Mr. Middlebrooks represents local governments, health care institutions and various other businesses, and entities involved in tax-exempt bond transactions.

The Williams Parker Business Law Group draws upon the expertise and experience of its members in the areas of taxation, business and real estate finance, securities, employment law, health law, international transactions, and corporate, partnership, and limited liability company laws to serve its clients.

Icard Merrill is proud to congratulate Michael J. Furen (listed in Land Use & Zoning Law and Real Estate Law) and Thomas F. Icard, Jr. (listed in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Construction Law) for their dual listing again this year.

In addition to Furen and Icard, Icard Merrill lawyers Charles J. Bartlett (Commercial Litigation), Robert K. Lincoln (Land Use & Zoning Law), Robert G. Lyons (Personal Injury Law) and, William W. Merrill, III (Land Use & Zoning Law) are also included in this year’s list bringing the total to six.  Only 2.4% of the lawyers in the United States and Canada make the list each year.

Established in 1981, Best Lawyers is widely considered to be the most reliable and unbiased source of legal referrals, with publications in 48 countries around the world. This year’s judging process was based on more than 3.1 million detailed evaluations of lawyers submitted by other lawyers. The 2010 annual U.S. guide includes 39,766 attorneys in 80 practice areas and is published nationally as a resource for the general public, corporations and those in the legal profession.

Mike Furen is a shareholder at Icard Merrill. He joined the firm in 1966 after graduating from the University of Florida College of Law and currently serves as its Chairman of the Board. His practice is specialized in the areas of land use, development, real property, administrative and government law. He has extensive experience with developments of regional impact and has represented private development interests throughout Florida and beyond.

Tom Icard began his practice in Tampa in 1973 after graduating from the Florida State University College of Law and joined Icard Merrill as a shareholder in 1995. He focuses his nationally recognized practice on construction related matters, from preparation and review of contract documents to claims negotiation and multiparty litigation. He is also regularly engaged as a mediator or arbitrator in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings. He is a Diplomate of the Florida Academy of Professional Mediators and a by-invitation member of the Florida Circuit-Civil Mediator Society and the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

Established in 1953, the 30 lawyers and 60 employees of Icard Merrill maintain offices in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Punta Gorda. Icard Merrill is a full-service law firm with a strong commitment to supporting its communities through its patronage of the arts, civic involvement and significant pro bono contributions.
For more information, call (941) 366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com.

In line with the boom in social media she has been working with employers to help craft policies governing employees’ social networking activities as they relate to the company, both on and off the job.  Attorney Sensenig also conducts form I-9 audits and assists clients with federal immigration control and enforcement audits.

She is a Founding Partner of the Sensenig Law Firm, formed in 2003. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida.

Ms. Beveridge is a shareholder in the Employment Law Practice. She has experience in management representation in federal and state discrimination litigation, employee benefits (ERISA), civil rights litigation, union/management matters, minimum and overtime wage issues, OSHA investigations and general personnel matters. Ms. Beveridge is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by The Florida Bar and is AV peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Providing comprehensive legal services to our clients for nearly 70 years, Fowler White Boggs is one of Florida’s oldest law firms. Our Firm is internationally connected with a Florida focus with 130 attorneys in five offices located in Tampa, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale.

Published since 1983, The Best Lawyers in America is widely regarded as the preeminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States. The Best Lawyers lists are compiled through an exhaustive peer-review survey in which thousands of top lawyers in the U.S. confidentially evaluate their professional peers.
The following lawyers were named in their respective practice areas. The notations of (10), (20) and (25) indicate that individual has been included on the list for at least that many years and the (year) indicates the first year the attorney was listed on The Best Lawyers lists. An * indicates lawyers who are listed for the first time Best Lawyers.
Tampa, FL office

Rod Anderson (2006)
Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law

Chester E. Bacheller (1999) (10)
Corporate Governance and Compliance Law
Corporate Law
International Trade and Finance Law
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Securities Law

Anderson L. Baldy III (2003)
Corporate Law
Mergers & Acquisitions Law

Bernard A. Barton, Jr. (1995) (10)
Tax Law

Stacy D. Blank (2003)
Antitrust Law
Commercial Litigation

Noel R. Boeke (2009)
Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law

Michael L. Chapman (2009)
Commercial Litigation

William B. deMeza, Jr. (2001) (10)
Labor and Employment Law

William S. Dufoe (2006)
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation

Richard D. Eckhard (2005)
Real Estate Law

William Keith Fendrick (1999) (10)
Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law

Leonard H. Gilbert (1993) (10)
Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
Commercial Litigation
Equipment Finance Law

Fred Grady (2010)
Commercial Litigation

Robert J. Grammig (1995) (10)
Corporate Governance and Compliance Law
Corporate Law
International Trade and Finance Law
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Securities Law

Richard B. Hadlow (1995) (10)
Corporate Governance and Compliance Law
Corporate Law
Securities Law

John Arthur Jones (1987) (20)
Trusts and Estates

Bradford D. Kimbro (2006)
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation

Robert James Kline*
Trusts and Estates

Edward F. Koren, Jr. (1987) (20)
Trusts and Estates

William R. Lane, Jr. (2007)
Trusts and Estates

Jack A. Levine (2001) (10)
Tax Law

Frederick M. Rothenberg (1983) (25)
Employee Benefits Law

James H Shimberg, Jr. (2007)
Land Use & Zoning Law
Real Estate Law

Charles L. Stutts (1995) (10)
Banking Law

Joseph H. Varner III (1999) (10)
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation

Charles A. Wachter (2008)
Commercial Litigation

Douglas A. Wright (2005)
Tax Law

Lakeland, FL office

Richard B. Stephens (2007)
Public Finance Law

Edward W. Vogel III (2005)
Public Finance Law

About Holland & Knight LLP:  Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 17 U.S. offices as well as Abu Dhabi, Beijing and Mexico City. The firm is among the nation’s largest law firms, providing representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location. www.hklaw.com

Ms. Bohlander received her undergraduate degree, cum laude, in Business Administration from the University of Florida.  She earned her J.D., cum laude, in 2009 and her LL.M. in Taxation in 2010 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.  While in law school, she received and Estates and Trusts Practice Certificate, served as the Executive Research Editor for the Journal of Law and Public Policy, and earned Book Awards in Estates and Trusts and Appellate Advocacy.

Founded in 1970, Trenam Kemker ranks among the largest law firms in Florida, with offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg.  Trenam Kemker works nationally with clients in the areas of bankruptcy and creditors rights, business transactions, commercial litigation, construction law and government contracting, employment law, health care, employee benefits, real estate transactions and lending, and wealth planning and preservation.  The firm is committed to the service of its clients, the community and the improvement of the legal profession.  For more information, visit Trenam Kemker online at www.trenam.com.

First published in 1983, Best Lawyers® is based on an exhaustive annual peer-review survey. For the new U.S. edition, more than 50 percent of the lawyers listed in Best Lawyers® cast more than 3.1 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in the same and related specialties.

Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with offices strategically located throughout the southern United States and Washington, DC.  American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation’s top law firms – “The Am Law 200″. The National Law Journal also includes the firm on the “NLJ 250″ list of the nation’s largest law firms.

“If your property value has decreased because of the economy, damage from natural disasters, surrounding foreclosures in the neighborhood, your home’s general need for repair or improvement, or if it can be shown that similarly assessed homes in the neighborhood are being charged lower property taxes, a reduction in your property tax may be warranted,” Boss said.

Each year in August, the county property appraiser distributes the Proposed Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice which notifies homeowners of the appraised value of their home and resulting taxes for that year. Homeowners who feel their property taxes are unreasonably high may petition the Value Adjustment Board within 25 days of receiving the notice in most counties. The property appraiser reviews petitions and approves those who qualify. For petitions unresolved by the property appraiser, the Value Adjustment Board will hire a special magistrate to conduct hearings regarding the property’s value.

Homeowners who feel their taxes are too high should start by gathering information about their neighbors’ assessed property values and taxes online at the county appraiser’s website. It is wise to hire an independent property appraiser to assess the value of the home because the county appraiser typically estimates tax value based on the surrounding neighborhood whereas an independent appraiser can account for more discrete but important factors (such as economic downturn, natural disaster damage, sinkhole damage, surrounding foreclosures, Chinese drywall, or other similar factors).

Pursuant to Florida Statutes, the property appraiser is required to consider several factors when estimating property value: 1) the present cash value; 2) the highest and best use of the property; 3) location of the property; 4) quantity or size of the property; 5) condition of the property; 6) the income generated by the property; and 7) the net proceeds from the sale of the property.

If an appraiser determines that property is assessed too high, or it can be shown that the property is comparable to other surrounding properties but taxed at a higher rate, then the property should qualify for a reduction in its taxable value, Boss said.

If you have questions, please contact Yesner & Boss for a free consultation or call  (727) 471-0039 in St. Petersburg, (813) 251-2921 in Tampa, or (941) 362-0050 in Sarasota.

Yesner & Boss also offers the full range of legal practice, including personal injury, insurance claims, civil litigation, bankruptcies, business law, family law, wills, trusts and probate, residential and commercial real estate closings, foreclosure defense and short sales.

Established in London in 1990 and described by The New York Times as the “gold standard,” Chambers & Partners employs full-time researchers who evaluate lawyers from around the world based on objective, in-depth inquiries with respect to technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by clients. The lawyers are listed in their respective areas of practice as a resource to corporations and individuals in choosing legal counsel.  Chambers is updated and published annually, with editions tailored for Europe, Asia, Latin America, the UK and the United States.

Icard is a former Chair of the Forum on the Construction Industry of the American Bar Association and is among a small group of lawyers in the state that hold Florida Bar Board Certifications in both Construction Law and Civil Trial Law. He began his practice in Tampa in 1973 after graduating from the Florida State University College of Law.  He joined Icard Merrill as a shareholder in 1995 and focuses his nationally recognized practice on construction related matters, from preparation and review of contract documents to claims negotiation and multiparty litigation.  He is also regularly engaged as a mediator or arbitrator in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings.  He is a Diplomate of the Florida Academy of Professional Mediators and a by-invitation member of the Florida Circuit-Civil Mediator Society and the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

Established in 1953, the 30 lawyers and 60 employees of Icard Merrill maintain offices in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Punta Gorda. Icard Merrill is a full-service law firm with a strong commitment to supporting its communities through its patronage of the arts, civic involvement and significant contributions of legal services to the indigent.
For more information, call (941) 366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com.

The 17 recipients receiving pins for donations of 25 to l00 hours of pro bono
service were: Paul D. Beitlich, G. Matthew Brockway, Mark C. Dungan, Michael J. Furen, Arthur D. Ginsburg, Steven R. Greenberg, F. Thomas Hopkins, Thomas F. Icard, Jr,
Robert K. Lincoln, William W. Merrill, III, Troy H. Myers, Jr, Alyssa M. Nohren,
Stephen D. Rees, Jr, Lindsey A. Schneider, Stacy Dillard-Spahn, John J. Waskom and
Richard S. Webb, IV.

“For almost 60 years our firm members have been supporters of providing legal aid and service for our community.  We appreciate the recognition through this award and we will continue to use our expertise to expand our planned pro bono program to assist organizations such as Legal Aid of Manasota.” Said Bob Lyons, president of Icard Merrill.

Established in 1991, Legal Aid of Manasota is a non-profit civil law firm that provides free legal services to low income individuals and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The goal is to provide equal access to justice for those who cannot afford to pay an attorney. The firm partners with local lawyers who donate their time and expertise to help. Legal Aid of Manasota also works with community groups and social service agencies to provide up-to-date information about legal issues affecting low income residents. Each month they hold free community education classes such as the Pro Se Divorce Clinic, where participants are taught how to represent themselves in a divorce action and Foreclosure Defense/Attorney Consultations where individuals can meet one on one with an attorney to discuss solutions on how one can save a home. Legal Aid of Manasota supports local non-profit organizations through the Community Counsel Project, where Pro Bono (free) legal assistance is provided to eligible agencies. Through service to indigent clients over $4 million dollars of free legal services and community education classes have been donated.

They have recently launched a pro bono initiative called the “ONE” campaign, a statewide marketing initiative by the Florida Bar Foundation to recruit pro bono attorneys.

Locally, the “ONE” campaign seeks to educate attorneys on the legal needs of the poor in Sarasota and Manatee counties and present them with volunteer opportunities to help in areas such as Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Domestic Violence, Senior Wills, Housing and more.

Founded in 1953, the law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, P.A., is headquartered in Sarasota, with office locations in Lakewood Ranch and Punta Gorda. Icard Merrill is a full-service firm with more than half a century of legal expertise in business, commercial and construction litigation, personal injury, real estate, land use, family law, probate, and tax and estate planning. Home to 31 lawyers and 70 employees, the firm has a strong commitment to supporting its communities through its patronage of the arts, civic involvement and significant pro bono contributions.

For more information about legal aid, 941-366-0038 or visit:  www.legalaidofmanasota.org.
For more information about ICARD MERRILL, call (941) 366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com.

“Attorneys like Reed don’t come along too often and his equal in the southeast would be difficult to find.  His past experience as Legal Counsel of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has already drawn interest from clients hopeful to gain his unique perspective,” said John Phillips, Practice Coordinator of the firm’s Florida Employment Practice.  “In addition, Reed brings high-level wage and hour class action experience on a national level, which is one of the hottest areas of employment law at the moment.”

Mr. Russell’s practice focuses on large employers in all aspects of wage and hour and employment discrimination law, with an emphasis on complex litigation and strategic advice.  He also regularly provides strategic advice to several large companies in relation to equal employment opportunity issues, including: analyzing planned reductions in force; evaluating employment selection and pay practices through statistical audits; and advising companies on policies for screening and selecting applicants, such as disability leave and background checks.

Prior to joining the Phelps Dunbar, Mr. Russell was a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Washington, D.C., was a senior editor to ABA’s Section of Labor and Employment Law supplement, The Fair Labor Standards Act, and assisted in researching and editing their EEOC Litigation and Charge Resolution (2005).  Most recently, he served as management side co-chair of the chapter on collective actions for the forthcoming second edition of The Fair Labor Standards Act.  He is former legal counsel of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where he was responsible for developing agency policy on the federal anti-discrimination statutes, and serving as the EEOC Chair’s chief legal advisor.  In addition, Mr. Russell is a former major in the Army National Guard and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Mr. Russell received his J.D., summa cum laude, from Catholic University of America in 1999, where he was the valedictorian of his class and the managing editor of The Catholic University Law Review.  He received his B.S. in 1991 from Wake Forest University.  Mr. Russell is admitted in the District of Columbia, Florida, U.S. District Court of Maryland, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

The addition of Mr. Russell brings the total employment practice in Florida to ten attorneys, comprised of four partners, five associates and one special counsel attorney.  Phelps now has 48 total attorneys in the Tampa office.

Phelps Dunbar is a regional law firm of more than 280 attorneys, with offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Tupelo, and Gulfport, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Mobile, Alabama and London, England.  Since 2001, the Tampa office has grown from six attorneys to more than 45 that handle a wide variety of legal matters in numerous client service areas.

Adams and Reese Tampa office Partner in Charge Marilyn Mullen Healy was listed in Banking and Finance. Richard Malchon and Geoffrey Young were listed in Banking Law. Donald Mihokovich was named in Commercial Law; Jim Dickson, Environmental Law; and Bob Boos, Numerous Business Litigation Matters.

To compile a list of the top lawyers in the Tampa area, the magazine invited LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell®, the legal company that has long set the standard for peer review ratings, to share their list of local lawyers who have reached the highest levels of ethical standards and professional excellence by being rated AV® Preeminent – the highest Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rating available.

Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with offices strategically located throughout the southern United States and Washington, DC.  American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation’s top law firms – “The Am Law 200″. The National Law Journal also includes the firm on the “NLJ 250″ list of the nation’s largest law firms.

Icard Merrill is proud to congratulate Michael J. Furen (listed in Land Use & Zoning Law and Real Estate Law) and Thomas F. Icard, Jr. (listed in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Construction Law) for their dual listing again this year.

In addition to Furen and Icard, Icard Merrill lawyers Charles J. Bartlett (Commercial Litigation), Robert K. Lincoln (Land Use & Zoning Law), Robert G. Lyons (Personal Injury Law) and, William W. Merrill, III (Land Use & Zoning Law) are also included in this year’s list bringing the total to six.  Only 2.4% of the lawyers in the United States and Canada make the list each year.

