Joseph K. Lopez

B. Michael Bachman Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. B. Michael, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which B. Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Barbara A. Hart is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Barbara A., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Barbara A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah Baggett is on speed dial for clients facing complex legal issues in bad faith, cybersecurity, liability, and regulatory and compliance. She has litigated and tried cases across Florida, beginning her career in liability defense, including her first trials. Sarah now focuses on developing and overseeing strategies for both litigation and compliance, with a specialty in platform-based businesses. Many of her clients—individuals and businesses—are long-term relationships built ...

Krysta Torok is a partner with the firm’s Tampa office. Her practice areas include premises liability, defense of claims against condominium, homeowner and community associations and their officers and directors, SIU insurance fraud, fraud litigation, actions for breach of vendor contracts, as well as personal injury and general civil litigation. Ms. Torok attended Gannon University, in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science....

Vit Gulbis brings an emphasis in tax and business planning to his representation of closely-held businesses and professional practices. His practice integrates the personal and estate tax planning concerns of business owners with business planning. He has represented closely-held businesses throughout their life cycle. He is experienced in the corporate governance and financial concerns of small businesses, and regularly represents clients in their merger and acquisition and financing transac...

Christian M. Givens is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law. Christian M., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christian M. 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...

John Phillips practices in the area of labor and employment. He represents employer clients in labor and employment matters throughout the United States. Past and present clients include manufacturers, retailers, rental car companies, financial institutions, medical services, hospitals, hotels, physicians’ professional associations, employee leasing companies, government contractors, insurance companies, shipyards, mining companies, and restaurants. He regularly appears in both state an...

Stephanie focuses her practice on real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financing and leasing. Stephanie represents financial institutions, including banks and insurance companies, and corporate clients in a broad range of commercial real estate and commercial lending transactions. She also represents investors in joint venture transactions for a variety of asset types, including retail, multi-family residential, office and industrial space, and has extensive experience advising clients reg...

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