William F. "Chip" Merlin, Jr.

B. Michael Bachman Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. B. Michael, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which B. Michael 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...

Michael McGriskin practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. He has exclusively represented insurers and their agents since he joined Phelps Dunbar in 2013. His practice is focused on complex insurance coverage, counseling, and litigation and includes advising and defending insurers regarding allegations of insurer “bad faith.” Michael’s litigation experience encompasses a range of insurance coverage matters. He represents admitted and surplus lines insurers regardi...

Richard Alvarez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Richard, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dawn has spent two decades partnering with her clients to help guide and direct their employment decisions to avoid the time and expense of litigation, and creating and executing a strategy to defend them through trial should the need arise. She is committed to knowing her client's businesses. Dawn's familiarity with her client's businesses and industries and knowledge of current legal trends is beneficial to her clients in preparing for and thwarting any potential adverse actions. It is for ...

Jeffrey Koster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Jeffrey, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Keith Fendrick is a Partner in the Holland & Knight Tampa office and a member of the Bankruptcy Practice Group. He focuses his practice on bankruptcy and creditors' rights, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, and commercial litigation. Mr. Fendrick has represented financial institutions, corporations, insurance companies, and creditor groups in numerous large Chapter 11 cases around the country. He has also worked with secured and unsecured creditors in workouts, non-bankruptcy ...

Chad Callahan’s practice is primarily devoted to estate planning, estate, gift and generation-skipping transfers, tax planning, business succession planning, charitable planning, tax controversy matters against the IRS and matters involving the administration of trusts and estates. He is board certified in Wills, Trusts & Estates by the Florida Bar. Chad enjoys working with families to achieve their various estate planning goals, including succession planning for closely held busine...

Steven R. Wirth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Steven R., 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 Steven R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph H. Varner III is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and serves on the firm's Directors Committee. Mr. Varner is experienced in complex commercial litigation, business torts, securities litigation, professional negligence, and personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Mr. Varner has litigated complex liability and medical issues ranging from corporate shareholder disputes to wrongful death arising from medical malpractice. He has obtained significant jury verdicts and...