Melissa B. Murphy

Jim Davis , a member of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group, draws upon his extensive experience in the public sector to provide strategic legal, legislative and regulatory counsel to clients in Florida, the District of Columbia and across the country. Mr. Davis served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 10 years, from 1997 to 2007. He represented the City of Tampa and portions of St. Petersburg, Bradenton and Hillsborough County, Florida. In 2006, Mr. Davis was t...

Scott H. Jackman, a partner in our Tampa office, is a member of the firm’s Community Association Group and focuses on litigation defense of claims against condominium, homeowner and community associations and their officers and directors, to include civil and administrative claims based on the governing statutes, employment and housing discrimination claims, actions for breach of vendor contracts, as well as personal injury and other common law claims. Mr. Jackman also handles malpracti...

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.

Justin Zinzow is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Real Estate. Justin, 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 Justin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dawn has spent two decades partnering with her clients to help guide and direct their employment decisions to avoid the time and expense of litigation, and creating and executing a strategy to defend them through trial should the need arise. She is committed to knowing her client's businesses. Dawn's familiarity with her client's businesses and industries and knowledge of current legal trends is beneficial to her clients in preparing for and thwarting any potential adverse actions. It is for ...

Richard B. Stephens, Jr. is a partner in Holland & Knight's Lakeland office. Mr. Stephens divides his time between tax exempt financings and a diverse corporate practice. On the corporate side, Mr. Stephens has extensive experience in large corporate transactions focusing on the gas, power, cement and road based industries (including structured products, prepaid gas transactions, financings, derivatives, acquisitions, mergers, and general contract drafting). He also has significant experi...

Ignacio J. Garcia is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Ignacio J., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ignacio J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kristin A. Norse practices exclusively in the areas of appellate practice and civil litigation support. She has over 30 years of legal experience, including more than 20 years representing clients in trial and appellate courts and ten years working as a senior staff attorney for the Honorable Chris W. Altenbernd at the Second District Court of Appeal. She has successfully represented individuals and businesses in well over 100 involving various areas of law including complex commercial cases,...

Ruel W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Ruel W., 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 Ruel W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aileen Davis represents financial institutions in a range of lending transactions and loan workouts. She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for her work, including “Lawyer of the Year” honors for banking and finance law in Tampa. Aileen’s experience includes working on real estate loans for across asset types. She also represents land owners and developers in real estate transactions, including acquisitions, sales, and leasing.