de la Parte & Gilbert Sponsors State Champion Mock Trial Team

de la Parte & Gilbert, P.A. is a proud sponsor of Fletcher High School’s Mock Trial Team. The Fletcher High Law Team competed March 6-8 at the Florida High School Mock Trial Finals held in Orlando. They contested against elite high schools from across the state and emerged undefeated to take home State Champion first place honors. In May, the team traveled to the National Competition in Wisconsin and placed 11th in the nation. Congratulations to the Fletcher High School Mock Trial Team!

de la Parte & Gilbert Attorneys Selected as 2014 Super Lawyers

The firm is proud to announce that Edward P. de la Parte, Jr.Richard A. GilbertPatrick J. McNamaraDavid M. Caldevilla and Vivian Arenas-Battles were once again honored as “Super Lawyers” in the 2014 issue of Florida Super Lawyers magazine.

Shareholder Daniel J. McBreen and Associates Kristin Y. Melton and Michael R. Bray were also selected again in 2014 as Rising Stars among the state’s younger attorneys.

The Super Lawyers distinctions were given in the practice areas of Environmental Litigation, Business Litigation, Eminent Domain and Appellate.

Richard Gilbert Speaks at HCBA State Court Trial Seminar

Rich Gilbert was invited to speak at the Hillsborough County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division’s 2014 State Court Trial Seminar held June 6, 2014 at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse. Mr. Gilbert gave a presentation on direct and cross examination of witnesses from the plaintiff’s perspective.

Rich, a Shareholder with de la Parte & Gilbert, P.A., has been with the firm since 1979 and practices primarily in the areas of commercial, personal injury and professional liability litigation. He can be reached at rgilbert@dgfirm.com.

de la Parte Attorneys Speak at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

On May 9, 2014, Patrick McNamara and Kristin Morris presented “Legal and Ethical Issues in Matters of Life and Death” at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc.’s Grand Rounds. This presentation focused on the legal issues involved with advance directives, heath care surrogates, living wills and do not resuscitate orders. The presentation addressed the obstacles facing health care providers and patients dealing with end of life issues, and described how health care providers can assist their patients in that decision making process. The learning objectives were to increase awareness of the types of Advance Directives; to help the medical providers understand when the Advance Directive comes into effect in certain circumstances (i.e. life prolonging procedures); to provide guidance in understanding the differences between the various types of Advance Directives; to provide guidance in understanding the physician and hospital protocols and duties under Advance Directives; and to point out the patient’s rights and responsibilities under Advance Directives.

Pat has practiced with de la Parte & Gilbert since 1987 and serves as the firm’s Vice-Managing Partner; he practices in the fields of commercial, civil, and personal injury litigation, health law, construction law and appeals. Pat can be reached at pmcnamara@dgfirm.com.

Kristin is an honors graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Law and received her Bachelor of Arts Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting with honors, from the University of Louisville in 2007. She clerked at de la Parte & Gilbert during the summer of 2010 and joined the firm full time in 2012. Kristin practices primarily in the fields of Business Law, Civil/Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Health Law.

de la Parte & Gilbert P.A. was founded in 1975 and serves numerous and varied state and national clients in many diverse areas of the law, including civil litigation, environmental, administrative, eminent domain, personal injury, professional negligence, and health care law. The firm has been involved in shaping much of the law that affects Florida’s environmental, health, social and governmental policies.

de la Parte & Gilbert Sponsors 2014 University of Tampa Fellows Forum

de la Parte & Gilbert was a proud sponsor of the 2014 University of Tampa Fellows Forum held at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts on March 5, 2014. The annual event for the University of Tampa Board of Fellows brings together a distinguished panel of prominent business CEO’s to discuss current, relevant issues that challenge our business community. Guest speakers at this year’s event included Mindy Grossman, CEO and Director of HSN, Inc.; Mike Jackson, Chairman and CEO of AutoNation USA; and David Kohler, President and COO of Kohler, Inc. The primary focus of the Board of Fellows is to serve as goodwill ambassadors for The University of Tampa by increasing visibility and strengthening ties within the Tampa Bay business community.

Patrick J. McNamara, the Firm’s vice-managing shareholder, is a member of the University of Tampa’s Board of Fellows and has practiced with de la Parte & Gilbert since 1987. Pat practices in the fields of commercial, civil, and personal injury litigation, health law, construction law and appeals.

de la Parte & Gilbert Sponsors R.A.C.E for Wheels of Success

de la Parte & Gilbert, P.A. was a proud sponsor of the Wheels of Success Recognition and Appreciation of our Champions Event (R.A.C.E.) which took place April 11, 2014 at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa. The annual fundraising event is held to recognize supporters and community sponsors who have demonstrated exceptional support for the organization’s mission. In addition to the celebration and awards, eleven cars were awarded to working class families.

Wheels of Success is Tampa Bay’s only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides transportation solutions by partnering with the community in a circle of support to keep people working and sustain their independence. Eric D. Nowak, a firm associate, serves on the Wheels of Success Board of Directors. Eric joined de la Parte & Gilbert in 2009 and practices primarily in general civil litigation.

Pat McNamara Presents at HCBA Health Care Luncheon

Patrick McNamara presented Special Considerations in Healthcare Construction on January 15, 2014 during the monthly Health Care CLE Luncheon sponsored by the Hillsborough County Bar Association. This presentation covered all legal aspects of the construction process for healthcare facilities.

Pat has practiced with de la Parte & Gilbert since 1987; he practices in the fields of commercial, civil, and personal injury litigation, health law, construction law and appeals. Pat can be reached at pmcnamara@dgfirm.com.

de la Parte & Gilbert, P.A. Received First Tier Rankings in Tampa by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” for 2014

de la Parte & Gilbert, P.A. proudly announces that we have been named a 2014 Tier 1 Tampa “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Water Law.

The firm was also named Tier 2 for Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation and Tier 3 for Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law.

The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.

Eric D. Nowak Appointed to Board of Florida Justice Association’s Young Lawyers Section

Associate Eric D. Nowak has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Young Lawyers Section of the Florida Justice Association (FJA). Members of the Young Lawyers Section are dedicated to laying the groundwork that will secure Florida’s civil justice system and the rights of Florida citizens and consumers.

Eric graduated from New College of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. He joined the firm as an associate attorney in 2009 and practices primarily in general civil litigation.

Vivian Arenas-Battles Presents Case Law Update

Vivian Arenas-Battles recently gave a Case Law Update regarding eminent domain and other land use issues at a general meeting of the Association of Eminent Domain Professionals. AEDP is an organization of professionals in a variety of disciplines specializing in the field of eminent domain. The organization provides a source for property owners and government clients desiring the highest quality experts for condemnation proceedings.

Vivian Arenas-Battles is a Shareholder with de la Parte & Gilbert and focuses her practice in the areas of administrative law, civil litigation, environmental and eminent domain issues.