Best Lawyers Near You in Fort Myers, Florida

David J. Ledermann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. David J., who practices law in Fort Myers, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert A. Cooper, a member of the firm’s Board of Directors, focuses his practice in all areas of real estate law, construction law, condominium and homeowners association law, lien and foreclosure law, loan and financing transactions, commercial leasing, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate and business law. Well-known and well-respected for his community association law practice, Robert has extensive experience providing legal counseling to boards of directors, officers and...

Joel W. Hyatt focuses his practice on commercial, construction, real estate, labor and employment, and community association litigation. Joel works with local and national companies, community associations, and individuals to navigate through complex business and legal issues, including all manner of contract disputes, collections, construction liens, foreclosure, replevin, enforcement of non-competition agreements, interpretation and enforcement of governing documents, and title disputes.

James L. Holloway, a Partner in the firm’s Fort Myers office, practices in the areas of litigation and local government law. He represents municipalities, local governments, and private clients in matters relating to land use, permitting, code enforcement, and eminent domain. James also handles litigation matters throughout all phases, including drafting pleadings, directing discovery, and researching and drafting dispositive motions. James frequently appears before Florida courts, the ...

John D. Gast has decades of experience working with families as they plan their estates. John has lived in Southwest Florida for over 30 years and concentrates his practice on estate planning, charitable gift planning, life insurance, domicile planning, probate litigation, trust and estate settlement and taxation. John knows each family is different and works with them to craft a custom plan that fits their individual needs.

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

Philip V. Howard is a partner in the Fort Myers office. He focuses his practice in the areas of Trust and Estate Litigation, Guardianship Litigation, Fiduciary Litigation, and Estate Planning. Philip has significant trial experience in the areas of inheritance disputes, fiduciary disputes, contested wills and trusts, guardianship disputes, elder exploitation injunctions and elder exploitation lawsuits and other contested probate matters. Although Philip focuses his practices on the 20th Judic...

Erin Houck-Toll is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Health Care Law and Tax Law. Erin, who practices law in Fort Myers, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Danielle M. Balczon is a partner in the firm’s Ft. Myers office. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology. She subsequently obtained her Juris Doctor Degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. While in law school, Balczon studied abroad at Cambridge University and served as an intern in Alabama State University’s Athletic Department. Prior to joining Cole, ...

Philip Freidin has been practicing law for 50 years and has devoted his life to representing clients who have been seriously injured by the wrongful acts of others. Phil has represented plaintiffs in some of the most significant personal injury and medical malpractice cases in Florida’s history and has earned his status as a pillar in the South Florida legal community. As one federal judge recently wrote, “he is unquestionably among the upper echelons of lawyers in our district.&r...

Douglas B. Szabo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Douglas B., who practices law in Fort Myers, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As an associate in Hahn Loeser’s Litigation Practice Area, Gabriel Arbois represents clients in complex commercial litigation. Gabriel is involved in cases through all stages of litigation, including legal research and drafting pleadings, motions and discovery. Gabriel graduated cum laude from Florida International University College of Law. Prior to joining Hahn Loeser, he worked for a one of Florida’s largest civil defense firms and clerked for the Honorable Judge Migna Sanchez-...