagan is an associate in Cohen Milstein’s Complex Tort Litigation practice where she handles a wide range of cases aimed at holding corporations and individuals accountable when their negligent acts result in harm to others.
Rachael is a tireless advocate for mental health awareness. She proudly serves the legal and local communities as a member of The Florida Bar’s Mental Health & Wellness Committee and sits on the Board of Directors of NAMI Palm Beach County.
Before pursuing a career as an attorney, Rachael was a paralegal for almost two decades. During that time, she worked for several years at Leopold Law, which merged with Cohen Milstein in 2015.
- American Association for Justice
- New Lawyer’s Division Mental Health Committee
- 2024 Leadership Academy
- The Florida Bar
- Mental Health & Wellness of Florida Lawyers Committee, Member
- Florida Justice Association
- Women’s Caucus, Board of Directors
- Palm Beach County Florida Association for Women Lawyers
- Palm Beach County Justice Association
- Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Lawyers for Literacy Committee, Member
- Capital One, N.A., et al v. Smith, D.C. Super. Ct.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Palm Beach County
- Board of Directors
- Neurobehavioral Hospital Foundation, Inc.
- Board of Directors
- Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition, Member
- Young Friends of the Kravis Center, Executive Member
- Young Friends of the Palm Beach Symphony, Member
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2019
- East Tennessee State University, B.S., 2006
Current Cases
Bains, et al. v. American Tactical, Inc.
Bains, et al. v. American Tactical, Inc., et al. (W.D.N.Y.): On April 13, 2023, Cohen Milstein and Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence filed a negligence, public nuisance and unlawful marketing lawsuit against American Tactical, Inc. and others involved in the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of the 60-round high-capacity magazine (HCM) used by the perpetrator in a deadly mass shooting on April 15, 2021 at a FedEx Ground Package facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tragically, thirteen people were shot during the attack. Eight died. At least five other people were injured.
Bains, et al. v. Securitas Security Services, USA, Inc.
Bains, et al. v. Securitas Security Services, USA, Inc. (S.D. Ind.): On April 13, 2023, Cohen Milstein filed a personal injury and wrongful death lawsuit against Securitas Security Services, USA, Inc. (Securitas) for its role in the deadly mass shooting that occurred on April 15, 2021 at the FedEx Ground Package facility on Mirabel Road in Indianapolis, Indiana. Securitas provided security guard services to the FedEx Ground facility.
Cape Fear River PFAS Litigation: Nix, et al. v. The Chemours Company FC, LLC et al.
Cape Fear River Contaminated Water Litigation (E.D.N.C.): Cohen Milstein is representing North Carolina residents and homeowners along the Cape Fear River in this certified toxic tort class action against DuPont and Chemours for allegedly dumping toxic GenX chemicals, a form of PFAS aka “forever chemicals,” into the Cape Fear River, impacting the drinking water and homes of more than 770,000 residents throughout the region.
Doe v. Scores, et al.
Jane Doe v. Scores, et al. (Circ. Crt., Hillsborough Cnty., Fla.): Cohen Milstein represents a former underage and developmentally disabled dancer and entertainer at SCORES Tampa in a human sex trafficking civil lawsuit. Doe alleges that SCORES Holding Company, Inc. and its affiliates materially aided in and subjected her to illegal human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse.
Edenville and Sanford Dam Failure Litigation
Edenville and Sanford Dam Failure Litigation (Mich. Crt. of Claims; Cir. Crt., Cty. Saginaw, Mich.): Cohen Milstein represents residents and businesses in two separate property damage lawsuits against Michigan State Government agencies, including the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy and Michigan Department of Natural Resources for blatantly mismanaging and failing to properly maintain the Edenville and Sandford dams, which catastrophically failed on May 19, 2020.
Miramar Water Litigation
Miramar Water Litigation (Cir. Crt. Broward Cnty.): Cohen Milstein represents residents of the City of Miramar, Florida in an environmental toxic tort and property damage class action suit against the City of Miramar and its consultant, Kimley-Horn, Inc. The plaintiffs claim that, due to the negligence of the City and the malpractice of its consultant, their water supply has not been properly treated and has caused irreversible and costly damage to the copper piping in their homes.
