Lauren E. Corbridge

Christine Howard is a partner in the Tampa and Atlanta offices. She also serves as a Co-Chair of the firm's Women's Initiative and Leadership Council. Christine focuses her practice on the defense of employment discrimination and harassment complaints and wage and hour and benefits litigation. She has successfully handled many dispositive motions, hearings and trials on behalf of employers. Over the last decade, she has defended numerous collective action cases filed on behalf of classes of e...

Brent Jones’ transactional practice encompasses a broad range of areas, including federal and state securities law, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Jones counsels lenders, investors and companies, including start-up enterprises, in connection with debt and equity financings. Mr. Jones advises companies concerning compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including preparation and review of private placement memorandums, regi...

Keith Skorewicz is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Real Estate and Real Estate Law. Keith practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Keith Skorewicz since 2023. 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 Keith Skorewicz is held by other lawyers.

Luis Santos has a unique understanding of the administrative and legal challenges faced by clients in industries like hospitality, retail, restaurant, and grocery. His previous experience as a hospitality and grocery employee gives him a particularly unique insider’s perspective. Prior to attending law school, Luis worked for many years in hospitality management. He began as a front desk clerk and worked himself up to the position of assistant hotel manager. Luis also worked as a grocer...

Phillip is a board-certified OSHA and employment lawyer, litigator, and advisor. He has practiced for more than 27 years and has developed a reputation for being a strategic, practical, and trusted partner to clients on labor and employment matters. One of Phillip’s strengths is developing teams and deploying firm resources to ensure clients receive the best possible service and results. OSHA Inspections, Citations, and Litigation. Phillip and his teams have helped clients with more tha...

Kevin D. Johnson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kevin D. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Kevin D. Johnson since 2009. 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 Kevin D. Johnson is held by other lawyers.

Catriana Messina practices in the area of insurance. She has exclusively represented insurers and their agents since she joined Phelps Dunbar in 2014. Her practice is focused on complex first-party insurance coverage matters arising under homeowners, commercial property, builders risk, catastrophe and other property insurance policies, including but not limited to hurricane claims, sinkhole claims, and claims involving suspected arson, fire, fraud, vandalism, theft, collapse, business interru...

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...

Janet E. Wise is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by The Florida Bar since 2001, which recognizes her special knowledge, skills and proficiency in labor and employment law, along with her professionalism and ethical standards. As an attorney with the Sass Law Firm, she brings over 33 years of experience to the practice which primarily represents employees from both the private and public sectors in workplace disputes. Ms. Wise speaks frequently on employment law topics, especially ...

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...