SRQ Magazine | Elite Top Attorneys February 2021

SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2021

PALM LMETTO

PALMETTO BAY ANNA MARIA I

HOLMES BEACH BR RADENTON

LAKEWOOD RAN NCH

SARA R SO S TA VENICE E

NORTH PO ORT

2020

ELITE

TOP

ATTORNEYS

PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DATAJOE RESEARCH TO FACILITATE AN ONLINE PEER-VOTING PROCESS AND INTERNET RESEARCH PROCESS.

SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2021

ELITE TOP ATTORNEYS AWARDS GUIDE :: SECOND EDITION

Featured Honorees ATTORNEYS FOR NON PROFITS Pennewill, Elizabeth Colvin Community Foundation of Sarasota County 2635 Fruitville Rd Sarasota, FL 34237 941-556-7152; Lic.#156140

BUSINESS LAW McLain, G Robert Jr Metcalfe & McLain, P.A. 100 Wallace Ave., Ste. 260 Sarasota, FL 34237 941-365-4174; Lic.#84475

CONSTRUCTION Gurley, David E Gurley & Associates 601 S Osprey Ave Sarasota, FL 34236 941-365-4501; Lic.#402214

CRIMINAL DEFENSE Griffith, Kevin McIntosh Law 766 Hudson Ave, Ste B Sarasota, FL 34236 941-306-3230; Lic.#102647 McIntosh, Brett McIntosh Law 766 Hudson Ave Sarasota, FL 34236 941-306-3230; Lic.#993972

EMINENT DOMAIN Blucher, Paul A Blucher Law Group, PLLC 7300 Delainey Ct Sarasota, FL 34240 941-361-1145; Lic.#860409

the featured individuals appearing in the february 2021 second edition of the 2020 elite top attorneys awards program do not reflect the complete list of honorees—the complete list can be found in the sept/oct 2020 edition of srq magazine.

FAMILY LAW

REAL ESTATE

Kowtko, W Matthew Kowtko Law Group, P.A. 1800 2nd St Ste 882 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-227-4945; Lic.#111142

Featherstone, Ryan A Dunlap & Moran, P.A. 22 S. Links Ave Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-0115; Lic.#17824

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Riddell, Cynthia Riddell Law Group 3400 S Tamiami Trl Ste 202 Sarasota, FL 34239 941-366-1300; Lic.#51456

Sensenig, Christine Sensenig Law Firm, P.A. 1515 Ringling Blvd. Ste 230 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-953-2828; Lic.#74276

LAND USE ENVIRONMENT Colburn, Casey The Colburn Firm 7321 Merchant Ct Ste A, Sarasota, FL 34240 941-928-6801; Lic.#647551

RISING STARS 2020 Rising Star Grollman, Jacob Grollman Law 544 12th St W Bradenton, FL 34205 941-896-6775; Lic.#118711

PERSONAL INJURY Linehan, Gregory P Wittmer & Linehan PLLC 2014 4th St Sarasota, FL 34237 941-263-8314; Lic.#87970

Program Methodology SUMMARY To create the list, the magazine contracted DataJoe Research to facilitate an online peer-voting process and Internet research process.

DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers. To create the list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-voting process. DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had, at time of review, a current, active license status with the appropriate state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a lawyer's current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that lawyer was excluded from the list. In addition, we checked available public sources to identify lawyers disciplined for an infraction by the state regulatory board. These entities were excluded from the list.

Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine for its final review and adjustments. FINAL NOTE We recognize that there are many good lawyers who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding lawyers in the region. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination and Internet research campaign are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective lawyers may not appear on the list. DISCLAIMERS DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe. QUESTIONS For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at surveys@datajoe.com.

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SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2021

IN CONVERSATION WITH 2020 ELITE TOP ATTORNEY HONOREE MATTHEW KOWTKO. INTERVIEW BY WES ROBERTS

In

Conversation

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR FIRM. Matthew Kowtko: Right now, I have four attorneys in total, including myself. The firm focuses on family law of every type-and we also cover criminal law as well.

