Attorney Intel is pleased to announce The Top 50 Attorneys of Jacksonville for 2023. As one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan areas, Jacksonville has become a thriving hub for legal professionals. Often referred to as "the River City," Jacksonville provides an ideal environment for practicing law, given its diverse range of industries, including healthcare, technology, and finance & insurance. Florida's status as the third-most populous state and the fourth-largest economy in the U.S. only adds to the allure of Jacksonville as a legal destination.
Notably, Jacksonville’s expanding economy has led to increased demand for legal services across various practice areas, offering lawyers abundant opportunities to establish a robust client base. On top of that, Jacksonville's legal community is centered around state and federal courthouses, surrounded by prominent legal organizations, fostering career growth and collaboration among legal practitioners. Working in a wide range of fields, the men and women highlighted this year provide legal leadership to some of the most recognizable organizations in the country, including GEICO, Kodak, and Deutsche Bank. They are respected and admired for their work and are leaders within their local communities.
Among this year’s awardees is Steve Carruthers, the General Counsel at Designs for Health. An industry veteran, Carruthers’ aggressive litigation strategy in state and federal courts has resulted in six-figure settlements against unauthorized online resellers of his company’s products. Also awarded this year is Tara Floyd, who gained litigation experience as a public defender in the 7th Judicial Circuit and now serves as a Partner at Tyson & Mendes. Additionally, we have Reece Alford, the General Counsel at Crowley, a company with more than $2.5 billion in annual revenues and approximately 6,300 employees around the world.
This year’s awardees have an unmatched passion and dedication to the legal profession. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Attorneys of Jacksonville for 2023.
1. Brad Macdonald
Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Adecco Group
Brad Macdonald is the Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Adecco Group, the world’s leading talent company. Their purpose is making the future work for everyone. Through their three global business units – Adecco, Akkodis and LHH – across 60 countries, they enable sustainable and lifelong employability for individuals. They also deliver digital and engineering solutions to power the Smart Industry transformation; and empower organizations to optimize their workforces.
Macdonald first joined the company in 2005. Previously, he was an attorney at Friend, Hudak & Harris, LLP. Before that, he served as an attorney at Hunton & Williams. Earlier in his career, he worked with Arthur Andersen as a senior associate. Macdonald earned a JD from Georgia State University and an undergraduate degree in political science from The University of Georgia.
2. Richard Vermut
Partner, Drive McAfee, Peek & Hawthorne
Richard Vermut is a Partner at Drive McAfee, Peek & Hawthorne, a law firm that offers legal services in practice areas including real estate, corporate and finance. With 31 years of experience, Vermut practices exclusively in the area of intellectual property law. This includes patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and computer law and related unfair competition matters.
Furthermore, Vermut’s practice includes patent and trademark prosecution, litigation and enforcement, licensing software and on-line service agreements and technology transactions. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law with a JD, from Georgetown University Law Center with an LLM in intellectual property, and from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in computer engineering.
3. Jason Schatz
Director and Senior Counsel, Deutsche Bank
Jason Schatz began his professional career 25 years ago. Today, he is the Director and Senior Counsel at Deutsche Bank, the leading bank in Germany with strong European roots and a global network. Deutsche Bank provides retail and private banking, corporate and transaction banking, lending, asset and wealth management products and services – as well as focused investment banking to private individuals, small and medium-sized companies, corporations, governments and institutional investors.
Schatz got his start in 1998 as a health and welfare associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. From there, he went on to Citigroup, before eventually rising to labor & employment attorney at Jackson Lewis P.C., his most recent position prior to joining Deutsche Bank. Schatz graduated from Rutgers Law School with a JD and from Cornell University with an undergraduate degree in industrial and labor relations.
4. Pamela Phillips
Chief Administrative Officer, Legal & Senior Deputy General Counsel, FIS
Pamela Phillips is a Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Fidelity National Information Services, a public company that is a global leader in providing banking, payments and investment technologies. At FIS, Phillips serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the FIS Legal team and head of Legal Technology, Strategy and Operations. In addition to providing the leadership for Legal team’s technology and operations, including administrative, budget and hiring matters, Phillips also leads the Legal team’s support for Procurement and supplier/vendor relationships across the enterprise. Furthermore, Phillips has participated in several management committees and initiatives, including numerous FIS initiatives that benefit charitable organizations in North Florida.
Prior to joining FIS, Phillips was a Partner at Dewey and LeBoeuf, LLP. She received her JD from Georgetown University, where she served as Managing Editor of The Tax Lawyer law review and graduated cum laude from The American University (Washington DC) with a double major degree in Economics and International Studies. On top of that, Phillips is admitted to the Bar in both Florida and New York. She is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the Jacksonville Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Additionally, Phillips is currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the North Florida Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.
Pamela Phillips Insight
“I have enjoyed a variety of experiences in my legal career, both as a partner in a large international law firm and now as an in-house legal executive for a large global corporation. In all of those situations, my focus has been and continues to be on providing my client, internal and external, with sound, well-considered counsel and high-quality work product. My clients count on me for thoughtful advice based on my business experience and my expertise in the law, and they know that integrity is a guiding principle in my work and decision-making process. Today’s lawyer is more than just an expert in the nuances of legal issues; we are strategic advisers and business partners, enabling our clients to achieve their success.”
5. Jason Miller
Partner, Morgan & Morgan P.A
At Morgan & Morgan, Jason Miller is a Managing Partner of the following offices in the Southeast region: Jacksonville, Orange Park, St. Augustine, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Panama City, Pensacola (FL), Mobile (AL), Brunswick, Savannah (GA), Hilton Head, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach / Florence (SC). Notably, Miller began his legal career working for the largest law firm in Jacksonville, Florida, where he specialized in complex commercial litigation. He then proceeded to become a partner in a multi-office civil trial defense firm, specializing in medical malpractice, nursing home and wrongful death cases.