Siemens’ Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) Litigation
Kevin Brnich Electric LLC, et al. v. Siemens Industry, Inc. (N.D. Ga.): Cohen Milstein is Co-Lead Counsel in this false advertising and product defect consumer protection class action, alleging that Siemens’ AFCI circuit breakers are defective and Siemens misrepresents and omits information about the quality of its AFCIs.
Past Cases
Washington Hebrew Congregation Edlavitch Tyser Early Childhood Center Litigation
Doe, et al. v. Washington Hebrew Congregation, et al. (D.C. Supr. Ct.): Cohen Milstein represented the families of eight children between the ages of three and four who accused Washington Hebrew Congregation’s preschool, Edlavitch Tyser Early Childhood Center, as well as the head of the school of enabling a predator to sexually abuse the children for more than a two-year period. Since February 2023, all parties have agreed to a confidential settlement, concluding the litigation.
- Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2023, 2024)
July 11, 2024
Rachael Flanagan to Speak on Protecting Your Mental Health
Rachael Flanagan has been invited to speak during the Paralegal Affiliates Caucus CLE Program at the 2024 American Association for Justice’s Annual Convention in Nashville, TN. Rachael’s session, Protecting Your Mental Health, is scheduled for 9 am on Saturday, July 20, 2024. For more information or to register, visit AAJ 2024 Annual Convention.
Events | American Association for Justice Annual Convention
January 30, 2024
Rachael Flanagan to Moderate Panel Discussion on Making Mental Health a Priority at Your Firm
Rachael Flanagan has been invited to moderate a panel discussion during the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Leadership Summit at the 2024 American Association for Justice’s Winter Convention in Austin, TX. The panel, Go Through the Channels: Making Mental Health a Priority at Your Firm, is scheduled for 9 am on Friday, February 9, 2024. For […]
Events | American Association for Justice
September 21, 2023
What is Managed Care Abuse?
Has your doctor recommended care that was denied by your insurance company, such as surgery or specialist treatment? Have you tried to fill a prescription, only to have your insurance company refuse coverage or raise your co-pay? You may have experienced managed care abuse. Denial of Care Managed care abuse occurs when an HMO or […]
Resources | Explainer Video by Cohen Milstein
April 14, 2023
Indianapolis FedEx Shooting Victims Sue Over Magazine Size
A group of victims and families of victims of the April 15, 2021, mass shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility on Thursday sued the distributor of the 60-round magazine used in the attack, saying it recklessly advertised the magazine in a way that encouraged such a shooting. In the 54-page complaint in New York federal […]
In the News | Law360
April 13, 2023
Victims of the 2021 Indianapolis FedEx Mass Shooting File Lawsuit Against American Tactical, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: cohenmilstein@berlinrosen.com Victims Allege American Tactical, Inc. Unlawfully Marketed the High Capacity Magazine Used in the FedEx Mass Shooting That Killed Eight ROCHESTER, NEW YORK (April 13, 2023) – Today, victims and families of victims of the 2021 Indianapolis FedEx mass shooting filed a lawsuit against American Tactical, Inc., the distributor […]
Press Releases | Cohen Milstein
February 14, 2023
Depression, Bipolar Support Group Launches For Fla. Attys
A new online group, which kicked off as a partnership between Florida Lawyers Assistance and the Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Mental Health and Wellness of Florida Lawyers, is meant to provide a space where attorneys can discuss managing those diagnoses amid the various stressors of being a lawyer. The idea for the group came about when Rachael […]
In the News | Law360 Pulse
June 27, 2022
Pet-Related Product Liability Claims: Will COVID-19 Inspire an Increase in Litigation
The number of pet owners surged during COVID-19. Although the exact percentage differs among sources, the pet industry reported a three to four percent increase in the number of families who introduced furry family members in 2020 and 2021. As product liability lawyers, we are always on the lookout for products that could bring harm […]
Articles | FJA Journal
October 13, 2021
Victim of Its Own Success? Trifecta of Product Liability Trouble Befalls Peloton
As product liability lawyers, we know that one of the goals of every product company should be the safety of its users. Many companies take significant measures to ensure they follow this objective in terms of product design, manufacturing, and notification compliance. Occasionally a company may fall short of design standards and safety measures and/or […]
Articles | FJA Journal