Elise Batsel

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...

Jeff Shear is a member of the firm's Real Estate Practice Group, where he represents a wide variety of stakeholders, ranging from developers and lenders to institutional investors regarding real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financing and lending. For developer representation, Jeff handles all aspects of commercial and residential real estate projects, including acquisitions, zoning and permitting, financing, and disposition. He also represents buyers and sellers in commercial real estat...

Fentrice Driskell, a Tampa Bay native, is widely recognized as a trailblazer and impassioned advocate for her clients and all Floridians. She is the Minority Leader in the Florida House of Representatives and currently represents the residents of House District 67 throughout north Tampa and Hillsborough County. Prior to Ms. Driskell joining Swope, Rodante, Newsome & Steinberg as a partner in 2024, she served as Of Counsel and Shareholder for a prestigious national law firm. Ms. Driskell e...

Mark Bernet litigates complex commercial and business disputes, class action defense, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights/foreclosures, and appellate matters in state and federal court. Experienced across a range of sectors, including finance, banking, real estate, aviation finance, and hospitality, his clients include local, regional, and national banks and financial institutions, manufacturers, and venture capitalists. Frequently recommended by the federal agencies and Attorneys General fro...

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...

Christine Howard is a partner in the Tampa and Atlanta offices. She also serves as a Co-Chair of the firm's Women's Initiative and Leadership Council. Christine focuses her practice on the defense of employment discrimination and harassment complaints and wage and hour and benefits litigation. She has successfully handled many dispositive motions, hearings and trials on behalf of employers. Over the last decade, she has defended numerous collective action cases filed on behalf of classes of e...

Frank R. Jakes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Frank R. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Frank R. Jakes since 2006. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Frank R. Jakes is held by other lawyers.

Jason Pill helps businesses handle the entire spectrum of workplace issues. He advises on risk assessment, policy development, education and contract creation, and he represents clients in state and federal court when litigation becomes unavoidable. Jason’s long-term client relationships give him valuable insight into how business needs affect employment decisions. Working as an extension of clients’ HR department, he acts quickly to defect or minimize potential liabilities. Jason...

David A. Miller is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Corporate Law. David A. practices law in Lakeland, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized David A. Miller since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which David A. Miller is held by other lawyers.

Mike Hooker concentrates his practice in the area of commercial litigation. During his more than 30-year career, Mr. Hooker has litigated a variety of complex commercial actions, including contract disputes, business torts, products liability claims, shareholder disputes and derivative actions, antitrust and trade regulation issues, disputes between franchisors and franchisees, Section 1983 constitutional claims, real estate disputes, land use issues, unfair trade practice claims, telecommuni...