A lot of family lawyers will handle domestic violence, which is civil, but then there's also the domestic violence criminal. That said, my criminal representation is more broad than that; we do handle drugs, drug possession, theft, grand theft, things of that nature.

I've been done an enormous

amount of DUI's recently.

That's a specialty area with all its own little sets of rules that it helps to have someone who is an expert in. We don't handle any crimes against minor children or violent crimes against individuals. In family law, we handle divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence. That's a pretty broad range, and it helps us to be able to work with a client across the spectrum. When you are married, or when you have children involved, then it's family law.

Without children, a divorce

is about equitable distribution, alimony, property rights, things of that nature-when children are involved; you have parenting plans and parental responsibility.

MANY PEOPLE DON'T EXPERIENCE A LOT OF LEGAL CONFLICT IN THEIR LIVES, AND SO WHEN THEY NEED AN ATTORNEY, THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THE FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE AS TO WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE.

Kowtko: Something I have to explain to clients regularly is that life is not like the TV show Law and Order. On Law and Order, you go from a murder being committed through an investigation, a court case, and a conviction in less than 60 minutes. Oftentimes, in real life, felonies can take six, eight, twelve months of legal wrangling. I have to advise clients that are under suspicion that there are three absolute rules in a criminal situation; One,

ENGAGING READERS THROUGH STORYTELLING

I N C ON VERSAT I ON

ABOUT MATTHEW KOWTKO Matt’s approach to the practice of law combines pragmatism, innovation, dependability, dedication, and tenacity; he’s a persuasive and successful trial lawyer, as well as an assertive and decisive negotiator. Clients describe him as compassionate, knowledgeable, professional, responsive, and a bull in the courtroom with a keen ability to think clearly and rapidly under pressure.

From the moment you meet Matt he will educate you in the process of your case, and him and his team will start working immediately to build an individualized approach and case strategy tailored to your unique situation to defend and protect your rights.

EL ITE TOP AT TORN EYS BR AN D STORY C ON T E NT PRO GR AM : : FE BRUARY 2021

don't tell anybody anything.

You don't speak to anybody but your lawyer. Anything that you say to anyone [other than your lawayer] could be discoverable.

Second. I tell people it doesn't go as quick as people think, especially in COVID right now; jury trials have been shut down and then reopened, so criminal cases with juries are starting to go, but they're still working slow. I think our local case docket has some 300 cases now, where you would normally only have maybe 50 or 60. And I have to manage their expectations about the outcome. The outcome is always different, and it's extraordinarily fact-specific. If they have a video of you doing something wrong, then it's more about mitigating damages than it is about proving innocence.

Obviously, the law presumes that you're innocent. I tell clients, "my job is not to prove anything; my job is to make the state prove everything." So our job is less about proving someone's innocence as it is about poking holes and making sure the state comes to the right conclusion. that's very different than Family Law, where I would say less than 1% of cases go to trial. The law [when it comes to families] is extraordinarily broad. Trials and family law are all done by judges, not juries, and the law gives a lot of discretion to a judge. Often-

times you are in an arbitrary realm about what feels right versus what can be proved. I tell my clients, "it's not about what you think it's about what you can prove." You have eight hours, maybe sixteen hours, that's one or two days, in front of a judge who doesn't know you. Judges are very boxed in on what they're allowed to do, and you may not like the plan they are able to require. So it's better to negotiate because statistically, you and your significant other will follow a plan more closely if it's one you two have agreed to, rather than one a judge dictates, and you and the other parties can get creative, and creativity often is what gets the job done.

WHAT ARE THE TRAITS THAT YOU THINK SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK FOR IN AN ATTORNEY? Kowtko: First priority is finding someone who communicates with you, the client. My biggest referral source is from my current clients or former clients. Oftentimes when clients fire their prior lawyer and come to me, the biggest explanation that I hear from them is that they're attorney didn't communicate.

