Mary Ruth Houston

Hugo de Beaubien is a Founding Partner of our firm. He was raised in Birmingham, Michigan, and Ormond Beach, Florida. After receiving an undergraduate degree in business from Florida State University in 1970, he was awarded his Juris Doctorate from Stetson University in 1973. At Stetson, Hugo served as Exchequer of Phi Delta Phi and as President of the senior class. Hugo has been active in the Orange County Bar Association through his service as Chairman of the Criminal Law Section and Legal ...

Dan O’Malley was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While earning his Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he was admitted to Beta Gamma Sigma, a national business school honor society. He received his Juris Doctor from George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, Virginia.

Justin W. McConnell is a principal in the Orlando, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Justin devotes his practice to helping management solve their most complex employment challenges. Justin is not only an accomplished litigator and unwavering advocate for his clients, but he is also a vital partner to his clients’ long-term success. For nearly a decade, Justin has stood at the forefront of workplace law, counseling and representing businesses in a wide spectrum of workplace matters....

Described in Chambers USA as “an outstanding bankruptcy lawyer,” Jules Cohen represents banks and other lenders as secured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings in all types of businesses. He has represented clients in notable bankruptcy proceedings, including, the billion dollar Chapter 11 case of Braniff Airlines, serving as the court appointed examiner of the Sheraton Twin Towers case, and representing a lender group with a $114 million secured claim in the Gencor Industries case...

Kyla O'Brien Baker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Kyla O'Brien, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kyla O'Brien is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mayanne Downs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Family Law. Mayanne, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mayanne is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Judith M. Mercier is a partner in the firm's Orlando office and concentrates in complex business and commercial litigation in trial and appellate courts. She represents companies in a wide range of industries, including technology, sports, financial services, hospitality and news and entertainment. Her practice focuses on contract disputes, business torts, intellectual property, media law and defending consumer claims. Ms. Mercier has defended consumer claims such as breach of fiduciary duty,...

Jason Breslin was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He received his Bachelor in Science, majoring in Finance, from Florida State University. After his receiving this degree, Jason spent six years as an officer in the United States Air Force and rose to the rank of captain. His duties included managing the budget for several multi-billion-dollar acquisition projects. After his time in the Air Force, Jason enrolled in the Florida International University College of Law. While attending the F.I...

Ashton M. Bligh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Ashton M., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ashton M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Maher’s extensive experience as a trial lawyer has made him one of the nation’s outstanding client advocates with an impressive list of precedent-setting settlements and verdicts and a recognized leader in the legal profession. One of his most notable accomplishments was chairing the 11 legal firms making up the People’s Trial Advocates appointed by the state of Florida and resulting in the long-term recovery of more than $25 billion from the tobacco industry. Mr. Ma...