A. Alston "Alston" Merritt

Kristin A. Norse practices exclusively in the areas of appellate practice and civil litigation support. She has over 30 years of legal experience, including more than 20 years representing clients in trial and appellate courts and ten years working as a senior staff attorney for the Honorable Chris W. Altenbernd at the Second District Court of Appeal. She has successfully represented individuals and businesses in well over 100 involving various areas of law including complex commercial cases,...

Heather L. Fesnak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Financial Services Regulation Law. Heather L., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heather L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James O. Lang is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. James O., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Harold Holder focuses his practice on civil litigation in state and federal courts, in matters involving business and contract disputes, construction and real estate disputes, professional liability, employment litigation, and other general commercial litigation. Mr. Holder also assists clients with business transactions, commercial finance, secured lending, and corporate matters.

Scott H. Jackman, a partner in our Tampa office, is a member of the firm’s Community Association Group and focuses on litigation defense of claims against condominium, homeowner and community associations and their officers and directors, to include civil and administrative claims based on the governing statutes, employment and housing discrimination claims, actions for breach of vendor contracts, as well as personal injury and other common law claims. Mr. Jackman also handles malpracti...

Michael L. Chapman is a member of Holland & Knight's senior management team, serving as the firm's general counsel. In this role, Mr. Chapman is legal advisor to management and the firm's Directors Committee and works to ensure that the firm operates in full compliance with all legal requirements, bar ethics standards, its partnership agreement and core principles. For more than 20 years, Mr. Chapman has practiced as a commercial trial lawyer. He has extensive experience handling disputes...

Kevin M. McLaughlin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Kevin M., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen Stukey is a partner in the firm’s Tampa office. His areas of practice are construction litigation and insurance defense. Mr. Stukey also focuses on Environmental Bodily Injury and Property Damage claims. His practice includes extensive experience with Chinese drywall sulfurous off-gassing, environmental/toxic spills, CPVC environmental stress cracking from incompatibility with ABF II cutting agents, mold, mildew, fungi, bacteria, radon, carbon monoxide poisoning, and Legionnaire...

Chad M. Vanderhoef is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Chad M., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chad M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew L. Schwartz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Matthew L., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.