James J. Evangelista

Rachael comes to Johnson Pope with diverse experience in employment law and trial litigation. While a student at Stetson College of Law, Rachael was a member of Stetson’s nationally recognized trial team and a member of the Stetson Law Review. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008, Rachael has represented clients in federal, state, and appellate courts on a variety of employment related matters. Rachael is an active member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association where she co-cha...

Serving as of-counsel, Joseph W. Gaynor, joined the firm Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP in January 2008. Joseph W. Gaynor, P.A. (1995 – present), was the successor to Jacobs, Robbins and Gaynor, P.A. and its successors by merger (1971-1995) specializing in real estate; acquisition, financing and conversion of manufactured home communities and apartments; development of shopping centers, office buildings, apartment complexes, condominiums and planned unit developments, inc...

Mike Magidson is Board Certified in Health Law by The Florida Bar. Board certification is the highest evaluation of an attorney’s competence and experience comprising only 5% of Florida’s lawyers. Fewer than 130 lawyers in Florida are Board Certified in Health Law. Mike is a transactional lawyer specializing in the representation of health care providers and health care companies in their regulatory, compliance and health care business matters. He also provides counsel to business...

Thomas B. Smith is a part of the Johnson Pope Health Care Team, and has been involved with the health care industry for more than thirty-five years. Tom is Board Certified in Health Law by The Florida Bar. After receiving his Master in Business Administration specializing in hospital administration, he served in senior administrative positions with several hospitals in Florida for seven years, including serving as Assistant Director for a major 600 bed teaching hospital. He then received his ...

Colleen joined Johnson Pope in 2002 after practicing for five years in Chicago. Colleen practices in the areas of labor and employment law, public sector law and commercial litigation. In addition to representing employers in all aspects of employment litigation, Colleen advises clients on day to day employment and personnel policy issues. Colleen has extensive experience defending property owners from Title III ADA access cases. She also represents governmental entities not only in employmen...

Kevin S. Hennessy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Environmental. Kevin S., who practices law in St. Petersburg, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brandon D. Bellew is a partner at Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns LLP in Clearwater, Florida. His practice focuses on Litigation – Trusts and Estates, including trust, estate, and guardianship litigation . Brandon represents individuals, families, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries throughout Florida in contested trust, probate, and guardianship matters, including disputes involving incapacity, fiduciary duties, inheritance rights, and estate administration. Throughout his career, Bra...

Tommy D. Roebig is a native Floridian, born and raised in Jacksonville. He received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University and his law degree from Stetson University College of Law where he was a member of the National Moot Court Team. In 2007, the Stetson Lawyers Association awarded Tommy and his partner Wil Florin its outstanding Alumni Award (Paul May Meritorious Service Award). He is a member of the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundation and numerous other association...

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

Caitlin M. Powell joined the Trust & Estates team of Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP, as a probate, trust, and guardianship litigator in July 2019. Caitlin represents individuals and entities across Florida in a range of matters related to probate, trust and guardianship administration and disputes. Caitlin has focused her career on probate, trust and guardianship law since law school, when she volunteered at the North Florida Office of Public Guardian, Inc., and worked with...