In 2007, Miller decided to apply the knowledge and experience he gained while defending insurance and other large companies toward aggressively representing those who have been injured due to the negligence of others. In 2011, Miller became an equity partner at Morgan & Morgan. Since joining the firm in 2007, he has represented thousands of clients and their families and has obtained multiple awards in excess of one million dollars. Miller attended the University of Florida, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance (with honors) in 1998 and then attended the University of Florida College of Law, where he graduated with high honors in 2001.
Jason Miller Insight
"Jury trials are the great equalizer. The ability to stand up for someone, instilling that confidence in them that they know that we’ll go the distance if we need to. There’s really nothing like it."
6. Susan Connelly
Senior Counsel for Compliance and Data Privacy, Cummins
Susan Connelly began her professional career 17 years ago. Today, she is the Senior Counsel for Compliance and Data Privacy at Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, and many more.
Connelly got her start in 2006 as an attorney at United States Steel Corporation. From there, she went on to Commercial Vehicle Group, before eventually rising to director of global compliance at Acronic, her most recent position prior to joining Cummins. Connelly graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law with a JD and from Penn State University with an undergraduate degree.
7. Tim Volpe
Partner, Adams and Reese
Tim Volpe is a Partner of Adams and Reese, a law firm that takes things personally. Their people are connected — to each other, to their clients, their families and their communities. They care deeply about the people around them. As lawyers, it’s their business to know and understand their clients, their businesses, their current needs and their future plans. As neighbors, their commitment to volunteerism has become a deep-rooted characteristic of their firm's personality.
Volpe joined Adams and Reese in 2013 as a Partner. Previously, he was a founding partner at Volpe, Bajalia, Wickes, Rogerson & Wachs. Earlier in his career, he worked with Smith Hulsey as a partner. Volpe graduated from the University of Florida with a JD, an MA in political science in public administration, and an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies.
8. Jennifer Nicolitz
VP of Corporate Counsel, Fidelity National Financial
Jennifer Nicolitz began her professional career 14 years ago. Today, she is the VP of Corporate Counsel at Fidelity National Financial, a leading provider of title insurance and transaction services to the real estate and mortgage industries. FNF is the nation’s largest title insurance company through its title insurance underwriters - Fidelity National Title, Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title, Alamo Title and National Title of New York - that collectively issue more title insurance policies than any other title company in the United States.
In addition, FNF retains an approximate 85% ownership stake in F&G Annuities & Life, Inc., a leading provider of insurance solutions, serving retail annuity and life customers and institutional clients. Nicolitz graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law with a JD and from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in telecommunications.
9. Emily Magee
Partner, Butler Snow LLP
Emily Magee is a Partner at Butler Snow LLP. With over 400 attorneys in offices in Albuquerque, Ambler (PA), Atlanta, Austin, Baton Rouge, Bethlehem (PA), Birmingham, Boston, Charleston, Dallas, Denver, Gulfport, Huntsville, Jacksonville, London, Macon, Memphis, Montgomery, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Oxford (MS), Richmond (VA), Ridgeland, Shreveport, Singapore, Washington, DC and Wilmington (NC), Butler Snow is a team of talented legal professionals who share a commitment to serve clients – from Fortune 1000 firms to emerging-technology start-ups.
Notably, surveys by respected national consultants consistently rank Butler Snow among the best nationwide in client service – in anticipating needs, in a commitment to help, in providing value, and in client satisfaction. With that standard to guide the firm, Butler Snow has grown from a regional firm to one with national scope. Magee first joined the company in 2000. Previously, she was a partner at Foley & Lardner LLP. Magee earned a JD from the University of Georgia School of Law, and an undergraduate degree in business and corporate communications from Florida State University.
10. Chanley Howell
Partner, Foley & Lardner
Chanley Howell is a Partner and intellectual property lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP, where his practice focuses on a broad range of technology law matters. Additionally, he is a member of the firm's Technology Transactions, Cybersecurity, and Privacy Practice and the Sports, Health Care and Automotive Industry Teams. His firm, Foley & Lardner LLP, is a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the energy, health care and life sciences, innovative technology, and manufacturing sectors. They look beyond the law to focus on the constantly evolving demands facing their clients and act as trusted business advisors to deliver creative, practical, and effective solutions.
The law firm’s 1,100 lawyers across 25 offices worldwide partner on the full range of engagements from corporate counsel to IP work and litigation support, providing their clients with a one-team solution to all their needs. Before joining Foley & Lardner, Howell was an associate at Commander Legler PA. Howell graduated from the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law with a JD and from Vanderbilt University with an undergraduate degree in English language and literature.
11. Scott Baity
Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Baptist Health
In January 2018, Scott Baity was appointed Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Baptist Health. Founded in 1955, Baptist Health has more than 200 primary care and specialty physician practices, children’s specialty clinics, home health care, behavioral health, occupational health, rehabilitation services and urgent care. A board-certified specialist in Health Law, Baity advises senior executives and the boards of directors for the health system and its hospitals on business agreements and strategies, legal risks, compliance, regulatory and other law-related matters. Baity began his Baptist career as a staff attorney in 1996 before being promoted to associate general counsel in 2003, and deputy general counsel in January 2017.
A graduate of Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and the University of Florida, Baity has been named one of Jacksonville’s Top Lawyers in Healthcare since 2012 and was named one of Jacksonville’s Ultimate Attorneys by The Jacksonville Business Journal in 2018. Prior to becoming general counsel, he was recognized in 2017 as one of the nation’s top assistant general counsels by the First Chair organization. Baity is a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of The Arc Jacksonville, and serves on the Board of Legal Specialization and Education of The Florida Bar, which oversees the awarding of board certification to Florida attorneys.
