Sean M. Ellis

Philip V. Howard is a partner in the Fort Myers office. He focuses his practice in the areas of Trust and Estate Litigation, Guardianship Litigation, Fiduciary Litigation, and Estate Planning. Philip has significant trial experience in the areas of inheritance disputes, fiduciary disputes, contested wills and trusts, guardianship disputes, elder exploitation injunctions and elder exploitation lawsuits and other contested probate matters. Although Philip focuses his practices on the 20th Judic...

Christina M. O'Brien is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Christina M., who practices law in Fort Myers, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christina M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Erin Houck-Toll is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Health Care Law and Tax Law. Erin, who practices law in Fort Myers, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Frank J. Aloia, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Real Estate and Real Estate Law. Frank J., who practices law in Fort Myers, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Frank J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert A. Cooper, a member of the firm’s Board of Directors, focuses his practice in all areas of real estate law, construction law, condominium and homeowners association law, lien and foreclosure law, loan and financing transactions, commercial leasing, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate and business law. Well-known and well-respected for his community association law practice, Robert has extensive experience providing legal counseling to boards of directors, officers and...

Marshall P. Bender is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Marshall P., who practices law in Naples, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marshall P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John D. Gast has decades of experience working with families as they plan their estates. John has lived in Southwest Florida for over 30 years and concentrates his practice on estate planning, charitable gift planning, life insurance, domicile planning, probate litigation, trust and estate settlement and taxation. John knows each family is different and works with them to craft a custom plan that fits their individual needs.

Jonathan E. Gopman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Jonathan E., who practices law in Naples, Florida, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Before joining the firm in 2013, Joel H. Brown was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chief Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida in 2009. Joel was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1971 and had been practicing personal injury law as a civil trial lawyer prior to his appointment by former Governor Bob Martinez to the County Court in 1990. Following his appointment, Joel served as Associate Administrative Judge of the County Court, Criminal Traffic Division, and then served as Adminis...

Alfred J. Stashis, Jr. is a shareholder of Dunwody White & Landon, P.A. and is board certified by the Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates. A Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), he serves clients in the firm’s Naples, Palm Beach and Miami offices. He focuses his practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration; federal income, estate, gift and generation skipping transfer (GST) taxation; planning for Florida domicile; plan...