Brian A. Watson

Heather L. Fesnak is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Financial Services Regulation Law. Heather L. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Heather L. Fesnak since 2026. 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 Heather L. Fesnak is held by other lawyers.

Tammie is an experienced labor and employment lawyer with a broad scope of practice that includes both litigation and traditional labor law. Tammie has represented clients in both union and union-free environments, providing legal counseling and support to meet the client's objectives. Her experience includes providing legal representation throughout collective bargaining, arbitrations, NLRB trials, and union campaigns. Tammie also frequently represents clients in employment litigation, havin...

Frank R. Jakes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Frank R. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Frank R. Jakes since 2006. 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 Frank R. Jakes is held by other lawyers.

Ciara Willis focuses her practice on civil litigation in state and federal courts, primarily in matters involving business and contract disputes, condominium associations, homeowner associations, real estate, and other general commercial litigation matters. Ms. Willis also serves as general counsel for a variety of residential and professional community associations, as well as Community Development Districts (“CDDs”).

John Phillips practices in the area of labor and employment. He represents employer clients in labor and employment matters throughout the United States. Past and present clients include manufacturers, retailers, rental car companies, financial institutions, medical services, hospitals, hotels, physicians’ professional associations, employee leasing companies, government contractors, insurance companies, shipyards, mining companies, and restaurants. He regularly appears in both state an...

Rhett Parker focuses his practice on litigation. His trial and litigation experience includes premises liability, traffic accident, wrongful death, personal injury, criminal defense and insurance coverage. He also practices in construction litigation for engineers, contractor and developers and is licensed to practice in all Florida state and federal courts, including the northern, middle and southern districts. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Rhett served as an assistant public defender in t...

James E. Felman has concentrated his practice of law in the defense of complex criminal matters and related civil litigation for over 30 years. Mr. Felman represents clients in federal and state matters in every phase of the criminal process -- investigation, trial, sentencing, appeal, and post-conviction proceedings. He has represented clients in a wide range of matters, including allegations of bank fraud, health care fraud, mail and wire fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, environm...

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...

As a former banker and trained credit analyst, George Guerra has a well developed sense of how business works and how business professionals think. As a practicing lawyer for nearly 20 years, those skills have been critical in helping resolve countless disputes on an individual and industry-wide basis. He has represented clients in all forms of litigation in court and in arbitration with more than 40 arbitration awards and numerous court decisions to his credit. Some of the matters he has han...

Melissa Kuipers Blake is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Government Relations Practice. Melissa Kuipers practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Melissa Kuipers Blake since 2026. 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 Melissa Kuipers Blake is held by other lawyers.