Douglas P. "Doug" Manson

Stephen Stukey is a partner in the firm’s Tampa office. His areas of practice are construction litigation and insurance defense. Mr. Stukey also focuses on Environmental Bodily Injury and Property Damage claims. His practice includes extensive experience with Chinese drywall sulfurous off-gassing, environmental/toxic spills, CPVC environmental stress cracking from incompatibility with ABF II cutting agents, mold, mildew, fungi, bacteria, radon, carbon monoxide poisoning, and Legionnaire...

Brent Jones’ transactional practice encompasses a broad range of areas, including federal and state securities law, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Jones counsels lenders, investors and companies, including start-up enterprises, in connection with debt and equity financings. Mr. Jones advises companies concerning compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including preparation and review of private placement memorandums, regi...

Eric Almon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Eric, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David P. Steffen has represented clients in both state and federal courts, before the Florida Commission on Human Relations, the EEOC, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, and the NLRB. He has also advised clients on ways to manage their Workers’ Compensation claims and how to properly enforce employment policies. David regularly assists clients on preemptive strategies to limit their future exposure. Before joining C...

Catriana Messina practices in the area of insurance. She has exclusively represented insurers and their agents since she joined Phelps Dunbar in 2014. Her practice is focused on complex first-party insurance coverage matters arising under homeowners, commercial property, builders risk, catastrophe and other property insurance policies, including but not limited to hurricane claims, sinkhole claims, and claims involving suspected arson, fire, fraud, vandalism, theft, collapse, business interru...

Ben Dachepalli has extensive experience negotiating and drafting construction-related agreements, and litigating complex construction claims regarding contract disputes, construction defects, design errors, surety bonds and construction liens. He is dedicated to understanding each client’s business to provide comprehensive strategies that go beyond legal issues, disputes or contracts. Ben is board certified by the Florida Bar in Construction Law. He was selected as national coordinating...

Kevin Knowlton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Health Care Law. Kevin, who practices law in Lakeland, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert W. Lang is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Robert W., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aileen Davis represents financial institutions in a range of lending transactions and loan workouts. She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for her work, including “Lawyer of the Year” honors for banking and finance law in Tampa. Aileen’s experience includes working on real estate loans for across asset types. She also represents land owners and developers in real estate transactions, including acquisitions, sales, and leasing.

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...