Established in 1981, Best Lawyers is widely considered to be the most reliable and unbiased source of legal referrals, with publications in 48 countries around the world. This year’s judging process was based on more than 3.1 million detailed evaluations of lawyers submitted by other lawyers. The 2010 annual U.S. guide includes 39,766 attorneys in 80 practice areas and is published nationally as a resource for the general public, corporations and those in the legal profession.

Mike Furen is a shareholder at Icard Merrill. He joined the firm in 1966 after graduating from the University of Florida College of Law and currently serves as its Chairman of the Board. His practice is specialized in the areas of land use, development, real property, administrative and government law. He has extensive experience with developments of regional impact and has represented private development interests throughout Florida and beyond.

Tom Icard began his practice in Tampa in 1973 after graduating from the Florida State University College of Law and joined Icard Merrill as a shareholder in 1995. He focuses his nationally recognized practice on construction related matters, from preparation and review of contract documents to claims negotiation and multiparty litigation. He is also regularly engaged as a mediator or arbitrator in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings. He is a Diplomate of the Florida Academy of Professional Mediators and a by-invitation member of the Florida Circuit-Civil Mediator Society and the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

Established in 1953, the 30 lawyers and 60 employees of Icard Merrill maintain offices in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Punta Gorda. Icard Merrill is a full-service law firm with a strong commitment to supporting its communities through its patronage of the arts, civic involvement and significant pro bono contributions.
For more information, call (941) 366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com.

“I am particularly proud and yet humbled to receive this recognition,” said

Mr. Bartlett. “This is a particularly meaningful honor because it comes from my fellow lawyers and colleagues. I am pleased to be included in such distinguished company and want to sincerely thank those who recommended me for this award.”

Now in its seventh year, Florida Legal Elite is intended to recognize lawyers who exemplify a high standard of excellence in their profession. The voting process began in October 2009 when all in-state members of the Florida Bar were invited by Florida Trend to submit nominations of lawyers they hold in high regard. Top candidates were further reviewed and then scrutinized by a panel of previous Legal Elite winners. The final list of honorees includes 1,160 lawyers, chosen from among more than 64,000 active members of the Florida Bar who practice in the state.

Bartlett is a senior shareholder in the Sarasota-based law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, PA. He joined the firm in 1984 and concentrates his practice in commercial litigation, real estate and business law, with an emphasis on representing small to medium-sized businesses. Bartlett served as president of the firm from 1987 to 1998 and has been actively engaged in the Florida Bar and the Sarasota County Bar Association. He has held the prestigious “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell for more than ten years and was selected by his peers for inclusion in the recent editions of The Best Lawyers in America. Bartlett has been an active member of the Florida Bar, currently serving as a member of the Executive Council of the Trial Lawyers Section of the Florida Bar, as well as numerous civic boards and non-profit groups, including serving as a trustee member for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. He is the current Chairman of the Board of Directors for Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida.

For more information, call 941-366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com.

Prior to joining Williams Parker, Ms. Augustine worked in the Estate Settlement Division at a local trust company as a Vice President specializing in settling estates and trusts. She is a past Chairperson of the Estate Planning and Probate Section of the Sarasota County Bar Association. Ms. Augustine obtained her J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law and B.S., with honors, from the University of Florida.

Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen provides a broad range of legal services representing clients in the areas of Banking & Finance, Business Law, Employment Law, Estate Planning & Estate Administration, Governmental Law, Health Law, International Client Services, Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation, Litigation, Real Estate, and Tax.  For more information visit www.williamsparker.com.

David A. Beyer (Franchise Law)
David Beyer concentrates his practice in organizing and structuring franchise and other distribution programs.  His experience includes negotiating and preparing complex franchise, subfranchise, and distribution agreements; representing franchisors and subfranchisors in compliance with franchise disclosure and registration laws; evaluating and negotiating supply relationships; counseling on the impact of antitrust and trade regulation laws; international franchising and distribution matters; preventing and resolving franchise disputes; assisting in franchise and dealership terminations; joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and capital raising for franchise and growth companies; structuring dealership and licensing programs; and other related corporate and business matters. He earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from Tulane University.

William F. Hamilton (Commercial Litigation/Intellectual Property Law)
William Hamilton is Board Certified in Business Litigation and Intellectual Property by The Florida Bar. His work includes complex business litigation in the areas of contract, software and technology disputes, intellectual property (copyright, trademark, patent and trade secrets law), e-commerce, data security, telecommunications, trade regulation and unfair trade practices, and commercial real estate. Mr. Hamilton currently teaches Electronic Discovery and Digital Evidence as an adjunct professor at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. He earned his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and his B.A. degree, cum laude, from Lehigh University.

_________

Best Lawyers® bases its listings on an exhaustive study of the legal profession in which attorneys nationwide are asked to rank the top practitioners in their specialties in their jurisdictions.  Because listings are based on the votes of other lawyers and cannot be solicited, inclusion in Best Lawyers® is considered a particular honor.

Quarles & Brady LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 450 attorneys practicing from offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Chicago, Ill.; Naples and Tampa, Fla.; and Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. The Firm offers an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Additional information about the Firm may be found at www.quarles.com.

Mr. Cherry is Board Certified in Intellectual Property Law. Mr. Cherry’s practice focuses on intellectual property (patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and unfair competition) consulting, acquisition, licensing and litigation. He also focuses on computer and technology law, business law and entertainment law, including consulting clients and attorneys in electronic discovery issues, domain name disputes, E-commerce agreements, technology implementation transactions and software performance disputes, E-mail privacy, identity theft, consulting and employment agreements, and technology licensing.

* * *
Founded in 1925, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is a full service law firm with 215 attorneys practicing in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota, Florida; and Charlotte, North Carolina.

TAMPA, Fla. – August 2010 – Holland & Knight is pleased to announce that five of the firm’s Tampa attorneys have been named to Florida Trend magazine’s 2010 Legal Elite list. The Florida Legal Elite are the top lawyers practicing in Florida, according to the results of the magazine’s statewide attorney surveys.

This year’s list of 948 Legal Elite attorneys represents 1.8 percent of the more than 64,000 Florida Bar members actively practicing in Florida. More than 17,500 votes were cast and the ballots were processed, checked and tabulated by Bradenton-based Outsource America and Suncoast Opinion Surveys in St Petersburg.

This year, 33 Holland & Knight attorneys were named ‘Legal Elites’ – leading all other firms in Florida with most honorees. One Tampa attorney was inducted into Florida Trend’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame, which was created last year to honor those who have been Legal Elite winners for each of the past five years. A panel of lawyers were consulted to evaluate the Legal Elite and make the final selection of Hall of Fame honorees.

The following Tampa attorneys were recognized as 2010 Florida Elite honorees:

Tampa

Louis T. M. Conti – Business Law

Richard B. Hadlow – Business Law

John Arthur Jones – Wills, Trusts & Estates

Bradford D. Kimbro – Commercial Litigation

Joseph H. Varner, III – Commercial Litigation – Hall of Fame

About Holland & Knight LLP:  Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 17 U.S. offices as well as Abu Dhabi, Beijing and Mexico City. The firm is among the nation’s largest law firms, providing representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location. www.hklaw.com
# # #

Southwest Florida – The law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, PA., was named the 2010 recipient of the Outstanding Pro bono Service by a law Firm in Sarasota County Award, the Outstanding Service by a Mentor was presented to Alyssa Nohren and 17 members of the firm received Pro Bono Lapel Pins. This esteemed award was given in recognition for the organization’s outstanding dedication to pro bono efforts on behalf of Legal Aid of Manasota and the 12th Judicial Circuit.  Icard Merrill has a long standing reputation for providing pro bono service.
In additional to receiving Outstanding Pro bono Service by a law Firm in Sarasota County Award, 17 Icard Merrill attorneys received Pro Bono lapel pins for donations of 25 to 100 hours of their time.

The 17 recipients were: Paul D. Beitlich, G. Matthew Brockway, Mark C. Dungan, Michael J. Furen, Arthur D. Ginsburg, Steven R. Greenberg, F. Thomas Hopkins,
Thomas F. Icard, Jr, Robert K. Lincoln, William W. Merrill, III, Troy H. Myers, Jr,
Alyssa M. Nohren, Stephen D. Rees, Jr, Lindsey A. Schneider, Stacy Dillard-Spahn,
John J. Waskom and Richard S. Webb, IV.

“For almost 60 years our firm members have been supporters of providing legal aid and service for our community.  We appreciate the recognition through this award and we will continue to use our expertise to expand our planned pro bono program to assist organizations such as Legal Aid of Manasota.” Said Bob Lyons, president of Icard Merrill.

Established in 1991, Legal Aid of Manasota is a non-profit civil law firm that provides free legal services to low income individuals and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The goal is to provide equal access to justice for those who cannot afford to pay an attorney. The firm partners with local lawyers who donate their time and expertise to help. Legal Aid of Manasota also works with community groups and social service agencies to provide up-to-date information about legal issues affecting low income residents. Each month they hold free community education classes such as the Pro Se Divorce Clinic, where participants are taught how to represent themselves in a divorce action and Foreclosure Defense/Attorney Consultations where individuals can meet one on one with an attorney to discuss solutions on how one can save a home. Legal Aid of Manasota supports local non-profit organizations through the Community Counsel Project, where Pro Bono (free) legal assistance is provided to eligible agencies. Through service to indigent clients over $4 million dollars of free legal services and community education classes have been donated.
They have recently launched a pro bono initiative called the “ONE” campaign, a statewide marketing initiative by the Florida Bar Foundation to recruit pro bono attorneys.

Locally, the “ONE” campaign seeks to educate attorneys on the legal needs of the poor in Sarasota and Manatee counties and present them with volunteer opportunities to help in areas such as Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Domestic Violence, Senior Wills, Housing and more.

Founded in 1953, the law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, P.A., is headquartered in Sarasota, with office locations in Lakewood Ranch and Punta Gorda. Icard Merrill is a full-service firm with more than half a century of legal expertise in business, commercial and construction litigation, personal injury, real estate, land use, family law, probate, and tax and estate planning. Home to 31 lawyers and 70 employees, the firm has a strong commitment to supporting its communities through its patronage of the arts, civic involvement and significant pro bono contributions.

For more information about legal aid, 941-366-0038 or visit:  www.legalaidofmanasota.org.
For more information about ICARD MERRILL, call (941) 366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com.

Mr. Bavol has extensive national jury trial experience defending major corporations in both personal injury and commercial related fields.  Bavol’s trial practice has focused on products liability defense, including the national defense of manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceuticals.   A significant portion of his trial practice has been in the defense of malpractice claims against medical professionals and hospitals.

Ms. Lister has experience in a wide range of substantive areas of the law, including commercial litigation, products liability, civil rights, civil RICO, local government, utilities and environmental law, with an emphasis on construction contracts and litigation.

Founded in 2004, Bavol Judge, P.A. concentrates in the areas of civil litigation in all state and federal courts, class actions, defense of product liability claims, medical malpractice claims, intellectual property, construction and general commercial litigation.

The Firm is located at 400 North Ashley Drive, Suite 2500, Tampa, Florida, 33602.  For additional information on Bavol Judge, P.A., visit www.bavoljudge.com or call 813.221.7111.

Selection to Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 2 million confidential evaluations by the top attorneys in the country. Because no fee or purchase is required, being listed in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.

“Construction is a vital element of the U.S. economy, historically accounting for more than 10% of the gross national product,” said Icard, who is a former Chair of the Forum on the Construction Industry of the American Bar Association. “We have an obligation to our clients, the industry at large and to the public to see that the construction process in this country is facilitated, rather than hindered, by the legal process.”

Tom Icard began his practice in Tampa in 1973 after graduating from the Florida State University College of Law and joined Icard Merrill as a shareholder in 1995.  He focuses his nationally recognized practice on construction related matters, from preparation and review of contract documents to claims negotiation and multiparty litigation.  He is also regularly engaged as a mediator or arbitrator in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings.  He is a Diplomate of the Florida Academy of Professional Mediators and a by-invitation member of the Florida Circuit-Civil Mediator Society and the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
Established in 1953, the 31 lawyers and 70 employees of Icard Merrill maintain offices in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Punta Gorda. Icard Merrill is a full-service law firm with a strong commitment to supporting its communities through its patronage of the arts, civic involvement and significant contributions of legal services to the indigent.
For more information, call (941) 366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com.

Ellen Podgor is the LeRoy Highbaugh Sr. Research Chair and Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law. Professor Podgor teaches in the areas of white collar crime, criminal law and international criminal law. She has been a member of the NACDL since 1979, and was a member of the board of directors of the NACDL for six years. For more than 30 years, Podgor has served the NACDL in more than a dozen roles. She is currently Co-Chair of The Champion Advisory Board. The Champion is the only national magazine devoted wholly to the interests, needs and concerns of the criminal defense lawyer.

Professor Podgor is an internationally known and respected white collar crime expert and the author of numerous books and more than 50 articles and essays on subjects including computer crime, international criminal law, lawyer’s ethics, criminal discovery, prosecutorial discretion, corporate criminality, and other white collar crime topics. A former deputy prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, she authors the highly-ranked White Collar Crime Prof Blog.

She presently serves on the board of directors of the International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law, is an honorary member of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and a member of the American Law Institute. Professor Podgor is also a past chair of the Criminal Justice Section of the Association of American Law Schools.

An invaluable resource and a legal scholar of the first order, Professor Podgor is frequently interviewed by media outlets including National Public Radio, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, L.A. Times, National Law Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Business Week.
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The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing.  A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL’s 10,000-plus direct members in 28 countries – and 90 state, provincial and local affiliate organizations totaling more than 40,000 attorneys – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors and judges committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal justice system.

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
1660 L St., N.W., 12th Fl, Washington, D.C. 20036 * Tel. 202-872-8600 * Fax 202-872-8690

Southwest, Florida – Charles J. Bartlett is among a favored few attorneys in the state – less than 2% — to be named to the prestigious Florida Legal Elite listing. Published by Florida Trend, the annual listing recognizes the top tier of attorneys in Florida as chosen by their peers.

“I am particularly proud and yet humbled to receive this recognition,” said Mr. Bartlett. “This is a particularly meaningful honor because it comes from my fellow lawyers and colleagues. I am pleased to be included in such distinguished company and want to sincerely thank those who recommended me for this award.”

Now in its seventh year, Florida Legal Elite is intended to recognize lawyers who exemplify a high standard of excellence in their profession. The voting process began in October 2009 when all in-state members of the Florida Bar were invited by Florida Trend to submit nominations of lawyers they hold in high regard. Top candidates were further reviewed and then scrutinized by a panel of previous Legal Elite winners. The final list of honorees includes 1,160 lawyers, chosen from among more than 64,000 active members of the Florida Bar who practice in the state.

Bartlett is a senior shareholder in the Sarasota-based law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, PA. He joined the firm in 1984 and concentrates his practice in commercial litigation, real estate and business law, with an emphasis on representing small to medium-sized businesses. Bartlett served as president of the firm from 1987 to 1998 and has been actively engaged in the Florida Bar and the Sarasota County Bar Association. He has held the prestigious “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell for more than ten years and was selected by his peers for inclusion in the recent editions of The Best Lawyers in America. Bartlett has been an active member of the Florida Bar, currently serving as a member of the Executive Council of the Trial Lawyers Section of the Florida Bar, as well as numerous civic boards and non-profit groups, including serving as a trustee member for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. He is the current Chairman of the Board of Directors for Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida.

For more information, call 941-366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com.

At the University of South Florida, Ms. Law has served on the USF Board of Trustees since the group’s founding in 2001. After serving as Vice Chair for five years, in 2006, the Board honored her service by electing her Chair, a position she held for 4 years. Ms. Law was described as USF’s ultimate advocate and one who will fight for the resources needed and deserved for her university. During her tenure as Chair, USF has continued to advance in its research and scholarly efforts. She led the university through its second strategic planning process to develop the 2007-12 plan. In addition, USF exceeded $380 million in research funds and was ranked #1 in the nation based on NSF numbers for growing its federal research enterprise at 213%, faster than any other university. In addition, USF was ranked in the top tier, very high research activity of the Carnegie rankings and only one of 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community engaged.