12. Van Lierop
Attorney and Managing Member, The Hartford Firm PLLC
J.C. ("Johann") Van Lierop, III is an Attorney and Managing Member of The Hartford Firm. The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. They are proud to be widely recognized for their customer service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. For more than 211 years, they have provided people and businesses with the support and protection needed to succeed.
Lierop first joined the company in 2015. He is an experienced trial and transactional attorney with a demonstrated history of successful and thorough representation of businesses and individuals. Notably, Lierop is skilled in Bankruptcy, Trials, Appeals, Creditors' Rights, Torts, and Real Estate. He holds a JD focused in business and financial matters from University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law.
13. Sara Holladay
Partner, McGuireWoods
At McGuireWoods, Sara Holladay serves as the Office Managing Partner and Leader of the Jacksonville office’s complex commercial litigation group. Holladay is an experienced class action and complex commercial litigator. She also has a robust appellate practice, representing financial institutions and corporate clients in state and federal appellate courts. Holladay has represented financial institutions and other corporations in over 400 appellate matters, ranging from merits appeals, novel procedural issues on jurisdiction, to more complex issues of standing, class certification matters, UDAP application, and statutory construction.
McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has earned the loyalty of its many long standing clients with deep and broad legal experience; a passion for understanding their businesses and markets; innovative delivery of practical, business-minded solutions; and unmatched service. With 1,100 lawyers in 21 offices worldwide, McGuireWoods’ continuing success comes down to one simple fact: The firm listens to its clients. Holladay began her career in 2004. She graduated from the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law with a JD and from the University of Central Florida with an undergraduate degree in legal studies.
14. Sarah Crass
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, SCP Health
Sarah Crass’ legal career spans over 18 years leading to her current role as General Counsel at SCP Health, a leader in clinical practice management. As one of the largest healthcare partners in the country, they continue to live the aim of their founder, William “Kip” Schumacher, MD. With 50 years of collective experience, SCP Health’s solutions span the continuum of care, aligning clinical and operational experts to revitalize health care. At SCP, Crass has been Chief Compliance Officer since 2015 and continues to serve in that role as well.
From 2008 to 2015, she served as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President of Hospital Physician Partners (HPP). Prior to joining HPP, Crass was a shareholder in a law firm, where she practiced in both federal and state courts in the areas of complex commercial litigation and civil trial practice as well as assisting companies with general corporate and contractual issues. Crass is admitted to the state bars of Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Washington. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Association of Corporate Counsel, and the Health Care Compliance Association. Crass received her JD from the Boston University School of Law in 1998 and her BA from the University of Florida in 1995.
15. Lisa Rhein Carrasco
Partner - Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Practice, Smith Gambrell Russell
Lisa Rhein Carrasco is a Partner in the Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, a full service, International law firm that advises regional, national, and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. SGR's nearly 400 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation.
Carrasco practices in all major aspects of employee benefits, compensation and ERISA, including qualified and nonqualified plans, fiduciary issues, welfare benefit plans, and executive compensation. She also has experience with respect to employee benefit and executive compensation issues in connection with mergers and acquisitions, including post-closing integration of benefit plans.
Carrasco earned her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law and her LL.M. in Taxation and a Certificate in Employee Benefits Law from Georgetown University Law. She earned her undergraduate degree in Zoology from the University of Florida Center. Carrasco is a member of The Florida Bar, the American Bar Association – Taxation (Employee Benefits Committee) and the Joint Committee on Employee Benefits.
16. Josh Roberts
Executive Partner, Holland & Knight LLP
Josh Roberts, an executive partner of the Jacksonville office at Holland & Knight, is a civil trial attorney with broad commercial litigation experience throughout Florida's state and federal courts. Through his diverse civil practice, Roberts represents clients in trade secrets litigation, real estate and construction litigation, banking litigation, class actions and typical business disputes, including shareholder disagreements, fraud, misrepresentation, negligence and enforcement of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. Holland & Knight is a global law firm with nearly 2,000 lawyers and other professionals in 34 offices throughout the world.
Roberts is a staunch advocate on behalf of his clients and is comfortable in any forum, from the negotiating table at mediation, to the courtroom in jury and non-jury trials and on to the appellate courts. He works closely with his clients to devise a legal strategy customized to their unique needs, taking into consideration the strategic, practical, financial, reputational and business concerns that are important to them. Prior to law school, Roberts worked in politics and the healthcare-technology industry in Washington, D.C., and Jacksonville. Roberts graduated from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law with a JD and from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in public relations.
17. Roger Byrd
General Counsel, Secretary and Senior Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company
Roger Byrd was appointed General Counsel, Secretary and Senior Vice President of Kodak in January 2019. He is responsible for leading the company's global legal function and for providing legal guidance to senior leadership and the Board of Directors. Byrd reports to Executive Chairman and CEO Jim Continenza. Kodak is a leading global manufacturer focused on commercial print and advanced materials & chemicals. With 31,000 patents earned over 130 years of R&D, they believe in the power of technology and science to enhance what the world sees and creates.
Prior to joining Kodak, Byrd was a Partner at Nixon Peabody LLP. During his 23-year career at Nixon Peabody, he represented a broad range of clients in connection with a variety of M&A, financing and other corporate transactions. From 2005-2006, Byrd also served as General Counsel at Choice One Communications, a competitive local exchange carrier. Byrd received a BS in accounting from Bob Jones University and a JD from Duke University School of Law.
18. Brian Hayden
Partner, Jackson Lewis P.C
Brian Hayden is a Partner in the Jacksonville, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He represents employers of all sizes and is a trusted advisor to C-suite management and human resources professionals across the country. In his counseling practice, Hayden regularly advises employers on issues such as best practice employment policies, wage and hour issues, restrictive covenants, remote work, disability management, reductions in force, hiring and separations, and performance management. In addition, Hayden frequently conducts management training for employers on a wide variety of employment law topics, including EEO/anti-harassment, FMLA, ADA, and FLSA issues. Focused on labor and employment law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.’s over 950 attorneys are located in major cities nationwide.
