Robert T. Joyce

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...

J.D. is a business litigation attorney and trial lawyer who represents companies and individuals in a wide variety of high-stakes commercial disputes across state and federal courts in Florida. His litigation practice focuses on breach of contract claims, business torts, non-compete and restrictive covenant enforcement, trade secret misappropriation and intellectual property matters, partnership and shareholder disputes, class actions, and administrative or regulatory issues. With experience ...

Edwin P. Gale is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Edwin P., 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 Edwin P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Lee Bentley’s practice includes the defense of False Claims Act and qui tam cases, internal investigations, and white collar criminal matters. He specializes in telemedicine/telehealth, compound pharmacy, and urine toxicology cases, among other alleged fraud schemes. His experience also includes complex civil litigation involving government entities. Lee has handled trials and appeals in numerous federal and state courts, and has served as sole or lead counsel in almost 40 civil and cri...

Vit Gulbis brings an emphasis in tax and business planning to his representation of closely-held businesses and professional practices. His practice integrates the personal and estate tax planning concerns of business owners with business planning. He has represented closely-held businesses throughout their life cycle. He is experienced in the corporate governance and financial concerns of small businesses, and regularly represents clients in their merger and acquisition and financing transac...

Aileen Davis represents financial institutions in a range of lending transactions and loan workouts. She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for her work, including “Lawyer of the Year” honors for banking and finance law in Tampa. Aileen’s experience includes working on real estate loans for across asset types. She also represents land owners and developers in real estate transactions, including acquisitions, sales, and leasing.

Ruel W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Ruel W., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ruel W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney Lee Gunn focuses his practiceof law upon the prosecution of cases involving substantial losses throughout the State of Florida. These cases frequently involve wrongful death and serious injuries to patients victimized by medical malpractice, defective products, and construction accidents. He also prosecutes insurance coverage and bad faith actions against property, casualty, life, health and disability insurance companies that refuse to pay fully, fairly a...

Leonard H. Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Leonard H., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Leonard H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.