John C. Stewart

Jay R. Faeges is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law. Jay R., who practices law in Naples, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jay R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Philip Freidin has been practicing law for 50 years and has devoted his life to representing clients who have been seriously injured by the wrongful acts of others. Phil has represented plaintiffs in some of the most significant personal injury and medical malpractice cases in Florida’s history and has earned his status as a pillar in the South Florida legal community. As one federal judge recently wrote, “he is unquestionably among the upper echelons of lawyers in our district.&r...

Carlos A. Kelly is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Carlos A., who practices law in Fort Myers, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carlos A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Phoebe S. Wise is a trial attorney with a track record of successfully litigating cases for individuals, private companies, and public entities. She represents clients in civil matters including breach of contract, insurance coverage disputes, commercial and construction litigation, and probate and trust litigation. She has significant courtroom experience in state court and Federal court. Insurance Recovery Over the past 9 years, Phoebe has recovered millions of dollars in insurance proceeds...

Juan D. Bendeck is certified by the Florida Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estates. Board certification recognizes attorneys’ special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice. Juan focuses his practice in estate planning, estate administration and asset protection planning. He formulates and drafts tax-efficient estate plans for his clients, including more advanced and novel estate planning techniques ...

Before joining the firm in 2013, Joel H. Brown was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chief Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida in 2009. Joel was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1971 and had been practicing personal injury law as a civil trial lawyer prior to his appointment by former Governor Bob Martinez to the County Court in 1990. Following his appointment, Joel served as Associate Administrative Judge of the County Court, Criminal Traffic Division, and then served as Adminis...

Doug Waldorf is a shareholder of Grant Fridkin Pearson, P.A. and has practiced law in Southwest Florida since 1987, including more than a decade as in-house counsel for SunTrust Bank. He is board certified in real estate by The Florida Bar since 2002 and listed in The Best Lawyers in America© in both Banking and Finance Law (2016-2017) and Real Estate Law (2016-2017), as well as in Super Lawyers©. Mr. Waldorf represents institutional and private equity lenders in structuring, docume...

Jeanette focuses her practice in estate and gift tax planning, and the administration of trusts and estates in Florida. Jeanette has nearly three decades of experience, and a recipient of the Medal of Honor - Attorney of the Year Award from the Collier County Bar Association. Jeanette’s team approach, incorporating clients’ accountants, financial planners and corporate trustees makes her a valued and trusted advisor in the preservation of wealth and legacies. Her experience includ...

Danielle M. Balczon is a partner in the firm’s Ft. Myers office. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology. She subsequently obtained her Juris Doctor Degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. While in law school, Balczon studied abroad at Cambridge University and served as an intern in Alabama State University’s Athletic Department. Prior to joining Cole, ...

Robert A. Cooper, a member of the firm’s Board of Directors, focuses his practice in all areas of real estate law, construction law, condominium and homeowners association law, lien and foreclosure law, loan and financing transactions, commercial leasing, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate and business law. Well-known and well-respected for his community association law practice, Robert has extensive experience providing legal counseling to boards of directors, officers and...