Hayden also has an active litigation practice. This includes the defense of employers in single and multi-plaintiff actions in state and federal court on claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, breach of contract, retaliation, and many other areas. Hayden also prosecutes and defends lawsuits involving restrictive covenants, trade secrets, and unfair competition. In addition, Hayden has handled appellate matters in Florida’s district courts of appeal and the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal. Before attending law school at the University of Florida, Hayden worked as a Series 7 and 63 licensed securities trader in New York City. He also worked as a volunteer in Poland for the United States Peace Corps immediately after graduating from Yale University, where he obtained a bachelor’s in philosophy.
19. Kelly Waters
Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Kelly Waters is a Partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. She first joined the company in 2013 as an associate. Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is an Am Law 100 firm with more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors and professionals. The firm maintains 33 offices in 17 states and Washington, D.C. With nearly a decade of experience working with public and private companies and funds, Waters offers seasoned legal services in mergers and acquisitions, joint venture transactions, and securities law.
In addition to her transactional practice, Waters counsels public companies on securities law reporting requirements and corporate governance and provides general corporate law support to a variety of clients. Waters earned a JD from Florida State University College of Law and an undergraduate degree in finance and business management from Florida State University.
20. Reece Alford
Vice President and General Counsel, Crowley
Reece Alford is the Vice President and General Counsel at Crowley, a U.S.-owned and -operated company serving customers in domestic, international and government markets through logistics, supply chain, and energy services with more than $2.5 billion in annual revenues, over 160 vessels and approximately 6,300 employees around the world. As a global ship owner-operator and services provider with over 130 years of innovation and a commitment to sustainability, the company serves customers in 365 nations and island territories. Alford began his career in 1997. He leads a team of lawyers, outside counsel and support personnel who provide enterprise-wide legal support across Crowley’s diverse business units and corporate functions.
Prior to joining Crowley, Alford served as a senior corporate attorney and strategic advisor in both public and private equity-owned companies in Jacksonville, Fla. Notably, he helped a public company management team successfully navigate a contest for corporate control and was responsible for closing numerous mergers and acquisitions transactions, including the multi-billion-dollar sale of an international corporation. Prior to going in-house, Alford served as a transactional and corporate lawyer at a large law firm in Birmingham, Alabama. Alford earned a bachelor’s in accounting, summa cum laude, from Auburn University and a JD from Vanderbilt Law School. He is a member of Leadership Jacksonville.
21. Michael Kneller
Vice President General Counsel and Secretary, Landstar System, Inc.
Michael Kneller serves as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Landstar System, a Fortune 500 company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Landstar System is a worldwide, technology-enabled, asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions delivering safe, specialized transportation services to a broad range of customers utilizing a network of agents, third-party capacity providers and employees.
At Landstar System, Kneller is responsible for all of the company’s legal matters – as well as Human Resources and Corporate Communications. Kneller earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University and his law degree from Stanford University. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the Florida Bar Association (as authorized house counsel). Prior to launching his career with Landstar in 2005, he served as a corporate attorney at the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, which is located in New York, New York.
22. Heather Solanka
Partner, Akerman LLP
Heather Solanka is a Partner at Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized among the most forward-thinking firms in the industry by Financial Times. The firm’s more than 700 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and help drive innovation and growth. Solanka first joined the company in 2006 as an associate. She is an experienced commercial litigator, representing clients in disputes involving contracts, negotiable instruments, consumer protection statutes, landlord-tenant matters, products liability, premises liability and other tort actions in both state and federal courts. Solanka has experience representing commercial landlords in landlord-tenant matters throughout the state.
She has represented lenders and special servicers with regard to distressed properties. Solanka also represents clients in warranty and product liability matters. She has represented vehicle, recreational vehicle, and boat manufacturers against claims under Florida's Lemon Law, Chapter 672 of the Florida Statutes, and the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act at both the trial court and appellate level. Solanka earned a JD from the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law and an undergraduate degree in environmental health science from Tulane University.
23. Mark Baum
Executive Vice President General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, TIAA Bank
Mark Baum is the Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary for TIAA Bank. Notably, TIAA Bank’s Fund Finance business is a division of TIAA Bank, a brand name of EverBank, N.A., a nationwide specialty bank providing high-value products and services to consumer and commercial clients nationwide. The Fund Finance division provides lending and financing solutions to alternative asset managers and the private equity community. Products include subscription credit facilities, hybrid and NAV loans, management company facilities and other bespoke financings among many others. Baum joined the legal team of EverBank, TIAA Bank’s predecessor, in 2003.
Since then, he has served in a variety of leadership roles, supporting the bank’s directors, executive management team, and associates on a broad range of strategic, corporate governance, bank regulatory and risk management matters. Prior to joining EverBank, Baum practiced law at the international firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, where he represented public and private companies in a variety of corporate and securities law matters. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and received his JD and MBA degrees from the University of Florida.
24. Darrell Landry
Global General Counsel, Cielo Talent
Darrell Landry serves as the Global General Counsel at Cielo Talent, the world’s leading Talent Acquisition Partner. They deliver a better talent experience for everyone through Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Executive Search, Contingent Workforce Solutions and Consulting services. With their fresh approach – they design and build comprehensive, proven solutions inspired by technology to find and keep the unique talent that elevates their clients above the competition.
Landry got his start in 1998 as an associate at Giessel, Barker & Lyman. From there, he went on to Otjen, Van Ert, Lieb & Weir, before eventually rising to general counsel at KHS USA, his most recent position prior to joining Cielo Talent. Landry graduated from Tulane University Law School with a JD, from The University of Houston with an MBA in finance, and from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business with an undergraduate degree.
