Joshua S. M. Smith

Blake Gaylord is a partner practicing in the field of eminent domain and property rights. He has successfully represented property owners statewide in jury trials, bench trials, and administrative and Value Adjustment Board proceedings. Prior to joining the firm, Blake served as an officer in the U.S. Army where he was deployed in both Operation Iraqi Freedom (Kuwait) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Professionally, he has served as the Chairman of the Eminent Domain Committee of...

Mark Bentley is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, certified planner, and board-certified attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing clients in land use, zoning, eminent domain, and property rights matters throughout Florida. Based in Tampa, Florida, he serves clients at Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP . His practice areas include Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. Mark represents private property owners, developers, businesses, and commercia...

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.

Peter W. Zinober is a labor and employment lawyer specializing in the defense of employment discrimination cases in state and federal court, both jury and non-jury, as well as wage and hour, disability discrimination, age and all other types of employment litigation. Pete also specializes in "traditional" labor management relations law, including the representation of employers in connection with unfair labor practice and representation case proceedings before the National Labor Relations Boa...

Steve Bernstein is managing partner of the firm's Tampa office. He also serves as a Chair of the firm’s Associate Development and Retention Committee. Steve maintains a traditional labor practice in which he represents employers throughout the United States in both state and federal courts, as well as before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and other state and federal agencies. In the proce...

Since starting with the Firm in 1988, Michael’s practice has concentrated on bankruptcy and insolvency related Litigation. Michael has represented corporate and individual debtors, secured creditors, equipment lenders, landlords, creditor’s committees, trustees and petitioning creditors in involuntary bankruptcies. Michael also has substantial experience in receivership cases.

Rachel May Zysk is an accomplished lawyer and nationally published author with a wealth of experience in complex criminal and civil litigation. Ms. Zysk has represented defendants in several high profile criminal trials and civil matters. She has defended her clients against qui tam “whistleblower” suits and alleged False Claims Act violations; criminal fraud charges and other white collar crimes; and a gamut of traditional crimes including murder, sex, drug, terrorism, firearms, ...

Robert W. Lang is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Elder Law and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Robert W. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Robert W. Lang 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 Robert W. Lang is held by other lawyers.

Stacy D. Blank practices primarily in the area of appellate and general commercial litigation. She has litigated appeals in the Florida District Courts of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Circuit Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. She has handled appeals and trial court litigation in numerous subject areas including trust and estates, antitrust, employment law, state and federal taxation, environmental law, family law, administrative law, intellectu...

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...