Merritt A. Gardner

David Kalteux focuses his practice on employment litigation and traditional labor law and advises clients on implementing proactive strategies to reduce legal risk. David counsels and represents employers on discrimination and retaliation claims under Title VII, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and various other employment laws. David is a member of the Firm’s Wage and Hour Practice Group and specializes in repr...

Paul A. McDermott is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Paul A., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tracey Jaensch is the Regional Managing Partner of FordHarrison's seven Florida offices and serves on the firm's Health Care Practice Group Committee. Tracey has tried more than 30 jury trials representing employers. A recognized industry leader, Tracey has over 25 years’ experience advising hospitals and physician practices on a broad range of topics unique to healthcare employers. In addition to healthcare, Tracey has deep bench experience in all aspects of employment issues in the re...

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...

With more than 20 years of experience as a trial attorney, Russell Buhite focuses his practice on life, health and disability insurance coverage litigation, as well as myriad ERISA matters. He is also experienced in defending employers in employment law matters before the EEOC and in state and federal courts. Russell also represents a wide range of professionals including agents, brokers, attorneys, appraisers, engineers and others in all manner of alleged malpractice and errors and omissions...

Janet E. Wise is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by The Florida Bar since 2001, which recognizes her special knowledge, skills and proficiency in labor and employment law, along with her professionalism and ethical standards. As an attorney with the Sass Law Firm, she brings over 33 years of experience to the practice which primarily represents employees from both the private and public sectors in workplace disputes. Ms. Wise speaks frequently on employment law topics, especially ...

Stephen Stukey is a partner in the firm’s Tampa office. His areas of practice are construction litigation and insurance defense. Mr. Stukey also focuses on Environmental Bodily Injury and Property Damage claims. His practice includes extensive experience with Chinese drywall sulfurous off-gassing, environmental/toxic spills, CPVC environmental stress cracking from incompatibility with ABF II cutting agents, mold, mildew, fungi, bacteria, radon, carbon monoxide poisoning, and Legionnaire...

Kelly R. High is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law, Insurance Law, Litigation - Health Care, Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Kelly R., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelly R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Karl Brandes practices in the areas of civil trial and commercial litigation. His practice includes petroleum marketing litigation; franchise and other trade regulation litigation; class action litigation; environmental litigation; construction litigation for engineer, architect, contractor and developer clients; condominium litigation; professional liability litigation for lawyer and engineer clients; computer litigation; personal injury litigation, including insurance and self-insured defen...

John Phillips practices in the area of labor and employment. He represents employer clients in labor and employment matters throughout the United States. Past and present clients include manufacturers, retailers, rental car companies, financial institutions, medical services, hospitals, hotels, physicians’ professional associations, employee leasing companies, government contractors, insurance companies, shipyards, mining companies, and restaurants. He regularly appears in both state an...