Paula E. Ferris-Richardson

Vanessa Bolton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. Vanessa, who practices law in DeLand, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Vanessa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paula Howell focuses her practice on litigation matters. Paula regularly counsels clients involved in complex commercial and construction litigation. Paula also has experience with matters involving torts, trademark infringement, and employment-related disputes. She has conducted numerous administrative hearings and trials, including several jury trials, resulting in favorable outcomes for her clients. Paula regularly engages in pro bono litigation, taking on matters including cross-national ...

Evan J. Small is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Evan J., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Evan J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kyla O'Brien Baker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Kyla O'Brien, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kyla O'Brien is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Managing Shareholder Brian Gilchrist is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in the area of Intellectual Property Law. Certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar for competency, experience professionalism and ethics in an area of law. He has substantial experience in all phases of intellectual property litigation, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, deceptive trade practices and restrictive covenants. Mr. Gilchrist has been attorney of record in ov...

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

Patrick Brackins received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Florida and, in 2006, his Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. Patrick moved to Orlando in 2006, where he began his career as a staff attorney for Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. Prior to joining Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins, P.A., from 2008 to 2016, Patrick served as the career law clerk for a United States Magistrate Judge in the Orlando Division of th...

Steven D. Kramer is a native Floridian and has lived in Central Florida since 1987. He is a graduate of Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Florida. Mr. Kramer is a leader in the Central Florida Community. He has served as President of the prestigious William's Inn of Court, previously served as President of the Seminole County Bar Association, President of the Seminole County Legal Aid Society, Co-Founder and Director of the Seminole County Young Lawyers Division, and is a Member of the Flor...

Benton Wood is a partner in the firm's Orlando office. He represents private and public sector employers in all aspects of employment and labor law. Benton specializes in employment law litigation and has litigated a multitude of employment-related claims on behalf of management, including: sex discrimination, race discrimination, age discrimination, national origin discrimination, disability discrimination, unlawful retaliation, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) violations, Fair Labor Stan...

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