Melanie C. Verdecia

Brad Kimbro , executive partner of Holland & Knight's Tampa Bay region, is a trial lawyer whose practice emphasizes commercial litigation, including actions involving contract disputes, fraud, shareholder disputes, dissenters' rights, directors' and officers' liability, securities, real estate, business torts, non-competition agreements, petroleum marketing, creditors' rights, construction disputes, and environmental litigation. Mr. Kimbro is a certified public accountant licensed in the ...

Lauren Yevich is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Arbitration. Lauren, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lauren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gretchen M. Lehman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Gretchen M., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gretchen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark A. Sessums formed the firm now known as Sessums Law Group, P.A. in April 2008. The firm has five (5) lawyers and represents clients in all types of civil litigation matters throughout the State of Florida and in other jurisdictions. Mr. Sessums has been Florida Bar Board Certified in Marital and Family Law since 1997 and Civil Trial Law since 2010. Mr. Sessums earned Board Certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 2015. Mr. Sessums is recognized for excellence by Best La...

Melissa Kuipers Blake is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice. Melissa Kuipers, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa Kuipers is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian Gaudet is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). Brian, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ed Suarez is a veteran trial lawyer with more than thirty years of experience representing individuals, executives, healthcare providers, and businesses in high-stakes white-collar criminal defense, federal and state investigations, False Claims Act matters and general criminal cases. A longtime Tampa resident, he has built a reputation as one of Florida’s leading defenders in complex federal cases, known for his meticulous case preparation, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment ...

Alan F. Wagner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Alan F., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alan F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal pr...

Alexis Buese’s practice involves all aspects of commercial litigation, with an emphasis on class action, financial services litigation, contract disputes, and real estate and consumer class action litigation. She has broadly defended the consumer products and financial services industries against the expanding array of class actions that challenge their products, procedures, and servicing. Her clients include financial institutions and numerous consumer goods manufacturers and retailers...

Michael L. Chapman is a member of Holland & Knight's senior management team, serving as the firm's general counsel. In this role, Mr. Chapman is legal advisor to management and the firm's Directors Committee and works to ensure that the firm operates in full compliance with all legal requirements, bar ethics standards, its partnership agreement and core principles. For more than 20 years, Mr. Chapman has practiced as a commercial trial lawyer. He has extensive experience handling disputes...