James "Jim" Guarnieri

Todd Foster - Managing Attorney, Todd Foster Law Group Todd Foster's 30 years of professional experience as an FBI special agent, Assistant United States Attorney, state prosecutor, and private counsel set him apart from other criminal defense attorneys. Todd began his career in 1981 as an assistant state attorney in Jacksonville. After serving as a state prosecutor, he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigations as a special agent. During his tenure at the FBI, Todd learned the intricacies o...

Heather L. Fesnak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Financial Services Regulation Law. Heather L., 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 Heather L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Diana Evans joined the firm as a member of the Litigation Practice Group after clerking for the Hon. James S. Moody Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Her practice focuses on commercial litigation in both state and federal court in areas including product liability and employment law. Diana represents manufacturers in a variety of product liability actions, including cases involving medical devices and consumer products. She also routinely defends employers in ...

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...

Jeffrey Gad focuses his practice on representing individuals, with an emphasis on estate planning, probate and trust administration, probate litigation and business planning. His practice integrates the personal and estate tax planning concerns of individuals with tax and business planning for their closely held businesses. As part of his corporate practice, Jeffrey assists businesses with choice-of-entity planning, the formation of business entities, business contracts, such as the preparati...

Karen M. Morinelli is a Shareholder in the Tampa office. As former General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources, she brings a strong business perspective to both client relations and in her approach to manage client issues. Ms. Morinelli has managed a corporate legal department and a variety of employment related issues in corporate mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, national class action litigation and managed a successful appeal to the United States Supreme Court. She is a fre...

Stephen R. Leslie is a bankruptcy and litigation attorney with Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Postler PA in Tampa, Florida. His practice focuses on Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, as well as Litigation – Bankruptcy, with an emphasis on complex Chapter 11 matters and related commercial disputes. Mr. Leslie has served as lead Chapter 11 or lead workout counsel in matters involving hundreds of millions of dollars in assets across a wide range of in...

Joseph A. Probasco is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Real Estate Law. Joseph A., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nick Andrews concentrates his practice on the representation of management in matters related to labor and employment law. Nick is adept at advising clients facing complex employment law issues, including disputes related to allegations of harassment, employment discrimination, and wage and hour violations. He has appeared on behalf of employers before state and federal courts as well as administrative agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations ...

Lee Bentley’s practice includes the defense of False Claims Act and qui tam cases, internal investigations, and white collar criminal matters. He specializes in telemedicine/telehealth, compound pharmacy, and urine toxicology cases, among other alleged fraud schemes. His experience also includes complex civil litigation involving government entities. Lee has handled trials and appeals in numerous federal and state courts, and has served as sole or lead counsel in almost 40 civil and cri...