Douglas A. "Doug" Bates

Mr. Graham’s practice involves a wide variety of commercial practice areas including commercial litigation, business transactions and business law. His transactional work has included the formation and development of corporations, not for profit entities, LLC’s and partnerships. Over the past 15 years, Mr. Graham has represented numerous counties throughout North and Central Florida. He regularly provides defense representation to local governments on a wide array of tort claims. ...

Eileen Stuart is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice. Eileen, who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eileen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mike McLeod was born in 1954 in Andalusia, Alabama. He graduated from Auburn University in 1976 and from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1979. At Alabama he won every award available for written briefs and oral argument during the annual Law Day Moot Court competition. After completing law school he returned home to Pensacola, Florida where he worked as an assistant public defender before joining the firm in 1984, becoming a partner in 1985. Since 1987 he has been local counsel for...

John R. Zoesch III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. John R., who practices law in Pensacola, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Drew Bruner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Drew, who practices law in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. 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.

Brian Barr is President and a shareholder at Levin Papantonio. He litigates pharmaceutical, environmental, mass tort and personal injury cases throughout the country. Mr. Barr has been appointed to leadership in many of the largest mass tort cases in the country. Mr. Barr is presently serving as co-liaison counsel and a member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Litigation (MDL 2885) presently pending in the Northern District of Florida before the Honor...

Patrice Boyes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Patrice, who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrice is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher E. Varner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Christopher E., who practices law in Pensacola, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shannon Hartsfield Salimone is the regulatory and litigation leader of the firm's Healthcare & Life Sciences Team and co-chair of the Data Privacy and Security Team. She practices in the area of health law, advising clients on state and federal healthcare regulatory matters, including corporate and regulatory compliance, data privacy, licensure, prescription drug distribution and pharmaceutical pedigree requirements and telemedicine. Ms. Salimone's clients include assisted living faciliti...

Michael J. Cherniga is Co-Chair of the firm's Health & FDA Business Practice. On a regional and national basis, Mike's practice involves representation of a diverse client base consisting of health care organizations (and clients which support the business of health care), both for-profit and not-for-profit. He also has substantial experience serving health care professionals and allied health care personnel who serve or support those organizations. The types of clients involved in the bu...