Thomas G. "Tom" Long

M. John Burgess is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. M. John practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized M. John Burgess 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 M. John Burgess is held by other lawyers.

Dale Swope is managing partner of Swope, Rodante, Newsome & Steinberg which is the development of the solo firm practice he founded six months out of law school, in 1979. Mr. Swope is a Tampa native, and a graduate of Hillsborough High School, the University of South Florida, and the University of Florida Law School. The firm’s most senior lawyer, Mr. Swope has received virtually every professional recognition available to lawyers who practice in his field. He has an AV rating (the ...

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...

Michael M. Mills Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Michael M. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Michael M. Mills Jr. since 2024. 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 Michael M. Mills Jr. is held by other lawyers.

Michael Bachman, Jr. joined Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Postler, P.A. in 2009 and became a shareholder in 2013. Based in Tampa, Florida, Mr. Bachman focuses his practice on bankruptcy matters and commercial transactions, with a significant concentration in Real Estate Law and commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Bachman represents debtors, creditors, purchasers, and other parties in bankruptcy cases, as well as in complex out-of-court workouts and debt restructurings. He also advises in...

Ryan Cappy was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and graduated Cum Laude from Jesuit High School in 1993. He attended Florida State University, where he served as president of the Interfraternity Council, before earning his Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law in 2000. While in law school, he received the Book Award in Constitutional Law, an honor presented to the student demonstrating outstanding academic achievement in the subject. Ryan began his legal career as an...

Frank R. Jakes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Frank R. practices law in Tampa, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Frank R. Jakes since 2006. 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 Frank R. Jakes is held by other lawyers.

Steve Bernstein is managing partner of the firm's Tampa office. He also serves as a Chair of the firm’s Associate Development and Retention Committee. Steve maintains a traditional labor practice in which he represents employers throughout the United States in both state and federal courts, as well as before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and other state and federal agencies. In the proce...

Stephanie focuses her practice on real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financing and leasing. Stephanie represents financial institutions, including banks and insurance companies, and corporate clients in a broad range of commercial real estate and commercial lending transactions. She also represents investors in joint venture transactions for a variety of asset types, including retail, multi-family residential, office and industrial space, and has extensive experience advising clients reg...

Todd Aidman devotes his practice to working with companies on a broad range of labor and employment matters. He is experienced in complex and class action litigation and regularly practices in the trial and appellate levels of federal and state courts, as well as administrative agencies such as the EEOC and DOL. Todd defends companies in a broad range of employment and labor disputes, including cases involving allegations of age, race, national origin, disability, sex discrimination, sexual a...