William Patrick Ayers

Christopher Torres is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Christopher, 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 Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Stacy D. Blank practices primarily in the area of appellate and general commercial litigation. She has litigated appeals in the Florida District Courts of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Circuit Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. She has handled appeals and trial court litigation in numerous subject areas including trust and estates, antitrust, employment law, state and federal taxation, environmental law, family law, administrative law, intellectu...

Roberta Casper Watson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Roberta Casper, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roberta Casper is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jason H. Baruch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Banking and Finance. Jason H., 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 Jason H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph Harris focuses his employment law practice on litigation, compliance counseling, and risk management. Joe defends employers in federal and state courts, and before administrative agencies, in matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-hour law violations. He also represents employers in disputes involving the breach of post-employment restrictive covenants, such as noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements. In addition, Joe conducts internal investigations ...

Lori Heim is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Litigation - Real Estate and Real Estate Law. Lori, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lori is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Irene Bassel Frick serves as the managing partner of Akerman’s Tampa office. A trial lawyer with experience in state and federal court, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings, Irene has a multifaceted litigation practice encompassing contractual disputes, class action defense, fiduciary duty claims, business torts, non-compete litigation, construction disputes, and commercial foreclosure litigation. Her clients include employers, insurers, employee benefit plans, and third party p...

Shane A. Hart is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and a member of the Private Wealth Services Group. He represents clients in estate planning and estate administration matters. His practice focuses on developing comprehensive estate plans for clients in a way that minimizes transfer taxes while achieving other desired goals. He also counsels personal representatives in the administration of estates, including the preparation of necessary court filings and the estate tax return...

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