That's why I built the firm to have skilled lawyers at every turn. My assistant is a barred attorney; my paralegal is a barred attorney. My clients get responses within 24 business hours. When you hire me individually, you get two lawyers on the team, not one. It's important that you can trust in your lawyer, in their experience and expertise. I tell clients regularly in both criminal and family, "that this Is not a battle, it's a war. If you go in to win every single battle, you're likely going to deplete yourself, and you're going to lose the war." This why

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I say communication because you need to have a lawyer that will explain their entire strategy. That way, when you, as the client, have to make a temporary decision on temporary issues, you will understand that it's part of a long-term strategy to get to a specific end.

ON YOUR WEBPAGE, THE FIRST WORD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOUR FIRM IS "AGGRESSIVE" WHAT IS THE THINKING ON THAT? Kowtko: Differential than with my family cases, in my criminal and high litigation cases, I would say maybe 30% of those cases will go to trial, not because I want them to go to trial, but because I am willing to go there. Not all lawyers want to take that step, and I have tried to build a reputation in a town that I will, that I will take a case to trial. There are cases where you need to be aggressive to properly take care of your client, and it helps to have it known that you will fight for your client. It also has to explain that, at least in law, truth is just as arbitrary as anything else. Truth is tied to perception. We think of things that are true, like "the sky is blue," which is true. But sometimes it's gray. That's also true. It depends on when you look and where you are. This has to do with helping clients manage their expectations.

They have to understand that their truth isn't necessarily the truth and that their truth may not be the truth the court sees.

Truth is oftentimes not as clear as people want it to be.

HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS DEVELOP A REALISTIC GOAL FOR THEIR SITUATION? Kowtko: In criminal law, it's usually a little bit more clear than

I N C ON VERSAT I ON

family law. In criminal law, the vast majority of the clients say, "I didn't do it." That they are not involved in whatever the event is. With family law, people think they know what they want [when you start], but as you develop the rapport with the client and develop the case, it's good to keep going back to expectations. Expectations need to be adjusted both in family law and criminal law all the time. If the state comes up with a new video or a new email, or a new picture, that may require you to change the way you handle that changes.

So expectations need to adjust with the reality of the circumstances. Also, the sooner you get a lawyer, the better off you are, especially in a criminal case. Clients may make mistakes in a criminal case if they talk when they shouldn't.

Usually, by the time criminal lawyers get involved, it's a day late and a dollar short. They tend to come in after the client has had an interview with the cop. Most people, especially the innocent ones, but even the guilty ones, want to believe that they can prove that they're innocent. They believe that "if I talk to the cops voluntarily, they'll see the truth." But again, your truth is maybe different than the cop's truth. There are stories in the news all the time about people who spend ten

EL ITE TOP AT TORN EYS BR AN D STORY C ON T E NT PRO GR AM : : FE BRUARY 2021

years, 15 years in jail, and they are innocent, but the case did no go their way. I tell clients that if you are suspected of a crime, then nobody is your friend-the cop is not your friend. You don't want to talk to them without a lawyer being present. If a client is smart enough to retain a lawyer first, then you tell the police, "I'll be glad to be involved in your investigation, but I want my lawyer present."

THIS IS PROBABLY A BIGGER PROBLEM ACTUALLY FOR THE INNOCENT PERSON. THE INNOCENT PERSON WANTS TO BE HELPFUL, BUT SOMEWHERE OUT THERE, THERE IS A GUILTY PERSON, AND THEIR STORY AND YOURS WILL NOT MATCHUP. Kowtko: You actually see that a lot in domestic violence.

When you and your spouse get in a fight, and the wife or the husband calls the cops. You want to tell the cops your story.

People start talking, "well, I didn't start it. Yeah. I hit him."

