Attorney at Law Magazine First Coast is proud to present its 2024 Young Lawyers of Jacksonville, featuring a collection of up-and-coming attorneys recognized by their peers as exceptional in their practice.
Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A.
Derek K. Mountford is a litigator and problem solver in Gunster’s business litigation group. His practice focuses on complex, bet-the-company cases that often involve breaches of contract, corporate governance disputes, and alleged antitrust violations. He represents clients in the transportation, health care, and financial services industries, among others.
Tell us about some of your mentors and some of the best lessons they imparted or have demonstrated in their career. I’m a big believer in mentorship and the influence it can have on young lawyers. I’ve been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of exceptional mentorship from some of the best practitioners and federal judges Jacksonville has ever produced.
If I could distill the advice I’ve received along the way down to one core principle, it would be: Mentorship is a two-way street. You’ve got to find a mentor who is willing to provide the learned experience piece you’re missing. But at the same time, you’ve got to be willing to invest in the relationship, too. Listen to the advice, read the books your mentor recommends, follow up and show genuine eagerness to learn. It sounds obvious but it is becoming exceedingly rare in our current remote working environment.
Holland & Knight
Kameron Fleming is a litigation attorney with a focus on commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters. He is a former law clerk to Judge Jacob Brown of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. Prior to clerking, he worked at a firm in St. Louis, Missouri handling many disputes involving product liability, insurance defense, railroad law and medical malpractice.
How is your career so far different than you envisioned in law school? As a law student, I envisioned going directly to work in the Washington, D.C. office of some firm close to where I grew up. I had not envisioned practicing bankruptcy. My career path has certainly been much more interesting than I imagined as a student. Thus far, my career path has led me through a firm in St. Louis and through a bankruptcy clerkship. Due to a serendipitous turn of events, I have landed in the office of a fantastic firm in the Sunshine State.
Regional Conflict Counsel in Jacksonville
Sarah Morris is the director of operations and a capital defender at Regional Conflict Counsel in Jacksonville where she represents individuals facing the death penalty or life imprisonment. Morris serves on The Florida Bar YLD board of governors, the rules of criminal procedure committee, and the JWLA and JBA YLS board of directors.
What goals or ambitions do you hold for your career? In addition to continuing capital defense work, I hope to achieve board certified in criminal trial law. My long-term professional goal is to one day have the honor of serving as a regional counsel in one of Florida’s six DCA regions.
Cobb and Gonzalez
Summer Reed focuses her practice on construction and business litigation as well as complex business and community association issues. She uses her practice experience to give her a well-rounded perspective to view new and challenging cases. She strives to make client satisfaction a key element of her practice while also ensuring she maintains professionalism in and around the legal community.
How is your career so far different than you envisioned in law school? Growing up with a family in law enforcement, I only had exposure to a small portion of the potential opportunities in the legal sector until moving to Jacksonville and entering practice, where I quickly learned of massive practice groups that were previously unheard of in my world. Through exposure to construction law, and a mentor’s introduction to Chris Cobb and James Gonzalez, I quickly learned that a place like C&G is the perfect place to expand my opportunities as a litigator while also having the satisfaction of serving clients one-on-one. Almost three years later, I am looking forward to continuing to serve clients in Florida and Georgia long into the future with C&G.
Terrell Hogan
Christine A. Michel is head of the criminal defence and family law departments at Terrell Hogan Law. With over a decade of experience, Michel’s practice focuses on assisting clients in their time of need. Michel is a trial-tested and compassionate attorney that prides herself on providing the personal attention each case needs.
How is your career so far different than you envisioned in law school? In law school, I became immersed in the field of international criminal law and took a class that led to my first job, working on the Khmer Rouge Trials, which focused on prosecuting the number two, three, and four in power during Pol Pot’s regime. I left law school with not only a Juris Doctor, but an additional degree in International Law. I was convinced that I’d be working on cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide as my career, but Jacksonville called me home. After working in the international arena for about two years, it became obvious that what was best for my family was to find a community that we could invest in and build long-term connections. Jacksonville has provided just that and so much more. My loving husband is a dedicated firefighter with JFRD, and I have dedicated the rest of my career to doing what I do now, which I like to think is more than a practice area, but really helping people through their most difficult situations. We love this city and its people and our service to this community is deeply rooted in who we are.
Marks Gray, P.A.
Bryce McColskey primarily focuses his practice on matters involving medical malpractice and commercial litigation. He graduated from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law in 2021. He is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, serving on the board of directors for the Young Lawyer’s Division. He also serves on the board of governors for the University of North Florida Alumni Association. McColskey strives to connect with clients in order to understand their story and their mission.
Tell us about some of your mentors and some of the best lessons they imparted or have demonstrated in their career. As a young attorney, I’ve had the privilege of having exceptional mentors/role models who have guided me along the way. One key piece of wisdom imparted to me was “be like a sponge,” meaning soak up as much knowledge as you can, observe best practices of established attorneys, and learn from your mistakes. Your beginnings do not define you, but you must take the opportunity to build upon your education and learn the practice of law.
