Firm Leadership
Since its inception in 1925, Gunster has enjoyed a tradition of attracting and cultivating many of Florida’s most prominent lawyers. This legacy continues today where Gunster employs a collaborative, “one firm” management approach. This strategy provides our clients with a proactive partner who can recognize the complexities of the big picture while focusing on the fine print.
Gunster’s lead attorneys constitute an elite corps of highly respected professionals who have distinguished themselves both in and out of the courtroom.
Board Principals
George S. LeMieux, Chairman of the Board
Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux is a shareholder and serves as chairman of the firm’s board of directors. Previously, he was a shareholder at Gunster, working with the firm from 1994 through 2002 and again from 2008 until 2009, when he was appointed to serve as Florida’s 34th United States Senator. He previously served as the governor’s chief of staff and as deputy attorney general for the state of Florida. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and focuses his practice on business litigation and corporate strategic counseling.
H. William Perry, Managing Shareholder
H. William (“Bill”) Perry, managing shareholder of the firm, has been with Gunster for all of his legal career and for much of Florida’s explosive growth of the last 25 years. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is part of Gunster’s real estate practice. Mr. Perry focuses on complex commercial transactions, real estate development and finance, homeowner associations and condominiums, and mining and construction law. He was part of an advisory group to former Florida Gov. Crist and is active in the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. Mr. Perry takes a lead role in Gunster’s support of Easter Seals Florida and the American Heart Association.
Board Members
Elaine Bucher
Ms. Bucher’s practice is dedicated exclusively to sophisticated estate planning, estate and trust administration and fiduciary litigation.
Mario Garcia-Serra
Mr. Garcia-Serra focuses his practice on local government law, particularly land use and zoning.
Julia Holden Davis
Ms. Holden Davis is a trial lawyer focused on the construction and transportation sectors.
Joseph Santoro
Mr. Santoro is a founding board member who serves in the firm’s Office of General Counsel for employment.
William Schifino Jr.
Mr. Schifino is a board certified specialist in the area of business litigation.
General Counsel
David R. Atkinson, Co-General Counsel
David Atkinson is a shareholder who joined Gunster in 1988. In addition to serving as the firm’s co-general counsel, Atkinson chairs Gunster’s Professional Liability and Legal Malpractice Defense group. He also serves on the Florida Bar Standing Committee on Professional Ethics and is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.
Clinton R. Losego, Co-General Counsel
Clinton Losego was appointed co-general counsel after previously serving on the firm’s board of directors since 2013. He represents businesses and individuals in all areas of dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration and mediation. His clients have included Fortune 100 companies, national and international banks, real estate developers, hospital systems and entrepreneurs, among many others.
Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
Stephen F. McDermott
Mr. McDermott is the chief financial officer and chief operating officer at Gunster. Mr. McDermott is responsible for managing the firm’s billing, trust, collection, office operations, accounting and reporting functions. Prior to joining Gunster in 2003, Mr. McDermott was a senior manager at Ernst & Young LLP.
Chief Human Resources Officer
Susan J. Faby
Susan is responsible for leading the human resource functions including policy implementation, organizational development, staffing and recruitment, benefits, compensation, training and development, and employee relations.
Chief Information Security Officer
Adriel Camejo
Adriel is a seasoned leader in Tech Security, Compliance, Audit, and Risk Management, with several years of experience within the global corporate landscape. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he has successfully led teams and delivered impactful IT governance, compliance, and audit services.
Chief Strategy Officer
Carrie Hanna
Carrie Hanna has worked as a legal marketing professional for more than 30 years, and has spent the majority of her career at Gunster. As Chief Strategy Officer, she works with firm leadership to guide the firm’s strategic direction and advancement.
Chief Talent Officer
Brad A. Sprayberry
Brad is responsible for managing the hiring of all shareholders, new and lateral associates, and summer associates. Additionally, he is responsible for the firm’s professional development efforts at all levels of practice.
Office Management
Gunster’s Office Managing Shareholders work closely with the firm’s Managing Shareholder to advance the firm’s strategic direction, which includes recruiting and integrating top talent and enhancing the firm’s visibility and community impact throughout Florida.
Derek E. Bruce, Orlando Office Managing Shareholder
Beth Keating, Tallahassee Office Managing Shareholder
Jonathan Kent Osborne, Fort Lauderdale Office Managing Shareholder
Lauren Vickroy Purdy, Jacksonville Office Managing Shareholder
John A. Schifino, Tampa Office Managing Shareholder
Michael T. Traficante, Naples Office Managing Shareholder
Practice Group Leaders
The Practice Group Leader (PGL) is the business manager of each of the eight major practice areas within the firm. This includes managing productivity and profitability of the business unit and quality control for client service. Additionally, the PGLs manage the business plan of the group to ensure alignment with the firm’s strategic plan, communicate to the attorneys of the practice group on matters relevant to firm initiatives, and liaise with firm management to successfully recruit and integrate lawyers into the firm.
David Bates
Corporate Law
Ronald A. Brisé
Government Affairs Law & Lobbying
James B. Davis
Tax Law
Danielle DeVito-Hurley
Real Property
Daniel A. Hanley
Private Wealth Services
William T. Hennessey
Private Wealth Services
Probate, Trust & Guardianship Litigation
John W. Little III
Business Litigation
Brian M. McPherson
Labor & Employment Law
Adi Rappoport
Tax Law
Mariana Ribeiro
Immigration Law
Lisa A. Schneider
Private Wealth Services
Trusts & Estates
Brian M. Seymour
Real Property
Sarah Lea Tobocman
Immigration Law