Kelly L. DeGance

Biography: Matt Baggett founded Baggett Law in 2012, driven by his desire to deliver better and faster results for his clients. From the very beginning, his vision was clear: to create a law firm that delivers outstanding results for clients in the least amount of time possible. As the founder and managing partner of Baggett Law, Matt works alongside his law partner and life partner, Amanda Baggett , leading the firm together with shared purpose and dedication. Matt was born in Jacksonville, ...

Amanda L. Kidd is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Amanda L., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Amanda L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and a corporate transactional lawyer in the firm’s Business and Healthcare practice areas. Steve’s practice for more than 20 years has focused on the representation of clients in their most important and complicated transactions, including the negotiation and documentation of mergers, acquisitions and stock and asset sales, joint ventures, private equity investments and financings. Steve also represents clients and executive...

Kristen L. Wenger is an attorney with Rivkin Radler LLP in Jacksonville, Florida. Her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, insurance-related disputes, and class action defense. She represents insurers, businesses, and management in matters involving alleged deceptive business practices, consumer fraud claims, and other high-stakes litigation in state and federal courts. Kristen has worked on class actions and complex commercial litigation across the United States, including matt...

For nearly 40 years, Preston has been representing clients in a variety of complex commercial real estate matters. The breadth of his practice includes sales, acquisitions, leases, development, utilities, financing and loan restructuring. He regularly counsels healthcare clients across the region in major land acquisitions and development projects, including sites for hospitals, medical office buildings, ambulatory centers and more. Preston’s experience includes two decades of represent...

Richard W. Hawthorne is a partner at DMHD, where he focuses on real estate and banking law. He represents buyers and sellers in commercial and residential real estate transactions, landlords and tenants in commercial leasing and developers of multifamily housing and retail buildings. He also has significant experience representing buyers and sellers of debt obligations.Mr. Hawthorne previously worked for Arthur Anderson & Co. (Jacksonville, Florida) as a tax accountant, Foley & Lardne...

Neil L. Henrichsen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law, Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Neil L., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Neil L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William E. Gibbs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. William E., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As a native Floridian and an attorney in Florida for over 20 years, I am passionate about helping clients with their business and real property legal needs. I hold the distinction of being a Florida Bar Board Certified Condominium and Planned Development Lawyer and am AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale Hubbell. Since 2021, I have been recognized as one of Florida's and Northeast Florida's Best Lawyers in Real Estate and was honored as a Legal Elite in 2016. I am the shareholder responsible for...

Terrance E. Schmidt is a Florida-based mediator, arbitrator, and retired civil litigator with over 50 years of legal experience. A Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and longtime member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, he has mediated more than 6,000 cases and served as an arbitrator in dozens more. Mr. Schmidt’s career as a commercial litigator spanned a wide range of complex disputes—including business torts, securities, employment discrimin...