Or "Yeah. I hit her, but I didn't start it. She hit me first." And you may think you are helping yourself, but you are not. You are making statements that are very hard to back off from later.

People want to prove their innocence, which is not actually what is necessary; as I said, the other side needs to prove your guilt, and people want to seem compliant, which can actually be disastrous.

FOR MOST PEOPLE THAT HAVE A CONFLICT THAT REQUIRES A LAWYER, IT IS LIKELY THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE EVER BEEN IN THAT SITUATION. WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR THEM TO WALK IN YOUR DOOR? Kowtko: We do it differently than many firms.

We are more relaxed-it's part

of my theory. I'm young, for a lawyer, and I'm not old school law. A lot of people have the perception that the lawyer will look down their nose at them.

I want to make people comfortable. I shouldn't be part of your problem. I should be part of your solution. Our clients have challenges in their lives that are not easy to handle; they need help, whether you're accused of a crime or whether you were getting divorced, or whether you have a child that you haven't seen in a period of time. I should not be your problem; I should be a tool for you to help you get to a good end. That's one of the benefits, actually, of family law. You know you've helped a family, specifically when you've helped a child get through something.

Adults can adapt, can get through a divorce, but kids, especially single-digit age children, don't have any control, and they didn't choose to be in this situation then. We have a dual role, one to help the parent who's my actual client, but also I have an ethical obligation to make sure that the child has as best outcome possible. So ultimately, one of the best benefits of my job is at the end of the case, when a client comes and says, "my Johnny's happy," or, you know, "Susie's happy, and they've adjusted well." And after the legal conflict has been received, the client comes back and says, "thank you for getting me through that hard time and helping me and my kid adjust."

That's the benefit of being in family law. You are helping that six-year-old kid get to the best possible life, and you know that they are probably not going to end up a statistic in twelve years. SRQ

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SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2021

CONTACT INFORMATION dgurley@GurleyAssociates.com

601 South Osprey Avenue Sarasota, Florida 34236

Direct: (941) 556-1480 Fax: (941) 365-2916

HONORS Highest attainable Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell International Attorney Directory. A Florida Trend “Legal Elite” in construction law. Recognized by Chambers & Partners Guide to Leading Business Lawyers and Law Firms in the World. Acknowledged by Super Lawyers as a leading Florida Construction & Surety lawyer.

Listed in Best Lawyers in America for expertise in Construction Law.

David E. Gurley HONOREE Construction Law

FLORIDA BAR DATE OF ADMISSION 1984

BIO David E. Gurley is the principal shareholder of Gurley & Associates. He has been Florida Board Certified as an expert in Construction Law since 2005. Mr. Gurley’s practice for the last thirty-five years has concentrated on matters relating to the construction and design of private and public development projects including, contract negotiation and drafting; project oversight and Board of Claims proceedings; construction and design defect analysis and documentation; scheduling and delay claims; lender issues; project takeovers and completions for sureties; surety indemnity actions; construction licensing and disciplinary matters; and, the mediation, arbitration and litigation of construction and design disputes.

Gurley & Associates’ clients include multiple ENR Top 50 contractors; surety companies; CD insurers, national and international “big box” retailers; REITS; private development companies and, major construction materials supply companies. Mr. Gurley is admitted to practice in all Florida courts, Texas and in the District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. He counsels clients nationwide and in the Caribbean basin in the avoidance and resolution of construction and bond claims arising from commercial, hospitality, theme park, medical facility, luxury resort, high rise residential, transportation and public infrastructure projects.

PRACTICES

DEGREES

Construction Law, Surety Law, Business and Commercial Litigation, Insurance Defense, Insurance Coverage, Condominium Law, Trial Practice

J.D., Florida State University, 1983

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B.S., Florida State University, 1981

Mr. Gurley is AV peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Best Lawyers in America for construction law.

