WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (July 1, 2015) – Gunster, one of Florida’s oldest and largest full-service business law firms, announced today that it is expanding in the Orlando market by adding the team of attorneys from Pohl & Short, P.A.
Pohl & Short is a five-attorney business boutique law firm that focuses on commercial litigation, real estate law, corporate law, probate, tax and estate planning. With this addition, Gunster will offer a wider range and depth of services to local clients, complementing its existing government affairs, business litigation, corporate and environmental and land use practices.
The attorneys joining Gunster are:
- Frank L. Pohl, founder of Pohl & Short
- Houston E. Short
- Richard A. Heinle
- Robert S. MacDonald
- James E. Shepherd
“This is a great opportunity for our firm to align with one of Florida’s most well-respected business law firms and provide access to a wider range of resources for the betterment of our clients,” said Frank L. Pohl, founder of Pohl & Short. “With our decades of experience in the Orlando area and Winter Park, and Gunster’s rich history in Florida, together we can continue our commitment to this community and remain engaged with our civic, business and community leaders.”
This move provides an opportunity for Gunster to open a new office in Winter Park, where Pohl & Short has been located for 25 years. This is Gunster’s second metro Orlando office and allows it to maintain a presence in both the downtown area and in one of the city’s most important suburban markets, something that distinguishes it from other firms while strengthening its statewide platform.
“We were actively looking for a strategic partner to expand our commercial presence in Orlando, and Pohl & Short is a perfect fit because of its business focus and connection to the Winter Park community,” noted Bill Perry, Gunster’s managing shareholder. “This area is one of the most vibrant, economic centers in the state. We look forward to being active members of this great community.”
With more than 35 years of experience, Frank Pohl’s practice is concentrated on complex real estate, tax and corporate transactions throughout central Florida. He is active in the community, serving as a past board member of the Atlantic Center for the Arts, Coalition for the Homeless, the Hamilton Holt Board of Rollins College, the HCF Foundation, the City of Orlando Civic Facilities Board and more.
Both Houston Short and James Shepherd focus their practices on commercial litigation.
More specifically, Shepherd concentrates on contract litigation, landlord/tenant disputes, construction litigation, mortgage foreclosures, enforcement and defense of noncompetition agreements, bankruptcy litigation, and real property disputes.
Short has handled federal and state court and administrative litigation at both the trial and appellate levels, representing companies and individuals. He provides representation in arbitration actions for the American Arbitration Association and engages in alternative dispute resolutions including mediation, both binding and nonbinding arbitration, and settlement negotiations.
Richard Heinle has spent more than 20 years advising business clients on all aspects of corporate law, among them negotiating and preparing organizational documents, employment agreements, and confidentiality contracts. In addition to his general business law background, Heinle has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, securities regulation, venture capital financing and debt financing.
Robert MacDonald practices in the areas of estate planning, business law and real estate. He prepares wills and trusts and advises on estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes.
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