Coker Law
Tucker Norton is the newest member of Coker Law’s team of trial attorneys. An Elon University undergraduate, Florida State Law School grad, member of FSU’s Trial Team, and proud Seminole, Tucker worked as a felony prosecutor in Florida’s Assistant State Attorney’s Office before joining Coker Law in the summer of 2024. Carrying on the legacy of his father, Attorney Bill Norton, Tucker is putting his skills and expertise in the courtroom to work as a personal injury plaintiff’s attorney.
Tell us about some of your mentors and some of the best lessons they imparted or have demonstrated in their career. I have had two great mentors in my legal career. My father, Bill Norton, was a civil trial lawyer. At an early age, I saw his commitment to helping people, and he is the reason I chose this career. He not only mentored me on the technical skills, he also taught me how to get people to respond by simply being myself. Anyone who knows my father knows he is comfortable with everyone, no matter the situation. That lesson has already helped me in many ways. My other mentor was my deputy chief in the State Attorney’s Office for the 13th Judicial Circuit, Anna Ismer. I could not have asked for a better supervisor. She taught me to take a holistic view of my cases and to look at them from the perspective of a layman. Anna taught me to take a step back and analyze my cases from the perspective of someone who knows nothing about the law. This was a crucial lesson for me as a new law school graduate and has helped me tremendously.
Balch & Bingham LLP
Lauren Weisman Stein specializes in corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private placement fundraising, and complex commercial contracting. Stein also has extensive experience serving clients as outsourced general counsel. As an extension of their management teams, clients seek Stein’s advice on sales and contracting strategy, investor relations, workforce onboarding and maintenance, fundraising and strategic growth goals, regulatory compliance, and dispute management. With a unique view into their businesses, she provides bespoke counsel to clients. Stein deeply values clients’ trust and long-term relationships.
Tell us about some of your mentors and some of the best lessons they imparted or have demonstrated in their career. My most valuable mentors taught me that clients value practical legal advice, predictable fees, and responsiveness. They also educated me early about the importance of strong professional relationships in growing a referral network and ultimately a practice
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.
Novastone Capital Advisors
Kayla 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.
Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office
Chris 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.
Purcell, Flanagan, Hay & Greene, P.A.
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
Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys
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
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
Hall Booth Smith PC
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.
Coker Law
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.
Fisher Tousey
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
Coker Law
Dana Jacobs graduated as a “double Gator” from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and is licensed to practice in both Florida and Georgia. She has an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and is listed to both the Super Lawyers Rising Stars and Best Lawyers in America. Jacobs is also active in JWLA and the Jacksonville Bar Association.
Favorite Legal Movie: Erin Brockovich
Cobb & Gonzalez PA
Summer Lee Reed focuses her practice on construction and business litigation as well as complex business and community association issues. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration marketing and graduated as both a Chancellor’s Scholar and with Business Honors from the University of Illinois and received her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law.
Favorite Legal TV Show: NCIS
Holland & Knight
As a Jacksonville native, Matt Borello returned to his roots and began representing business entities and individuals in complex litigation matters around northeast Florida. His practice has grown into a national practice, representing clients across the nation, including high-stakes class action litigation. He has a passion for pro matters and serving his local community, including serving on the board of directors for the Jacksonville Bar Association’s young lawyers section.
Favorite Legal TV Show: Suits
Alexander DeGance Barnett, PA
Dave Chauncey is the president-elect of the JBA’s young lawyers section. Chauncey is a former history teacher at Ribault Middle School. He served as chair/president of the Jacksonville Historical Society during the City of Jacksonville’s Bicentennial year. Chauncey is a native Floridian and proud University of Florida “Double Gator” graduate.
Favorite Legal Movie: A Few Good Men
Smith Hulsey & Busey
Kayla Herrin is a transactional lawyer whose practice focuses on mergers & acquisitions and general corporate matters, including deal and entity structuring and other business and governance matters. Herrin serves as the president of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association and the secretary of the board of governors of the Jacksonville Bar Association’s young lawyers section for the 2022-2023 year.
Favorite Legal Movie: My Cousin Vinny
Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
Adam Prom serves as treasurer of the JBA young lawyers section. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Prom is an alumnus of Stanton College Preparatory School and a University of Florida “Double Gator.” He is proud to be recognized in the 2022 and 2023 Editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. When he isn’t practicing law, Prom enjoys being on the water and traveling with his wife, Sarah.
Favorite Legal TV Episode: The Office, Season 4, “The Deposition” Episode
Coker Law
A Jacksonville native, Chase Sorenson attended the University of Miami School of Law. He worked at the Office of the Public Defender for two years before joining Coker Law in 2013, where he is presently a shareholder. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2021, and on the Super Lawyers Rising Star list since 2020.
Favorite Legal Book: Gideon’s Trumpet by Anthony Lewis
Berg Bryant Elder Law Group, PLLC
Trinca-Conley is board certified in elder law by The Florida Bar with a passion for helping families navigate the challenges surrounding guardianship, probate, estate planning, and trust administration matters. Originally from Buffalo, NY (Go Bills!), she relocated to Jacksonville to join her husband stationed at NAS Jacksonville. She is a proud fur mama to Finnley.
Favorite Legal Movie: Erin Brockovich
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