Gary Preston

Brooke W. Odom is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Brooke W., who practices law in Vero Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brooke W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

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

Laura Jo O. Thacker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Laura Jo O., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura Jo O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David S. Carus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. David S., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Monte S. Starr is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Monte S., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Monte S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick Brackins received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Florida and, in 2006, his Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. Patrick moved to Orlando in 2006, where he began his career as a staff attorney for Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. Prior to joining Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins, P.A., from 2008 to 2016, Patrick served as the career law clerk for a United States Magistrate Judge in the Orlando Division of th...

MELVIN BOWEN WRIGHT was born in Albany, Georgia on August 1, 1959 and was raised on a family farm still in operation in Warwick located in Worth County, Georgia. He moved to Central Florida in 1985, is married and has two children. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1985 and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1985 and the Florida Bar in 1986. Mr. Wright is also licensed to practice law in Tennessee. Mr. Wright is also a member of the Supreme Court Bar, the District Courts for the...

James M. McCrae is a Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Lawyer who represents contractors and subcontractors in the area of construction litigation. Most recently, Mr. McCrae represented a floating dock contractor in appeals regarding the bond principal's defense of the surety's claim for indemnification before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Florida Supreme Court. Prior to practicing law, Mr. McCrae worked as a project manager for a local general commercial c...

Judith M. Mercier is a partner in the firm's Orlando office and concentrates in complex business and commercial litigation in trial and appellate courts. She represents companies in a wide range of industries, including technology, sports, financial services, hospitality and news and entertainment. Her practice focuses on contract disputes, business torts, intellectual property, media law and defending consumer claims. Ms. Mercier has defended consumer claims such as breach of fiduciary duty,...