William R. Gower III

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...

Accomplishments Ms. Merlin has held several leadership positions in eminent domain during her career. These include: Chair of the ABA Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Committee (1982 - 1985); Chair of the Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee (1993 - 1994); Co-Chair of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Eminent Domain Committee (1997-1998) and member of the Florida Bar Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure Steering Committee (1999 - present). Her proudest career accomplishment is institu...

Tony Cuva has been practicing admiralty and maritime law for over thirty years and has been board certified for over twenty years. He handles a large array of admiralty and maritime matters as well as civil litigation. Tony Cuva has handled Jones Act cases, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation act cases, maritime personal injury cases, collisions, allisions, Cargo claims, environmental issues relative to clean water discharge, Coast Guard and OSHA investigations, and recreational ...

Catriana Messina practices in the area of insurance. She has exclusively represented insurers and their agents since she joined Phelps Dunbar in 2014. Her practice is focused on complex first-party insurance coverage matters arising under homeowners, commercial property, builders risk, catastrophe and other property insurance policies, including but not limited to hurricane claims, sinkhole claims, and claims involving suspected arson, fire, fraud, vandalism, theft, collapse, business interru...

Mark Bernet litigates complex commercial and business disputes, class action defense, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights/foreclosures, and appellate matters in state and federal court. Experienced across a range of sectors, including finance, banking, real estate, aviation finance, and hospitality, his clients include local, regional, and national banks and financial institutions, manufacturers, and venture capitalists. Frequently recommended by the federal agencies and Attorneys General fro...

Amy M. Darby is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Litigation - Real Estate. Amy M., 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 Amy M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Ed's practice focuses primarily in the areas of banking and insolvency. He has represented lenders, lessors, trustees, committees, and debtors in chapter 11 cases and has extensive legal experience in mortgage foreclosures, workouts, lending transactions, lending-related litigation, and assignments for the benefit of creditors. Ed's bankruptcy experience includes the defense and prosecution of preference actions, fraudulent transfer actions, and other avoidance actions, claims litigation, dis...

Bill serves on the firm’s board of directors. He is a board certified specialist in the area of business litigation. His practice focuses on business litigation and trial practice, including securities litigation and arbitration, professional malpractice litigation, director and officer litigation, employment litigation, restrictive covenant litigation and intellectual property litigation. Bill served as President of the Florida Bar for the 2016-2017 term. He is also a member of the boa...

Office Head of Constangy's Tampa, Lakeland and Port St. Lucie Offices Recognized in publications, Best Lawyers in America (1995-2017) Recognized in Florida Super Lawyers (2006-2016) Recognized in Chambers USA Guide Successfully represented companies in claims involving sexual harassment, retaliatory discharge, race, disability, age, religious and sex discrimination Successfully represented companies in wage hour claims Assisted companies in due diligence in mergers and acquisitions Acted as c...