Firm Celebrates Seven “Lawyer of the Year” Honorees and 15 Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
August 21, 2025
ORLANDO, Fla. – GrayRobinson is pleased to announce 105 of its lawyers have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Among these honorees, seven were named “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas, and 15 were recognized as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
Since its first publication in 1983, Best Lawyers® has been widely regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. The annual distinctions are compiled through an extensive peer-review process. For the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, more than 26 million evaluations were analyzed, with only approximately 5% of lawyers in the United States recognized.
The complete list of GrayRobinson lawyers recognized in 2026 includes:
GrayRobinson “Lawyer of the Year” Honorees
“Lawyer of the Year” honors are awarded annually to only one lawyer in each practice area and geographic region. Selection is based on the highest overall peer feedback received, making it a rare and distinguished recognition. The following seven GrayRobinson lawyers were named 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” honorees in their respective practice areas and regions.
- Christopher Carmody, Jr.: Government Relations Practice, Orlando
- Michael J. Colitz III: Patent Law, Tampa
- Marlene Quintana: Employment Law – Management, Miami
- Michael D. Randolph: Construction Law, Fort Myers
- Luis E. Rivera II: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Fort Myers
- Richard A. Rodgers: Corporate Law, Orlando
- Donald S. Showalter: Patent Law, Fort Lauderdale
GrayRobinson Recognized Lawyers
The following 90 GrayRobinson lawyers were recognized in the 32nd edition of The Best Lawyers in America. They are listed alphabetically by office location, along with their respective practice areas and the year they were first honored.
Boca Raton
- Alan L. Goodman(2023): Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Wendy U. Larsen(2015): Land Use and Zoning Law
- Stacey D. Mullins(2024): Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law, Family Law Mediation, Mediation
Fort Lauderdale
- Scott L. Cagan(2018): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Thomas H. Loffredo(2016): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
- Gary I. Resnick(2020): Government Relations Practice
- Donald S. Showalter(2006): Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
- Robyn Vines(2024): Family Law
- Philip Ward(2024): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate
Fort Myers
- Michael D. Randolph(2020): Construction Law
- Luis E. Rivera II(2021): Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy
Gainesville
- Stephanie M. Marchman(2022): Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Jacksonville
- William H. Andrews(1989): Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Jason B. Burnett(2018): Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Lee Stathis Haramis(2020): Banking and Finance Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Insurance
- Reese J. Henderson, Jr.(2017): Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
- Elio F. Martinez Jr.(2021): Commercial Litigation
- Terry A. Moore(2006): Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law
- S. Grier Wells(2019): Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Lakeland
- Kristie Hatcher-Bolin(2021): Appellate Practice
- Mark N. Miller(2016): Commercial Litigation
- Sandra G. Sheets(2015): Trusts and Estates
- John K. Vreeland(2006): Trusts and Estates
- Natalie R. Wilson(2023): Trusts and Estates
Melbourne
- Shawn L. Demers(2025): Commercial Litigation
- Erik P. Shuman(2010): Corporate Law, Elder Law, Trusts and Estates
Miami
- Brian H. Bieber(2013): Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Gary Carman(*): Commercial Litigation
- Stephanie L. Carman(2022): Commercial Litigation
- Ted C. Craig(2020): Commercial Litigation
- Jorge T. Espinosa(2006): Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law
- Bradley S. Gould(2009): Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Kevin M. Levy(2007): Corporate Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Privacy and Data Security Law, Technology Law
- Neil P. Linden(2013): Commercial Litigation, Mediation
- Anastasia Protopapadakis(2024): Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Marlene Quintana, B.C.S.(2016): Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Jack R. Reiter(2010): Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation
- Robert A. Schatzman(1989): Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Steven J. Solomon(2010): Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy
Naples
- Derek P. Rooney(2018): Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law
- Carl E. Westman(2025): Tax Law
Orlando
- Trevor B. Arnold, B.C.S.(2010): Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
- R. Lee Bennett(2010): Corporate Law
- John A. Boudet(2010): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
- William A. Boyles(2015): Health Care Law, Tax Law
- John M. Brennan(2006): Banking and Finance Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation
