Ruel W. Smith

Matt Hale focuses his practice on assisting businesses and their owners with restructuring matters, including both in-court and out-of-court solutions. He represents debtors, creditors, committees, and trustees in business bankruptcy cases with an emphasis on preserving and maximizing value for all stakeholders. His practice regularly involves navigating complex financial and operational issues under the Bankruptcy Code. In addition to bankruptcy matters, Matt represents fiduciaries and other...

Jason Pill helps businesses handle the entire spectrum of workplace issues. He advises on risk assessment, policy development, education and contract creation, and he represents clients in state and federal court when litigation becomes unavoidable. Jason’s long-term client relationships give him valuable insight into how business needs affect employment decisions. Working as an extension of clients’ HR department, he acts quickly to defect or minimize potential liabilities. Jason...

Brian Gaudet is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). Brian practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Brian Gaudet since 2026. 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 Brian Gaudet is held by other lawyers.

Tony Cuva has been practicing admiralty and maritime law for over thirty years and has been board certified for over twenty years. He handles a large array of admiralty and maritime matters as well as civil litigation. Tony Cuva has handled Jones Act cases, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation act cases, maritime personal injury cases, collisions, allisions, Cargo claims, environmental issues relative to clean water discharge, Coast Guard and OSHA investigations, and recreational ...

Stephen R. Leslie is a bankruptcy and litigation attorney with Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Postler PA in Tampa, Florida. His practice focuses on Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, as well as Litigation – Bankruptcy, with an emphasis on complex Chapter 11 matters and related commercial disputes. Mr. Leslie has served as lead Chapter 11 or lead workout counsel in matters involving hundreds of millions of dollars in assets across a wide range of in...

ABOUT Steve Zaloudek is a Senior Trial Attorney at MANEY | GORDON Trial Lawyers. Steve focuses his practice in Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death.He has been admitted to practice law in Florida, New York and Georgia and has logged more than 30 years of trial experience in these states, obtaining several noteworthy judgments and settlements for his clients. In 2011, Steve garnered one of the top published verdicts in the state of New York. In 2012 he repeated that feat wit...

David P. Steffen has represented clients in both state and federal courts, before the Florida Commission on Human Relations, the EEOC, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, and the NLRB. He has also advised clients on ways to manage their Workers’ Compensation claims and how to properly enforce employment policies. David regularly assists clients on preemptive strategies to limit their future exposure. Before joining C...

An aggressive litigator, Karina Perez Ilić has diverse expertise in civil litigation, including premises liability, Tampa motor vehicle accidents , and catastrophic workplace accidents . She is not afraid to be a fierce advocate for clients who have been wronged or injured. A Florida native, she ventured to New Orleans to receive her bachelor’s degree in business law with a minor in French language at Tulane University. She continued her legal education in New Orleans, graduating from L...

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...

Tracey Jaensch is the Regional Managing Partner of FordHarrison's seven Florida offices and serves on the firm's Health Care Practice Group Committee. Tracey has tried more than 30 jury trials representing employers. A recognized industry leader, Tracey has over 25 years’ experience advising hospitals and physician practices on a broad range of topics unique to healthcare employers. In addition to healthcare, Tracey has deep bench experience in all aspects of employment issues in the re...