Brian Fender

J.D. is a trial lawyer representing businesses and individuals in a wide variety of complex commercial litigation matters with a focus on contractual disputes, business torts, and administrative actions. His practice primarily includes the prosecution and defense of claims related to: breach of contract; non-compete and other restrictive covenants; trust, partnership, and member disputes; intellectual property matters; ordinary and professional negligence; and class action defense. He has lit...

Blake Gaylord is a partner practicing in the field of eminent domain and property rights. He has successfully represented property owners statewide in jury trials, bench trials, and administrative and Value Adjustment Board proceedings. Prior to joining the firm, Blake served as an officer in the U.S. Army where he was deployed in both Operation Iraqi Freedom (Kuwait) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Professionally, he has served as the Chairman of the Eminent Domain Committee of...

Mark Bentley practices in the area of land use, eminent domain and property rights. He is a former planning director and has represented numerous private property owners against various governmental condemning authorities in eminent domain matters. He also practices in the areas of administrative law and legal matters. Mark taught land use law as an adjunct professor for the University of South Florida’s Urban and Regional Master’s Degree Program, and now serves on the program&rsq...

Christopher M. Bentley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christopher M., 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 Christopher M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bill Grob focuses his practice exclusively on labor and employment law representing management. He has served as lead trial counsel in cases in federal and state courts, and has extensive experience as lead counsel in a variety of labor and employment matters, including numerous collective actions, involving wage/hour and overtime litigation, race discrimination, disability discrimination, leave issues and harassment. Much of Bill’s practice involves enforcing and defending non-compete ...

Dan Clark is a Florida native and a graduate of Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. He earned his bachelors of arts degree from Duke University where he was an honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference athlete. He received his Juris Doctorate with honors from Stetson University College of Law where he was a member of the Stetson Law Review and Stetson Trial Team, and a Federal Judicial Intern for the Honorable Elizabeth A. Kovachevich, Chief Judge, Middle District of Florida.

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...

Ben Dachepalli has extensive experience negotiating and drafting construction-related agreements, and litigating complex construction claims regarding contract disputes, construction defects, design errors, surety bonds and construction liens. He is dedicated to understanding each client’s business to provide comprehensive strategies that go beyond legal issues, disputes or contracts. Ben is board certified by the Florida Bar in Construction Law. He was selected as national coordinating...

Keith Fendrick is a Partner in the Holland & Knight Tampa office and a member of the Bankruptcy Practice Group. He focuses his practice on bankruptcy and creditors' rights, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, and commercial litigation. Mr. Fendrick has represented financial institutions, corporations, insurance companies, and creditor groups in numerous large Chapter 11 cases around the country. He has also worked with secured and unsecured creditors in workouts, non-bankruptcy ...

Chad Callahan’s practice is primarily devoted to estate planning, estate, gift and generation-skipping transfers, tax planning, business succession planning, charitable planning, tax controversy matters against the IRS and matters involving the administration of trusts and estates. He is board certified in Wills, Trusts & Estates by the Florida Bar. Chad enjoys working with families to achieve their various estate planning goals, including succession planning for closely held busine...