Jay M. Walker

Over 30 years of estate and gift tax planning, and asset protection planning, mostly for high net worth individuals and estates. Consultation, planning and preparation of revocable and irrevocable trusts, grantor trusts, family limited partnerships, S corporations, LLCs, LLPs; shareholder and other business continuation agreements, life insurance trusts; planned charitable giving; post-death tax planning for estates, trusts and the decedent’s family; complex probates.

PRACTICE AREAS Real property law Estate planning Probate General commercial law Corporate law Commercial loans Real estate DISTINCTIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS Admitted to The Florida Bar – Admitted 1973 St. Petersburg Bar Association 1973, Florida, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida and U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit The Best Lawyers in America® for Real Estate Law, Since 2009 EDUCATION Stetson University, J.D. Harvard University, A.B. BIOGRAPHY Member, Editorial Board, S...

Susan has specialized in tax planning for over 35 years. She has a Masters of Law in Taxation and formerly was Board Certified in Tax Law by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization (1995 – 2011). Her practice includes Federal and Florida tax issues related to the formation and operation of corporations (including S corporations), partnerships, and limited liability companies. She also consults with respect to the formation and operation of tax exempt entities. In addition, Susan i...

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...

William B. McQueen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates. William B., who practices law in St. Petersburg, Florida, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Will handles a broad range of complex commercial real estate and corporate issues for his clients throughout Florida and the entire Southeast. His clients include developers, investors institutional private equity funds, EB-5 developers and funds, as well as high net worth individuals and their associated family offices. He also regularly counsels clients on corporate securities and financing related matters. Representative engagements include serving as lead counsel on the development of a 1...

Ryan is a partner in the firm’s St. Petersburg office. He is a state and federal trial lawyer as well as a certified civil court mediator. His litigation practice includes complex business disputes; construction law; corporate/partnership disputes; employment related litigation; hospitality law; probate litigation; appellate practice; and real estate law. His real estate matters encompass contract disputes, ad valorem tax challenges, commercial landlord/tenant matters and land use/zonin...

Sandra Fascell Diamond is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Sandra Fascell, who practices law in St. Petersburg, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sandra Fascell is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Hamden was born in Clearwater, Florida, and is a third-generation lawyer. Hamden attended Florida State University, where he obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in 1976, followed by his Master’s Degree in Criminology in 1979. Hamden attended Oklahoma City University Law School, and graduated with Honors, in 1983, and after serving as a staff attorney, to the Honorable Patricia Robinson, First District Court of Appeal, he attended the University of Florida, where he obtained his Mas...

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 ...