Rachel M. Falknor

Duane is Of Counsel with Shumaker and also serves as a Legal Skills Professor and Director of Advocacy at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Drawing on more than 30 years of practice, he continues to represent clients in state and federal appellate courts and to advise trial lawyers on appellate strategy, preservation of error, and complex legal issues arising before, during, and after trial. Duane has been actively involved in every aspect of Florida's appellate community, inclu...

Gina Grimes is counsel in Bradley’s Real Estate and Economic Development practice groups. She has extensive experience in land use, real estate development and investment, and economic development matters in Tampa’s active market. Prior to joining the firm, Gina served as the City Attorney for the City of Tampa. She formerly served as Chief Assistant City Attorney and City Council Attorney for the City of Tampa from 1985 to 2004. Her tenure with the City of Tampa provided her with...

Rich Newsome is a partner at Swope, Rodante, Newsome & Steinberg. For more than twenty-five years, Rich Newsome has dedicated his career to representing individuals and families whose lives have been forever changed by catastrophic injuries and defective products . Recognized as one of the country’s leading product liability and catastrophic injury trial lawyers, Rich has built a reputation for taking on complex, high-stakes cases against some of the world’s largest manufactur...

Dee Anna D. Hays is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Dee Anna D. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Dee Anna D. Hays since 2023. 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 Dee Anna D. Hays is held by other lawyers.

John Mullen practices in the areas of labor and employment law and in securities litigation and arbitration. He advises and represents employers throughout Florida in the defense of age, race, gender, sexual harassment, disability, and FMLA discrimination and retaliation claims, in both federal and state court trial practice and in arbitration and administrative proceedings. He also advises clients on a full range of employment-based immigration matters, and assists clients in obtaining visas...

Michelle Bartels is a partner in Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A.’s Tampa office and a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Ms. Bartels' practice focuses in the areas of catastrophic and personal injury, general civil litigation, premises liability, trucking defense, professional malpractice, security negligence, vehicle negligence, significant wrongful death, defective products, foster care lead agency and community based care defense. Ms. Bartels earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magn...

Sam Queirolo is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. He has worked with investors, developers, lenders and governmental entities in the acquisition, development, leasing, financing and disposition of office and industrial projects, residential developments, apartment complexes, retail facilities, mixed-use projects, senior living facilities and university facilities. He is an authorized agent for multiple title insurance companies. He has also worked with clients to assemb...

Justin W. Pimenta is a Partner of the law firm of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk. He is a highly accomplished trial attorney who cares deeply for his clients and the practice of personal injury law. Justin is twice board certified as an expert in civil trial law by the Florida Bar and The National Board of Trial Advocacy. He was appointed by the President of the Florida Bar to serve as a member of the Florida Bar Civil Trial Law Board Certification Committee for two terms from 2019-2025. The Commi...

Scott Distasio is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Scott practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Scott Distasio since 2022. 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 Scott Distasio is held by other lawyers.

Blake Gaylord is a partner practicing in the field of eminent domain and property rights. He has successfully represented property owners statewide in jury trials, bench trials, and administrative and Value Adjustment Board proceedings. Prior to joining the firm, Blake served as an officer in the U.S. Army where he was deployed in both Operation Iraqi Freedom (Kuwait) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Professionally, he has served as the Chairman of the Eminent Domain Committee of...