Chris W. Altenbernd

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.

Jason Whittemore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jason, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Barbara Hart is a shareholder with Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Postler PA in Tampa, Florida, where her practice focuses on Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, as well as Litigation – Bankruptcy. She is an active member of the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar and previously served as the Association’s President and Chair of the Board. Barbara has also served as Chair of the District-Wide Steering Committee for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middl...

Alan F. Wagner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Alan F., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alan F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal pr...

SCOTT A. ARTHUR is a partner with Diaco Law, a firm dedicated to the representation of individuals and families in catastrophic personal injury cases. Previously he was a shareholder at Gunn Law Group, P.A., where his practice focused on representing policyholders and the injured in claims against insurance companies, including cases involving insurance coverage, bad faith, and unfair claims settlement practices. Mr. Arthur has served as lead trial counsel in personal injury, coverage, produc...

Fentrice D. Driskell is a Tampa Bay native, a nationally respected attorney, and is recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Antitrust Law. Widely recognized as a trailblazer and impassioned advocate for her clients and all Floridians, she serves as the Minority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives and represents the residents of House District 67 throughout North Tampa and Hillsborough County. Prior to joining Swope, Rodante P.A. as a partner in 2024, Ms. Driskell served ...

Steven Richardson is a partner in the Tallahassee office of Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. He has been with the firm since 2013 and has worked in both the Tampa and Tallahassee offices. Mr. Richardson has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® since 2024 for Insurance Law. Mr. Richardson's practice focuses in the areas of catastrophic and personal injury, general civil litigation, premises liability, trucking defense, security negligence, vehicle negligence, wrongful death, defectiv...

Shane A. Hart is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and a member of the Private Wealth Services Group. He represents clients in estate planning and estate administration matters. His practice focuses on developing comprehensive estate plans for clients in a way that minimizes transfer taxes while achieving other desired goals. He also counsels personal representatives in the administration of estates, including the preparation of necessary court filings and the estate tax return...

Ruel W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Ruel W., 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 Ruel W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joe Rugg has 35 years of experience in representing healthcare providers, licensed professionals, and business clients in their transactional, tax, corporate and organizational, and regulatory matters. He has extensive experience in representing physicians and physician groups, including hospital medical staffs and independent practice associations, clinically integrated networks, management services organizations, diagnostic imaging centers, and ambulatory surgery centers. He has assisted he...