25. Christine Barned
Partner, Cole Scott & Kissane P.A
At Cole Scott & Kissane, Christine Barned is a Partner in the Jacksonville office, where she handles a wide range of transactional matters for the Corporate & General Counsel Services Group. Her current practice areas include Banking and Financial, Corporate, General Counsel Services, Real Estate and Title Insurance Transactions, Directors and Officers, Employment and Labor, Corporate Compliance, Business/Commercial Law, Intellectual Property, Real Estate and Foreclosures, Securities, Trust and Estate Planning. With twelve offices located conveniently throughout the State of Florida, CSK is able to provide the highest quality legal services to its clients in a cost-effective manner.
Barned has a strong background in taxation. She started her career advising Fortune 500 clients on corporate and international tax matters at Coopers & Lybrand (PwC) in Boston and New York City. Prior to joining CSK, Barned represented high-growth entrepreneurs in various stages of development. Barned also has extensive experience handling trusts and estate planning matters for high net worth clients – and leads the CSK’s trusts and estates team. Barned holds a BA from the University of Michigan and a law degree with honors from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. She also has an LLM in taxation, Non-Degree from New York University School of Law. Barned is currently licensed in Florida, New York and Massachusetts.
26. Keith Thomerson
Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson
Keith Thomerson is a Partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson, a U.S.-based law firm with offices nationwide. The firm's national reputation spans the insurance industry, the financial services sector, and other highly regulated industries. Hinshaw also serves as counsel to the professional services sector, and provides business advisory and transactional services to clients of all sizes. With more than 25 years of experience, Thomerson focuses his practice in real estate litigation, including E&O claims against brokers and agents, landlord/tenant litigation, property insurance coverage disputes, claims for injury to real property, title claims litigation, representation of mortgage lenders and mortgage servicers, and REO claims and issues.
As an agent for Chicago Title, Thomerson is uniquely familiar with title insurance, escrow and closing services, and assists clients in an array of title-related services. Thomerson also defends complex claims of medical negligence and other matters of professional negligence, including the representation of real estate agents and brokers in professional liability matters, engineers, architects and surveyors, insurance brokers and agents. Thomerson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a JD and an undergraduate degree in political science.
27. Justin Pentz
General Counsel, Sovos
Justin Pentz began his professional career 16 years ago. Today, he is the General Counsel of Sovos, a company that provides businesses with the confidence needed to navigate an increasingly regulated world. Offering a modern, IT driven response to compliance, Sovos’ solutions are scalable, reliable and secure and provide a great user experience. Sovos has more than 100,000 customers, including half the Fortune 500, as well as businesses of every size operating in more than 70 countries.
Pentz got his start in 2007 as an associate at Dechert LLP. From there, he went on to Travelport as a VP of legal. Pentz graduated from Rutgers Law School with a JD and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an undergraduate degree in journalism, mass communications, and political science.
28. Mary Calcote
VP, Deputy General Counsel & Associate General Counsel, Advanced Group
Mary Calcote is the VP, Deputy General Counsel and Associate General Counsel at Advanced Group, a company that provides expertise in talent acquisition and management, consulting, outsourcing, and professional services. Founded in 1988, their businesses include Advanced Clinical, Advanced Resources, Advanced RPO, and WunderLand Group.
Awards that Advanced Group has won include: Best of Staffing®, Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces, Best Places to Work in Illinois, and inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list. Calcote joined the company in 2019. Previously, she was an associate general counsel at Adecco Group. Before that, she served as an attorney at Smith Hulsey & Busey. Calcote earned a JD from Florida State University College of Law and an LLM in taxation from the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law.
29. John Baker
Partner, Burr & Forman LLP
John Baker is a Partner at Burr & Forman LLP. For more than a century, Burr & Forman’s experienced legal team has served clients at the intersection of business and government with local, national, and international interests in numerous industry and practice areas, ranging from commercial litigation and class actions to corporate transactions, including bankruptcy and restructurings. A Southeast regional firm with 350 attorneys and 20 offices in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, Burr & Forman attorneys draw from a diverse range of resources to help clients achieve their goals.
Baker began his career in 2009. Before joining Burr & Forman LLP, he was an associate at Akerman LLP. Before that, he served as an attorney at Lightfoot, Franklin & White. Baker graduated from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University with a JD and from Washington and Lee University with an undergraduate degree.
30. Rebecca Perkins
Corporate Counsel, Availity
Rebecca Perkins began her professional career 5 years ago. Today, she is the Corporate Counsel at Availity, the place where healthcare finds the answers needed to shift focus back to patient care. They work to solve communication challenges in healthcare by creating a richer, more transparent exchange of information among health plans, providers, and technology partners. As the nation’s largest health information network, Availity facilitates billions of clinical, administrative, and financial transactions annually.
Corporate Counsel’s suite of dynamic products enables real-time collaboration for success in a competitive, value-based care environment. Before joining Availity, Perkins was a manager in delivery of services contracting at Florida Blue. Perkins graduated from the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law with a JD and from the University of North Florida with an undergraduate degree in political science and government.
31. Laura Ferrante
Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Paul Davis Restoration
Laura Ferrante is the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at Paul Davis Restoration. The Advanced Group provides expertise in talent acquisition and management, consulting, outsourcing, and professional services. Founded in 1988, their businesses include Advanced Clinical, Advanced Resources, Advanced RPO, and the WunderLand Group. Awards they have won include: Best of Staffing®, Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces, Best Places to Work in Illinois, and inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list.
