Jillian M. Askren

Brent Jones’ transactional practice encompasses a broad range of areas, including federal and state securities law, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Jones counsels lenders, investors and companies, including start-up enterprises, in connection with debt and equity financings. Mr. Jones advises companies concerning compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including preparation and review of private placement memorandums, regi...

Joseph H. Varner III is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and serves on the firm's Directors Committee. Mr. Varner is experienced in complex commercial litigation, business torts, securities litigation, professional negligence, and personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Mr. Varner has litigated complex liability and medical issues ranging from corporate shareholder disputes to wrongful death arising from medical malpractice. He has obtained significant jury verdicts and...

Kelly Holbrook is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kelly practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Kelly Holbrook 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 Kelly Holbrook is h...

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...

Bryan Dion is an associate attorney in Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP’s Tampa and St. Petersburg offices, where he focuses his practice on Real Estate Law and land use matters throughout Florida. He represents builders, developers, lenders, investors, and property owners in acquisitions, dispositions, financing, zoning, entitlements, right-of-way matters, and other development-related issues. Bryan also advises clients on refinancing transactions and complex real estate de...

E. Blake Paul is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. E. Blake practices law in Lakeland, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized E. Blake Paul since 2018. 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 E. Blake Paul is held by other lawyers.

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

Representing wealthy individuals and their family members, trustees and beneficiaries, Grant Kindrick has resolved numerous high-profile private wealth litigation matters, including trust, probate and guardianship matters, and closely held business disputes. His experience includes asserting and defending will contests, contentious trusts and estates disputes, breach of fiduciary duty and trust modification cases, competency proceedings, spousal rights litigation, family business succession-r...

Mike Hancock has excelled in personal injury law for over 35 years. After several years defending the insurance industry including companies such as Allstate, State Farm, Geico, & Fortune 500 companies, Mike gained insider secrets and learned the inner workings of how insurance companies defend and evaluate personal injury claims. With a clear understanding of the insurance industry and how to obtain the ultimate results for his clients, Mike founded Hancock Injury Attorneys in 1996. Mike...

Darryl has been a trial lawyer with the firm since 1982 and is Managing Partner. He has handled many types of cases, including personal injury cases, car crashes, defective product designs, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, land use litigation, non-compete litigation and sophisticated business litigation. He is also a Certified Circuit Court Mediator.