Stewart H. Lapayowker

David Itskovich is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. David, who practices law in Boca Raton, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Abigail M. Cohen is a Senior Associate at Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider, P.A. She is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Ms. Cohen earned her J.D. (magna cum laude) from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she was ranked 7 out of 238 in her graduating class. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida. Since her admission to the Florid...

Charles Caulkins is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office and a member of the firm's Management Committee. Since 1977, he has represented employers nationally in labor and employment law matters. He advises employers on the development and implementation of preventive labor relations programs, including management education and training, to avoid charges and lawsuits, protect trade secrets, and resolve disputes. He regularly counsels employers on union-related matters. He also handles emplo...

Peter Weinstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Peter, who practices law in Plantation, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lindsay M. Massillon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Lindsay M., who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lindsay M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David C. Peck works with emerging growth companies, established entities and private equity firms in executing their strategic plans. He assists companies beginning with corporate formation, obtaining and structuring both equity and debt financing, mergers and acquisitions, as well as the integration of acquired operations, undertaking initial public offerings, and continuing through to liquidity and exit strategies. David understands the unique needs of high growth companies. He has served a...

Warren E. Friedman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Warren E., who practices law in Boca Raton, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Warren E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eugene K. Pettis is the Co-Founder and Senior Partner of Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, residing in the Fort Lauderdale office. For 37 years, Eugene has represented an impressive number of individual clients in civil trial matters and has also represented many corporate and public sector clients. He handles a range of complex cases, with a primary focus on representing plaintiffs in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury and commercial litigation. Eugene has the historic and laudab...

Diana Santa Maria and her firm are committed to obtaining justice and compensation for those injured or killed due to the negligence of others. In doing so, Diana and her firm strive, wherever possible, to make sure unsafe and dangerous conditions are corrected. Using the legal system and courts they look to focus attention on dangerous and defective conditions or practices, to bring about changes so others are not similarly harmed. Over the years and through her efforts defective conditions ...

Jim Polkinghorn is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office and heads the litigation practice there. He is an experienced trial attorney, having tried more than thirty cases to juries in state and federal courts throughout the state of Florida and elsewhere in the United States. Jim has extensive experience litigating cases of all levels of complexity, from single-plaintiff discrimination claims to multi-party class and collective actions arising under state and federal labor and employment la...