Ferrante first joined Paul Davis Restoration in 2019 as associate general counsel. She has more than 25 years’ of experience in insurance and construction litigation, contract negotiation and preparation, mediation/arbitration, as well as regulatory compliance and audit oversight in highly regulated industries. Ferrante is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating conferred for legal ability and ethical standards of conduct. She graduated from the University of Florida and the Florida State University College of Law. Ferrante is also a member of the Florida, Jacksonville and American Bar Associations.
32. Edward Booth
Partner, Marks Gray, P.A. | Lawyers for Enterprise
Edward Booth is a Partner at Marks Gray, P.A. | Lawyers for Enterprise. With solid roots in Jacksonville, Marks Gray is one of Northeast Florida’s leading business law firms. Their team of client focused attorneys endeavor to work with clients during every step of the process to not only meet, but exceed expectations. They are committed to excellence by handling each matter with unparalleled customer service, efficiency, and professionalism. Booth began his career in 2018. Before joining Marks Gray, he was a partner at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood, & Boyer, P.A. Earlier in his career, he worked with Boyd & Jenerette, P.A as a Partner.
Booth graduated from Florida State University College of Law with a JD and from Emory University with an undergraduate degree in political science. He is best known for his Aviation Law practice that includes crash litigation, representation of clients before the FAA and NTSB, and serving as legal counsel to airport authorities and aircraft owners and operators. He was the first attorney in Florida to become Board Certified in Aviation Law by the Florida Bar. Booth is a frequent guest commentator on Jacksonville’s WJXT Channel 4 on topics related to aviation and air safety and appeared on national and international news on matters related to air disasters.
33. Jonathan Diocares
Partner, Quintairos Prieto Wood & Boyer P.A
Jonathan Diocares is a Partner in the Jacksonville and Orlando offices of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., the largest women and minority-owned law firm in the country with more than 400 attorneys licensed in almost every state. Diocares focuses on first-party property insurance defense and coverage actions in his representation of insurers and insureds in claims arising from windstorm, sinkhole, fire, mold, water losses, theft, vandalism, fraud, PIP/SIU, and automobile negligence. His practice also consists in performing examinations under oath, and fraud investigations. Diocares handles all aspects of representation in state and federal courts.
Prior to joining QPWB, Diocares worked with two large insurance defense law firms in Miami and Fort Lauderdale – concentrating his practice in first-party property defense, where he handled large case files and worked with adjusters and litigation specialists through each phase of litigation from retention of matter through litigation, mediation, arbitration and trial. Diocares graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law with a JD and from Florida State University with an undergraduate degree in economics.
34. Jacqueline Newstadt
Corporate Counsel, Labor and Employee Relations, Genesee & Wyoming
Jacqueline Newstadt is the Corporate Counsel and Labor and Employee Relations at Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services. G&W owns or leases 116 freight railroads with 7,300 employees serving 3,000 customers. The company’s North American operations include 110 short line and regional railroads that serve 43 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces over more than 13,000 track-miles, while its UK/Europe operations include the U.K.’s largest rail-centric intermodal logistics franchise and the leading heavy haul freight rail provider, as well as regional rail services in Continental Europe.
Before joining G&W, Newstadt was a Senior Principal, Employee and Labor Relations at CSC and a Law Clerk at International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. Earlier in her career she worked with General Dynamics as a Senior Human Resources Representative. Newstadt graduated from The George Washington University Law School with a J.D., from San Diego State University with an MBA in human resources and from Virginia Tech with an undergraduate degree in business management.
35. Jonathan Isaac
General Counsel of Industrial & Specialty Products Segment, U.S. Silica Company
Jonathan Isaac is the General Counsel in the Industrial and Specialty Products Segment of U.S. Silica Company, a performance materials company that is also a member of the Russell 2000 Index. The company is a leading producer of commercial silica used in a wide range of industrial applications and in the oil and gas industry. Over its 119-year history, U.S. Silica has developed core competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science that enable it to produce and cost-effectively deliver over 1,500 diversified products to customers.
Isaac joined the company in 2014 as assistant general counsel. Previously, he was a director of legal affairs in North America and Asia at QIAGEN. Before that, he served as an associate in the business and transactional group at Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC. Isaac earned a JD from the University of Baltimore School of Law and an undergraduate degree in history from Washington University in St. Louis.
36. Grier Wells
Partner, Gray Robinson P.A
Grier Wells is a Partner at Gray Robinson P.A., 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. Gray Robinson serves clients nationally from 15 offices across Florida and Washington, D.C. Notably, Wells has 39 years of experience. In addition to his reputation as a skilled trial lawyer, Wells is also recognized as a leader in the profession and community.
Wells has served as a member of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar, taking an active leadership role principally in the areas of lawyer discipline, program development and oversight and client security fund claims. He is a past president of the Jacksonville Bar Association and a charter member and past president of the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Before joining Gray Robinson, Wells was a partner at Akerman Senterfitt and Eidson. Earlier in his career, he worked with Brant Moore Macdonald and Wells as a Partner. Wells graduated from the University of Florida with a JD and an undergraduate degree in journalism.
37. Robert Ford
General Counsel North America, Advanz Pharma
Robert Ford began his professional career 30 years ago. Today, he is the General Counsel in North America of Advanz Pharma. The company is headquartered in London and has commercial affiliates in Europe, North America and Australia – and a Centre of Excellence in Mumbai, India. Furthermore, Advanz Pharma supplies, innovates and enhances the critical medicines patients depend on, ensuring continued patient access and improving healthcare outcomes. The company is currently managing over 175 well established products in more than 75 countries.
Ford got his start in 1993 as an associate lawyer at Walsh & Company LLP. From there, he went on to Castleton Networks, before eventually rising to partner at Kelly Santini LLP, his most recent position prior to joining Advanz Pharma. Ford graduated from The University of British Columbia with an LLB and from Ivey Business School at Western University with an undergraduate degree in business.
