November 28, 2023
ORLANDO, Fla. – GrayRobinson today announced the addition of Attorneys David Allen, Brendan Hobbs, Scott Palmer, Hunter Patrick, Kelvin Ready, and Eleanor Samuels across three sections and five offices in Florida.
David Allen, Business Law and Government Affairs and Lobbying, Miami
Allen works with the Business Law and Government Affairs and Lobbying Sections to address matters in the areas of health law, regulatory compliance, data privacy and security, transactional law, and government affairs. Prior to joining GrayRobinson as a summer associate in 2021, he served as a legislative assistant to State Representative Clay Yarborough and as a campaign manager for State Representative Chuck Clemons. Allen received his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida (UF) Levin College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from UF. He is a member of Florida Blue Key.
Brendan Hobbs, Business Law, Tampa
Hobbs focuses his strategic practice on a range of corporate matters, including transaction structuring and the design and implementation of qualified retirement plans, namely Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. He is skilled at navigating tax-efficient corporate formations, acquisitions, mergers, sales, and entity dissolutions, serving corporate clients and nonprofit organizations. Hobbs is also well-versed in the business implications of tax strategies, how to efficiently approach ESOP, retirement plans, and executive compensation, and maintains a deep understanding of IRS procedures. He is an active member of The Florida Bar Tax Section and the ESOP Association Legislative and Regulatory Committee. Hobbs received his Master of Laws in Taxation and Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The University of Alabama.
Scott Palmer, Litigation, Fort Lauderdale
Palmer is committed to creating impactful results for his clients and brings a breadth of academic excellence and strategic problem-solving skills to his business litigation practice. He has experience clerking in the appellate court system, honing legal research and writing skills, and editing judicial opinions across a broad spectrum of appeals. Palmer served as the articles and comments editor of the Nova Law Review and participated in Moot Court. He received his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University and his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UF.
Hunter Patrick, Labor and Employment, Gainesville
Patrick focuses his practice on labor and employment law. Before joining GrayRobinson, he served as a judicial intern at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and as a research assistant for Professor John F. Stinneford at the UF Levin College of Law. Patrick received his Juris Doctor from UF Levin College of Law and his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida.
Kelvin Ready, Business Law, Lakeland
Ready brings a unique blend of legal skills and political insight to support firm clients throughout the state. Prior to joining GrayRobinson, he participated in the prestigious Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program with a role in the Executive Office of the Governor, Office of General Counsel. Ready received the Russell Hellein Award for Exemplary Dedication and Service to Florida State University (FSU) in 2019 and is an inductee of the FSU Student Senate Hall of Fame. He received his Juris Doctor from FSU College of Law, his Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from FSU, and his Associate of Arts from Polk State College.
Eleanor Samuels, Litigation, Gainesville
Samuels focuses her practice on securities litigation and regulatory counsel related to complex securities disputes, regulatory investigations, business disputes, and commercial litigation, and adeptly guides clients through interactions with state and federal regulatory agencies, including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). She has experience serving as a judicial intern for Judge Virginia Norton of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court, deepening her capabilities in court and honing her legal research and writing skills. Samuels was editor of the UF Journal of Technology Law and Policy and was a member of the Florida Moot Court Team. She received her Juris Doctor from the UF Levin College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in English and Religion from UF.
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About GrayRobinson
GrayRobinson is a multidimensional team of attorneys, advisors, and consultants recognized as one of the most influential firms in Florida. Its nearly 300 professionals partner with successful businesses and enterprising individuals to resolve disputes, anticipate industry shifts, and harness forward momentum. The firm serves clients nationally from 15 offices across Florida and Washington, D.C. Learn more at Gray-Robinson.com.
Contact
Kristen Bridges, kristen.bridges@gray-robinson.com, 850.545.1917
Erin Charles, erin.charles@gray-robinson.com, 717.823.3925