Gary Ragnar von Stange

Gary R. von Stange is a Partner in Johnson Pope’s St. Petersburg office, where he focuses his practice on complex commercial and business litigation, construction disputes, and employment matters. For more than three decades, Gary has represented clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to privately held businesses, joint ventures, and individuals in high-stakes litigation across Florida, New York, and Vermont. His ability to navigate intricate legal and factual issues—often involving multimillion-dollar exposures—has made him a trusted advocate for companies and executives facing their most consequential challenges.

Gary’s path to the law was anything but conventional. A professional musician at the time, he first became intrigued by the legal process after successfully representing himself in court over a speeding ticket—an experience that revealed not only a knack for argument but a deep appreciation for logic, preparation, and fairness. That unlikely courtroom win sparked a lifelong dedication to advocacy. After earning his J.D. with distinction from Hofstra University School of Law, Gary went on to clerk for two federal judges before building a career that would span both coasts and multiple disciplines.

In New York City, Gary spent nearly two decades with major national firms, representing Fortune 500 companies, investment banks, accounting firms, insurance companies, and other institutional clients in sophisticated commercial, securities, and corporate disputes. He handled trials involving complex contract claims, professional liability, and multimillion-dollar damages, including cases that resulted in major verdicts and favorable settlements for his clients. He also developed substantial experience in transactional and regulatory matters, allowing him to guide businesses not only through litigation but also through the contractual and compliance decisions that help prevent it.

After relocating to Vermont, Gary founded and managed his own practice, representing clients in civil, criminal, and business litigation, as well as corporate formation, licensing, and municipal law. His leadership extended beyond the courtroom—he served on the Shelburne, Vermont Selectboard for nine years, including four as Chair, where he helped modernize local zoning and land-use policy. That blend of legal acumen, business insight, and public service continues to shape his approach today.

At Johnson Pope, Gary brings all those experiences together. Whether leading complex indemnification and fraud recovery cases, advising on construction disputes, or counseling business owners on risk management and litigation strategy, he approaches every matter with the same philosophy: be collegial when possible, and highly aggressive when necessary. Known for his analytical precision and relentless preparation, Gary is valued by clients and colleagues alike for his integrity, perspective, and genuine enthusiasm for the practice of law—a profession he still describes as “fun” after more than thirty years in the courtroom.

Representative Matters

• Secured Complete Victory in Complex Indemnification Litigation. In a four-year, three-party business dispute, Gary led Johnson Pope’s litigation team to obtain summary judgment requiring a former employer to indemnify his client—a company CEO—for all settlement payments, attorneys’ fees, and costs. The ruling, which followed earlier dismissals of two of three underlying claims and a favorable settlement of the third, resulted in a full recovery for the client and affirmed key contractual protections for corporate officers and directors.

• Recovered Significant Losses in National “Grandparent Scam” Case. Represented an elderly woman who was defrauded through a “grandmother scam,” where perpetrators impersonated her grandchild to extract wire transfers from her bank. Gary pursued claims against the financial institution for negligence and failure to follow fraud-prevention protocols, achieving a substantial recovery for the victim. The case drew national attention for exposing systemic weaknesses in consumer fraud safeguards.

• Achieved significant Restitution in Multi-Million Dollar Corporate Embezzlement. Represented the owner of a closely held company after an insider—his stepdaughter—embezzled over $6 million through unauthorized withdrawals and forged checks. Gary coordinated a forensic investigation, pursued claims against the responsible parties and the financial institution that failed to detect the misconduct, and obtained substantial reimbursement. The wrongdoer was prosecuted and sentenced to prison.

• Prevailed in High-Stakes Commercial Litigation in New York City. Tried a three-week commercial case against New Jersey’s largest public utility company, in which both parties asserted multi-million-dollar claims. Gary’s client prevailed on all counts, resulting in a net recovery of millions. The case demonstrated his ability to simplify complex financial and technical issues for judges and juries and to deliver results in heavily contested environments.

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• New York
• United States District Courts (Middle, Northern & Southern Districts of New York)

• United States District Court (District of Vermont)

Education

• Hofstra University School of Law, J.D., with Distinction, Dean’s Scholarship, 1994
• Bowling Green State University, M.M., Graduate Assistant, 1980

• Ithaca College, B.E., Regent Scholar, 1978

Community & Professional Organizations

• The Florida Bar Association
  • Member
• Vermont Epilepsy Foundation
  • Volunteer, 1989 – 2018
• Shelburne, Vermont Selectboard 2009 – 2018
  • Selectboard Chair, 2014 – 2018
• Shelburne, Vermont Planning Commission

  • Commissioner, 2008 – 2009

Outside the Office

Before becoming an attorney, Gary lived several lives—teacher, musician, writer, and entrepreneur—and those experiences continue to shape how he approaches his work and life. A professional pianist earlier in his career, he still begins each morning at the piano, often gently waking his wife with a few bars of soft jazz or classical improvisation before heading into the office.

When he’s not practicing law, Gary enjoys traveling with his wife, spending time with their four dogs—each weighing nearly 100 pounds—and finding opportunities to combine his love of family, music, and humor. A dedicated weightlifter and cigar enthusiast, he brings the same focus and discipline to his hobbies that he does to his practice.

Gary also has a strong belief in civic engagement. During his years in Vermont, he was elected three times to the Shelburne Selectboard and served four years as Chair, where he helped guide local policy, zoning reform, and community development. His leadership in municipal government reflected the same principles that define his legal career: preparation, fairness, and a commitment to solving problems that matter.

Whether he’s at the keyboard or in the courtroom, Gary approaches life with energy and authenticity. He often says that law, like music, is about listening—understanding rhythm, structure, and timing—and knowing when to improvise. It’s a perspective that keeps his work creative, his approach grounded, and his outlook refreshingly positive.