James S. Myers

Gaylord Merlin represents property and business owners in eminent domain and property rights litigation throughout the State of Florida. Our firm guides an owner through the condemnation process, protects an owner's property rights, and fights for an owner to receive full compensation. Andrew G. Diaz represents a variety of business and property owners in eminent domain and property rights litigation. He has handled cases involving the taking of large vacant parcels, national big box retailer...

Richard B. Stephens, Jr. is a partner in Holland & Knight's Lakeland office. Mr. Stephens divides his time between tax exempt financings and a diverse corporate practice. On the corporate side, Mr. Stephens has extensive experience in large corporate transactions focusing on the gas, power, cement and road based industries (including structured products, prepaid gas transactions, financings, derivatives, acquisitions, mergers, and general contract drafting). He also has significant experi...

Joseph F. Diaco, Jr. is committed to helping injury victims in personal injury claims. Mr. Diaco began building a reputation as an aggressive advocate while litigating complex insurance cases early in his legal career beginning in 1995. For nearly 2 decades, Mr. Diaco has managed thousands of injury claims, deposed hundreds of experts (including doctors), and successfully handled dozens of jury trials Mr. Diaco grew up in St. Petersburg, and he graduated from Northeast High School in 1988. He...

M. John Burgess is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. M. John practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized M. John Burgess since 2025. 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 M. John Burgess is held by other lawyers.

Cynthia N. Sass has been practicing law in Florida over 35 years. She formed the Sass Law Firm in 1993 to exclusively focus on representing public and private sector employees in employment disputes. The mission of her firm is to provide the client with an honest assessment of each case, ensure each client is educated on the options and remedies available to them through the law, and strategize with the client to accomplish his or her goals. In doing so, her firm takes an individual approach ...

Ryan T. Hopper is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Ryan T. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Ryan T. Hopper since 2025. 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 Ryan T. Hopper is held by other lawyers.

Paydon Broeder is a partner in the firm’s Tampa office specializing in the area of First Party Property Defense. He has handled numerous claims involving water, fire, theft, sink-hole, SIU Fraud, and storm related losses through trial for both residential and commercial properties. Additionally, Mr. Broeder conducts examinations under oath to assist carriers with coverage determinations. He also defends carriers in life, automobile, general liability and third party insurance matters. H...

Joe is a board certified intellectual property attorney with significant experience litigating commercial and intellectual property matters in both federal and state court. He specializes in intellectual property litigation (including trademark, copyright and patent matters), trademark and copyright registration, computer litigation, and domain name/cybersquatting issues. His practice covers commercial litigation, including non-compete agreements, antitrust matters and general business disput...

Christina Anton Garcia is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Christina Anton practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Christina Anton Garcia 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 Christina Anton Garcia is held by other lawyers.

Patricia A. McLean is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Insurance Law. Patricia A. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Patricia A. McLean since 2023. 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 Patricia A. McLean is held by other lawyers.