Gunster, one of Florida’s oldest and largest full-service business law firms, is pleased to announce that Joseph P. Chase has been named head of the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions team, and Samantha L. Prokop has been named head of the firm's Healthcare Transactions team. This positions Gunster's robust Corporate practice, led by David G. Bates, for continued growth in these key areas.
Joseph P. Chase has handled sales of companies with transaction values ranging from $1 million to over $1 billion. With one of the only Florida-based M&A teams offering national-caliber expertise, Gunster represents strategic and financial buyers, sellers and financial intermediaries in all areas of M&A transactions. This includes the sales of public and private companies; platform and add-on/bolt-on transactions by private equity firms and their portfolio companies; joint ventures and strategic alliances; acquisitions and dispositions of assets; recapitalizations; purchases and sales of both controlling and minority interests; cross-border transactions; corporate reorganizations and distressed company transactions; and transactions between affiliated business entities.
Having previously served as a risk manager and general counsel for a multi-location hospital system, Samantha L. Prokop understands the unique intersection of healthcare and running a business. Sam counsels clients in regulatory compliance matters including structuring arrangements to comply with the federal Stark Law; Anti-Kickback Statute; Florida Patient Self-Referral Act; Florida Patient Brokering Act; and other applicable regulations. Gunster’s Healthcare Transactions team represents physician groups, hospitals, and other related organizations in a variety of traditional corporate transactions including the purchase and sale of medical practices; integrated delivery system formation, mergers, acquisitions and affiliation agreements for medical groups and hospitals; and joint ventures between medical companies, hospitals and extended care facilities.
Having recently completed a merger with the Tampa-based Barnett law firm and adding seven attorneys in the Corporate practice group, Gunster continues to strengthen its capabilities in this rapidly evolving area of law.
Joseph P. Chase serves as a trusted advisor to business owners, private equity firms, companies in a wide range of industries, and other clients. He represents clients in connection with sales and purchases of businesses and general business and corporate matters. From working with entrepreneurs as they form new ventures to handling sales of companies with transaction values ranging from $1 million to over $1 billion, Joe is committed to working with business owners to identify the critical legal issues that matter to their companies, with a focus on implementing intelligent, efficient and practical solutions.
Samantha L. Prokop serves as an advisor to clients establishing new businesses, executing mergers and acquisitions and navigating business disputes and break-ups. She supports clients in reviewing and negotiating contracts and employment agreements, establishing executive compensation arrangements and drafting operating, partnership, shareholders’ and buy-sell agreements and bylaws. From the letter of intent through closing, Sam assists clients with mergers, sales and acquisitions including handling day-to-day business disputes both internally and with outside vendors.
