Melanie C. Verdecia

Chris Johnson defends both local and national employers in litigation and administrative proceedings against all claims arising from the employment relationship. Chris also focuses a significant portion of his practice on litigation prevention efforts including the review and revision or personnel policies and procedures to ensure compliance with evolving labor and employment laws. He understands where an employer is most vulnerable and works with his clients to eliminate those vulnerabilitie...

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

Kirk Davis is the chair of the Healthcare Practice Group, a multidisciplinary team recognized nationally for representing sector participants in regulatory compliance, insurance, and transactional issues. An accomplished litigator, Kirk represents hospitals and health systems in complex regulatory compliance issues and disputes with a focus on medical malpractice and peer review hearings. Kirk has decades of experience in the peer review process and has been involved in all aspects of hearing...

Daniel R. Fogarty joined Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Postler, P.A. in 2006 after graduating with high honors from the University of Florida College of Law. Following law school, he served as a law clerk for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, gaining firsthand experience with complex bankruptcy and insolvency matters. Based in Tampa, Florida, Mr. Fogarty focuses his practice on Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorgani...

Joseph F. Diaco, Jr. is committed to helping injury victims in personal injury claims. Mr. Diaco began building a reputation as an aggressive advocate while litigating complex insurance cases early in his legal career beginning in 1995. For nearly 2 decades, Mr. Diaco has managed thousands of injury claims, deposed hundreds of experts (including doctors), and successfully handled dozens of jury trials Mr. Diaco grew up in St. Petersburg, and he graduated from Northeast High School in 1988. He...

Chad Callahan’s practice is primarily devoted to estate planning, estate, gift and generation-skipping transfers, tax planning, business succession planning, charitable planning, tax controversy matters against the IRS and matters involving the administration of trusts and estates. He is board certified in Wills, Trusts & Estates by the Florida Bar. Chad enjoys working with families to achieve their various estate planning goals, including succession planning for closely held busine...

Joseph H. Varner III is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and serves on the firm's Directors Committee. Mr. Varner is experienced in complex commercial litigation, business torts, securities litigation, professional negligence, and personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Mr. Varner has litigated complex liability and medical issues ranging from corporate shareholder disputes to wrongful death arising from medical malpractice. He has obtained significant jury verdicts and...

Mike Hooker concentrates his practice in the area of commercial litigation. During his more than 30-year career, Mr. Hooker has litigated a variety of complex commercial actions, including contract disputes, business torts, products liability claims, shareholder disputes and derivative actions, antitrust and trade regulation issues, disputes between franchisors and franchisees, Section 1983 constitutional claims, real estate disputes, land use issues, unfair trade practice claims, telecommuni...

Ben Dachepalli has extensive experience negotiating and drafting construction-related agreements, and litigating complex construction claims regarding contract disputes, construction defects, design errors, surety bonds and construction liens. He is dedicated to understanding each client’s business to provide comprehensive strategies that go beyond legal issues, disputes or contracts. Ben is board certified by the Florida Bar in Construction Law. He was selected as national coordinating...

Brian D. Agliano is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Brian D., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.