Brian Fender

Bill serves on the firm’s board of directors. He is a board certified specialist in the area of business litigation. His practice focuses on business litigation and trial practice, including securities litigation and arbitration, professional malpractice litigation, director and officer litigation, employment litigation, restrictive covenant litigation and intellectual property litigation. Bill served as President of the Florida Bar for the 2016-2017 term. He is also a member of the boa...

Jack A. Levine has been with Holland & Knight since 1981. His areas of practice include business and tax planning, and structuring of corporate acquisitions and reorganizations, partnerships, limited liability companies, syndications and joint ventures. Mr. Levine also practices in the tax controversy area, the utilities taxation area, and in several other tax and tax-related areas. Mr. Levine is Board Certified in Tax Law by The Florida Bar. From 1977 to 1981, Mr. Levine worked in the Na...

Michael Bachman, Jr. joined Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Postler, P.A. in 2009 and became a shareholder in 2013. Based in Tampa, Florida, Mr. Bachman focuses his practice on bankruptcy matters and commercial transactions, with a significant concentration in Real Estate Law and commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Bachman represents debtors, creditors, purchasers, and other parties in bankruptcy cases, as well as in complex out-of-court workouts and debt restructurings. He also advises in...

H. Web Melton III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Community Association Law and Land Use and Zoning Law. H. Web practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized H. Web Melton III since 2018. 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 H. Web Melton III is held by other lawyers.

Mike is an experienced transaction and bond counsel. He has represented numerous public and private companies, including HCA Healthcare Corporation, Eckerd Corp., Jim Walters Corp. and Tenet Healthcare Corp. (formerly National Medical Enterprises, Inc.), in acquisition and joint ventures. From 1997 to 1999 Mike served as assistant general counsel for Tenet Healthcare Corp. During that time he provided general legal services to 17 acute-care hospitals in the state of Florida, which included bo...

Patrick J. Duffey is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Patrick J. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Patrick J. Duffey 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 Patrick J. Duffey is held by other lawyers.

Eric Newell Appleton is a founding partner and member of Appleton Reiss, PLLC. Mr. Appleton has practiced community association and real estate law in Florida, including litigation and transactional matters, since 1999. He has substantial experience representing real estate owners, developers, office parks, commercial associations and residential condominium and homeowners’ associations throughout Florida. Mr. Appleton’s law practice focuses on assisting association officers, dire...

M. John Burgess is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. M. John practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized M. John Burgess since 2025. 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 M. John Burgess is held by other lawyers.

Fentrice Driskell, a Tampa Bay native, is widely recognized as a trailblazer and impassioned advocate for her clients and all Floridians. She is the Minority Leader in the Florida House of Representatives and currently represents the residents of House District 67 throughout north Tampa and Hillsborough County. Prior to Ms. Driskell joining Swope, Rodante, Newsome & Steinberg as a partner in 2024, she served as Of Counsel and Shareholder for a prestigious national law firm. Ms. Driskell e...

Background Lorena Hart Ludovici represents clients throughout the state of Florida. She has handled cases in Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. Her diverse clientele includes shopping center owners, retailers, supermarket chains, gas stations, restaurants, professional offices, cell tower owners, golf course owners as well as farmers, grove operators, home-owners and many others. Accomplishments .Ms. Ludovici's leadership in the field of eminent domain includes chairing The Florida Bar's eminent d...