Firm Earns 53 Best Lawyers® Recognitions, Four “Lawyer of the Year” Honors, and Four Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® Distinctions

Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns, LLP is proud to announce that 61 attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America**. The firm’s honorees include 53 attorneys recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®, four attorneys named “Lawyer of the Year,” and four attorneys recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. [jpfirm.com]

The 2027 rankings mark a significant milestone for the firm. Compared to the 2026 rankings, Johnson Pope increased its number of attorneys recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® from 46 to 53, while also increasing its prestigious**”Lawyer of the Year”** recognitions from one to four. [jpfirm.com]

“These recognitions reflect the exceptional talent, dedication, and commitment to client service that define our firm,” said Darryl Richards, Managing Partner. “We are honored to see so many of our attorneys recognized by their peers and proud of the continued growth and excellence represented across our practice areas.”

Four Attorneys Named “Lawyer of the Year”

Johnson Pope is especially proud to recognize the following attorneys who received the distinguished 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” designation:

• Colleen M. Flynn – Litigation – Labor and Employment (St. Petersburg)
• Ryan C. Griffin – Litigation – Real Estate (St. Petersburg)
• Peter A. Rivellini – Tax Law (St. Petersburg)
• Rachael Wood – Employment Law – Individuals (St. Petersburg)

This award is particularly impressive because it is presented to only one attorney in each practice area and geographic region each year, making it one of the highest distinctions awarded by Best Lawyers®.

New and Expanded Recognitions in 2027

Johnson Pope is also proud to celebrate several attorneys who earned their first recognition in The Best Lawyers in America®, further demonstrating the depth of talent across the firm.

First-Time Best Lawyers® Honorees

• Bryan Dion (Tampa)
• Michael A. Igel (St. Petersburg)
• David M. Stupich (St. Petersburg)

Advancement from Ones to Watch® to Best Lawyers®

The firm also congratulates Christopher R. Dingman, who advanced from Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® to The Best Lawyers in America® 2027, reflecting his continued professional growth and recognition by peers in the legal community. [jpfirm.com]

New Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® Recognition

• Tyler Willis (Clearwater) – Tax Law

About Best Lawyers®

For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers® has been regarded as one of the legal profession’s most respected peer-review publications. Attorney recognitions are based entirely on peer review, with lawyers evaluated by fellow practitioners on professional abilities, legal expertise, and ethical standards within their respective practice areas. The resulting recognitions reflect the consensus opinion of leading attorneys regarding the professional excellence of their peers.

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® recognizes attorneys who are earlier in their careers and have demonstrated outstanding professional excellence in private practice.

The Best Lawyers in America® 2027

Clearwater

• Brandon D. Bellew – Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Bruce H. Bokor – Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
• Charles A. Buford – Commercial Litigation; Mediation
• Colleen M. Flynn – Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Joseph W. Gaynor – Real Estate Law
• Nicholas Grimaudo – Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
• Caitlein Jammo – Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Michael G. Little – Trusts and Estates
• Zachary Messa – Trademark Law
• Robert Potter Jr. – Commercial Litigation
• Caitlin M. Powell – Litigation – Trusts and Estates; Trusts and Estates
• Peter A. Rivellini – Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
• Charles A. Samarkos – Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Joan M. Vecchioli – Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Rachael Wood – Employment Law – Individuals; Litigation – Labor and Employment

St. Petersburg

• Joel D. Bronstein – Corporate Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
• Susan W. Carlson – Tax Law
• Mary Jo Carney – Real Estate Law
• William T. Conroy – Corporate Law; Real Estate Law
• Holger Gleim – Trusts and Estates
• Ryan C. Griffin – Litigation – Construction; Litigation – Real Estate; Real Estate Law
• Kevin S. Hennessy – Environmental Law; Land Use and Zoning Law; Litigation – Environmental
• Michael A. Igel – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Litigation – Health Care
• Michael D. Magidson – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Health Care Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• James N. Powell – Real Estate Law
• Thomas B. Smith – Health Care Law
• James B. Soble – Real Estate Law
• David M. Stupich – Corporate Law

Tampa

• Mark S. Bentley – Land Use and Zoning Law; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
• Guy M. Burns – Litigation – Banking and Finance; Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy); Litigation – Securities; Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Joseph P. Covelli – Real Estate Law
• Kevin J. Darken – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Christopher R. Dingman – Trusts and Estates
• Bryan Dion – Real Estate Law
• Lawrence Dougherty – Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Securities
• Todd Foster – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Jeffrey M. Gad – Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
• Alberto F. Gomez, Jr. – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Vitauts M. Gulbis – Tax Law
• Thomas J. Hunt – Real Estate Law
• Scott C. Ilgenfritz – Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Securities; Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Frank R. Jakes – Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Intellectual Property
• Leonard H. Johnson – Real Estate Law
• Jamie Klapholz – Health Care Law
• Michael C. Markham – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation – Bankruptcy
• T. Luke Markham – Real Estate Law
• Michael J. Nolan II – Real Estate Law; Trusts and Estates
• Steven Pratico – Commercial Litigation
• Darryl R. Richards – Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Labor and Employment; Litigation – Real Estate
• Joseph W. N. Rugg – Health Care Law
• Phillip Shasteen – Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities Regulation
• Patrick A. Traber – Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Joseph J. Weissman – Litigation – Intellectual Property; Litigation – Patent; Trademark Law

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® 2027

Clearwater

• Tyler Willis – Tax Law

Tampa

• Christopher Bonti – Commercial Litigation; Land Use and Zoning Law; Litigation – Real Estate
• Matthew Kochinski – Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; Transportation Law
• Grant C. Sittig – Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Real Estate Law; Tax Law

Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns, LLP congratulates all attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® for their outstanding professional achievements and dedication to serving clients. These honors reflect the firm’s long-standing commitment to excellence, leadership, and delivering exceptional legal counsel throughout Florida.