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.

Gunster Co-General Counsel David Atkinson

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.

Board members

David G. Bates

Mr. Bates is chair of the firm’s technology & entrepreneurial companies practice. Among his key areas of counsel are mergers and acquisitions, technology law, venture capital transactions, corporate finance and securities law.

Elaine Bucher

Ms. Bucher is a shareholder who dedicates her practice to sophisticated estate planning, estate and trust administration and fiduciary litigation.

Angel A. Cortinas

Mr. Cortinas co-chairs the firm’s Appellate law practice and previously served as an appellate judge on Florida’s 3rd District Court of Appeal for more than 8 years.

David M. Wells

Mr. Wells is nationally recognized for his practice in business litigation and complex commercial litigation. He joined Gunster in 2008.

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.

Regional Managing Shareholders

The Regional Managing Shareholders work closely with Gunster’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. presence in each region of the state. The management team brings diversity in experience, as well as in terms of practice and geographic areas.

Lila A. Jaber, Managing Shareholder

Tallahassee Office

William E. Adams, Jr., Managing Shareholder

Jacksonville Office

Derek E. Bruce, Managing Shareholder

Orlando Office

William J. Schifino, Jr., Managing Shareholder

Tampa Office

Allison E. Turnbull, Managing Shareholder

Orlando Office

Practice Group Leaders

The Practice Group Leader 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.