Andrés Mercado

Derek Byrd was born and raised in Sarasota . He graduated from Florida State University in 1990 with a B. A. in Criminology. He earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from Quinnipiac College of Law in Hamden, Connecticut in 1995 graduating cum laude. After being admitted to the Florida Bar in early 1996, Derek went to work for the Public Defender’s Office in Sarasota, where he gained extensive and valuable trial experience. He opened The Byrd Law Firm in 1998. Mr. Byrd is Board Certified in ...

Kris Kemp advises public and private companies on strategic merger and acquisition transactions, securities offerings, and compliance matters. He works closely with private equity firms, portfolio companies and venture-backed companies on investments, recapitalizations and other transactions. His corporate practice also includes providing capital structure advice to emerging and growth companies. Kris is ranked in Band 1 for Corporate/M&A in Tennessee by Chambers USA , one of only three a...

Key players in the financial services industry, including banks, mortgage companies, and wealth management and investment advisory firms, rely on Chris to guide them through business combination and securities transactions, as well as ownership transition and succession planning transactions. His knowledge is also sought on corporate governance matters and new business formation and registration. Chris Frieden, former co-chair of Alston & Bird’s Financial Services & Products Gro...

David is a business and intellectual property attorney with expertise in all areas of litigation, dispute resolution, and trial. David represents his clients in state, federal, and appellate courts throughout the country, achieving successful outcomes by identifying pragmatic and creative solutions to complex issues while minimizing business disruptions and expense. David has handled a myriad of business disputes, including issues relating to contracts, copyrights, employment agreements, non-...

Leslie J. Lott is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Arbitration, Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Mediation, Patent Law and Trademark Law. Leslie J. practices law in Coral Gables, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Leslie J. Lott since 1995. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Le...

Michael J. Payne is a partner at Frankel, Rubin, Klein, Payne & Pudlowski, P.C. and focuses his practice on estate planning, fiduciary litigation and civil litigation. He counsels individuals, couples, families and small business owners in creating an estate plan that is specifically tailored to their individualized needs. His passion for estate planning is evident in his approach of collaborating with clients to solve their most important personal, legal and business planning decisions. ...

Jeffrey Luszeck is a partner at the firm, where he focuses his practice on trust and estate litigation, business and commercial litigation, power of attorney litigation, fiduciary litigation, estate and trust administration, and guardianship matters. Jeff has represented a broad spectrum of clients—including agents, beneficiaries, creditors, executors, fiduciaries, heirs, principals, trustees —in complex disputes involving breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, decanting, undu...

Patrick J. O´Connor is vice chairman of Cozen O´Connor. He is a trial lawyer who focuses his practice on litigation arising out of contracts, banking matters, estates, professional liability involving legal and accounting matters, health care, and aviation-related claims. Prior to joining Cozen O´Connor in 1973, he served as law clerk to the Hon. Thomas J. Clary, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and was an associate attorney at...

Stephanie Z. Roberge is a partner at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, L.L.C. Stephanie is an accomplished trial attorney who has practiced law for close to 30 years. While she excels in all aspects of civil litigation, Ms. Roberge focuses on medical malpractice litigation. Before receiving her law degree, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, which has provided her with the scientific knowledge, as well as the practical experience necessary to hold negligent parties accountable...

Alexander D. Lee, Esq., is tasked with furthering the firm’s mission to provide the highest quality legal services to clients. Alex has a multi-state practice that focuses on tax, trust and estates. Alex advises clients on domestic and international tax matters, including tax planning with respect to their structures, transactions, and estate planning matters. He has experience advising on issues relating to tax deferral strategies, tax treaties, pre-immigration planning for foreigners ...