Ms. Law practices in the areas of government, environmental and land use. She handles acquisitions, permitting, environmental representation, land use and zoning matters with specific emphasis on commercial, industrial, residential, acquisitions and general counsel for Community Development Districts. Since 2006 she has been rated among the Best Lawyers in America, Florida Super Lawyers and has been named in the Florida Legal Elite Hall of Fame by Florida Trend magazine. She was the Tampa Bay Business Journal 2004 Business Woman of the Year. She recently was inducted into the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties Tampa chapter Hall of Fame, an organization where she created the Tampa Bay Watch Program -which brings government and agency leaders together with NAIOP members. She has also been awarded the keys to the city of Tampa.

Providing comprehensive legal services to our clients for nearly 70 years, Fowler White Boggs is one of Florida’s oldest law firms. The Firm is internationally connected with a Florida focus with 130 attorneys in five offices located in Tampa, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale.

The following lawyers were recognized in their respective practice areas:

1. Thomas D. Aitken – Trusts and Estates
2. J. Alan Asendorf – Real Estate Law
3. Marvin E. Barkin – Banking Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation
4. David R. Brittain – Real Estate Law
5. Robert H. Buesing – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Eminent Domain and Condemnation
6. Nelson T. Castellano – Corporate Law, Securities Law
7. Jacqueline M. Crain – Health Care Law
8. Roberta A. Colton – Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
9. Robert C. Decker – Real Estate Law
10. Stanley H. Eleff – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law
11. William C. Frye – Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation
12. Michael P. Horan -  Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
13. Richard O. Jacobs – Health Care Law
14. Charles F. Ketchey – Commercial Litigation
15. Richard M. Leisner – Corporate Governance and Compliance Law;  Corporate Law; Securities Law
16. Bruce Marger – Trusts and Estates
17. R. Donald Mastry – Real Estate Law
18. Harold W. Mullis, Jr. – Corporate Law; Tax Law
19. Albert C. O’Neill, Jr. – Tax Law
20. Mary H. Quinlan – Real Estate Law
21. Richard H. Sollner – Real Estate Law
22. Robert G. Stern – Real Estate Law
23. J. Eric Taylor – Trusts and Estates
24. Gary I. Teblum  – Corporate Governance and Compliance Law; Corporate Law; Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law; Securities Law
25. John S. Vento – Construction Law
26. Roberta Casper Watson – Employee Benefits Law
27. Don B. Weinbren – Health Care Law
28. William Knight Zewadski  – Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law

Founded in 1970, Trenam Kemker ranks among the largest law firms in Florida, with offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg.  Trenam Kemker works nationally with clients in the areas of bankruptcy and creditors rights, business transactions, commercial litigation, construction law and government contracting, employment law, employee benefits, real estate transactions and lending, and wealth planning and preservation.  The firm is committed to the service of its clients, the community and the improvement of the legal profession. For more information, visit Trenam Kemker online at www.trenam.com.

Southwest Florida – The law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, PA., was named the 2010 recipient of the Outstanding Pro bono Service by a law Firm in Sarasota County Award, the Outstanding Service by a Mentor was presented to Alyssa Nohren and 17 members of the firm received Pro Bono Lapel Pins. This esteemed award was given in recognition for the organization’s outstanding dedication to pro bono efforts on behalf of Legal Aid of Manasota and the 12th Judicial Circuit.  Icard Merrill has a long standing reputation for providing pro bono service.
In additional to receiving Outstanding Pro bono Service by a law Firm in Sarasota County Award, 17 Icard Merrill attorneys received Pro Bono lapel pins for donations of 25 to 100 hours of their time.

The 17 recipients were: Paul D. Beitlich, G. Matthew Brockway, Mark C. Dungan, Michael J. Furen, Arthur D. Ginsburg, Steven R. Greenberg, F. Thomas Hopkins,
Thomas F. Icard, Jr, Robert K. Lincoln, William W. Merrill, III, Troy H. Myers, Jr,
Alyssa M. Nohren, Stephen D. Rees, Jr, Lindsey A. Schneider, Stacy Dillard-Spahn,
John J. Waskom and Richard S. Webb, IV.

“For almost 60 years our firm members have been supporters of providing legal aid and service for our community.  We appreciate the recognition through this award and we will continue to use our expertise to expand our planned pro bono program to assist organizations such as Legal Aid of Manasota.” Said Bob Lyons, president of Icard Merrill.

Established in 1991, Legal Aid of Manasota is a non-profit civil law firm that provides free legal services to low income individuals and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The goal is to provide equal access to justice for those who cannot afford to pay an attorney. The firm partners with local lawyers who donate their time and expertise to help. Legal Aid of Manasota also works with community groups and social service agencies to provide up-to-date information about legal issues affecting low income residents. Each month they hold free community education classes such as the Pro Se Divorce Clinic, where participants are taught how to represent themselves in a divorce action and Foreclosure Defense/Attorney Consultations where individuals can meet one on one with an attorney to discuss solutions on how one can save a home. Legal Aid of Manasota supports local non-profit organizations through the Community Counsel Project, where Pro Bono (free) legal assistance is provided to eligible agencies. Through service to indigent clients over $4 million dollars of free legal services and community education classes have been donated.
They have recently launched a pro bono initiative called the “ONE” campaign, a statewide marketing initiative by the Florida Bar Foundation to recruit pro bono attorneys.

Locally, the “ONE” campaign seeks to educate attorneys on the legal needs of the poor in Sarasota and Manatee counties and present them with volunteer opportunities to help in areas such as Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Domestic Violence, Senior Wills, Housing and more.

Founded in 1953, the law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, P.A., is headquartered in Sarasota, with office locations in Lakewood Ranch and Punta Gorda. Icard Merrill is a full-service firm with more than half a century of legal expertise in business, commercial and construction litigation, personal injury, real estate, land use, family law, probate, and tax and estate planning. Home to 31 lawyers and 70 employees, the firm has a strong commitment to supporting its communities through its patronage of the arts, civic involvement and significant pro bono contributions.

For more information about legal aid, 941-366-0038 or visit:  www.legalaidofmanasota.org.
For more information about ICARD MERRILL, call (941) 366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com.

Tampa Office
Cathy J. Beveridge – Labor and Employment Law
E. Jackson Boggs – Tax Law and Trusts and Estates
Hunter J. Brownlee – Tax Law
Russell S. Buhite – Employee Benefits Law
Amelia M. Campbell – Trusts and Estates
W. Donald Cox – Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law
John D. Emmanuel – Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
William J. Flynn, III – Immigration Law
G. Calvin Hayes – Commercial Litigation
Mitchell I. Horowitz – Tax Law
Richard A. Jacobson – International Trade and Finance Law
Donald R. Kirk – Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
Rhea F. Law – Administrative Law; Environmental Law; Government Relations Law; Land Use and Zoning Law; Municipal Law; Real Estate Law
Donna L. Longhouse – Trusts and Estates
Gary W. Martin – Personal Injury Litigation
Monica B. Mason – Intellectual Property Law
Carl R. Nelson – Maritime Law
Ronald H. Noble – Environmental Law
Christopher J. Paradies – Biotechnology Law
Olga M. Pina – Corporate Law
Paul R. Pizzo – Commercial Litigation
John W. Robinson, IV – Labor and Employment Law
Richard G. Salazar – Commercial Litigation
Hala A. Sandridge – Appellate Law
Jeffrey C. Shannon – Real Estate Law
David C. Shobe – Administrative Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Securities Law
Dale W. Vash – Construction Law
Edward M. Waller, Jr. – Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law, Commercial Litigation; Health Care Law
Andrea E. Zelman – Land Use and Zoning Law

Fort Myers Office
Garey F. Butler – Real Estate Law
Carl Joseph Coleman – Commercial Litigation
James T. Humphrey – Land Use & Zoning Law; Municipal Law
Denise L. Wheeler – Civil Rights Law

Tallahassee Office
Linda Loomis Shelley – Administrative Law; Environmental Law; Government Relations Law; Land Use & Zoning Law
John McKager Stipanovich – Administrative Law; Government Relations Law
William D. Townsend – Tax Law
Jacob D. Varn – Environmental Law; Transportation Law; Water Law
Rex D. Ware – Tax Law

Jacksonville Office
R. Gene Aldridge – Real Estate Law
Thomas C. Dearing – Insurance Law
Karl B. Hanson, Jr – Real Estate Law
Eric J. Holshouser – Labor and Employment Law
Robert G. Riegel, Jr – Labor and Employment Law
Timothy B. Strong – Labor and Employment
Jeffrey P. Watson – Labor and Employment

Fort Lauderdale Office
Heather B. Brock – Labor and Employment Law
Terrence Russell – Commercial Litigation
Kathy J. Tayon – Health Care Law

The Best Lawyers in America is widely regarded as the preeminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States. The 2011 17^th Edition Best Lawyers lists, representing 90 categories in all 50 states and Washington, DC, are compiled through an exhaustive peer-review survey in which 3.1 million of the top lawyers in the U.S. confidentially evaluate their professional peers.

Located at 777 South Harbour Island Blvd., Suite 800, the Firm engages in a diverse civil trial practice, including Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Commercial Litigation,  and Business Torts.

Phelps Dunbar as a firm received a #1 ranking in 44 categories in the 2011 Best Lawyers publication.  This year, Phelps Dunbar has the most first-tier rankings in Louisiana in Intellectual Property Law, the most first-tier rankings in Mississippi in Employment Law – Management and the most first-tier rankings in Mississippi in Labor Law – Management.  The following attorneys were ranked individually:

Baton Rouge, LA
Allen D. Darden          Intellectual Property Law
Michael D. Hunt         Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation;
Construction Law
H. Alston Johnson III            Appellate Law; Workers’ Compensation Law
F. Scott Kaiser                  Commercial Litigation
Thomas H. Kiggans               Labor and Employment Law
Jeffrey W. Koonce                Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
Steven J. Levine                         Environmental Law; Railroad Law
Marshall M. Redmon              Insurance Law; Professional Malpractice Law
Patrick Ragan Richard            Banking Law; Franchise Law
Randy P. Roussel                 Banking Law; Real Estate Law
John O. Shirley                 Government Relations Law

New Orleans, LA
Lee R. Adler    Real Estate Law; Structured Finance Law
M. Nan Alessandra       Alternative Dispute Resolution; Labor and Employment Law
Jane E. Armstrong               Employee Benefits Law
Robert J. Barbier                Maritime Law
Brent B. Barriere       Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law; Bet-the Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation
John A. Bolles                  Maritime Law
Kim M. Boyle                    Labor and Employment Law
Michael M. Butterworth          Maritime Law
Philip deV. Claverie, Sr.               Banking Law; Real Estate Law
Richard N. Dicharry             Insurance Law
Mark C. Dodart                   Mass Tort Litigation
Mark A. Fullmer Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities Law; Venture Capital Law
George M. Gilly                 Maritime Law
Cecile L. Gordon                Health Care Law
George B. Hall, Jr.             Insurance Law
Stephen P. Hall                 Insurance Law
Gary A. Hemphill                Maritime Law
Sessions Ault Hootsell III      Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
David B. Lawton          Maritime Law
Robert P. McCleskey, Jr.                 Maritime Law
John P. Manard, Jr.              Mass Tort Litigation
Daniel T. Pancamo       Biotechnology Law
Harry Rosenberg Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; White-Collar Criminal Defense
Mary Ellen Roy                  First Amendment Law; Intellectual Property Law
Bruce V. Schewe                 Antitrust Law
Hugh R. Straub                   Maritime Law
James A. Stuckey                Banking Law; Equipment Finance Law; Real Estate Law
Harvey D. Wagar III             Banking Law; Corporate Law;  Real Estate Law
Brian D. Wallace                Gaming Law; Maritime Law
Alan C. Wolf                    Energy Law

Jackson, MS
Joseph Lee Adams        Labor and Employment Law
Reuben V. Anderson      Alternative Dispute Resolution; Appellate Law; Commercial Litigation; Legal Malpractice Law
Fred L. Banks, Jr.      Alternative Dispute Resolution; Appellate Law; Commercial Litigation
Ross F. Bass, Jr.                       Commercial Litigation; Legal Malpractice Law
James W. Craig                   Appellate Law
Deborah S. Dees          Employee Benefits Law
Gary E. Friedman                Labor and Employment Law
Jerome C. Hafter                        Corporate Law
Luther T. Munford       Appellate Law; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; First Amendment Law; Media Law
James W. O’Mara         Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
Bridgforth R. Rutledge           Franchise Law
W. Thomas Siler, Jr.            Labor and Employment Law
Frank W. Trapp  Non-White-Collar Criminal Defense; White-Collar Criminal Defense

Tupelo, MS
F. M. Bush III  Corporate Law; Health Care Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trusts and Estates
Mark N. Halbert                 Labor and Employment Law
Jeffrey S. Moore                        Health Care Law
Gregory D. Pirkle                Tax Law

Gulfport, MS
James G. Wyly III        Alternative Dispute Resolution; Personal Injury Litigation; Transportation Law

Houston, TX
Patricia Hair   Commercial Litigation
Claude L. Stuart III    Insurance Law

Tampa, FL
Karl J. Brandes                  Commercial Litigation
Lawrence P. Ingram               Commercial Litigation
Harvey S. Kauget                Information Technology Law; Intellectual Property Law;
Tax Law
Matthew L. Litsky                Insurance Law
Barbara H. Luikart              Real Estate Law
Dennis M. McClelland            Labor and Employment Law
John D. Mullen                  Labor and Employment Law
John E. Phillips                        Labor and Employment Law; Commercial Litigation
Seth M. Schimmel                Commercial Litigation
Donald H. Whittemore             Commercial Litigation; Real Estate Law

Mobile, AL
Walter M. Cook, Jr.      Commercial Litigation; Construction Law
Thomas E. Garth  Employee Benefits Law; Non-Profit/Charities Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
Allen E. “Teeto” Graham Maritime Law
Caroline C. McCarthy    Insurance Law
Marion A. Quina, Jr.     Maritime Law
William E. Shreve, Jr.   Appellate Law; Insurance Law
Cooper C. Thurber       Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Product Liability Litigation

The 2011 edition of Best Lawyers, which will be released in print in November 2010, is based on more than three million confidential evaluations by the top attorneys in the nation.  Best Lawyers also conducted thousands of extensive interviews with leading attorneys throughout its balloting process.

Phelps Dunbar is a regional law firm of more than 280 attorneys, with offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Tupelo, and Gulfport, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Mobile, Alabama; and London, England.

“Trenam Kemker is proud to be part of the Tampa Bay community and grateful for the community support that has allowed our firm to succeed,” said Hal Mullis, President of Trenam Kemker. “I can think of no better way to celebrate the firm’s anniversary than to give something back to the community where we work and where we live.” The volunteer day complements Trenam Kemker’s long-standing commitment to community service.

Trenam Kemker was founded in 1970 by 9 attorneys and 12 staff members.  Today the firm is home to 96 attorneys and 120 staff, paralegals and management in offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Trenam Kemker works with clients in the areas of bankruptcy and creditors rights, business transactions, commercial litigation, construction law and government contracting, employment law, health care, employee benefits, real estate transactions and lending, and wealth planning and preservation.  The firm is committed to the service of its clients, the community and the improvement of the legal profession.  For more information, visit Trenam Kemker online at www.trenam.com.

‘The Top 10′ and ‘The Top 100′ lists those attorneys selected as ‘Super Lawyers’ who received the highest points in the 2010 Florida Super Lawyers nomination, research and blue ribbon review process.

Top 10

Joseph Varner, III – Tampa

Top 100

Bradford Kimbro – Tampa

Edward Koren – Tampa

Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The magazine names exceptional attorneys annually in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers uses a rigorous selection process that begins with peer nomination. Once an attorney has been nominated they are then evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement through a third-party researcher.

About Holland & Knight LLP:  Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 17 U.S. offices as well as Abu Dhabi, Beijing and Mexico City. The firm is among the nation’s largest law firms, providing representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location. www.hklaw.com

Mr. Cherry is Board Certified in Intellectual Property Law. Mr. Cherry’s practice focuses on intellectual property (patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and unfair competition) consulting, acquisition, licensing and litigation. He also focuses on computer and technology law, business law and entertainment law, including consulting clients and attorneys in electronic discovery issues, domain name disputes, E-commerce agreements, technology implementation transactions and software performance disputes, E-mail privacy, identity theft, consulting and employment agreements, and technology licensing.

