Kimberley Ver Ploeg

Steven D. Lear, a Partner in the Corporate & Securities Group, offers more than 25 years of complex legal, tax and business experience representing top national companies in the areas of mergers & acquisitions and joint ventures. As a licensed CPA with a masters degree (LLM) in tax law, combined with work experience as chief in-house counsel of two major mulit-faceted companies, Steve offers an extraordinary range of skills for structuring, negotiating, documenting and closing sophist...

Michael Chavies is one of the most prolific and recognized trial lawyers in South Florida, having been lead counsel on and presided as a judge over hundreds of bench and jury trials. His 13 years on the civil bench has uniquely positioned him to try cases in nearly every courtroom, State and Federal, in Florida. Recognized by Law360 in its “Minority Powerbroker” series for his leadership and influence in the legal community, Michael focuses on mentorship and professional developme...

Before joining the firm in 2013, Joel H. Brown was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chief Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida in 2009. Joel was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1971 and had been practicing personal injury law as a civil trial lawyer prior to his appointment by former Governor Bob Martinez to the County Court in 1990. Following his appointment, Joel served as Associate Administrative Judge of the County Court, Criminal Traffic Division, and then served as Adminis...

Thomas J. Matkov is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Thomas J., who practices law in Coral Gables, Florida, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Daniel diligently prepares cases to advocate for his clients rights by blending his investigative background from his criminal law experience with his knowledge of family and marital law. Daniel has been a good-standing member of the Florida Bar since October, 2003 and is also licensed in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Daniel graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 2003, cum laude, and earned his B.B.A. from the University of Miami School of Business in...

Jesús E. Cuza is a partner in Holland & Knight's Miami office practicing in the areas of domestic and international litigation. Mr. Cuza concentrates in handling commercial and civil litigation matters filed in Spanish- and English-speaking jurisdictions. He drafts letters, motions and briefs; takes and defends depositions; attends and addresses court appearances; and tries and arbitrates cases in Spanish and English. Over the last 22 years, Mr. Cuza has represented numerous presti...

Roger Slade is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Roger, who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roger is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark A. Salky represents clients in a wide range of complex commercial, product liability and other civil litigation matters before state and federal courts and arbitration panels throughout the United States. Mark has litigated matters involving contract disputes, fiduciary relationships, trademark and copyright infringement, trade secrets, fraud, business torts, insurance claims, real estate issues, banking disputes, employee non-competition agreements, landlord/tenant disputes, probate iss...

Patrick F. Martin focuses his practice on representing employers of all sizes and in all industries in myriad employment matters before state and federal courts, as well as administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Additionally, Patrick counsels employers on preventive strategies for minimizing potential litigation and on the development of polices for the promotion of constructive employee relations. He also adv...

Dale Hightower was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, a town between Tampa and Orlando. He grew up loving adventures on the water, paddling a canoe and fishing alone in nearby lakes. His leadership skills became apparent in his youth as he was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts, Senior Class President at Lakeland High School, and Student Body President at Florida Southern College. He also was elected Student Body President at Cumberland Law School in Alabama. After law school, he began worki...