He has been recognized by Chambers & Partners Guide to Leading Business Lawyers and Law Firms in the World and by Super Lawyers and Florida Trend magazine as a leading Florida construction and surety lawyer.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS · American Bar Association (Fidelity and Surety Law Committee; Forum Committee on the Construction Law Committee) · Florida Bar · Sarasota County Bar Association · Construction Law Institute, Certified Instructor · National Bond Claims Association · Defense Research Institute · Florida Surety Association · Master, Judge John M. Scheb Inn of Court

MISSION Gurley & Associates is a commercial litigation, construction and surety boutique law firm with a national and international reach.

Gurley & Associates provides the responsiveness and personal service of a boutique law firm, with the experience and attention to detail that are the hallmarks of larger firms.

LAW FIRM

SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2021

HONOREE Eminent Domain BIO Paul Blucher, Esquire has been practicing eminent domain law in Florida since 1990. In 1997 he founded Blucher Law Group, PLLC dedicated to protecting property owners and business owners’ rights against the government. Blucher notes, “We help clients understand their rights – that attorney’s fees and costs are paid by the government and that owners are entitled to be paid full compensation for the taking of their property, compensation which may be more than the government's appraised value. TESTIMONIALS “Paul Blucher possesses all of the qualities of a great attorney: exceptional expertise, ethical conduct, compassion and concern for clients. His advice and counsel allowed us to successfully navigate one of the most difficult periods we have ever experienced.” — Melanie Michaels, Ph.D and David Sorg, property owners June 2020 FLORIDA BAR DATE OF ADMISSION

Paul Blucher, Esq.

PRACTICES Eminent Domain, Real Estate Litigation, Real Estate Title Closings and Title Insurance

September 24, 1990.

Member: Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee 1990, Federal Bar MD Fla. 1997; Fla. Bar Real Property Probate & Trust Law Section.

pab@fifthamendment.com 7300 Delainey Court Sarasota, Florida 34240 (941) 361-1145 fifthamendment.com

DEGREES

BLUCHER LAW GROUP, PLLC

CONTACT INFORMATION

University of Pittsburgh, School of Law JD 1990

HONOREE Real Estate BIO Mr. Featherstone is a locally born, AV Preeminent® real estate and business law attorney with a practice focused on residential and commercial real estate transactions, including title analysis, title curing, and title insurance and representation of individual and business entities in the buying, selling, developing, and leasing of residential and commercial property. His practice also includes the representation of clients in the purchase and sale of all types of businesses. His services include contract negotiation/drafting, resolving disputes, and conducting real estate and business closings. He is also approved counsel for various national and community banks, and is involved in the legal analysis, documentation and closing of secured and unsecured loan transactions. MISSION I adhere to the highest ethical standards in pursuing my clients’ interests, and work diligently to remain abreast of the latest developments in laws impacting my areas of practice.

The relationships I establish with clients typically develop into strong, longstanding ties, the outgrowth of which is the bulk of my referrals come from satisfied clients.

Ryan A. Featherstone

DEGREES Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Finance from University of Florida (2001) and J.D. from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California (2005)

FLORIDA BAR DATE OF ADMISSION December, 2005

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 15 years

Sarasota and Manatee County Jurisdiction

CONTACT INFORMATION rfeatherstone@ dunlapmoran.com 22 S. Links Ave., Ste. 300, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 366-0115 dunlapmoran.com

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SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2021

HONOREE Rising Star BIO A lifelong resident of Sarasota, Jake Grollman concentrates his legal work solely on criminal defense and has represented individuals charged with various misdemeanor and felony offenses. During his career as a defense attorney, Jake has tried numerous jury trials, from DUIs to Attempted Murder. He works relentlessly to protect the rights of the accused and has proven his ability to get results, whether in front of a judge or jury. He is committed to providing the attentive service and representation necessary to obtain the most favorable outcome for his clients and their future. MISSION In today’s world, when I have the privilege of representing your liberty interest, it is more important than ever that I maintain an unwavering commitment to fighting for your Constitutional Rights.

