Caroline Calavan

J. Todd Timmerman is the Managing Partner of Shumaker's Tampa Office, a member of the firm's national Management Committee, and chairs the firm's Intellectual Property Law Practice Group. Todd is a business lawyer, specializing in intellectual property protection. He is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and certified as an Intellectual Property Law Specialist by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. Certification is the highest level of recognition by The ...

Joe Weissman is a board-certified intellectual property attorney and trial lawyer with more than 25 years of experience handling intellectual property and complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Based in Tampa, Florida, Joe is a partner with Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP . His practice includes matters involving trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, antitrust issues, and computer-related disputes. Joe advises businesses an...

Dee Anna D. Hays is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Dee Anna D. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Dee Anna D. Hays since 2023. 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 Dee Anna D. Hays is held by other lawyers.

Ed Suarez is a veteran trial lawyer with more than thirty years of experience representing individuals, executives, healthcare providers, and businesses in high-stakes white-collar criminal defense, federal and state investigations, False Claims Act matters and general criminal cases. A longtime Tampa resident, he has built a reputation as one of Florida’s leading defenders in complex federal cases, known for his meticulous case preparation, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment ...

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...

Gaylord Merlin represents property and business owners in eminent domain and property rights litigation throughout the State of Florida. Our firm guides an owner through the condemnation process, protects an owner's property rights, and fights for an owner to receive full compensation. Andrew G. Diaz represents a variety of business and property owners in eminent domain and property rights litigation. He has handled cases involving the taking of large vacant parcels, national big box retailer...

Phillip J. Harris is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Phillip J. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Phillip J. Harris since 2023. 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 Phillip J. Harris is held by other la...

William M. Sharp Sr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of International Trade and Finance Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. William M. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized William M. Sharp Sr. since 2005. 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 William M. Sharp Sr. is held by other l...

Edwin P. Gale is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Edwin P. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Edwin P. Gale 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 Edwin P. Gale is held by other lawyers.

Rich Newsome is a partner at Swope, Rodante, Newsome & Steinberg. For more than twenty-five years, Rich Newsome has dedicated his career to representing individuals and families whose lives have been forever changed by catastrophic injuries and defective products . Recognized as one of the country’s leading product liability and catastrophic injury trial lawyers, Rich has built a reputation for taking on complex, high-stakes cases against some of the world’s largest manufactur...