38. Kyle Sawicki
Senior Counsel, Rayonier
Kyle Sawicki is the Senior Counsel at Rayonier, a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. They own or lease under long-term agreements approximately 2.8 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S. South, U.S. Pacific Northwest and New Zealand. They recognize that their 90+ years of success in the timberland industry comes from their people – an empowering culture and the courage to constantly challenge “the way it’s always been done.”
Sawicki joined the company in 2015 as counsel. Previously, he was a corporate and real estate attorney at McGuireWoods. Before that, he served as a corporate attorney at Fowler White Boggs. Earlier in his career, he worked with Emerson as a manufacturing engineer. Sawicki earned a JD from the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law and an undergraduate degree in industrial and systems engineering from The Ohio State University.
39. Shylie Bannon
Partner, Hall Booth Smith P.C
Shylie Bannon is a Partner at Hall Booth Smith P.C’s Jacksonville, Florida, office. She also serves as Hiring Partner for the region of Florida, where she oversees associate attorney hiring endeavors. Prior to joining Hall Booth Smith, Bannon was a Partner in both a multi-state, multi-specialty firm and a boutique practice. Established in 1989, Hall Booth Smith is a full-service law firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Experienced across a wide range of legal disciplines, HBS attorneys pride themselves on providing knowledgeable, proactive, client-specific counsel to individuals, domestic and international corporations, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
At Hall Booth Smith, Bannon continues to represent physicians, mid-level providers, and health care providers in high exposure medical negligence claims and in administrative proceedings before the Florida Department of Health. She also represents national retailers in high exposure premises liability, negligent security, and transportation litigation. In addition to litigating matters involving personal injury and negligence, Bannon also represents management in all aspects of employment-related litigation, among other areas of speciality. Bannon earned a JD from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law, cum laude, and graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University with a BA in Political Science and History.
40. Amy Croft
General Counsel, VENUS Fashion Inc.
Amy Croft is the General Counsel at VENUS Fashion, an American online and catalog fashion retailer headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. The company sells clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories for women. Venus is known for its swimwear and lingerie. It’s also known for actively participating in charitable endeavors and community activities.
Croft has been with the company since 2022. Previously, she was an attorney at Volpe, Bajalia, Wickes, Rogerson & Wachs (VBWR). Earlier in her career, she worked with Mosley, Warren, Pritchard & Parrish as an attorney. Croft earned a JD from Florida State University and an undergraduate degree in social science from Florida State University.
41. Colby Slaughter
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, RYAM
Colby Slaughter is the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at RYAM, a global leader of cellulose-based technologies, including high purity cellulose specialties, a natural polymer commonly used in the production of filters, food, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial applications. RYAM also manufactures products for paper and packaging markets. With manufacturing operations in the U.S., Canada, and France, the company employs approximately 2,500 people and generated $1.7 billion of revenues in 2022.
Slaughter has 21 years of experience. He began his career in 2002. Before joining RYAM, he was a senior counsel at Rayonier. Before that, he served as an attorney at K&L Gates LLP. Earlier in his career, he worked with Kohl's Corporation as an analyst and associate buyer. Slaughter holds a BS in Business Management from Brigham Young University and a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law.
42. Sue Vanleeuwen
Partner, Shutts & Bowen LLP
Suzanne VanLeeuwen is a Partner in the Jacksonville office of Shutts & Bowen, a full-service law firm with a deep connection to Florida’s history. Established in 1910, Shutts & Bowen has approximately 270 lawyers in offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. Notably, Vanleeuwen focuses her practice on general corporate matters and transactional business law. She assists clients in structuring, restructuring, negotiating and documenting their business transactions. She has assisted clients in preparing and analyzing shareholders’ agreements, operating agreements, partnership agreements, and many others legal documents.
In addition, Vanleeuwen has also assisted clients with the many aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and asset purchases and sales. On top of her transactional experience, Vanleeuwen has also assisted clients with the analysis and navigation of the regulatory requirements related to zoning and land use matters, including rezoning, special exceptions and waiver approvals in various counties throughout Florida. Vanleeuwen graduated from the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law with a JD and from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in sociology.
43. Kevin Mercer
Partner, Wicker Smith
Kevin Mercer joined Wicker Smith in 1997 and became a Partner in 2002. Leveraging extensive experience across a comprehensive spectrum of industries, Wicker Smith has represented some of the world’s best-known brands–including American Airlines, McDonalds, PepsiCo, and General Electric, to name a few—as well as hundreds of hospitals. The firm has over 260 attorneys across 16 offices. In addition, it has locations in Phoenix, Arizona; Atlanta, Georgia; Brunswick, Georgia; and Nashville, Tennessee. In 2011, Mercer joined Wicker Smith’s Jacksonville office.
Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1994, Mercer has actively litigated throughout Florida in the state and federal courts, primarily handling legal matters in medical malpractice, products liability, premises liability and catastrophic injury – as well as various matters with the Florida Department of Health. During his career, he’s represented such clients as CHS, 7-Eleven, Darden, and The Medical Protective, among many others. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Mercer attended the University of Florida, earning a BS in 1991 and a JD with honors in 1994. He is an active member of The Florida Bar and Duval County Bar Association.
44. Joseph Dicamillo
General Counsel, APR Energy
Joseph Dicamillo is the General Counsel of APR Energy, a company that provides rapidly deployable, large-scale power and fast-track mobile power to underserved markets and industries. APR's mobile, turnkey power plants help run cities, countries and industries around the world in both developed and developing markets. Notably, APR creates unique value through delivering large-scale power projects anywhere in the world in less time than the typical 2-5 years required to plan, finance, construct and commission a permanent power plant. The company also offers customized turnkey solutions, including flexible plant design, fast-track installation, balance of plant, and decommissioning.
