Gunster, one of Florida’s oldest and largest full-service business law firms, is pleased to announce the firm closed the books on 2021 with the strongest recruiting year in its history. More than 40 new attorneys and consultants were recruited to join the firm's ranks in all 11 offices across the state. Gunster strengthened and diversified its practice areas to better serve clients and respond to evolving business opportunities in Florida.
Furthering the firm’s growth, the Business Litigation practice formalized its Class Action Defense team and expanded its eDiscovery group significantly. The Real Estate practice welcomed a new president to its affiliated title company, Premier Title, as well as an expansion in the Hospitality and Clubs practice. The Environmental and Land Use team saw significant growth across the state, as did other areas like Immigration, Government Affairs and Private Wealth Services. More below about the firm’s expansion.
Throughout 2021, Gunster remained committed to client service while investing in the community. The firm launched its Leading Florida Forward initiative, which aims to educate and empower its attorneys, professional staff and the greater community. Through this, Gunster is presenting inventive public events, such as the inaugural Women in Insurance Awards program that was hosted in Tallahassee and “On the Field & In the Office: A Discussion on Women in Leadership with Lessons Learned from the Sports Industry,” a Women's Leadership Forum-hosted event that highlighted female leaders in sports.
Gunster is proud to have once again been recognized as one of Florida’s Best Companies to Work For in 2021. For the fifth year in a row, Gunster garnered this recognition, moving up 15 places over the previous year.
Gunster’s flagship Business Litigation practice continued to grow its footprint, further reinforcing its position as Florida’s law firm for business.
Alexis M. Buese joined the firm in Tampa and recently was appointed as co-chair of the Class Action Defense team. Alexis offers broad experience in defending the consumer products and services industries.
The eDiscovery team was strengthened with the addition of Christine Payne in Miami, who handles all aspects of discovery for complex commercial litigation, restructuring-related litigation, products liability litigation, antitrust matters and Section 220 requests.
Andrew J. Steif joined the firm in Jacksonville, bringing experience in complex transportation related disputes and commercial litigation matters.
Gunster welcomed Latour “LT” Lafferty in Tampa, whose practice focuses on white collar criminal defense and litigation including corporate internal investigations.
Much like the real estate market in Florida, Gunster’s Real Estate Law practice has been flourishing. The firm boasts one of the largest and strongest real property transactional practices in Florida.
Kevin M. Kenny joined the firm’s Real Estate practice in Tampa with a statewide emphasis on Hospitality & Clubs. He brings more than two decades of experience in delivering legal counsel to real estate development, recreational amenity, private club and residential communities.
The firm added Brad McPherson in West Palm Beach. Brad serves as president of Premier Title, a real estate title agency and an affiliate of Gunster based in Palm Beach. He represents clients in commercial and high-end residential real estate transactions.
Another addition to Gunster with title experience was Thomas R. Sawyer, who joined the firm’s Stuart office. Tom advises on all aspects of real property acquisition, development, financing, leasing and environmental permitting.
Environmental and Land Use Law
Gunster’s Environmental and Land Use Law team practice saw several new hires who bring niche expertise to the team in a variety of areas.
Robert A. Manning, who joined in Tallahassee, advises utilities and private businesses on issues involving air quality, including policy development, legislation, rulemaking, permitting and enforcement.
Also based in Tallahassee, Eric T. Olsen specializes in wetland regulation, mitigation banking, stormwater regulation, consumptive use or water use permitting, water supply and underground injection control.
Michael P. Petrovich joined the firm in Tallahassee as well, focusing on solid and hazardous waste regulation, and real property contamination investigation and cleanup.
Offering land use and zoning and government procurement experience in Miami, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla represents major developers in securing government approvals for large scale residential, commercial, mixed use, and/or retail projects. Elinette Ruiz-Diaz de la Portilla advises clients on issues that range from zoning approvals to subdivision.
The firm also added John K. “Jack” Rice in West Palm Beach. Jack concentrates his practice in land use and zoning, administrative and governmental law, environmental law and litigation.
Government Affairs Law & Lobbying
Gunster’s Government Affairs Law and Lobbying practice recruited top-tier consultants last year while bolstering its insurance and healthcare capabilities.
Sha’Ron James joined the firm in Tallahassee, bringing extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, insurance law and regulatory matters. Sha’Ron represents domestic and international insurance-related entities statewide.
Further broadening the firm’s Government Affairs capabilities in Tallahassee is Timothy Stapleton, who advises health care industry clients on a broad array of public policy issues.
Gunster augmented its Immigration Law presence while continuing to provide strategic legal solutions to its clients.
With the addition of April Bentley, Gunster expanded its statewide Immigration Law services to Tallahassee. April has nearly 20 years of experience working with businesses and corporate immigration clients.
Gunster grew its premier Private Wealth Services practice, further positioning it as the ‘go-to’ firm in Florida for wealth preservation and business succession planning.
Brian G. Cheslack joined Gunster’s Boca Raton office. He advises high net worth individuals and families regarding the preservation, management and transfer of wealth.
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About Gunster
Gunster, Florida’s law firm for business, provides full-service legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 11 offices statewide. Established in 1925, the firm has expanded, diversified and evolved, but always with a singular focus: Florida and its clients’ stake in it. A magnet for business-savvy attorneys who embrace collaboration for the greatest advantage of clients, Gunster’s growth has not been at the expense of personalized service but because of it. The firm serves clients from its offices in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, Vero Beach, and its headquarters in West Palm Beach. With over 220 attorneys and 200 committed support staff, Gunster is ranked among the National Law Journal’s list of the 500 largest law firms and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Diverse Law Firms by Law360. More information about its practice areas, offices and insider’s view newsletters is available at www.gunster.com.
Contact:
Jenni Garrison
Director of Business Development & Communications
561-804-4350, jgarrison@gunster.com