In the last year, Blalock Walters has rapidly grown by adding three new practice areas to support its clients’ growing needs. This is part of the ongoing strategy to grow the Firm’s service capability by adding the finest attorneys in the region to support the expansion in Labor & Employment Law, Immigration Law and Tax Law.

“As the Business Services practice group leader I am thrilled to welcome Jenifer to our Firm.  With her board certification and over twelve years of experience in tax law she will be a tremendous asset to our business and health care clients,” said Jonathan Fleece, principal of the firm.  “Jenifer is the first business services tax attorney in our firm’s history and her contributions to the firm will elevate our range of service to our business and professional clients.”

Anthony Bartirome, leader of the Estate Planning group, added, “Jenifer will also play a major role in our Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation practice group and will broaden our service area with a special focus on high net worth individuals.”

Schembri received her Master of Laws in Taxation with honors from the University of Florida. She attended Stetson University for both her Juris Doctor, graduating magna cum laude, and B.B.A in Accounting.  While in law school, Schembri was selected to intern for The Honorable Alexander L. Paskay, Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida.

She is a member of the Sarasota County Bar Association and the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council. As an active member of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, she serves as a Board member on the Small Business Council, on the Programming Committee and is a graduate of the Leadership Sarasota program.

Her philanthropic interests are vast and include serving on the board of directors for SMART, the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, as well as the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.  She also serves on the Estate Planning Advisory Council for the American Cancer Society for Sarasota, is a member of the Florida State Guardianship Association and volunteers as a member of the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross Hurricane Bash Committee.

According to Schembri, “I am proud to be affiliated with Blalock Walters and look forward to bringing my tax expertise to both the Corporate and Estate Planning practices.  My goal is to build on the success of the firm and the quality legal service that we have provided to our clients for over eighty years.”

About Blalock, Walters, Held & Johnson, P.A.
Blalock Walters is a full-service law firm built on a foundation of integrity and hard work. As the largest firm in Manatee County and the fourth largest firm in the Sarasota/Bradenton market, they serve a wide range of large and small clients in diverse industries. For more than 80 years, the firm has served as a trusted adviser in resolving the legal needs of individuals, leading businesses and other institutions throughout Southwest Florida and beyond. For more information on the firm visit www.blalockwalters.com.

The Put Something Back program is a joint project of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit and the Dade County Bar Association that is dedicated to providing free legal assistance to those individuals in Miami-Dade County who are unable to afford to hire attorneys to represent them in their times of need. The Put Something Back program presented Zenov with the Pro Bono Service Award as a result of his work in the probating of the estate of a client’s relative.

Zenov has also been the recipient of the Champion of Justice Award for overall pro-bono work, the Put Something Back Pro Bono Award of Merit for assisting Not For Profit Entities and once again the Put Something Back Pro Bono Award of Merit for acting as a Guardian Ad Litem in highly contested divorce cases.

In addition to his work with Put Something Back, Zenov serves as chair of Foley’s Miami office pro bono committee and on the firm’s national pro bono committee.

This prestigious recognition highlights both Zenov and Foley’s ongoing commitment to bettering the communities we serve through pro bono service.

The Florida Municipal Attorneys Association (FMAA) has a membership that consists of over 600 attorneys who specialize in the legal representation of municipalities.  Members of the organization include full-time and part-time city attorneys and their assistant city attorneys as well as attorneys who engage in private practice and who render specialized legal representation to municipalities (e.g. labor lawyers, bond attorneys, civil rights attorneys, and environmental and land-use attorneys).

McCausland has been a member of the FMAA since 1988 and he has served on the executive committee for the past five years.  He said, “It’s an honor to be selected to lead our state-wide organization for the coming year.  I particularly find it rewarding to assist my peers from smaller cities with limited resources and to promote the consistent treatment of certain commonly recurring issues in Florida.”  He added, “Those of us who represent cities encounter diverse and unusual legal issues and it always helps to be able to get input from others who have been faced with the same.”

McCausland began his career with the City in 1978 as a Building Inspector until he resigned in 1982 to attend law school.  He returned in 1987 as the Assistant City Attorney and remained in that position until his appointment to City Attorney in 2001.  He has an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of South Florida and a Juris doctorate degree from Florida State University College of Law.  He is active in Florida Municipal Attorneys’ Association, and the Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar, and is admitted to practice in all state courts of Florida, U.S. District Court of the Middle Court of Florida, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. He is a past president and active member of the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors and a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class XVI.

TAMPA (August 2010) – Fisher & Phillips LLP announced today that Theresa Gallion, partner in the firm’s Tampa office, was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2011 in the field of labor and employment (Copyright 2010 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.). Gallion has been selected for inclusion in the publication every year since 2006.

With 29 years of practice as a labor and employment attorney, Gallion represents clients in a wide variety of industries, with particular emphasis on hospitality, health care, retail and telecommunications. A substantial portion of her practice is devoted to management training on such topics as equal employment opportunity, diversity, and management skills. As one of the firm’s most experienced trial lawyers, she has successfully tried more than 40 jury trials in employment cases.

Gallion has been recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer since 2007 and listed in Chambers USA, America’s Leading Business Lawyers since 2004.

About Best Lawyers
Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Because Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 39,000 leading attorneys cast almost 3.1 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.” Attorneys are voted into practice areas entirely as a result of the votes they receive from their peers. The subspecialties listed after their names are based on information from a variety of sources.

About Fisher & Phillips LLP (www.laborlawyers.com)
Fisher & Phillips LLP represents employers nationally in labor, employment, civil rights, employee benefits and immigration matters. The firm has more than 225 attorneys in 23 offices. Founded in 1943, it is one of the largest U.S. law firms to concentrate its practice exclusively upon representation of employers in labor and employment matters. In addition to the Tampa office, the firm has offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbia, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Louisville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland ME, Portland OR, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.

Mr. Lazo is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator and an American Arbitration Association Arbitrator.  He was previously approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to serve as a speaker for continuing education programs required for all licensed contractors in the State of Florida. Mr. Lazo has recently been named as one of “Tampa’s Best Lawyers” in 2010 by The Tampa Bay Business Journal and has been selected for Florida Super Lawyers in Construction Law on two separate occasions.

“Conrad is respected as a preeminent practitioner in the field of construction and surety law,” said Tirso M. Carreja, Jr., head of the Firm’s Commercial, Property and Probate Litigation Practice.  “He is a valued addition to our Firm as we continued to bring on high-caliber attorneys to meet our clients’ needs.”

“Fowler White Boggs provides an outstanding platform from which to continue to grow my practice,” said Mr. Lazo. “I know that I will enjoy practicing law with such a respected group of attorneys.”

Prior to joining Fowler White Boggs, Mr. Lazo was a partner with the law firm of Gurley Dramis Lazo.  He earned his Bachelor of Design in Architecture, and his second Bachelor in Building Construction, from the University of Florida and his J.D., from Nova Southeastern University Law Center.  He also participated in Post-Baccalaureate studies in business while working on a construction project at the University of Virginia.  Mr. Lazo is admitted to practice before the United States Middle District of Florida and the District of Puerto Rico.

Fowler White Boggs is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful firms. The National Law Journal lists our Firm as one of the nation’s leading law firms and Martindale-Hubbell has given our Firm its highest rating (AV). Today our Firm has offices in Tampa,  Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale.

Ms. Lister concentrates her practice in the areas of complex state and federal litigation at both the trial and appellate court levels, and has an AV Peer Review Rating from Lexis Nexis Martindale Hubbell.  In addition to being a member of the Florida Bar, Lister is a member of the Federal Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and the Cheatwood Inn of Court.  She is admitted to practice in the Middle and Northern Districts of Florida, as well as the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal.

Founded in 2004, Bavol Judge, P.A. concentrates in the areas of civil litigation in all state and federal courts, class actions, defense of product liability claims, medical malpractice claims, intellectual property, construction and general commercial litigation.

The Firm is located at 400 North Ashley Drive, Suite 2500, Tampa, Florida, 33602.  For additional information on Bavol Judge, P.A., visit www.bavoljudge.com or call 813.221.7111.

SAINT PETERSBURG, Florida – The University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg will host their next free entrepreneurial networking breakfast on August 18.  Speaker, and noted local attorney, John Schnackel will discuss why entrepreneurs should consider calling a lawyer – before they need to call a lawyer.

For three years running, USF St. Petersburg has hosted a monthly networking and educational breakfast for entrepreneurs on their campus.  USF St. Petersburg provides free breakfast, expert speaker, networking and parking.  The event is open to the public, starts at 8am, and ends promptly at 9:15am.

John Schnackel is an experienced former in-house General Counsel to some of Tampa Bay’s “Fast-50” high-tech growth companies.  By choice and good fortune, he now provides legal advice and counsel to the owners and executives of small and emerging businesses – primarily in the areas of commercial transactions, intellectual property protection, and corporate law.  With a relatively unique practice as an “outsourced” General Counsel, John serves many business clients as an extension of their management team – helping them to avoid legal problems before it can impact their bottom line.  “As everyone knows,” explains John Schnackel, “it’s much easier and less expensive to avoid problems earlier, than to fix them later!”

“We couldn’t be happier having John speaking to our community’s entrepreneurs this month,” notes Wayne Brass, Pinellas County Manager for the Florida Small Business Development Center at USF St. Petersburg, and breakfast coordinator.  “John is a valuable community asset, and knowledgeable legal expert.”

Associate Dean of USF St. Petersburg’s College of Business, and Director of the Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation Alliance at USF St. Petersburg, Bill Jackson adds, “the continuation of our breakfast series demonstrates USF St. Petersburg’s commitment to the local economic development, and allows us to reach out to our non-academic community to provide real value.”

Anyone interested in attending this free event can register at http://sbnb.eventbrite.com/.

“I am honored to be recognized by this distinguished group that has been such an integral part of my life for the past 50 years,” said Ginsburg. “The Florida Bar is dedicated to promoting professionalism in the law and supporting justice, two goals that have been an important part of my career. Membership in the Bar has been both a privilege and an honor.”

Ginsburg is among 166 attorneys that were honored for 50 years of membership during a recent luncheon at The Florida Bar’s Annual Convention in Boca Raton. The Florida Bar has more than 87,000 members and is the statewide professional and regulatory organization for lawyers.

Ginsburg is a senior counselor at the Sarasota-based law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, PA. A member of the firm since 1988, he specializes in family and domestic law and has represented numerous high profile custody and matrimonial cases. Ginsburg is a past president of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, past Chairman of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, and was appointed by the Supreme Court to the Commission on Family Law. He has earned the highest “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” every year since the inception of the publication. A past president of the Sarasota County Bar Association, a previous officer of  Sarasota County Ringling Redskins Youth Football and a 15- year coaching veteran of youth football.   Ginsburg is an active community supporter, devoted to helping through his many hours at Legal Aid of Manasota, Inc., and has served as an officer for many local charitable organizations, including United Way and the Family Counseling Center.

For more information, call (941) 366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com.

Mr. De Leo’s practice involves commercial disputes, with an emphasis on contract disputes and business torts. Mr. De Leo has extensive experience in the areas of Business Litigation, products liability, and class actions. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. De Leo litigated a wide variety of commercial cases in Chicago, representing both individuals and corporations, as well as, handling medical, insurance broker and legal malpractice cases. He also served as an arbitrator for the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program.

Mr. De Leo received his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law School and his B.A., with honors, from Albertson College of Idaho.

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Founded in 1925, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is a full service law firm with 215 attorneys practicing in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota, Florida; and Charlotte, North Carolina.

“During the past year, Joe has worked extensively in growing GrayRobinson’s real estate practice,” said President Byrd F. “Biff” Marshall, Jr. “We are proud that he has become a shareholder and look forward to his continuing success.”

Covelli has a vast background in orchestrating complex business transactions and concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, banking, finance and corporate law, having led the negotiation, due diligence, entitlement, and acquisition of master-planned communities and high-rise residential projects with contract values in excess of $300 million.  Additionally, he is a certified public accountant (CPA) in the state of Arizona and has significant experience in the establishment, management, and funding of Community Development Districts throughout the State of Florida. Covelli holds professional memberships to The Florida Bar and the Arizona State Board of Accountancy.

Covelli received his juris doctorate from Stetson College of Law and his undergraduate from Arizona State University.
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Mr. Hildreth works with his clients on matters including complex bankruptcy and workout situations as well as litigation involving foreclosure, stay relief, Chapter 11 reorganization issues, fraud, objections to discharge and claims of exemption. Mr. Hildreth also represents Bankruptcy Trustees, and receivers, and handles cases involving assignments for the benefit of creditors.

In 1992, Mr. Hildreth was one of the first attorneys in the nation to receive Board Certification in Business Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification. The American Board of Certification’s programs are designed to identify and recognize those attorneys in consumer or business bankruptcy who have met or exceeded rigorous certification standards relating to experience, continuing legal education, integrity, and peer review; in addition to demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the law in their specialty area. Mr. Hildreth is certified as a Business Bankruptcy Law Specialist through December, 2011.   Mr. Hildreth is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Hildreth received his J.D. and B.A. from Florida State University.

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Founded in 1925, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is a full service law firm with 215 attorneys practicing in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota, Florida; and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Ms. Compton primarily represents employers and provides assistance in preventative counseling and the defense of litigation brought by current and former employees.  Ms. Compton regularly practices in Federal and State courts as well as in arbitration.  Areas of defense recently handled by Ms. Compton include claims under the ADA, FMLA, FSLA, ADEA, Florida Whistleblower Act, and Florida Trade Secret Act. Ms. Compton is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law.

Ms. Compton received her B.A. from the University of Florida and her J.D., with honors, from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University.

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Founded in 1925, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is a full service law firm with 215 attorneys practicing in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota, Florida; and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Kenneth Mather joins the firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. He has represented clients in various bankruptcy litigation matters, including preference and fraudulent conveyance actions, lien property disputes and Chapter 11 reorganization issues. Much of his litigation experience has been in specifically handling bankruptcy litigation matters, but he has also successfully litigated for businesses across the state, including commercial landlord-tenant disputes and breach of contract matters as well as the establishment of corporations, subchapter-S corporations and limited liability companies.

Mather received a Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma Law School in 1986 after receiving a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North Dakota. He is an AV-rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, and is a member of the Florida Bar Association and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Mercedes Gonzalez Hale joins the firm’s statewide Commercial Litigation Practice Group. She has represented clients in various complex litigation matters, including franchising disputes, unfair competition disputes, trademark infringement claims, disputes involving covenants not to compete, shareholder disputes, securities and antitrust disputes and other business torts. A licensed realtor, Hale has also represented clients in cases involving real estate disputes.

She received a bachelor’s degree, with honors, from the University of Florida, and a Juris Doctor from UF’s Levin College of Law in 1991 with honors, where she was also the recipient of the UF Presidential Recognition Award and served as Editor-in-Chief of the Florida International Law Journal. In 2001, Hale was named one of the “Hotshots Under 40” by Franchise Times Magazine. Active in numerous community and civic organizations, she is also admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Florida.  Hale is fluent in Spanish, and she regularly represents Spanish speaking clients assisting them with various business endeavors throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Of Counsel Samuel J. Heller joins the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group. He brings experience in a broad range of complex commercial litigation matters, from partnership disputes and real estate litigation to complex foreclosure work and landlord/tenant disputes. An entrepreneur who has owned and operated small businesses in Pinellas County, Heller continues to maintain active involvement in many of those businesses, providing him with unique insight and perspective to approaching commercial and business matters. A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, he is an active community volunteer, most recently serving as Past President of the Deaf and Hearing Connection for Tampa Bay.

Associate Kareem J. Spratling joins the firm’s Public Finance and Capital Projects Practice Group, where he brings a wealth of experience including nationwide bond, disclosure, bank and underwriter’s counsel representation with transactions in excess of $2 billion. He has served as counsel on public finance matters to various governmental agencies, banks, underwriters, corporations and LLCs, and has validated in excess of $400 million in bonds for various public entities, including the two largest counties in Tampa Bay. Recently named a “2010 Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine, Spratling is a graduate of The Florida State University College of Law.  Mr. Spratling is active in various community activities and is currently serving as the Regional Chair for the Sun Coast Region of Connect Florida, a subsidiary of Leadership Florida, designed to assist young professionals, age 21-35 in making a positive impact in the State of Florida.

