Michael Archibald

Christine Howard is a partner in the Tampa and Atlanta offices. She also serves as a Co-Chair of the firm's Women's Initiative and Leadership Council. Christine focuses her practice on the defense of employment discrimination and harassment complaints and wage and hour and benefits litigation. She has successfully handled many dispositive motions, hearings and trials on behalf of employers. Over the last decade, she has defended numerous collective action cases filed on behalf of classes of e...

Gaylord Merlin represents property and business owners in eminent domain and property rights litigation throughout the State of Florida. Our firm guides an owner through the condemnation process, protects an owner's property rights, and fights for an owner to receive full compensation. Andrew G. Diaz represents a variety of business and property owners in eminent domain and property rights litigation. He has handled cases involving the taking of large vacant parcels, national big box retailer...

Frederick J. Grady is a commercial litigator who has significant experience in several areas of complex commercial litigation and construction law. He handles construction litigation, including delay claims, mechanic's lien work, architect/engineer liability, and differing site conditions claims. Mr. Grady also has experience in contract drafting, review and administration. His experience includes various types of projects, including commercial and residential construction, including office b...

Richard D. Eckhard is the head of the Tampa office real estate group. Mr Eckhard's practice focuses on office and retail real estate development, leasing, acquisition and disposition. He represents national and regional landlords and tenants in connection with office buildings, shopping centers and mixed–use properties. He also handles synthetic and leveraged leases. Mr. Eckhard is the incoming chair of The Florida Bar Real Property Leasing Committee. Since 2007, he has served as a memb...

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...

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

Erin Raschke practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. She has exclusively represented insurers and their agents since she joined Phelps Dunbar in January 2008. Her practice is focused on complex insurance coverage, counseling, and litigation and includes advising and defending insurers regarding allegations of insurer “bad faith.” Erin advises surplus lines and admitted, both foreign and domestic, insurance carriers and routinely represents them in both state and federa...

Jennifer W. Corinis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jennifer W., 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 Jennifer W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey Koster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Jeffrey, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chester E. Bacheller is a transactional lawyer practicing in the areas of securities, mergers and acquisitions and finance including, venture capital financing. The majority of Mr. Bacheller's practice has centered on representing companies and investors in various corporate and financial transactions. He has substantial experience in a wide range of corporate, securities and banking matters, including: public offerings of securities registered under the federal and state securities laws; cor...