Joel B. Giles

Erin L. Centrone is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Erin L., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erin L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aileen Davis represents financial institutions in a range of lending transactions and loan workouts. She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for her work, including “Lawyer of the Year” honors for banking and finance law in Tampa. Aileen’s experience includes working on real estate loans for across asset types. She also represents land owners and developers in real estate transactions, including acquisitions, sales, and leasing.

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...

Danielle S. Kemp is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Bankruptcy. Danielle S., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Danielle S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James O. Lang is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. James O., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Scott A. Stichter joined Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Postler P.A. in 1987 and became a shareholder in 1993. Based in Tampa, Florida, he focuses his practice on Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, as well as Litigation – Bankruptcy. Mr. Stichter represents debtors, official committees, creditors, trustees, purchasers, and other parties in interest in bankruptcy proceedings, along with clients involved in out-of-court restructurings and workouts. I...

Luke Markham practices in the area of complex commercial real estate. With more than 20 years of experience, Luke began his career as a commercial appraiser and then was a management associate for a real estate finance group for a major lender where he analyzed, reviewed and underwrote commercial real estate transactions. He left banking to work with a prominent Central Florida home building company serving in several capacities including marketing, land acquisition, development, commercial f...

Melissa Kuipers Blake is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice. Melissa Kuipers, 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 Melissa Kuipers is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eric Newell Appleton is a founding partner and member of Appleton Reiss, PLLC. Mr. Appleton has practiced community association and real estate law in Florida, including litigation and transactional matters, since 1999. He has substantial experience representing real estate owners, developers, office parks, commercial associations and residential condominium and homeowners’ associations throughout Florida. Mr. Appleton’s law practice focuses on assisting association officers, dire...