Davis D. Balz

Chris is a shareholder in the firm’s Business Department. He counsels individuals and families regarding estates, trusts and tax issues involving the accumulation and preservation of wealth. As both an attorney and Certified Public Accountant, he has developed in-depth experience in the administration of complicated estates and trusts, including litigating disputes involving trustees, personal representatives and other individuals acting as fiduciaries. Chris also has extensive experien...

William P. Byrne is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Railroad Law. William P., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Beau Baker focuses his practice on real estate capital markets, securitizations, financial services, structured and commercial finance, creditors’ rights, loan portfolio management and servicing, and financial restructuring. He represents traditional and non-traditional lenders in a variety of transactions including warehouse/repo lending facilities, secondary market portfolio and single asset loan sales/acquisitions, joint venture and preferred equity investments, and bank and non-bank...

Jill F. Bechtold practices in the area of civil litigation, where she focuses on medical and professional liability defense, employment disputes, product liability defense, business litigation, trucking litigation, and insurance defense. Jill’s clients include drug and medical device companies, business owners, physicians, hospitals, trucking carriers, and insurers. She represents clients in state and federal court actions as well as arbitrates matters under the Florida Arbitration Code...

For nearly 40 years, Preston has been representing clients in a variety of complex commercial real estate matters. The breadth of his practice includes sales, acquisitions, leases, development, utilities, financing and loan restructuring. He regularly counsels healthcare clients across the region in major land acquisitions and development projects, including sites for hospitals, medical office buildings, ambulatory centers and more. Preston’s experience includes two decades of represent...

Jim is a trial lawyer whose practice is concentrated in commercial litigation and insolvency matters. Jim is experienced in jury trials regarding business torts, contracts, secured transactions, mortgage foreclosures, fraudulent transfers, mechanics liens, trade secrets, workouts and lender liability, government contracts, non-compete issues, insurance coverage, banking and commercial paper, state court assignment proceedings and the defense of class actions. Jim’s insolvency experience...

Clay B. Tousey III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Clay B., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Clay B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sanjo S. Shatley is a partner in the Jacksonville office. He practices in all phases of medical malpractice, civil defense litigation, including premises liability, nursing home, professional malpractice, and products liability. His practice also includes construction litigation and risk management counseling, including the representation of design professionals in professional liability claims, developers, contractors, and subcontractors in construction defect, contract, and lien enforcement...

Brent Allen is the Managing Partner of Hall Booth Smith’s Jacksonville, Florida, office and Chair of the firm’s Opioid Strategic Team. He has also served on the firm’s Executive Committee since 2020. He is a seasoned civil trial lawyer and specializes in the litigation of batch claims, high exposure cases including malpractice, commercial litigation, long-term care, negligent security, and premises liability on national, regional, and local levels. He has represented promine...

Mike Prendergast concentrates his practice on providing representation and counsel to management in the private and public sector in matters related to employment law. He routinely represents employers in employment litigation in state and federal court and before various administrative agencies. Providing preventive advice is also a significant focus for Mike, and he assists clients in resolving and avoiding employment law issues by developing practical workplace solutions to comply with the...