Joseph M. Ragukonis

Viktoryia Johnson concentrates her practice on employment litigation, representing management in claims involving workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; whistleblower complaints; leave law violations; and wage and hour violations, among others. Viktoryia represents companies in employment disputes under state and federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Florida Civil Rights Act, the Fl...

Bill serves on the firm’s board of directors. He is a board certified specialist in the area of business litigation. His practice focuses on business litigation and trial practice, including securities litigation and arbitration, professional malpractice litigation, director and officer litigation, employment litigation, restrictive covenant litigation and intellectual property litigation. Bill served as President of the Florida Bar for the 2016-2017 term. He is also a member of the boa...

Rhett Parker focuses his practice on litigation. His trial and litigation experience includes premises liability, traffic accident, wrongful death, personal injury, criminal defense and insurance coverage. He also practices in construction litigation for engineers, contractor and developers and is licensed to practice in all Florida state and federal courts, including the northern, middle and southern districts. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Rhett served as an assistant public defender in t...

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...

Alexis Buese’s practice involves all aspects of commercial litigation, with an emphasis on class action, financial services litigation, contract disputes, and real estate and consumer class action litigation. She has broadly defended the consumer products and financial services industries against the expanding array of class actions that challenge their products, procedures, and servicing. Her clients include financial institutions and numerous consumer goods manufacturers and retailers...

David Hayes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. David, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Savitz regularly represents corporate and individual clients at both the trial and appellate level in matters involving construction litigation, franchise litigation, intellectual property litigation, and professional liability litigation including attorney, accountant, and design professional malpractice defense. He is also a certified mediator in federal court. Mr. Savitz is an approved panel attorney for most professional liability insurance carriers.

Fentrice D. Driskell is a Tampa Bay native, a nationally respected attorney, and is recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Antitrust Law. Widely recognized as a trailblazer and impassioned advocate for her clients and all Floridians, she serves as the Minority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives and represents the residents of House District 67 throughout North Tampa and Hillsborough County. Prior to joining Swope, Rodante P.A. as a partner in 2024, Ms. Driskell served ...

With more than 20 years of experience as a trial attorney, Russell Buhite focuses his practice on life, health and disability insurance coverage litigation, as well as myriad ERISA matters. He is also experienced in defending employers in employment law matters before the EEOC and in state and federal courts. Russell also represents a wide range of professionals including agents, brokers, attorneys, appraisers, engineers and others in all manner of alleged malpractice and errors and omissions...

Chad M. Vanderhoef is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Chad M., 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 Chad M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.