Kari K. Jacobson

Office Head of Constangy's Tampa, Lakeland and Port St. Lucie Offices Recognized in publications, Best Lawyers in America (1995-2017) Recognized in Florida Super Lawyers (2006-2016) Recognized in Chambers USA Guide Successfully represented companies in claims involving sexual harassment, retaliatory discharge, race, disability, age, religious and sex discrimination Successfully represented companies in wage hour claims Assisted companies in due diligence in mergers and acquisitions Acted as c...

Ryan M. Angel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Ryan M., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Burke G. Lopez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Burke G., 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 Burke G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

An aggressive litigator, Karina Perez Ilic has diverse expertise in civil litigation including catastrophic workplace accidents, contracts, commercial disputes, premises liability, and Tampa motor vehicle accidents. She is not afraid to be a fierce advocate for clients who have been wronged or injured. A Florida native, she ventured to New Orleans to receive her bachelor’s degree in business law with a minor in French language at Tulane University. She continued her legal education in N...

Howard Scholl is a partner based in our firm’s Tampa office and an experienced trial lawyer. He handles cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, nursing home neglect, trucking defense, hospitality industry defense, medical malpractice, contract disputes including insurance claims, construction defect claims, SIU fraud investigations as well as other general liability issues and claims for professional malpractice. Mr. Scholl is a native Floridian and graduated from the Universit...

Larry is a trial lawyer who has handled many types of cases in state and federal courts, including partner disputes, securities litigation, receiverships, breach-of-contract, non-competes, construction law, white-collar fraud, product liability, and intellectual property matters. Larry joined Johnson Pope in 2023. He is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation. Before going to law school, Larry worked as a daily newspape...

ABOUT Brett Berger is a Partner at MANEY | GORDON Trial Lawyers and an experienced trial lawyer who represents individuals injured as a result of the negligence of others. Brett focuses his practice in the areas of automobile negligence, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, assisted living facility negligence, trip/slip and falls, negligent security, and acts as personal counsel to those accused of negligence when their insurance carriers refuse to take the insured’s best inter...

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...

Mark A. Sessums formed the firm now known as Sessums Law Group, P.A. in April 2008. The firm has five (5) lawyers and represents clients in all types of civil litigation matters throughout the State of Florida and in other jurisdictions. Mr. Sessums has been Florida Bar Board Certified in Marital and Family Law since 1997 and Civil Trial Law since 2010. Mr. Sessums earned Board Certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 2015. Mr. Sessums is recognized for excellence by Best La...