Meredith Gaunce

Susan has specialized in tax planning for over 35 years. She has a Masters of Law in Taxation and formerly was Board Certified in Tax Law by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization (1995 – 2011). Her practice includes Federal and Florida tax issues related to the formation and operation of corporations (including S corporations), partnerships, and limited liability companies. She also consults with respect to the formation and operation of tax exempt entities. In addition, Susan i...

Bruce H. Bokor has been a member of Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP since 1977, advising clients throughout Clearwater, Florida and the surrounding areas in matters involving Tax Law, Trusts and Estates, business transactions, and estate planning. His practice includes planning for the purchase and sale of businesses, complex estate planning strategies, and representation in tax controversy matters. Bruce works with business owners, professionals, closely held companies, charitab...

Thomas B. Smith is a health care attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida, with more than 35 years of experience in the health care industry. He began his career in hospital administration and served in senior leadership positions at several Florida hospitals, including as Assistant Director of a 600-bed teaching hospital. His experience in hospital operations exposed him to the legal and regulatory challenges involving governance, reimbursement, and compliance, leading him to pursue a law degree ...

Gregory J. Perenich is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Gregory J. practices law in Clearwater, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Gregory J. Perenich since 2025. 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 Gregory J. Perenich is held by other lawyers.

Bob served as a Law Clerk to Honorable William Terrell Hodges, United States District Judge, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida from 1982 – 1984. From 1988 to 1998 he handled catastrophic child and infant injury cases throughout the United States and Canada. While clerking he learned of Johnson Pope’s well-known reputation for quality legal work and ended up joining the firm in April 1999. He is the author of “The Primary Carrier Caught in the Middle with Bad Fa...

Serving as of-counsel, Joseph W. Gaynor, joined the firm Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP in January 2008. Joseph W. Gaynor, P.A. (1995 – present), was the successor to Jacobs, Robbins and Gaynor, P.A. and its successors by merger (1971-1995) specializing in real estate; acquisition, financing and conversion of manufactured home communities and apartments; development of shopping centers, office buildings, apartment complexes, condominiums and planned unit developments, inc...

Mary Jo Carney is a real estate attorney with more than 40 years of experience representing developers, property owners, landlords, tenants, and investors in commercial real estate matters throughout Florida. Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, she serves clients through Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP, where her practice focuses on complex commercial real estate transactions involving acquisitions, financing, leasing, development, redevelopment, and sales. Mary Jo regularly advise...

Michael Igel is a Board-Certified Health Law attorney and Chair of the Health Care Team at Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP in St. Petersburg, Florida. He represents health care providers, physician groups, health systems, private equity investors, and other health care businesses in transactional, regulatory, operational, and litigation matters. His practice areas include Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Litigation - Health Care, health care mergers and a...

Charles A. Samarkos is a Florida Bar Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney and Partner in Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP’s Clearwater office. He has practiced with the firm throughout his legal career, joining Johnson Pope after graduating from law school in 1989. For more than three decades, Charles has represented businesses, individuals, and families in complex civil litigation matters, including business disputes, construction defect claims, shareholder derivative actio...

Joseph M. Rooth is a Board Certified workers’ compensation attorney in New Port Richey, Florida, representing injured and disabled workers throughout the Tampa Bay area since 1994. As the founder of Rooth Law Firm , he focuses on helping clients pursue medical care, lost wage benefits, and other compensation available under Florida law after workplace injuries and occupational illnesses. For more than 30 years, Mr. Rooth has handled Workers’ Compensation Cases - Claimant matters a...