David R. Ellis

Gigi’s trial experience includes representing a leading U.S. supplier of coated optical fibers in a successful trial before the International Trade Commission, the leading accrediting organization for wholesale drug distributors in a successful injunctive proceeding in federal court in New Jersey, a global heart valve maker in winning a $394 million dollar patent jury trial in federal court in Delaware, and an Internet search patentee in a multi-million dollar jury trial in federal cour...

Joan M. Vecchioli joined Johnson Pope in 1986 upon graduating with honors from Stetson University College of Law, where she was a member of the Law Review and competed on the Moot Court Board. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of William and Mary. Since joining the firm, Joan has gained experience in the areas of commercial litigation, commercial real estate transactions, education, and labor and employment law. Currently, her practice focuses on labor and...

Thomas B. Smith is a part of the Johnson Pope Health Care Team, and has been involved with the health care industry for more than thirty-five years. Tom is Board Certified in Health Law by The Florida Bar. After receiving his Master in Business Administration specializing in hospital administration, he served in senior administrative positions with several hospitals in Florida for seven years, including serving as Assistant Director for a major 600 bed teaching hospital. He then received his ...

Rachael comes to Johnson Pope with diverse experience in employment law and trial litigation. While a student at Stetson College of Law, Rachael was a member of Stetson’s nationally recognized trial team and a member of the Stetson Law Review. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008, Rachael has represented clients in federal, state, and appellate courts on a variety of employment related matters. Rachael is an active member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association where she co-cha...

Nicholas joined Johnson Pope in 2014. Nicholas represents individuals and families with respect to estate planning, wealth preservation issues, business succession planning, state and local tax issues, the formation of businesses, and the purchases and sales of businesses. Nicholas also represents fiduciaries (personal representatives and trustees) and beneficiaries in the administration of probate estates and trusts.

James (Jim) L. Magazine is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Mr. Magazine has been licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and has a national practice. He is admitted to practice before the United States Middle and Southern District Courts in Florida, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Jim is a board member of the Florida Justice Association with nearly 30 years of personal...

Jodi Leisure is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jodi, who practices law in Clearwater, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jodi is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph W. "Jay" Fleece, III, is a native Floridian having been born and raised in St. Petersburg. Mr. Fleece started practicing law in 1980 with the firm of Belcher & Fleece, P.A., and subsequently joined Holland & Knight, where he was a partner heading up the litigation department of the St. Petersburg office. In 2004, Mr. Fleece joined with Hamden H. Baskin, III, and founded the law firm of BaskinFleece, located in Clearwater, Florida. In 2017 Mr. Fleece moved his practice back to S...

Drew Aldikacti is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Drew, who practices law in St. Petersburg, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Drew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Serving as of-counsel, Joseph W. Gaynor, joined the firm Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP in January 2008. Joseph W. Gaynor, P.A. (1995 – present), was the successor to Jacobs, Robbins and Gaynor, P.A. and its successors by merger (1971-1995) specializing in real estate; acquisition, financing and conversion of manufactured home communities and apartments; development of shopping centers, office buildings, apartment complexes, condominiums and planned unit developments, inc...