Rick A. Buchwalter

James B. Soble is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. James B. practices law in St. Petersburg, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized James B. Soble since 2013. 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 James B. Soble is held by other lawyers.

EXPERIENCE Charles joined the firm after graduating law school in 1989. He is a board certified civil trial attorney and handles a wide variety of civil litigation cases. His experience includes cases involving businesses disputes, trust and estate litigation, construction defect litigation, and litigation involving non-competition agreements and other restrictive covenants. DISTINCTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS Admitted to The Florida Bar – 1989 Florida Bar Board Certified in Civil Trial Law ...

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...

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.

Joan M. Vecchioli joined Johnson Pope in 1986 upon graduating with honors from Stetson University College of Law, where she was a member of the Law Review and competed on the Moot Court Board. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of William and Mary. Since joining the firm, Joan has gained experience in the areas of commercial litigation, commercial real estate transactions, education, and labor and employment law. Currently, her practice focuses on labor and...

PRACTICE AREAS Real property law Estate planning Probate General commercial law Corporate law Commercial loans Real estate DISTINCTIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS Admitted to The Florida Bar – Admitted 1973 St. Petersburg Bar Association 1973, Florida, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida and U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit The Best Lawyers in America® for Real Estate Law, Since 2009 EDUCATION Stetson University, J.D. Harvard University, A.B. BIOGRAPHY Member, Editorial Board, S...

John C. Austin is a personal injury attorney with Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers in Clearwater, Florida. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2008 after earning his J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. For the first twelve years of his career, Mr. Austin represented the other side. From 2009 to 2016 he defended insurance companies and their insureds against personal injury claims at a Tampa Bay insurance defense firm. From 2016 to 2021 he served as...

Ryan is a partner in the firm’s St. Petersburg office. He is a state and federal trial lawyer as well as a certified civil court mediator. His litigation practice includes complex business disputes; construction law; corporate/partnership disputes; employment related litigation; hospitality law; probate litigation; appellate practice; and real estate law. His real estate matters encompass contract disputes, ad valorem tax challenges, commercial landlord/tenant matters and land use/zonin...

Caitlin M. Powell joined the Trust & Estates team of Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP, as a probate, trust, and guardianship litigator in July 2019. Caitlin represents individuals and entities across Florida in a range of matters related to probate, trust and guardianship administration and disputes. Caitlin has focused her career on probate, trust and guardianship law since law school, when she volunteered at the North Florida Office of Public Guardian, Inc., and worked with...

Joel has over 40 years of experience in tax, business, asset protection, and estate and gift tax planning for high net worth individuals and entrepreneurs. He consults on business entities, including limited liability companies (LLCs), S corporations and limited liability partnerships (LLPs). He structures and prepares shareholder agreements, operating agreements and other business agreements. He also routinely handles sophisticated estate planning including the preparation of wills, revocabl...