Of Counsel Nancy J. Stewig also joins the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group. She has extensive experience in defending and managing national and multi-district mass tort litigation while representing corporate entities. Stewig has handled complex and products liability litigations on behalf of product manufacturers, and cases involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tobacco, asbestos, and toxic tort. A graduate of Hamline University’s School of Law, she is admitted to practice in Florida, Missouri and Minnesota.

Broad and Cassel established its Tampa office in 1994. The firm’s Tampa attorneys focus their practices primarily in the following areas of law: Auto Dealership/Repair Shop Defense and Regulatory Compliance, Commercial Litigation, Corporate and Securities, Labor and Employment Law, Intellectual Property Litigation, and Computer and Technology Law. The office was recently acknowledged in “Corporate Counsel” magazine by Sonic Automotive as its best corporate counsel nationwide. Broad and Cassel, founded on January 1, 1946, has more than 155 lawyers and 200 support personnel located in eight offices throughout the state of Florida. The firm has extensive experience in a wide variety of corporate practice areas and industries. For more information, please visit us online at www.broadandcassel.com.

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“I am honored to be recognized by this distinguished group that has been such an integral part of my life for the past 50 years,” said Ginsburg. “The Florida Bar is dedicated to promoting professionalism in the law and supporting justice, two goals that have been an important part of my career. Membership in the Bar has been both a privilege and an honor.”

Ginsburg is among 166 attorneys that were honored for 50 years of membership during a recent luncheon at The Florida Bar’s Annual Convention in Boca Raton. The Florida Bar has more than 87,000 members and is the statewide professional and regulatory organization for lawyers.

Ginsburg is a senior counselor at the Sarasota-based law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, PA. A member of the firm since 1988, he specializes in family and domestic law and has represented numerous high profile custody and matrimonial cases. Ginsburg is a past president of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, past Chairman of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, and was appointed by the Supreme Court to the Commission on Family Law. He has earned the highest “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” every year since the inception of the publication. A past president of the Sarasota County Bar Association, a previous officer of  Sarasota County Ringling Redskins Youth Football and a 15- year coaching veteran of youth football.   Ginsburg is an active community supporter, devoted to helping through his many hours at Legal Aid of Manasota, Inc., and has served as an officer for many local charitable organizations, including United Way and the Family Counseling Center.

For more information, call (941) 366-8100 or visit www.icardmerrill.com

TAMPA, Fla. (July 2010) — Tampa-based and nationally recognized personal injury law firm Clark & Martino is proud to announce that Anthony T. Martino has been elected Vice Chairman for the 2^nd District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission, for the year that started July 1, 2010, to 2011.  Thereafter, Martino is in line to serve as Chairman starting July 1, 2011, to 2012. (Celene Humphries is the newly elected chairman for this year).

After an appointment by Governor Crist in 2008 to serve on this Commission for a four-year term (through 2012), the Commission voted this year, during their annual meeting, to make Martino Vice Chairman. In addition to serving in the Chair’s absence, the Vice Chairman takes over as Chair the following term.

The Judicial Nominating Commission is responsible for advertising judicial office vacancies to the public, distributing information and qualifications required for appointment, reviewing applications received, investigating the applicants, and then voting and nominating potential appointees to the governor for the Judicial vacancies occurring on the  2^nd District Court of Appeals. This District covers appellate issues for southwest and west central Florida.

About Clark & Martino:

Clark & Martino, P.A., is a nationally recognized trial law firm specializing in personal injury. For more than 30 years, Clark & Martino has practiced in all areas of personal injury law and civil litigation. Information is available at www.clarkmartino.com .

Founded in 1964, the AAA-CPA is the only association in the nation whose members are comprised of professionals dually qualified as both attorneys and certified public accountants.

At the annual meeting held during the conference, Koontz also was elected to the AAA-CPA board of directors.

With three offices in the Tampa Bay area, Yesner & Boss, PL, focuses on residential and commercial real estate closings, real estate litigation, foreclosure defense and short sales. The firm also offers a full range of legal practice, including civil litigation, bankruptcies, business law, family law, personal injury, and wills, trusts and probate.

Yesner & Boss, PL, is located at 1819 Main Street, Suite 215, Sarasota, FL 34236. Koontz can be reached at (941) 362-0050 or joann@yesnerboss.com.

The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is recognized as one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements. The organization was founded in 1993 and there are approximately 3000 members located throughout the country. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members. Forum membership acknowledges excellence in advocacy, and provides members with a national network of experienced colleagues for professional referral and information exchange in major cases. Members of the Million Dollar Advocates forum must have acted as principal counsel in at least once case in which their client has received a verdict, award or settlement in the amount of one million dollars or more.

Members in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum must be Life Members of the Million Dollar Advocates forum and must have acted as principal counsel in at least one case which has resulted in a multi-million dollar verdict, award or settlement. Mr. Buckley has been approved for membership in both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates forum.

Michael B. Buckley is a graduate of New York Law School and specializes in aviation, products liability, insurance coverage and bad faith, commercial litigation and commercial torts

The selection for Super Lawyers are made by Law & Politics, a division of Key Professional Media, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Each year, Law & Politics undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by Law & Politics’ attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check.

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Chicago – IDG’s CIO magazine has announced that Foley & Lardner LLP is a recipient of the 2010 CIO 100. The 23rd annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).

“This year’s CIO 100 awards draws well-deserved attention to companies that are not only innovating with IT but creating genuine business value as well,” said Maryfran Johnson, editor in chief of CIO Magazine & Events. “These winning companies and their IT organizations are an inspiration to businesses everywhere.”

The firm received this honor in large part for its budget management tool – a technology developed by Foley that provides its attorneys and clients with real-time data regarding actual fees incurred against budget, enabling its attorneys to manage work for clients efficiently and provide predictable pricing. This Web-based tool provides the data and reports necessary for the effective management of matters and fees, and greatly enhances communication and collaboration with firm clients.

“In collaboration with clients, our attorneys use the budget management tool to proactively manage legal projects and budgets to ensure client business objectives and fee expectations are aligned, provide predictable pricing and avoid budget surprises, which are all capabilities highly valued by our clients,” said James R. Kalyvas, chair of the firm’s Information Technology & Outsourcing Practice and one of the lead business representatives in the development of this tool.

The Foley budget management tool is just one of the technology-based solutions Foley offers that promotes collaboration between the firm’s attorneys and its clients while integrating seamlessly into day-to-day firm activities. Another such tool is FOLEY ClientSuite, a dedicated Web site that allows clients to track and manage matters and acts as a repository for case files and other information.

“We pride ourselves on the use of innovative technology to address client concerns and improve our ability to deliver high-quality services with distinctive value,” said Douglas D. Caddell, chief information officer at Foley. “Through Foley’s client service interview program, we listen to what our clients have to say and heavily invest in technology that allows us to better address client service requirements and thus exceed their expectations.”
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About the CIO 100

The recipients of this year’s CIO 100 award were selected through a three-step process. First, companies filled out an online application form detailing their innovative IT and business initiatives. Next, a team of judges reviewed the applications in depth, looking for unique practices and substantial results. Finally, CIO editors reviewed the judges’ recommendations and voted on the final 100. Once the top 100 honorees were selected, several honorees were chosen to receive an additional special award. The recipients of this special award will be revealed at the CIO 100 awards ceremony in August. Complete coverage of the 2010 CIO 100 awards are online at www.cio.com and will be featured in the August 1st issue of CIO magazine.

About Foley & Lardner LLP

Foley & Lardner LLP continually evolves to meet the changing legal needs of our clients. In a recent survey of Fortune 1000 corporate counsel*, Foley ranked first for superior client service and value. We also were named to the InformationWeek 500 list for four consecutive years for our client-focused technology. With nearly 1,000 attorneys in 21 offices and more than 60 practices, Foley strives to provide high-caliber business and legal insight. Our team-based approach, proprietary client service technology, and practice depth enhance client relationships while seeing clients through their most complex legal challenges. Learn more at Foley.com.

About CIO Magazine

CIO produces award-winning content and community resources for information technology executives thriving and prospering in this fast-paced era of business, as well as creates opportunities for information technology and consumer marketers to reach them. The CIO portfolio includes CIO.com, CIO magazine (launched in 1987), CIO Executive Programs and the CIO Executive Council. CIO properties provide business technology leaders with analysis and insight on information technology trends and a keen understanding of IT’s role in achieving business goals. The U.S. edition of the magazine and website are recipients of more than 200 awards to date, including three Grand Neals from the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards and two Magazine of the Year awards from the National Society of Business Publication Editors. CIO websites and magazines appear in more than 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France and Germany. CIO are produced by CXO Media a subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world’s leading technology media, research and event company.

Denise Wheeler, managing shareholder of the Fort Myers’ office, said, “The addition of Marilyn Miller is another significant step in our Firm’s strategic approach to growing our statewide land development and real estate practices. Marilyn brings exceptional experience to broaden our ability to meet the expanding needs of our clients locally and throughout the state of Florida.”

“Fowler White Boggs provides an outstanding platform from which to continue to grow my practice,” said Ms. Miller. “I know that I will enjoy practicing law with such a respected group of attorneys.”

Ms. Miller has represented the Lee County School Board in personal injury defense and contract litigation, collective bargaining, condemnation and employment matters. She has participated in the complete rewrite of the Lee County Land Development Code; provided legal representation in zoning litigation and administrative hearings; drafted ordinances and resolutions; provided advice concerning Municipal Service Taxing Units.

Ms. Miller received her B.A., from St. Lawrence University and her J.D., from the University of Miami School of Law. She is admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida and the United States Courts of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.

Fowler White Boggs is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful firms. The National Law Journal lists our Firm as one of the nation’s leading law firms and Martindale-Hubbell has given our Firm its highest rating (AV). Today our Firm has offices in Tampa, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale.

The firm concentrates its practice in the areas of Construction Law and Litigation, Community Association Turnover Issues, Real Estate and Business Transactions, Commercial Litigation, Representation of European Investors, Health Care Business Law, Corporate Law, Personal Injury and Marital and Family Law.

The firm’s phone number is 727-287-1018.  The firm’s website can be accessed at www.tannenbaumscro.com.  The firm’s community association blog can be accessed at www.flcommunityassociationlaw.com.

Mr. Mentzer provides general legal counsel and transactional representation services for entrepreneurs, businesses and business owners, as well as estate planning services for individuals.

Mr. Mentzer has nearly 20 years of professional experience and has practiced law in a large law firm and as an in-house counsel and solo practitioner.  Prior to opening his law office, Mr. Mentzer served as the Vice President and General Counsel of Correctional Services Corporation, a publicly-traded corporation headquartered in Sarasota, Florida.

Mr. Mentzer received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business, with a major in Finance, from Virginia Tech in 1987 and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1991.  Mr. Mentzer is admitted to practice law in the States of Florida and Maryland.

This prestigious list of nationwide firms, “recognizes law firms with between 50 and 150 attorneys that have demonstrated what it takes to get ahead as a midsize law firm in a legal services market increasingly dominated by large-firm competition.”

Specifically, Arnstein & Lehr was singled out by the National Law Journal for its ability to provide “specialty services to big clients and broad-based services to midsize companies” with an emphasis on litigation, commercial real estate and a variety of transactional matters. The firm’s recent expansion of its presence in Florida was also noted as another area of strength as the firm grew its attorney ranks to 146 by merging with Coral Gables-based Fieldstone Shear & Denberg LLP last year.

“We are honored that the National Law Journal has recognized the firm for its long-term, value-based strategy, which continues to pay dividends as we explore strategic growth moves that truly fit our clients’ needs,” said Ray Werner, managing partner of Arnstein & Lehr. “More importantly, this honor reflects the outstanding talent at the firm and our continued dedication to – and collaboration with – our clients.”

About Arnstein & Lehr

Arnstein & Lehr LLP with offices in Illinois, Florida and Wisconsin, is one of the country’s oldest and most respected law firms. Since its founding in 1893, the firm has served clients of all sizes throughout the United States and abroad. It is a full-service firm with attorneys practicing in five main practice areas – Business, Litigation, Local Government, Tax and Estate Planning Services, and Real Estate. Arnstein & Lehr has a diverse client base including large corporations listed on the public stock exchanges, middle market companies, nonprofit organizations and emerging businesses. Clients include governmental bodies, health care entities, financial institutions, trade associations, and a broad range of businesses in the retail, industrial, manufacturing, distribution, technology, and services sectors. The firm also counsels individuals as to their personal needs, including estate planning, probate matters and the transfer of wealth and business interests from one generation to another. For additional information visit www.arnstein.com

The firm has represented clients in over 42 countries filing applications for visas, citizenship, permanent residence, and political and religious asylum. They have appeared in immigration court in a number of cities throughout the United States. Firm employees speak English, Spanish, Polish and Portuguese, and over 150 languages are available on demand.

Goldman and Loughlin sponsor the popular immigration blog at www.immigrationnewsradio.com. They can also be followed on Twitter at The Immigration Guys.

Maggie Mooney-Portale, Lori Dorman and R. David Jackson will present “Green Initiatives in Theory and Practice” and Erin L. Deady will present “Energy Improvement Districts and Other Grant Leveraging Techniques.”

For more information, please visit www.FLERA.org or visit our website at www.llw-law.com.

Three Tampa Attorneys Named in ‘Top 10′ and ‘Top 100′ Super Lawyers in Florida

TAMPA – July 2010 – Holland & Knight is pleased to announce that more than 25 attorneys in the firm’s Tampa and Lakeland offices have been named ‘Super Lawyers’ for 2010 by Super Lawyers magazine. Three attorneys were named ‘Rising Stars’ for 2010 by Super Lawyers magazine, and three Tampa attorneys were ranked in Super Lawyers’ ‘Top 10′ and ‘Top 100.’

Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The magazine names exceptional attorneys annually in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers uses a rigorous selection process that begins with peer nomination. Once an attorney has been nominated they are then evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement through a third party researcher.

‘The Top 10′ and ‘The Top 100′ lists those attorneys selected as ‘Super Lawyers’ who received the highest points in the 2010 Florida Super Lawyers nomination, research and blue ribbon review process.

Top 10

Joseph Varner, III – Tampa

Top 100

Bradford Kimbro – Tampa

Edward Koren – Tampa

Joseph Varner, III – Tampa

Tampa Super Lawyers

Rodney Anderson – Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights

Chester Bacheller – Securities & Corporate Finance

Bernard Barton, Jr. – Tax

Stacy Blank – Appellate

Michael Chapman – Business Litigation

William deMeza, Jr. – Employment & Labor

William Dufoe – Business Litigation

Richard Eckhard – Real Estate

W. Keith Fendrick – Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights

Leonard Gilbert – Banking

Robert Grammig – Securities & Corporate Finance

Richard Hadlow – Business/Corporate

John Arthur Jones – Estate Planning & Probate

Bradford Kimbro – Business Litigation

Robert Kline – Estate Planning & Probate

Edward Koren – Estate Planning & Probate

William Lane, Jr. – Estate Planning & Probate

Jack Levine – Tax

James Shimberg, Jr. – Land Use/Zoning

Joseph Varner, III – Business Litigation

Charles Wachter – Class Action/Mass Torts

Robert Warram – Real Estate

Douglas Wright – Business/Corporate

Tampa Rising Stars

Paul McDermott – Business Litigation

Michael Mills, Jr. – Securities & Corporate Finance

Lakeland Super Lawyers

Edward Vogel, III – Bonds/Government Finance

Lakeland Rising Stars

Michael Wiener – Bonds/Government Finance

About Holland & Knight LLP:  Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 17 U.S. offices as well as Abu Dhabi, Beijing and Mexico City. The firm is among the nation’s largest law firms, providing representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location. www.hklaw.com

Carol Myers is recognized as one of the leading employee benefits attorneys in the country, has more than 30 years of experience in the employee benefits area, and is one of a handful of ERISA practitioners in the state of Florida. Ms. Myers received her Bachelor of Science, Juris Doctor, and LL.M. degree in taxation, all with high honors, from the University of Florida where she also served as an editor on the Law Review.