- Christopher Carmody, Jr.(2024): Administrative / Regulatory Law, Government Contracts, Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law
- Mark J. Chmielarski(2019): Real Estate Law
- W. Michael Clifford(2007): Trusts and Estates
- Rachael Crews(2023): Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- V. Nicholas Dancaescu(2022): Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Randolph H. Fields(2003): Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Phillip R. Finch(2008): Real Estate Law
- Guy Haggard(*): Aviation Law
- Kent L. Hipp(2007): Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- James J. Hoctor(2006): Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Tax Law
- Jeffrey D. Keiner(2006): Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Mediation
- Shannon Kelly(2025): Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Deborah L. La Fleur(*): Employment Law - Management
- Byrd F. Marshall, Jr.(2006): Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Michael E. Neukamm(2010): Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Borron J. Owen, Jr.(2019): Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
- T. Todd Pittenger(2008): Commercial Litigation, Litigation -Intellectual Property, Real Estate Law
- Pamela O. Price(2012): Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
- Paul S. Quinn, Jr.(2013): Real Estate Law
- Heather M. Ramos(2020): Land Use and Zoning Law
- Christopher M. Ramsey(2020): Litigation - Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
- Sarah P. Reiner(2025): Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Richard A. Rodgers(2018): Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Lisa A. Specht(2020): Corporate Law, Tax Law
- Susan T. Spradley(2009): Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management
- Thomas R. Sullivan(2021): Land Use and Zoning Law
Tallahassee
- Andy Bardos(2023): Commercial Litigation
- Dean Cannon(2021): Government Relations Practice
- George Levesque(2023): Administrative / Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation, Government Relations Practice
- Dena H. Sokolow(2024): Employment Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tampa
- Richard M. Blau(2011): Food and Beverage Law
- Kellie Caggiano(*): Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
- Michael J. Colitz, III(2018): Patent Law
- Brian Fender(2024): Public Finance Law
- Thomas M. Gonzalez(1987): Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Robert E. Johnson(2023): Commercial Litigation
- David J. Ottinger(2021): Tax Law
- Frederick S. Schrils(2015): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Securities
- David L. Smith (2016): Banking and Finance Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law
- Jennifer M. Taylor(2025): Public Finance Law
West Palm Beach
- Michael J. Drahos(2023): Admiralty and Maritime Law, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- W. Cooper Jarnagin(*): Admiralty and Maritime Law
- Dane E. Leitner(2025): Commercial Litigation
- Ronald P. Ponzoli, Jr. (2013): Commercial Litigation
GrayRobinson Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America Honorees
The following 15 GrayRobinson lawyers were recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Based on more than 5.4 million evaluations, these recognitions are given to lawyers earlier in their legal careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice. Honorees may be recognized in multiple years. The list below is organized alphabetically by office location, with each lawyer’s practice area(s) and the year they were first recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.
Boca Raton
- Emily Pineless(2022): Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Government Relations Practice, Insurance Law
Fort Lauderdale
- Eric M. Yesner(2025): Appellate Practice, Health Care Law
Jacksonville
- Ashlea A. Edwards(2021): Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Lakeland
- Emily Crain-Evans(2025): Trusts and Estates
Miami
- David Allen(*): Corporate Law, Health Care Law
- Sydney Feldman D’Angelo(*): Appellate Practice
- Joseph R. Salzverg(2021): Administrative / Regulatory Law, Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law
Orlando
- Joshua Grimm(*): Corporate Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
- Luc C. Mazzini II(*): Insurance Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- Adam Miller(2024): Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law
- Katherine W. Katz(2024): Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Natalie M. Yello(2025): Construction Law
Tampa
- Lauren Eliopoulos(*): Construction Law
- Brendan M. Hobbs(*): Corporate Law, Tax Law
- Zoila Lahera(*): Administrative / Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation, Immigration Law
(Year) First year the lawyer was listed.
(*) Lawyers who are listed for the first time in Best Lawyers.
For more information about Best Lawyers, please visit BestLawyers.com.
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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 16 offices across Florida and Washington, D.C. Learn more at Gray-Robinson.com.
CONTACT
Kristen Bridges, kristen.bridges@gray-robinson.com, 850.545.1917
Malissa Sitter, malissa.sitter@gray-robinson.com, 407.484.8338