Brandon Holmes

Joseph Harris focuses his employment law practice on litigation, compliance counseling, and risk management. Joe defends employers in federal and state courts, and before administrative agencies, in matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-hour law violations. He also represents employers in disputes involving the breach of post-employment restrictive covenants, such as noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements. In addition, Joe conducts internal investigations ...

Charles A. Wachter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law and Insurance Law. Charles A., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph H. Varner III is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and serves on the firm's Directors Committee. Mr. Varner is experienced in complex commercial litigation, business torts, securities litigation, professional negligence, and personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Mr. Varner has litigated complex liability and medical issues ranging from corporate shareholder disputes to wrongful death arising from medical malpractice. He has obtained significant jury verdicts and...

Melissa Kuipers Blake is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice. Melissa Kuipers, 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 Melissa Kuipers is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Burke G. Lopez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Burke G., 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 Burke G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tony Cuva has been practicing admiralty and maritime law for over thirty years and has been board certified for over twenty years. He handles a large array of admiralty and maritime matters as well as civil litigation. Tony Cuva has handled Jones Act cases, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation act cases, maritime personal injury cases, collisions, allisions, Cargo claims, environmental issues relative to clean water discharge, Coast Guard and OSHA investigations, and recreational ...

William R. Lane Jr. is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and practices in the areas of trusts and estates, tax exempt organizations and family business succession planning. Mr. Lane is the North/Central Florida regional team leader for the firm’s Private Wealth Services Practice Group. Mr. Lane works primarily in the areas of estate planning, family business succession planning, and resolution of disputes involving trusts, estates, their fiduciaries and beneficiaries. He ...

Bart Valdes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Bart, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bart is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Davis , a member of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group, draws upon his extensive experience in the public sector to provide strategic legal, legislative and regulatory counsel to clients in Florida, the District of Columbia and across the country. Mr. Davis served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 10 years, from 1997 to 2007. He represented the City of Tampa and portions of St. Petersburg, Bradenton and Hillsborough County, Florida. In 2006, Mr. Davis was t...

Accomplishments Ms. Merlin has held several leadership positions in eminent domain during her career. These include: Chair of the ABA Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Committee (1982 - 1985); Chair of the Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee (1993 - 1994); Co-Chair of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Eminent Domain Committee (1997-1998) and member of the Florida Bar Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure Steering Committee (1999 - present). Her proudest career accomplishment is institu...