Melanie Shaw practices in the area of employee benefits law. She advises clients on a wide range of issues relating to health and welfare plans including rules for Section 125 cafeteria plans, health reimbursement arrangements, health savings accounts, self-funded health plans, and other employee benefit arrangements. Ms. Shaw graduated from the Florida State University College of Law with high honors and served as an associate editor for the Law Review.

Williams Parker, which has been providing high-end legal advice for 85 years, is one of Florida’s leading law firms with over 45 practitioners including board certified specialists in the areas of taxation, health law, trusts and estates, real estate and litigation. For more information, visit www.williamsparker.com.

The product of years of collaboration and research by the Florida Chamber Foundation, the Six Pillars identify critical factors determining Florida’s future: Talent Supply & Education; Innovation & Economic Development; Infrastructure & Growth Leadership; Business Climate & Competitiveness; Civic & Governance Systems, and Quality of Life & Quality Places.

Corbett will serve on the Infrastructure & Growth Leadership Caucus, which will deliberate on topics such as energy, transportation, water, conservation, emergency preparedness and smarter growth. Her experience representing national and regional clients in matters relating to land use and environmental permitting in multiple jurisdictions throughout Florida makes her uniquely qualified to provide insight into the best practices taking place around the state relating to infrastructure and growth

Caucus members are charged with the task of providing strategic recommendations, corresponding policy options and white papers, which will be shared with the Florida Chamber of Commerce and other partners and could lead to policies that could become priorities for Florida’s economic agenda.

Bret M. Feldman is recognized in the area of Construction Litigation. He is a partner in the firm’s regional commercial litigation practice group. His practice area includes construction, contracts, product defect litigation, evictions, mortgage foreclosures, title insurance defense, intellectual property, non-competes, insurance, ad valoren taxation, eminent domain and bankruptcy.

Harvey S. Kauget is recognized in the area of Intellectual Property Rights. He is a partner in the firm’s regional business practice group in the Tampa office. He practices in all areas of intellectual property law, including patent and trade secret litigation, patent prosecution, IP risk management, portfolio licensing and client counseling, and he has extensive litigation and patent prosecution experience. In addition to his intellectual property litigation experience, Mr. Kauget is a registered patent attorney admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

John D. Mullen is recognized in the area of Labor & Employment. He is a partner in the firm’s regional employment law practice group. His practice includes a joint emphasis in labor and employment law and in securities litigation and arbitration.

John E. Phillips is recognized in the area of Labor & Employment. He is a partner and the practice coordinator of the labor and employment group in the Tampa office and a member of the firm’s regional labor and employment practice group. He represents employer clients in labor and employment matters throughout the state of Florida, and regularly appears in Florida’s state and federal courts.

“Florida’s Legal Elite” selection process began with notifying and inviting members of The Florida Bar to participate in a balloting process. Nominators were asked to provide the names of Florida lawyers they hold in the highest regard, through working with them personally or recommending them to others. These nominations were then counted by an independent research firm, and a panel of previous Legal Elite winners, representing different practice areas in cities across the state, reviewed the selection process and the list of finalists. The resulting list of 1,160 attorneys represents approximately 1.8% of the over 64,000 active Florida Bar members who practice in the state.

Phelps Dunbar is a regional law firm of more than 280 attorneys, with offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Tupelo, and Gulfport, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Mobile, Alabama; and London, England.

Fred R. Dudley JD ’68 received the Ben C. Willard Award for humanitarian achievements of distinction. A member of the College of Law Board of Overseers, Dudley is senior counsel with Holland & Knight and is a board certified construction lawyer. He served 16 years in the Florida Legislature, retiring from the Florida Senate in 1998, where he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Judge Simone Marstiller BBA ’88, JD ’96 received the Distinguished Alumna Award for extraordinary service to Stetson Law and to the legal profession. Judge Marstiller of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee has served the state of Florida in a variety of ways. Before becoming a judge, she was the state’s chief information officer and deputy attorney general as well as executive director for the Florida Elections Commission.

Scott J. Sternberg JD ’98 received the Paul M. May Meritorious Service Award for his generous contribution of time and gifts to the College of Law and alumni association. Sternberg owns a firm in Boca Raton that concentrates on workers’ compensation. He supports various projects at the College of Law and is an active member of the College of Law Board of Overseers.

Judge Gail A. Adams JD ’80 and Donald A. Pumphrey, Jr. JD ’96 both received Outstanding Alumni Representative Awards for dedication and service to the Stetson Lawyers Association. Judge Adams, a circuit court judge in Orange County, annually hosts the annual alumni gathering in her home. Pumphrey, a criminal defender and member of the Stetson Lawyers Association, also regularly hosts alumni events in his home and reaches out to alumni.

Thomas W. Carey, Connie Pruitt, and Arturo M. Rios and Myrna Rios each received Distinguished Service Awards for significant, meritorious and continuing contributions benefiting the College of Law. Carey, a partner in the Carey & Leisure law firm, represents plaintiffs in personal injury and complex tort cases. His law firm established an award for the top student in each first-year Torts class at Stetson. Pruitt, executive director of the Hillsborough Bar Association, supports Stetson Law student scholarships and many collaborations between the bar and Stetson. Arturo Rios, an immigration attorney in St. Petersburg, and his wife Myrna, manager of the Rios Law Firm, regularly host several Stetson events, including the annual moot court party, as well as alumni receptions in Puerto Rico.

Lori Y. Baggett JD ’02 received the Stetson Lawyers Association President’s Award for service and dedication as immediate past-president of the SLA. Baggett, who dedicated substantial time to helping to advance the SLA as president, received the presidential gavel from incoming SLA president Barbara Cowherd JD ’00. The dedication and stewardship of the Stetson Lawyers Association, with more than 8,000 members, helps make Stetson Law a national leader in academic excellence.

During his tenure at Toyota his responsibilities included oversight of legal, government affairs, public affairs, industry relations, administration, human resources and strategic planning & research. Cuneo was a member of the management team that started New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) – Toyota’s first assembly plant in North America. He also helped establish Toyota’s North American manufacturing headquarters.

Cuneo has extensive human resources and labor relations experience. For over a decade, he was a member of NUMMI’s bargaining team with the UAW and has spoken widely on labor relations in the auto industry. While at NUMMI, he presented several case studies on cooperative labor relations, including a conference sponsored by the International Labor Organization in Turin, Italy, and conferences sponsored by MIT’s International Motor Vehicle Program in Beijing and Berlin.

Cuneo chaired the California Worksite Research Committee, a joint undertaking of the State of California, UCLA, the California Manufacturers Association and organized labor, which studied high and low performance workplaces and made policy recommendations to the California Legislature.

As a member of the Board of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Cuneo chaired NAM’s Human Resources Policy Group, which shaped NAM’s legislative and regulatory strategies on issues such as labor relations, employment, OSHA, healthcare and employee benefits.

Cuneo’s government relations experience will be important in the new Fisher & Phillips office. The firm plans to establish a government affairs group in Washington, D.C. Initially, in addition to Cuneo, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. will split his time between Washington and Atlanta. Foulke is the former Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA who now co-chairs the firm’s Workplace Safety and Catastrophe Management Practice Group.

Cuneo said: “The experience and knowledge that the attorneys with Fisher & Phillips have in labor and employment law lend themselves to establishing a Washington presence. This is a fantastic opportunity for me to bring my expertise and extensive connections into play with one of the premier law firms in the nation. Our clients will soon have a new voice in Washington.”

Fisher & Phillips Chairman and Managing Partner Roger K. Quillen said: “Our clients are top-of-mind when we make strategic moves such as this. We believe it’s important for us to bring a voice to Washington on behalf of our clients, especially at a time of rapidly changing workplace laws and regulations. Dennis is the right person at the right time to lead this new effort.”

In addition to his corporate, government and labor union relations experience, Cuneo serves on the boards of two publicly traded corporations and three universities, and is a senior advisor to three Silicon Valley venture backed firms. He is also a senior advisor to the U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce and has helped organize three conferences on inbound Chinese investment.

Cuneo, who led site selection for Toyota and other companies, has been instrumental in finding sites for new plants and facilities with a cumulative investment of over $9 billion. In that role, he has worked with governors and state economic development officials across the United States. Site Selection magazine described him as “one of the most sought after site selectors in the world.” The New York Times DealBook commented that “…to officials of state development agencies around the country, he’s the equivalent of Elvis.”

Cuneo held gubernatorial appointments in California, Kentucky and Mississippi, and served as Board Chair of the Cincinnati Branch of the Federal Reserve. In 2008, he was appointed to the 22 member National Advisory Commission on Workplace Flexibility, a bipartisan initiative sponsored by the Sloan Foundation, which developed consensus-based public policy recommendations for workplace flexibility.

Cuneo is a member of the Washington, D.C. Bar and plans to reactivate his Louisiana Bar membership as he will also establish an active presence in the firm’s New Orleans office. He earned his law degree at Loyola University in New Orleans, his MBA at Kent State University and his BS at Gannon College in Erie, PA.

About Fisher & Phillips LLP
Fisher & Phillips LLP (www.laborlawyers.com) represents employers nationally in labor, employment, civil rights, employee benefits and immigration matters. The firm has more than 225 attorneys in 23 offices. Founded in 1943, it is one of the largest U.S. law firms to concentrate its practice exclusively upon representation of employers in labor and employment matters. In addition to the Tampa office, the firm’s headquarters are located in Atlanta and has offices in Charlotte, Chicago, Columbia, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Louisville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland ME, Portland OR, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.

The Tampa office attorneys named 2010 Florida “Super Lawyers” and their primary practices, as classified by Law & Politics, are:

Michael D. Annis, Tax;
Thomas M. Little, Real Estate;
Thomas F. Munro, II, Construction Litigation;
Fred S. Ridley, Real Estate;
Stephen J. Szabo, III, Real Estate;
Martin A. Traber, Business/Corporate; and
Mark J. Wolfson, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor.

To compile its annual list, Law & Politics surveyed more than 800,000 attorneys nationwide, asking them to vote for the best lawyers they have personally observed conducting business. The final list of “Super Lawyers” features the top five percent of Florida attorneys in more than 60 areas of legal practice.

The Law & Politics Media, Inc. Florida Super Lawyers magazine is delivered to more than 62,000 readers including Florida attorneys, the lead corporate counsel of the Russell 3000 companies and the ABA-approved law school libraries.

The Adams and Reese Florida Super Lawyers include St. Petersburg Partner in Charge Jim Dickson (Construction/Surety); Sarasota Partner Bob Gill (Eminent Domain); and Sarasota Special Counsel Barry Spivey (Estate and Trust Litigation). Tampa Partner Eric Partlow (Business Litigation) was listed as a Florida Rising Star, a listing that includes top lawyers who are 40 years old and younger.

Only five percent of attorneys in Florida receive the honor of Super Lawyer. The selection process includes peer nominations, review by a blue-ribbon panel and independent research.

Candidates for selection are evaluated based on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, including verdicts, settlements, transactions, representative clients, experience, honors and awards, special licenses and certifications, position within law firm, bar and/or other professional activity, pro bono and community service, scholarly lectures and writings, education and employment background and other outstanding achievements.

Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with offices strategically located throughout the southern United States and Washington, DC. American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation’s top law firms – “The Am Law 200″. The National Law Journal also includes the firm on the “NLJ 250″ list of the nation’s largest law firms.

Mr. Roach has been practicing as a trial lawyer since 2001, beginning his private practice at the Baker Botts firm in Texas and working most recently with Ruden McClosky in Orlando.

Mr. Roach specializes in civil, commercial, tort, and real property litigation. His practice allows him to represent clients in a wide range of business litigation matters including breach of contract disputes, foreclosures and evictions, antitrust matters, qui tam cases, construction litigation, as well as white collar criminal defense.

He also has experience in products liability matters in state and federal courts. Mr. Roach’s practice often brings him to the front lines of the national housing and credit crisis, representing lenders in commercial and residential foreclosure matters and advising stakeholders in evictions and other post-foreclosure legal matters.

In addition, he has defended national banks from Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), claims arising from residential loans and revolving credit accounts.

Mr. Roach earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 2000, where he received the Karl Llewellyn Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy and also was awarded the Bradley Fellowship in Law and Government. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Chicago in 1996, where he graduated with general and special honors.

He is admitted to The Florida Bar, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the United States District Courts for the Southern, Northern, and Eastern Districts of Texas. He remains a member in good standing of the Texas Bar on inactive status.

In the community, Mr. Roach is a member of the Business Law Committee of the Orange County Bar Association and the Law Student Mentoring Committee of the Orange County Young Lawyers Association.

Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with offices strategically located throughout the southern United States and Washington, DC. American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation’s top law firms – “The Am Law 200″. The National Law Journal also includes the firm on the “NLJ 250″ list of the nation’s largest law firms.

Law has previously served on the Tampa Bay Partnership Board of Directors having held various leadership positions, most recently chair; held administrative positions with the University of South Florida managing all research and development grants and contracts; currently chairs the University of South Florida (USF) Board of Trustees; and is affiliated with various industry associations throughout the Tampa Bay area. Law is a frequent lecturer on Economic Development, Environment and Land Use and Law Firm Management topics.

Law practices in the areas of government, environmental and land use and has more than 30 years of experience. She handles acquisitions, permitting, environmental representation, land use and zoning matters with specific emphasis on commercial, industrial, residential, acquisitions and general counsel for Community Development Districts. She prepares applications for and amendments to Development Orders for Developments of Regional Impact, Florida Quality Developments and establishment and operation of Community Development Districts.

“We are really quite honored to have Rhea join our Board,” said John Hagen, President/CEO. “She is one of the most dynamic leaders in the Tampa Bay Region, and will be invaluable in helping us growing our organization and our community. In speaking with our other directors, I know they are all as excited as I am about working with her.”

PEDC is a non-profit organization that promotes countywide economic development. Created in 1987 by a group of dedicated business and community leaders, it continues to be a strong partnership funded by corporate and public investors and focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County.

According to the publication, the purpose of Super Lawyers is “to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource to assist attorneys and sophisticated consumers in the search for legal counsel.” The selected attorneys are among just 4,000 “Super Lawyers” nationwide.

“We’re particularly proud of the Super Lawyers distinction as it is a recognition among peers,” said William J. Schifino, Jr. “We’re pleased to be recognized for our dedication not only to our clients but to the profession and the judicial process.”

Additionally, attorneys William J. Schifino, Jr., John Russell, and Robert V. Williams were recently named to Florida Trend’s Legal Elite.

About Super Lawyers:
“Super Lawyers” are in the top five percent of their respective industries and go through an extensive selection process that consists of four steps: 1) Creation of the Candidate Pool; 2) Evaluation of Lawyers in the Candidate Pool; 3) Peer Evaluation by Practice Area; and 4) Final Selection. During the process, more than 80,000 attorneys nationwide are chosen for the candidate pool through a balloting process and “Star Search” process. These attorneys are then evaluated on several factors including verdicts and settlements; transactions; representative clients; experience, honors and awards; and special licenses.

After an initial evaluation process, attorneys are grouped according to primary area of practice and judged by their peers. Those with high totals from the balloting and qualitative evaluation steps are asked to be on a blue ribbon panel for their practice area and are then reviewed and scored by panelists in their practice areas. Final candidates are segmented according to firm size, and those with the highest points are elected. Further information is available at www.superlawyers.com.

About Williams Schifino:
Williams Schifino is dedicated to providing expert legal advice in a timely and cost-effective manner. Our goal is to build long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with our clients. We are here to work in their best interests, to advise and represent them, and most importantly, to bring them optimal results. For more information, please visit www.wsmslaw.com.

Mr. Brown, who practices in the areas of real estate law, real estate development, real estate finance and real estate leasing, has been of-counsel with the firm.

While his traditional focus has been acquisition, development, financing, sales and leasing, Mr. Brown is focusing many of his current efforts on structuring loan workout agreements and finding other ways to help lenders, commercial real estate owners and developers succeed in this difficult economic environment.

“Scott’s experience in the development arena is proving to be extremely valuable for those navigating the commercial real estate market,” said William J. Schifino Jr., managing shareholder for Williams Schifino. “We are seeing signs that more lenders are being amenable to loan workouts and other creative ways to solve problems, and Scott has had success with a number of clients in this regard.”