At APR, DiCamillo leads all legal and government affairs functions. He has served in GC roles for over 15 years. Dicamillo has deep global experience in M&A, strategic alliances, commercial law, corporate governance, IP licensing, risk management, and regulated industries. Prior to joining APR, he was Vice President and General Counsel at Studsvik AB, a Swedish publicly traded company in the nuclear energy industry. Dicamillo is a graduate of Northwestern University and Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.
45. Melissa Dearing
Partner, Rivkin Radler LLP
Melissa Dearing began her professional career 24 years ago. Today, she is a Partner at Rivkin Radler. Through six offices and 235 lawyers, Rivkin Radler consistently delivers focused and effective legal services. They’re committed to their best practices, requirements that go beyond professional and ethical standards. Clients have been placing their trust in the firm for more than 25 years. Notably, Dearing has extensive experience with H-1Bs and the PERM-based green card process – particularly with respect to information technology professionals, engineers and pharmacists, among other professionals.
She also represents foreign nationals regarding family immigration matters and assists employers with I-9 and other immigration compliance issues. Dearing got her start in 1995 as an attorney at Coffman, Coleman Andrews & Grogan. From there, she went on to Fowler White Boggs, before eventually rising to partner at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, her most recent position prior to joining Rivkin Radler. Dearing graduated from the University of Florida with a JD and an undergraduate degree.
46. Michael Prendergast
Partner, Ford Harrison LLP
Michael Prendergast is a Partner at Ford Harrison, a firm with lawyers in 29 offices across the country, including two affiliate offices. Their practice focuses on all aspects of labor and employment law. Prendergast joined the company in 2018. Previously, he was a partner at Ford Harrison LLP. Before that, he served as a partner at GrayRobinson. Earlier in his career, he worked with Coffman, Coleman, Andrews & Grogan, P.A. as an associate. Prendergast earned a JD and an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Florida.
Notably, Prendergast has experience representing clients in a broad range of industries. This includes construction, transportation, shipyards, paper and paper products, automotive, healthcare, food distribution, grocery and beverage. Furthermore, he has advised these clients in issues relating to union avoidance, collective bargaining, arbitration, employment discrimination, sexual and other forms of harassment, disability issues, affirmative action, family and medical leave, minimum wage, overtime and child labor laws, reductions in force (including employee notification requirements), and non-compete, among many others.
47. Steve Carruthers
General Counsel, Designs for Health
Steve Carruthers is the General Counsel at Designs for Health, a family-owned professional brand that offers high-quality dietary supplements and medical foods exclusively to health care professionals and their patients. Carruthers’ aggressive litigation strategy in state and federal courts, has resulted in permanent injunctions and six-figure settlements against unauthorized online resellers of DFH products, helping to clear unauthorized sellers from Amazon. He also leads a team of attorneys and regulatory specialists that partner with the company’s business leaders to identify and navigate regulatory and other risks that are inherent in rapidly growing companies like DFH.
Prior to joining DFH, Carruthers was engaged in private practice in Connecticut for over 20 years. During this time, he focused on corporate and transactional matters for small and medium-sized businesses, including M & A, debt and venture capital financing, and commercial real estate. Carruthers graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law with a JD and from the University of Southern California with an undergraduate degree in international relations and political science.
48. Tara Floyd
Partner, Tyson & Mendes
Tara Floyd is a Partner at Tyson & Mendes, a nationwide, AV-rated litigation and trial firm specializing in insurance defense and protecting its clients from Nuclear Verdicts®. The firm was founded in 2002 to defend corporations, insurance companies, and their clients in civil litigation matters. Notably, the firm has experienced tremendous growth in the past two decades, with offices across the U.S. At Tyson & Mendes, Floyd’s practice focuses on transportation, professional malpractice, nursing home and assisted living, medical malpractice, general and automobile negligence, and products liability.
Prior to joining Tyson & Mendes, Floyd was a partner at a large Florida law firm. She also served as a public defender in the 7th Judicial Circuit and gained experience litigating in county court and circuit court. Floyd is a member of the Jacksonville Women’s Lawyers Association and is admitted to practice in Florida. She obtained her JD from the Florida Coastal School of Law, where she graduated with honors. During law school, she was the Pro Bono Director of the Health Law Society, as well as a member of Phi Delta Phi and the Moot Court Honor Board. Floyd obtained her BA in psychology from University of Louisville.
49. Eddie Farah
Founding Partner, Farah & Farah
Eddie Farah is a personal injury attorney and Founding Partner at Farah & Farah, a firm that has helped clients recover from car accidents and other injuries since 1979. Farah & Farah’s experienced personal injury lawyers are intimately familiar with the processes and best practices for producing positive results for your personal injury claim. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Farah knew this was where he wanted to run a law practice solely dedicated to helping accident victims recover.
By creating a firm that emphasizes a client-first, team-oriented, and collaborative family atmosphere, Farah — along with his brother, Chuck – has grown the firm from a single office in downtown Jacksonville to dozens of locations all the way from Atlanta, Georgia to Fort Myers, Florida. Farah earned a JD from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law and an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida.
50. Kamli Howard
General Counsel, Hampton Golf
Kamli Howard is the General Counsel at Hampton Golf, a leading full-service hospitality management company known for a dynamic management style that is client-focused rather than process driven. With 20+ years of independent club management experience, the growing company develops and leads award-winning properties across the country. Hampton Golf is a premier golf course management and development firm providing a wealth of experience in all aspects of the hospitality industry, including golf, food and beverage, agronomy, accounting, amenity management, marketing, lifestyles, human resources and customer service.
Notably, the Hampton Golf team manages 23 golf courses and facilities throughout the U.S. It also employs more than 1,500 team members, including more than 40 PGA professionals. Howard has 10 years of experience. She began her career in 2013. Howard graduated from the University of Florida with a JD and an undergraduate degree in political science and government.