DEGREES

Jacob Grollman

University of Central Florida B.A. (2011); Florida State University College of Law J.D. (2015)

THE LAW OFFICE OF JACOB GROLLMAN, P.A.

FLORIDA BAR DATE OF ADMISSION September 28, 2015 All Florida

CONTACT INFORMATION jake@grollmanlaw.com

State Courts, U.S. Federal District Court - Middle District of Florida

544 12th St. West Bradenton, FL 34205

PRACTICES

(941) 896-6775

Criminal Defense

grollmanlaw.com

HONOREE Civil Law Litigation BIO G. Robert McLain Jr. is a litigation-oriented attorney representing commercial and individual clients in civil, criminal, and family law matters. He began his legal career at a prominent law firm in Washington, D.C., before returning home to Sarasota to practice law with his father. Since then, he has successfully litigated against individuals, corporations, and a foreign government and has helped clients resolve commercial disputes, malpractice claims, probate disagreements, torts, criminal charges, and marital dissolutions.

FIRM PHILOSOPHY At Metcalfe & McLain, we believe that effective representation requires more than aggressive advocacy. It requires rationality, reason, and decency. Whether the case is a civil, criminal, or family matter, we practice Civil Florida Law.

FLORIDA BAR DATE OF ADMISSION 2010

G. Robert McLain Jr. Metcalfe & McLain, P.A.

DEGREES George Mason University School of Law, J.D., Magna Cum Laude, 2008 University of Florida, B.A., (Philosophy, minor in English), 1998.

AFFILIATIONS Sarasota County Bar Association, Family Law Section, Florida Bar, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, John M. Scheb American Inn of Court (Barrister)

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CONTACT INFORMATION rob.mclain@ CivilFloridaLaw.com 100 Wallace Ave. Ste. 260 Sarasota, FL 34237 (941) 365-4174 CivilFloridaLaw.com

SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2021

HONOREE Residential and Commercial Real Estate and Title Insurance Transactions BIO Cynthia A. Riddell is an attorney at Riddell Law Group.

She is admitted to practice in Florida as well as the U.S. District Court in and for the Middle District of Florida and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in and for the Middle District of Florida. She focuses her practice on Residential and Commercial Real Estate Closings and Title Insurance Transactions. Cynthia grew up in Sarasota and after law school returned to join her father, attorney Jeff Riddell, in the practice of real estate transactional law. At Riddell Law Group our mission is to guide buyers and sellers through the real estate transaction process to closing with efficiency and professionalism. The majority of our real estate work is performing residential real estate closings which affords us the opportunity to help clients during one of the largest financial purchases one may make during one’s lifetime which is an awesome responsibility and one we are grateful to be a part of.

Cynthia A. Riddell

DEGREES

ASSOCIATIONS

Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida, J.D.

Real Estate Section of the Sarasota County Bar Association, Former Chair

University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida B.A.

Sarasota County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, 2011– 2013, Board of Directors

CONTACT INFORMATION criddell@rlglawfirm.com 3400 S. Tamiami Trl. Ste 202 Sarasota FL 34239 (941) 366-1300 www.rlglawfirm.com

HONOREE Labor and Employment BIO Christine Sensenig is the managing partner of The Sensenig Law Firm, P.A. She provides human resources and employment law advice as well as litigation defense to employers of all sizes in all aspects of the employment relationship To build strong long-term relationships with clients, the Firm explores the “why” behind a client’s concerns. In employment law, clients have needs in “real time” and the Firm believes in being an accessible resource to our clients. “I do my best because I am counting on you counting on me.” — Maya Angelou

Christine Sensenig

DEGREES

RECOGNITION

1995, University of Florida Levin College of Law

Florida Trend Magazine Legal Elite, 2009-2020

1992, University of Florida, M.L.A., B.A. 1988.

