2023 Young Lawyers of Jacksonville

Attorney at Law Magazine First Coast is proud to present its 2023 Young Lawyers of Jacksonville, featuring a collection of young lawyers recognized by their peers as exceptional in their practice.

Kayla H. Herrin, Esq.

Novastone Capital Advisors

Kayla HerrinKayla Herrin is corporate counsel and head of mergers & acquisitions in North America for Novastone Capital Advisors. Novastone is a search fund that assists in the executive’s search for a target entity, fundraising of capital, negotiation of and closing of a deal, and post-closing operational matters. Her-rin serves as the president-elect of the Jacksonville Bar Association’s young lawyers section for the 2022-2023 year.

Favorite Legal Book: Where the Crawdads Sing.

Christopher Guarino, Esq.

Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office

Chris GuarinoChris Guarino graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2011. Aft er graduating, Guarino completed a fellowship with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid before joining the Guardian ad Litem Office, where he has been since 2013. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the public interest law section, as well as a member of the Jacksonville Bar. He will also be completing his certified public management certificate through FSU this fall.

Favorite Legal Movie: My Cousin Vinny.

Devon S. Richards, Esq.

Purcell, Flanagan, Hay & Greene, P.A.

Devon S. Richards, Esq.

Devon Richards is a litigator focusing on high-value probate, trust and business disputes. She excels at unravelling complex factual and legal problems and developing targeted strategies for optimal resolution. She was raised in and started her career in South Florida. She lives in Jacksonville with her husband, an active-duty commander in the U.S. Navy, and their three children.

Favorite Legal Movie: Erin Brockovich

David Margol, Esq.

Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys

David Margol, Esq.David Margol obtained his under-graduate degree from the University of Florida, an MBA from the University of San Diego, and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. His practice is focused on personal injury and medical negligence matters. He is admitted to practice law in both Florida and Georgia.

Favorite Legal Book: The Law of Second Chances by James Sheehan

Catherine Crawley, Esq.

Tyson & Mendes

Catherine Crawley is a partner in the Tyson & Mendes Jacksonville office. Her practice focuses on premises liability, transportation and trucking, construction, professional liability, negligent security, and cyber claims. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law and earned her undergraduate degree in political science from Emory University.

Favorite Legal TV show: The Staircase

Bryce McColskey, Esq.

Hall Booth Smith PC

Bryce McColskey, Esq.Growing up a Gator fan, Bryce McColskey graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He is currently an associate at Hall Booth Smith, where he specializes in medical malpractice and general liability. McColskey is also a board member of the Jacksonville Bar young lawyer’s section.

Favorite Legal Movie: The Firm.

Stefano D. Portigliatti, Esq.

Coker Law

Stefano D. Portigliatti, Esq.Stefano D. Portigliatti is a trial attorney specializing in commercial motor vehicle cases at Coker Law, PA in Jacksonville. He is a nationally recognized truck accident lawyer who has represented clients in over 100 trucking cases with numerous settlements and verdicts for seven and eight figures. Portigliatti was among the first 20 attorneys in the United States to pass a rigorous exam on trucking specialization and is one of the youngest attorneys to be included among Top 10 Trucking Attorneys by the National Trial Lawyers.

Favorite Legal Book: Telling the Winning Story by Jesse Wilson.

Asa Johnston, Esq.

Fisher Tousey

Asa Johnston, Esq.Asa Johnston, a senior associate at Fisher Tousey, practices fiduciary and general civil litigation, along with appellate law. Prior to joining Fisher Tousey, he was a judicial clerk for the Honorable Mark W. Klingensmith of Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal and an assistant state attorney in Jacksonville.

Favorite Legal Book: The Rainmaker by John Grisham

Cannabis Law Special Issue
Judge Dan Hinde