Frank Lafalce

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...

Irina Khasin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Irina, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Irina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Erin Raschke practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. She has exclusively represented insurers and their agents since she joined Phelps Dunbar in January 2008. Her practice is focused on complex insurance coverage, counseling, and litigation and includes advising and defending insurers regarding allegations of insurer “bad faith.” Erin advises surplus lines and admitted, both foreign and domestic, insurance carriers and routinely represents them in both state and federa...

Joseph Harris focuses his employment law practice on litigation, compliance counseling, and risk management. Joe defends employers in federal and state courts, and before administrative agencies, in matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-hour law violations. He also represents employers in disputes involving the breach of post-employment restrictive covenants, such as noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements. In addition, Joe conducts internal investigations ...

Mike is an experienced transaction and bond counsel. He has represented numerous public and private companies, including HCA Healthcare Corporation, Eckerd Corp., Jim Walters Corp. and Tenet Healthcare Corp. (formerly National Medical Enterprises, Inc.), in acquisition and joint ventures. From 1997 to 1999 Mike served as assistant general counsel for Tenet Healthcare Corp. During that time he provided general legal services to 17 acute-care hospitals in the state of Florida, which included bo...

Eric Newell Appleton is a founding partner and member of Appleton Reiss, PLLC. Mr. Appleton has practiced community association and real estate law in Florida, including litigation and transactional matters, since 1999. He has substantial experience representing real estate owners, developers, office parks, commercial associations and residential condominium and homeowners’ associations throughout Florida. Mr. Appleton’s law practice focuses on assisting association officers, dire...

Mark A. Sessums formed the firm now known as Sessums Law Group, P.A. in April 2008. The firm has five (5) lawyers and represents clients in all types of civil litigation matters throughout the State of Florida and in other jurisdictions. Mr. Sessums has been Florida Bar Board Certified in Marital and Family Law since 1997 and Civil Trial Law since 2010. Mr. Sessums earned Board Certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 2015. Mr. Sessums is recognized for excellence by Best La...

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

Kirk Davis is the chair of the Healthcare Practice Group, a multidisciplinary team recognized nationally for representing sector participants in regulatory compliance, insurance, and transactional issues. An accomplished litigator, Kirk represents hospitals and health systems in complex regulatory compliance issues and disputes with a focus on medical malpractice and peer review hearings. Kirk has decades of experience in the peer review process and has been involved in all aspects of hearing...