SuperLawyer, 2015-2020 AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell 2015 to present

CONTACT INFORMATION csensenig@ senseniglawfirm.com 1515 Ringling Blvd., Ste. 230 Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 953-2828 senseniglawfirm.com

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SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2021

HONOREE ATTORNEYS FOR NONPROFITS BIO Betsy Pennewill serves as corporate counsel at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, working with donors and professional advisors to craft planned giving agreements.

She is also skilled in real estate transactions and estate planning matters. Pennewill is a member of the Public Policy Committee of the Southeastern Council of Foundations and the board president of Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida. She is also a member of the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council.

MISSION Community Impact Powered by Philanthropy: The Community Foundation of Sarasota County unites people and organizations to create opportunities across generations to improve lives. Each one of us has the potential to impact a person, cause, community. Be The One. DEGREES

Betsy Pennewill COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY

Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Stetson University College of Law, 1998 Graduated from Miami University with a degree in Finance, 1990

FLORIDA BAR DATE OF ADMISSION 1998

License to practice law in Florida since 1998.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

CONTACT INFORMATION Betsy@CFSarasota.org 2635 Fruitville Rd. Sarasota, FL 34237 (941) 556-7152 CFSarasota.org

17 years

Florida Jurisdiction

HONOREE Land Use and Environmental Law "Much of my firm’s work comes from other lawyers," says firm Principal, Casey Colburn.

"Being entrusted to assist their valued clients is the highest honor. Thanks to SRQ for providing a forum for our legal community to recognize Top Attorneys." Over 25 years, Casey earned a national reputation for solving problems among clientele ranging from Dow 30 conglomerates to fixed-income seniors. When Casey arrived in "sleepy" and seasonal Sarasota nearly 20 years ago, he dove-into Sarasota-Manatee civic life.

A founding director of the Sarasota Young Professionals Group, and a leader in local, state and international civic, charitable and professional organizations, the community’s year-round vibrancy, skylines, and shorelines reflect Casey’s involvement. MISSION The Colburn Firm helps solve real estate matters complicated by federal, state and local government regulation and enforcement, waterfront, land use and development issues, green building, environmental permitting, due diligence and docks.

PRACTICE AREAS

Casey Colburn

Zoning, Land Use & Conservation Environmental Permitting and Enforcement. Cleanup, Remediation and Redevelopment. Federal, State and Local Approvals. Real Estate Due Diligence and Development. Shopping Center Law. Green Building. Code Enforcement. Federal, State and Local Legislation. Waterfront Permitting and Development.

Docks and Riparian Rights

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CONTACT INFORMATION casey.colburn@icloud.com 7321 Merchant Ct, Ste. A Sarasota, FL 34240 (941) 928-6801 (850) 692-9656 caseycolburn.com

SECOND EDITION | FEBRUARY 2021

HONOREE Personal Injury BIO Greg Linehan grew up in Sarasota before leaving to attend college at the University of Florida. After receiving his Bachelors Degree, he attended law school in Miami.

In 1997, he relocated back to Sarasota to be near family and friends while building his practice in Personal Injury and Worker’s Compensation law. Mr. Linehan became a partner at Wittmer | Linehan in 2007. He primarily focuses on Personal Injury law, including auto and motorcycle accidents as well as Worker’s Compensation cases and Social Security Disability claims. Greg enjoys the ability to use his expertise to help members of the Sarasota community, whether through his practice of law or by serving on the board of various local community based organizations.

FLORIDA BAR DATE OF ADMISSION Florida, 1996

Gregory Linehan WITTMER | LINEHAN

U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 1997

DEGREES

CONTACT INFORMATION

St Thomas University School of Law, Miami, Florida, 1996 J.D., Juris Doctor

glinehan@ sarasotalitigator.com

University of Florida, 1990, B.A., Bachelor of Arts

(941) 365-2296

2014 4th Street Sarasota FL 34237

sarasotalitigator.com