Mr. Brown’s skills in his commercial real estate work is helped by his hands-on experience with a number of retail development projects throughout Florida for national tenants such as The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and The Sherwin Williams Co. He has also completed residential subdivisions and multiple residential rezoning projects.

He graduated valedictorian, magna cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law in 1987. He was a Dana Scholar and received the West Publishing Award in 1986 and 1987. He is a member of The Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbel.

For more information, please contact Kyle Parks at 813.251.2800 x101 or at kyle@bayviewpr.com.

About Williams Schifino: Williams Schifino is dedicated to providing expert legal advice in a timely and cost-effective manner. Our goal is to build long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with our clients. We are here to work in their best interests, to advise and represent them, and, most importantly, to bring them optimal results. For more information, please visit www.wsmslaw.com.

In addition, Hill Ward Henderson had a total of 36 attorneys listed as 2010 Florida Super Lawyers within their specific areas of practice, five of which are included in the “Top 100 Attorneys in Florida.” Among that distinction, Mr. Hill and Mr. Henderson are joined by David T. Knight, Dennis P. Waggoner and Alton C.Ward.

Florida Super Lawyers recognizes excellence in providing professional legal counsel, and is voted on by peer attorneys throughout Florida.

A full-service law firm, Hill Ward Henderson was founded in 1986 and makes its home in downtown Tampa.  The firm is comprised of 90 attorneys, and has a wealth of local, regional and national clients.

Ms. Gordon has represented and advised numerous individuals and companies in the formation, acquisition and/or sale of business ventures, the planning and implementation of qualified plans and all aspects of the day to day operations of their business. Ms. Gordon also works with high net worth individuals and business owners to organize their income tax, business succession and estate planning affairs in order to maximize wealth preservation and minimize tax on transfers to family members, charities and other recipients. This is accomplished through the use of the latest sophisticated estate planning strategies, including sophisticated wills and trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, family limited partnerships, family charitable foundations, and other similar techniques.

Ms. Gordon, who is also a Certified Public Accountant, received her LL.M. Taxation and her J.D., with honors, from the University of Florida College of Law, and her accounting degree, with high honors, from the University of Florida.

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Founded in 1925, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is a full service law firm with 215 attorneys practicing in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota, Florida; and Charlotte, North Carolina.

TAMPA, Fla. (June 2010) — Tampa-based and nationally recognized personal injury law firm Clark & Martino is proud to announce that all three of the firm’s partners – James W. Clark, Anthony T. Martino and J. Daniel Clark – have been named to the 2010 Florida Super Lawyers list. Additionally, associate attorney Anthony D. Martino was chosen as a 2010 Rising Star.

The selections for this esteemed list are compiled through a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Only a small percentage of attorneys in Florida are chosen for inclusion among Super Lawyers’ ranks. This is the fifth year that Clark & Martino attorneys have been selected for the distinction.

Clark & Martino’s expertise has resulted in significant recoveries for its clients in areas as diverse as premises liability, defective products, medical malpractice, brain and spine injury as well as all other areas of personal injury law. All partners of the firm are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which recognizes those lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill, experience, and excellence in advocacy by achieving a trial verdict or settlement of one million dollars or more.

“We’re extremely proud to once again be recognized among our peers,” said Anthony T. Martino. “We see this honor as yet another indicator of our firm’s high achievement and professionalism.”

About Super Lawyers:

Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers is published as a special supplement in leading newspapers and city and regional magazines across the country. Information is available at www.superlawyers.com/florida/.

About Clark & Martino:

Clark & Martino, P.A., is a nationally recognized trial law firm specializing in personal injury. For more than 30 years, Clark & Martino has practiced in all areas of personal injury law and civil litigation. Information is available at www.clarkmartino.com/.

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Chambers USA reflects market opinion through surveys of clients and lawyers across the U.S. It is one of a series of Chambers and Partners independent, objective and research-based guides to the legal profession. The qualities on which rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by legal clients. For more information, please log on to www.chambersandpartners.com.

In addition, 18 Fowler White attorneys have been recognized among the state’s leading practitioners in the 2010 edition Chambers USA – American’s Leading Business Lawyers. “We are proud to know that clients and peers value the experience and service that our lawyers provide and also recognize the depth of our practice areas,” commented Rhea F. Law, Chair of the Board and CEO of Fowler White Boggs.

The following Fowler White Boggs attorneys were recognized this year:

John D. Emmanuel- Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Donald R. Kirk – Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Ron H. Noble – Environment
Edward M. Waller Jr – Healthcare
William J. Flynn III – Immigration
W. Donald Cox – Insurance
Cathy J. Beveridge – Labor & Employment
Eric J. Holshouser – Labor & Employment
Robert G. Riegel Jr – Labor & Employment
John W. Robinson, IV – Labor & Employment
Hala A. Sandridge – Litigation: Appellate
Latour “LT” Lafferty – Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
Rhea F. Law – Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
Linda Loomis Shelley – Real Estate: Zoning/Land
E. Jackson Boggs – Tax
Mitchell I. Horowitz – Tax
William D Townsend – Tax
Rex D. Ware – Tax

Fowler White Boggs is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful firms. The National Law Journal lists our Firm as one of the nation’s leading law firms and Martindale-Hubbell has given our Firm its highest rating (AV). Today our Firm has offices in Tampa, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale.

In addition, Ms. Ludovici was again chosen for inclusion in the Top 50 Women category.  This list of female lawyers is compiled from those who had the highest total points in the 2010 Florida Super Lawyers nomination, research and blue ribbon review process.

Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain is a Tampa based law firm specializing in the field of Eminent Domain, Inverse Condemnation and Property Rights.  With its statewide practice, Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain is one of few firms to exclusively provide this specialized service.  The firm consists of 4 partners and is located at 5001 West Cypress Street.  For further information, please contact Joseph Hughey (813) 221-9000.

Mark Schellhase is the newest member of GrayRobinson’s Tampa office

TAMPA, Fla.—June  2010— Attorney Mark Schellhase has joined GrayRobinson, P.A., in their Tampa office as an associate in the business litigation department. Schellhase brings to GrayRobinson an extensive wealth of training, including experience in Consumer Finance Litigation as well as working as an investment advisor and account manager.

“We are excited to have Mark Schellhase onboard here at GrayRobinson,” said GrayRobinson President Byrd F. “Biff” Marshall, Jr.  “Mark’s diverse background will benefit both our clients and our firm, and I’m sure GrayRobinson will give him the opportunity to expand his knowledge even more.”

Prior to joining GrayRobinson, Schellhase worked in a litigation practice. While there, he participated primarily in banking and finance litigation, including representation of mortgage loan originators, servicers and investors.  Schellhase also worked in appellate litigation in state and federal court. While there, he analyzed appellate procedure issues, drafted briefs and motions, performed substantive research, and prepared filings. Before attending law school, he served as the department chair, teacher and coach at Trinity Prep School in Winter Park, Florida.

Schellhase is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and is a part of the Florida First District Court of Appeal American Inn of Court. He received his juris doctorate from Florida State University and his undergraduate degree from Purdue University.
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About GrayRobinson, P.A.
Founded in 1970, GrayRobinson is a full-service law firm providing legal assistance across the state of Florida. With more than 230 attorneys and 10 offices from Tallahassee to Key West, GrayRobinson proudly provides legal assistance for Fortune 500 companies, emerging businesses, lending institutions, local and state governments, developers, entrepreneurs and individuals. Throughout the years, GrayRobinson has continued to stay ahead of the curve with a firm commitment to creativity and innovation. For more information, visit www.gray-robinson.com.

Cronin is a certified public accountant (CPA), is licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia and a member of the Clearwater Bar Association. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from the University of Georgia.

For more information, please visit www.jpfirm.com/cronin.htm.

Bay Area Legal Services provides free legal assistance to low-income people residing in its service area. There is no charge for legal services. The type of legal assistance Bay Area provides depends on the type of legal problem facing the client. Most clients receive information about what they can do to resolve their legal problem on their own.

Some clients receive written materials which provide more detailed information on common legal problems and solutions. Other clients are referred to an agency or service that specializes in resolving certain legal matters. Some clients receive representation by Bay Area staff attorneys or private attorneys who donate their legal services.

Senior Administrator Goliath J. Davis, III, is a long-time advocate for Bay Area Legal Services and supports the services they provide, stating, “The decision to relocate to the Greater Childs Park area truly demonstrates Bay Area Legal Services’ commitment to serving the public.”

This is another business and event supported by the St. Petersburg’s Business Assistance Center/ Business Corridor Program, and the city’s Marketing and Communications, Development Services, Parks and Recreation, Sanitation and Police Departments. For more information or access to services, call 727-490-4040.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with the ADL, an organization that strives to uphold all people’s rights every day,” Osman said.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading civil rights/human relations organization. Through its research, materials, programs and advocacy, the ADL has been on the front lines of fighting racism, prejudice and bigotry and defending democratic ideals.

Osman is currently President of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society; Past President of The Florida Bar; State-Wide President and the Miami-Dade Chapter President of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers; Past President of the Council of Voluntary Bar Presidents; and past Chair of The Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on the Legal Needs of Children. She is currently a member of the ABA House of Delegates, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Defamation League, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and The Commonwealth Institute. She chairs Carlton Fields’ Family Law Practice Group and is also a Supreme Court Certified Civil and Family Law Mediator. Osman practices in the areas of matrimonial law, commercial litigation, and mediation. Osman received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law.

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Located in major business centers throughout the Southeast, Carlton Fields offers a full range of legal services in more than 30 areas of law. Established in Tampa, Florida in 1901, the firm maintains offices in Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.  Additional information is available on the firm’s web site located at www.carltonfields.com.

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Mark Schellhase is the newest member of GrayRobinson’s Tampa office.

TAMPA, Fla.—June 9, 2010— Attorney Mark Schellhase has joined GrayRobinson, P.A., in their Tampa office as an associate in the business litigation department. Schellhase brings to GrayRobinson an extensive wealth of training, including experience in Consumer Finance Litigation as well as working as an investment advisor and account manager.

“We are excited to have Mark Schellhase onboard here at GrayRobinson,” said GrayRobinson President Byrd F. “Biff” Marshall, Jr.  “Mark’s diverse background will benefit both our clients and our firm, and I’m sure GrayRobinson will give him the opportunity to expand his knowledge even more.”

Prior to joining GrayRobinson, Schellhase worked in a litigation practice. While there, he participated primarily in banking and finance litigation, including representation of mortgage loan originators, servicers and investors.  Schellhase also worked in appellate litigation in state and federal court. While there, he analyzed appellate procedure issues, drafted briefs and motions, performed substantive research, and prepared filings. Before attending law school, he served as the department chair, teacher and coach at Trinity Prep School in Winter Park, Florida.

Schellhase is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and is a part of the Florida First District Court of Appeal American Inn of Court. He received his juris doctorate from Florida State University and his undergraduate degree from Purdue University.
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About GrayRobinson, P.A.
Founded in 1970, GrayRobinson is a full-service law firm providing legal assistance across the state of Florida. With more than 230 attorneys and 10 offices from Tallahassee to Key West, GrayRobinson proudly provides legal assistance for Fortune 500 companies, emerging businesses, lending institutions, local and state governments, developers, entrepreneurs and individuals. Throughout the years, GrayRobinson has continued to stay ahead of the curve with a firm commitment to creativity and innovation. For more information, visit www.gray-robinson.com.

Florida Super Lawyers
Anthony J. Abate
Steven J. Chase
Mark D. Hildreth

Florida Rising Stars
Douglas A. Cherry
Jason A. Collier
Adria Maria Jensen
Hunter G. Norton
Christopher Z. Staine

The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters, Legal division based in Eagan, MN. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check.

Thomson Reuters, Legal publishes Super Lawyers magazines across the country. In addition to the magazines, Thomson Reuters, Legal publishes newspaper inserts and magazine special sections devoted to Super Lawyers. In 2010, Super Lawyers will reach more than 15 million readers.

Super Lawyers was first published in 1991 by Law & Politics and was acquired by Thomson Reuters, Legal in February 2010. Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Super Lawyers can be found online at superlawyers.com where lawyers can be searched by practice area and location.

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Founded in 1925, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is a full service law firm with 215 attorneys practicing in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota, Florida; and Charlotte, North Carolina

Additionally, six Quarles attorneys were named by Florida Super Lawyers & Rising Stars as among the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state for 2010.  Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state receive this honor.

The Quarles & Brady Super Lawyers in Florida:

Timothy G. Hains (Real Estate)
William Hamilton (Business Litigation, Intellectual Property)
Kimberly Leach Johnson (Estate Planning & Probate)
Bradley G. Rigor (Estate Planning & Probate)

The Quarles & Brady Rising Stars in Florida:

Benjamin B. Brown (Business Litigation)
T. Robert Bulloch (Estate Planning & Probate)
Kelly Lyon Davis (Business Litigation)
Kenneth H. Haney (Personal Injury Defense: Products)
S. Douglas Knox  (Business Litigation)
Eric Veenstra (Real Estate)

The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters Legal Division based in Eagan, Minn. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area and a good-standing and disciplinary check.

Quarles & Brady LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 450 attorneys practicing from offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Chicago, Ill.; Naples and Tampa, Fla.; and Milwaukee and Madison, Wis.  The firm offers an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies.  Additional information about the firm may be found at www.quarles.com.

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Florida Super Lawyers are nominated by fellow attorneys who have personally observed them in action, whether as opposing counsel, co-counsel or through other firsthand observations in the courtroom. The background and professional achievement of each candidate are researched before the final decision is made to include the attorneys in this list.

Tampa—Chris Knopik of Knopik Deskins Law Group, has been selected to be included in the 2010 edition of  Florida Super Lawyers in the specialty of Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice.

Florida Super Lawyers is an annual listing of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  Law & Politics magazine, publisher of Florida Super Lawyers, is a consumer’s guide to the best attorneys in the state.  Law & Politics uses a multi-step selection process that takes approximately nine months.  The foundation of the process is a survey sent to active lawyers in the state.  In addition to the survey, Law & Politics researches credentials of nominees, assembles a blue ribbon review panel of leading attorneys from each practice area, directly contacts lawyers and law firm representatives, verifies data and conducts a good-standing review of candidates.

Located at 777 South Harbour Island Blvd., Suite 800, the Firm engages in a diverse civil trial practice, including Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Business Torts, and Securities Litigation.

TAMPA Fisher & Phillips LLP announces that Theresa Gallion, founding partner of the firm’s Tampa office, has been listed in Florida Super Lawyers by Law & Politics magazine. The honor is bestowed on only five percent of lawyers in the state.

With nearly 30 years of experience as a labor and employment attorney, including extensive trial experience, Gallion has a national practice representing clients in a variety of industries. Gallion has successfully tried approximately 40 cases, representing employers. Gallion has also been listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers since 2003 and The Best Lawyers in America since 2006.

Law & Politics names outstanding attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement. Candidates are nominated by their peers, and then evaluated by an attorney-led research team at Law & Politics, which considers more than twelve areas of professional development, including pro bono service and civic engagement.

About Fisher & Phillips LLP (www.laborlawyers.com)

Fisher & Phillips LLP represents employers nationally in labor, employment, civil rights, employee benefits and immigration matters. The firm has more than 225 attorneys in 22 offices. Founded in 1943, it is one of the largest U.S. law firms to concentrate its practice exclusively upon representation of employers in labor and employment matters. In addition to the Tampa office, the firm has offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbia, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Louisville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland ME, Portland OR, San Diego, and San Francisco.

The Fowler White attorneys selected for the 2010 issue of Florida Super Lawyers and Florida Rising Stars include:

Tampa Office

Super Lawyers – Cathy J. Beveridge, E. Jackson Boggs, Amelia M. Campbell, Tirso M. Carreja, Jr., W. Donald Cox, John D. Emmanuel, William J. Flynn, III, Mitchell I. Horowitz, Richard A. Jacobson, Donald R. Kirk, Latour “LT” Lafferty, Rhea F. Law, Carl R. Nelson, Ronald H. Noble, Paul R. Pizzo, John W. Robinson, IV, Richard G. Salazar, Hala A. Sandridge, Julie Simone Sneed, Ted R. Tamargo and Edward M. Waller, Jr.

Rising Stars – Keith T. Appleby, Ceci Culpepper Berman, Andrew B. Demers, Christina M. Johnson-Boyce, Sarah Lahlou-Amine, Kathleen A. Liever, Yvette F. Rhodes and Joshua Samuel Michael Smith.

