H. Ray "Ray" Allen II

Chris Johnson defends both local and national employers in litigation and administrative proceedings against all claims arising from the employment relationship. Chris also focuses a significant portion of his practice on litigation prevention efforts including the review and revision or personnel policies and procedures to ensure compliance with evolving labor and employment laws. He understands where an employer is most vulnerable and works with his clients to eliminate those vulnerabilitie...

Joseph H. Varner III is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and serves on the firm's Directors Committee. Mr. Varner is experienced in complex commercial litigation, business torts, securities litigation, professional negligence, and personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Mr. Varner has litigated complex liability and medical issues ranging from corporate shareholder disputes to wrongful death arising from medical malpractice. He has obtained significant jury verdicts and...

Steve Bernstein is managing partner of the firm's Tampa office. He also serves as a Chair of the firm’s Associate Development and Retention Committee. Steve maintains a traditional labor practice in which he represents employers throughout the United States in both state and federal courts, as well as before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and other state and federal agencies. In the proce...

Sara Accardi is a commercial litigator who regularly handles a wide range of commercial, real property, and business litigation matters. An experienced litigator, she represents business and commercial clients in complex litigation—spanning a variety of industries—in state and federal courts across the country. She has experience with jury and non-jury trials, arbitrations, and other pre-suit dispute resolution practices. She also assists clients with government investigations, ci...

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...

Brian Gaudet is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). Brian practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Brian Gaudet since 2026. 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 Brian Gaudet is held by other lawyers.

Melissa Kuipers Blake is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Government Relations Practice. Melissa Kuipers practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Melissa Kuipers Blake since 2026. 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 Melissa Kuipers Blake is held by other lawyers.

ABOUT Adam J. Fernandez is a Partner at BERGER FERNANDEZ PLLC and an experienced trial lawyer. Adam focuses his practice on representing clients injured as a result of Motor Vehicle/Commercial Vehicle/Trucking Accidents, Maritime/Boating Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility Negligence, Defective/Unsafe products, and Trip/Slip Hazards. Adam also focuses his practice on “Dram Shop” claims against bars and restaurants for the sale of alcohol resul...

Robert J. Grammig is a partner and leader of the firmwide Public Companies and Securities Practice at Holland & Knight. Mr. Grammig has practiced for more than 30 years in the areas of public company mergers and acquisitions, securities law, general corporate law and international business transactions. He serves on the firm's Directors Committee. Mr. Grammig has represented both companies and underwriters in numerous public company offerings. He has also led legal teams on behalf of acqu...

Todd Aidman devotes his practice to working with companies on a broad range of labor and employment matters. He is experienced in complex and class action litigation and regularly practices in the trial and appellate levels of federal and state courts, as well as administrative agencies such as the EEOC and DOL. Todd defends companies in a broad range of employment and labor disputes, including cases involving allegations of age, race, national origin, disability, sex discrimination, sexual a...