James B. "Jim" Lake

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.

Karl Brandes practices in the areas of civil trial and commercial litigation. His practice includes petroleum marketing litigation; franchise and other trade regulation litigation; class action litigation; environmental litigation; construction litigation for engineer, architect, contractor and developer clients; condominium litigation; professional liability litigation for lawyer and engineer clients; computer litigation; personal injury litigation, including insurance and self-insured defen...

Adept at navigating complex labor and employment matters, Scott Silverman is noted by Chambers USA for being “expeditious” and “excellent at providing all points of view.” His range of experience includes representation of employers in administrative proceedings, federal and state court litigation, and arbitrations. Although he has worked on a variety of labor and employment issues throughout his career, Scott’s practice has emphasized labor management relations,...

Mallory Thomas practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. Her practice focuses on complex insurance coverage litigation and counseling. She represents surplus and admitted insurers in state and federal court in Florida in third-party coverage matters arising under commercial general liability, commercial auto, professional liability, premises liability and personal liability policies, including issues such as the duty to defend, duty to indemnify, work-related injuries, assault and b...

Bart Valdes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Bart practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Bart Valdes since 2024. 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 Bart Valdes is held by other lawyers.

Giovanni Giarratana represents clients in complex litigation, as well as in civil and criminal investigations, enforcement actions, and compliance matters across a broad range of industries — including healthcare, government contracting, education, manufacturing, and construction. His experience includes defending clients in federal civil and criminal jury trials, representing clients in enforcement actions involving alleged violations of the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, and...

Matthew L. Schwartz is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Matthew L. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew L. Schwartz since 2020. 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 Matthew L. Schwartz is held by other lawyers.

Michelle Bartels is a partner in Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A.’s Tampa office and a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Ms. Bartels' practice focuses in the areas of catastrophic and personal injury, general civil litigation, premises liability, trucking defense, professional malpractice, security negligence, vehicle negligence, significant wrongful death, defective products, foster care lead agency and community based care defense. Ms. Bartels earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magn...

David Hayes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. David practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized David Hayes since 2027. 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 Hayes is held by other lawyers.

Kevin Darken is a federal litigator and trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience representing clients in white-collar criminal defense, False Claims Act (FCA) litigation, health care fraud matters, and complex federal investigations. Based in Tampa, Florida, Kevin serves clients through Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP, representing individuals, physicians, executives, whistleblowers, and businesses in civil and criminal proceedings in federal court. Kevin’s practi...