Fort Myers

Super Lawyers – Carl Joseph Coleman and Denise L. Wheeler.

Rising Stars – William M. Dillon and Jaime A. Maurer.

Tallahassee Office

Super Lawyers – Linda L. Shelley, William D. Townsend and Rex R. Ware.

Jacksonville Office

Super Lawyers – Thomas C. Dearing, Eric J. Holshouser, John P. Marino, Daniel B. Nunn, Jr., Robert G. Riegel, Jr., Timothy B. Strong and Jeffrey P. Watson.

Rising Stars – David W. Barrett, Melissa A. Dearing, J. Phillip Gibbs and Lindsey R. Trowell.

Fort Lauderdale Office

Super Lawyers – Heather B. Brock and Terrence Russell

Fowler White Boggs is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful firms. The National Law Journal lists our Firm as one of the nation’s leading law firms and Martindale-Hubbell has given our Firm its highest rating (AV). Today our Firm has offices in Tampa, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale.

The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters, Legal division based in Eagan, MN. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check.

In 2009, the Treasury Department introduced the HAFA program to give homeowners who are unable to keep their homes an effective option through the existing Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).

Crystal Golm, founder of Crystal D. Golm, P.A.—a Bradenton, Florida firm which specializes in real estate litigation and homeowner and commercial foreclosure defense said, “This is an important move for all homeowners in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Pinellas Counties, we have been working hard to ensure that each is treated fairly.” Ms. Golm went on to say, “It is about time that viable programs like HAFA went into effect, especially in Florida where the real estate market has undergone significant changes.”

Key HAFA Provisions

HAFA complements HAMP by providing an alternative for borrowers who are HAMP eligible but nevertheless unable to keep their home.  Some highlights of HAFA:

·         Uses borrower financial and hardship information already collected in connection with consideration of a loan modification.

·         Allows borrowers to receive pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property (including the minimum acceptable net proceeds).

·         Requires borrowers to be fully released from future liability for the first mortgage debt (no cash contribution, promissory note, or deficiency judgment is allowed).

·         Uses standard processes, documents, and timeframes/deadlines.

·         Provides the following financial incentives:

- $3,000 for borrower relocation assistance;

- $1,500 for servicers to cover administrative and processing costs

- Up to $2,000 for investors who allow a total of up to $6,000 in short sale

proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders.

·         Requires all servicers participating in HAMP to implement HAFA in accordance with their own written policy, consistent with investor guidelines. The policy may include factors such as the severity of the potential loss, local markets, timing of pending foreclosure actions, and borrower motivation and cooperation.

New Rules for a New Market

Surprisingly, only 1% of individuals defend a foreclosure action, often allowing the system to simply work against them. Crystal Golm reiterates, “Historically, delay and stall tactics in short sales have been employed by the lender to gain an advantage in foreclosure cases. This has been used increasingly against the distressed owner and the change with HAFA finally begins to puts protection into place.”

Each homeowner has different circumstances and options and it is important to know your rights. If a homeowner or commercial real estate owner finds themselves in a situation where foreclosure action may take place, they are strongly encouraged to consult with an expert before making any decisions.

About Golm Law

With 2 attorneys in Bradenton, Florida, Crystal D. Golm, P.A. is a business advisory and advocacy law firm focused on real estate litigation, landlord tenant matters and flat-fee foreclosure defense. Crystal D. Golm, P.A. also provides broader services in the areas of business law, litigation, business restructuring, and mediation services.  For more information about Crystal D. Golm, P.A., please visit http://www.golmlaw.com <http://www.golmlaw.com/> .

Florida Super Lawyers magazine named several Phelps Dunbar attorneys as outstanding lawyers in Florida for attaining a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers magazine names attorneys in each state who received the highest point totals, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics, who performs a complex and thorough polling, research and selection process from which the top five percent are identified.

The following Phelps Dunbar partners were named “Florida Super Lawyers” for 2010:

Karl J. Brandes is recognized in the area of General Litigation.  He is a partner and the practice coordinator of the firm’s commercial litigation practice group in the Tampa office and a member of the firm’s regional commercial litigation practice group.  His litigation practice includes petroleum marketing, other trade regulation, class action, environmental, computer, construction, condominium, personal injury including insurance and self-insured defense, toxic tort, product liability, landlord and tenant disputes, and other real property.

Lawrence P. Ingram is recognized in the area of Professional Liability: Defense.  He is the managing partner of the Tampa office and a member of the firm’s regional commercial litigation practice group.  He practices primarily in insurance coverage, professional liability, securities, restrictive covenents and trade secrets.

Dennis M. McClelland is recognized in the area of Employment Litigation: Defense.  He is a partner in the firm’s regional employment law practice group. His practice focuses on representing employers in almost all aspects of labor and employment law.  He is a Board Certified specialist in labor and employment law.

John D. Mullen is recognized in the area of Employment & Labor.  He is a partner in the firm’s regional employment law practice group.  His practice includes a joint emphasis in labor and employment law and in securities litigation and arbitration.

John E. Phillips, Jr., is recognized in the area of Employment & Labor.  He is a partner and the practice coordinator of the labor and employment group in the Tampa office and a member of the firm’s regional labor and employment practice group. He represents employer clients in labor and employment matters throughout the state of Florida, and regularly appears in Florida’s state and federal courts.

Seth M. Schimmel is recognized in the area of Construction Litigation.  He is a partner in the firm’s regional commercial litigation practice group.  His practice is devoted primarily to construction and commercial litigation, and he also has substantial experience in drafting and negotiating construction contracts and counseling owners, developers, engineers, and contractors on their administration.

Super Lawyers magazine also names “Rising Stars” attorneys who are the state’s top up-and-coming attorneys 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.  The following Phelps Dunbar attorneys were named “Florida Rising Stars” for 2010:

Bret M. Feldman is recognized in the area of Construction Litigation.  He is a partner in the firm’s regional commercial litigation practice group. His practice area includes construction, contracts, product defect litigation, evictions, mortgage foreclosures, title insurance defense, intellectual property, non-competes, insurance, ad valoren taxation, eminent domain and bankruptcy.

Paul R. Fowkes is recognized in the area of Business Litigation.  He is an associate in the firm’s regional commercial litigation practice group. His experience includes litigation in areas such as products liability, construction defects, subrogation, labor and employment, business related disputes and real estate.

Jason A. Herman is recognized in the area of Insurance Coverage.  He is an associate in the firm’s regional insurance and reinsurance practice group. His practice focuses on complex insurance coverage, litigation, and counseling. He handles various first and third party coverage and bad faith matters including claims under personal and commercial property, commercial general liability, automobile, professional liability, and errors and omissions policies.

Breton H. Permesly is recognized in the area of Franchise/Dealership.  He is an associate in the firm’s regional business practice group. He also practices in the firm’s commercial litigation practice group. Mr. Permesly has experience structuring new and existing franchise systems, establishing and administering national franchise compliance programs, counseling franchisors regarding registration and disclosure laws, and assisting franchisors and franchisees with relationship and termination issues.

Kamilah L. Perry is recognized in the area of Employment & Labor.  She is an associate in the firm’s regional labor and employment group. Her experience also includes insurance coverage, insurance defense, commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, general business torts, products liability, white collar criminal defense and public utility matters.

Erin Davies Raschke is recognized in the area of Insurance Coverage.  She is an associate in the firm’s regional insurance and reinsurance practice group.  Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Erin served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Joseph Lewis, Jr. of the First District Court of Appeal of Florida.

Bridget E. Remington is recognized in the area of Insurance Coverage.  She is an associate in the firm’s regional insurance and reinsurance practice group. She previously served as a visiting instructor of Legal Research and Writing at Stetson University College of Law, a staff attorney for the Honorable Craig C. Villanti of the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, and an intern for the Honorable Elizabeth A. Kovachevich of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Phelps Dunbar is a regional law firm of more than 250 attorneys, with offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Tupelo, and Gulfport, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; and London, England.

Ms. Wheeler has experience in management representation in all types of federal and state employment litigation and before administrative agencies involving discrimination law, employment contracts, employee benefits (ERISA), union/management matters, minimum and overtime wage issues, OSHA matters, and general personnel matters. She counsels management in preventive measures, liability avoidance, and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.  Ms. Wheeler is AV peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is consistently listed in Best Lawyers in America, Florida Super Lawyers and Florida Trend’s Legal Elite. She received her B.S. from the University of South Florida and her J.D., magna cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law.

Fowler White Boggs is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful firms. The National Law Journal lists our Firm as one of the nation’s leading law firms and Martindale-Hubbell has given our Firm its highest rating (AV). Today our Firm has offices in Tampa, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale.

The list is published in the June issue of American Lawyer and consists of the top 200 highest grossing law firms in the U.S. For the first time since American Lawyer began collecting financial data on the Second Hundred in 1999, revenue for the Second Hundred was down, dropping 1 percent in 2009, to $170.8 million from $172.5 million. Despite the national drop, Adams and Reese reported $104.5 million in gross revenue in 2009, an increase of 1.5% from the 2008 revenue.

Adams and Reese has made the AmLaw 200 List since 2004.
In addition to its ranking, Adams and Reese’s recent success and expansion was the subject of a feature article in the American Lawyer June issue, headlined “Adams and Reese: Been There, Done That” – To blunt the effects of the recession, Five Second Hundred Firms reached deep into their toolkit.

In an interview with American Lawyer reporter Laurie Cunningham, Adams and Reese Managing Partner Charles P. Adams Jr. discusses the strategies the firm used to survive and even expand following Hurricane Katrina and the national economic recession.

Excerpts of the article read:

If there’s any upside to Hurricane Katrina, it’s that it forced New Orleans’s Adams and Reese into belt-tightening mode two years before the global economic crisis hit. The firm was forced to start reducing staff and other expenses shortly after the hurricane struck in 2005, long before other Am Law 200 firms began instituting mass layoffs, cutting salaries, and delaying associate start dates.

“We really had to start tightening to stay competitive,” said Adams. That meant terminating nonperforming lawyers more quickly, changing staff ratios from two lawyers per secretary to three lawyers per secretary through attrition, and being more selective about the type of work the firm took.

Although the firm’s head count dropped from 263 in 2005 to a low of 233 in 2008, its revenue per lawyer rose 18.9 percent, from $370,000 to $440,000, during that three-year period, and profits per partner rose 16.4 percent, from $335,000 to $390,000.

By the time other law firms began to feel the effects of recession, Adams and Reese didn’t have much fat left to cut. “I would never say Hurricane Katrina was a good thing,” Adams says. “But it served us well in this economic crisis.”

In 2009, Adams and Reese’s head count increased 3 percent, to 240 lawyers, and the size of the equity partnership grew 8 percent, to 96. Revenue per lawyer dipped 1.1 percent, to $435,000, and profits per partner fell 2.6 percent, to $380,000.

Early in 2010, Adams and Reese announced the opening of three new offices in Florida by acquiring 31 lawyers plus support staff from Ruden McClosky’s offices in Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. With those additions the firm now has more than 280 lawyers in 13 offices throughout the South and in Washington, D.C.

Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with offices strategically located throughout the southern United States and Washington, DC.  American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation’s top law firms – “The Am Law 200″.  The National Law Journal also includes the firm on the “NLJ 250″ list of the nation’s largest law firms.

Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain is a Tampa based law firm specializing in the field of Eminent Domain, Inverse Condemnation and Property Rights.  With its statewide practice, Gaylord Merlin Ludovici Diaz & Bain is one of few firms to exclusively provide this specialized service.  The firm consists of 4 partners and is located at 5001 West Cypress Street.  For further information, please contact Joseph Hughey (813) 221-9000.

“We are excited to continue building our team in the Tampa Bay region,” said Kimberly Johnson, Managing Partner of Quarles & Brady’s Tampa Office. “They each bring unique skills that will benefit our clients.”

The three associates are the latest additions to the Tampa office, which opened on April 1, 2010. They join six partners with experience in bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, franchising, foreclosure and workout litigation, e-discovery, ERISA litigation, admiralty, products liability, insurance coverage litigation, non-compete and trade secrets litigation, and general commercial litigation. As the office grows, the Firm expects to expand practice areas and deliver a full range of legal services through both the Tampa and Naples offices.

About the Lawyers

S. Douglas Knox: Mr. Knox is an experienced commercial litigator whose practice involves a wide range of disputes spanning several industries including banking, franchise, insurance, real estate and construction. Mr. Knox earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree, with high honors, from the University of Florida.

Cheryl Smith Lucente: Ms. Lucente focuses her practice on franchise and business law. She assists both start-up and established franchisors on a wide range of franchise law matters, such as regulatory compliance, the preparation of disclosure documents, structuring and documenting new franchise and other distribution programs, and various other related corporate and business matters. Ms. Lucente earned her law degree, magna cum laude, from the Stetson University College of Law, with honors, her MBA from Stetson University and her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida.

Lauren Goldberg Raines: Ms. Raines practices in the areas of commercial litigation and real property. She has substantial experience in foreclosures, loan workouts, lien priority contests, receiverships, commercial lending, complex real estate transactions and commercial transactions. Ms. Raines received her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, her LL.M. from New York University School of Law and her B.A., with honors, from the University of Florida.

Quarles & Brady LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 450 attorneys practicing from offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Chicago, Ill.; Naples and Tampa, Fla.; and Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. The Firm offers an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Additional information about the Firm may be found at www.quarles.com.

Ms. Dorman was also recently elected as the Vice President of the Manatee County Library Foundation and will serve a two-year term.

Ms. Dorman is an experienced litigation attorney, representing clients in the areas of business and commercial law, real estate, probate and malpractice defense. Her practice also includes business and corporate matters and medical licensure. She represents clients in Florida in federal and state court and administrative proceedings. She can be reached at ldorman@llw-law.com.

“Jeff is both a civic and legal community leader, well respected for his acumen and client service, and very well regarded for his unstinting devotion to important community programs,” said Squire Sanders Chair James J. Maiwurm.

Butt focuses his practice in the areas of real estate, workouts and restructuring, leasing, business law, affordable housing and commercial transactions. He has more than 25 years of experience representing clients in all aspects of complex transactions.

He has received national and regional honors for his ongoing role as a key volunteer with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. For 16 years, Butt was pro bono legal counsel to the Crisis Center. In 2007, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist honored Butt with the Governor’s Points of Light Award; in 2006, the United Way of Tampa Bay selected Butt to receive the Golden Achievement Award. He is chair ex officio of the Crisis Center’s board of directors and a participant in Leadership Tampa. Butt also served for many years on the construction oversight committee of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. He is currently active in local Scouting programs and gifted education issues in Hillsborough County.

About Squire Sanders: Founded in 1890, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. has lawyers in 32 offices and 15 countries around the world. With one of the strongest integrated global platforms and a longstanding one-firm philosophy, Squire Sanders provides seamless legal counsel worldwide.

About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center  is an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center – a designation that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 14 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country’s leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer. Moffitt’s sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.

Latour “LT” Lafferty is a shareholder and the Firm’s White Collar Crime, Government Investigations and Regulatory Compliance Practice Leader.  Mr. Lafferty is a former federal prosecutor having worked as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in Tampa for ten (10) years and proactively represents organizational and individual clients in  federal and state governmental investigations and proceedings involving all aspects of regulatory enforcement matters.  His practice includes white collar criminal defense; grand jury investigations; subpoenas; search warrants; internal investigations; parallel civil and administrative litigation; arbitration and mediation; corporate compliance plans; voluntary disclosures and deferred prosecution agreements;  independent corporate monitoring; and business torts litigation including fraud and civil theft. Mr. Lafferty’s practice also includes a variety of State of Florida professional regulatory and disciplinary investigations and the representation of individuals in matters related to Florida’s Code of Conduct for state and local public officers.

Mr. Lafferty received his B.A. from the University of Florida and his J.D., cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law.  Mr. Lafferty has also earned Graduate Certificates in Healthcare Corporate Compliance from George Washington University and Health Management and Leadership from the University of South Florida.

Fowler White Boggs is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful firms. The National Law Journal lists our Firm as one of the nation’s leading law firms and Martindale-Hubbell has given our Firm its highest rating (AV). Today our Firm has offices in Tampa,  Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale.