2015 Winter Newsletter

In This Issue:

Nicole J. Poot Joins Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A.

LLW is pleased to announce that Nicole J. Poot has joined the firm’s Tampa Bay office as an Associate, effective December 1, 2015.

“We are honored to welcome Nicole to LLW,” said Kevin Hennessy, shareholder at the Tampa Bay office of Lewis, Longman & Walker. “Her experience and passion for environmental law aligns with the core industries we serve—she will be an added benefit to our clients as we continue to grow.”

Ms. Poot received her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law with a concentration in Environmental Law. She earned a Bachelor of Arts & Science degree in Biology, with honors, from McMaster University. She can be reached at (941) 708-4040 or at npoot@llw-law.com.

LLW Receives 2016 “Best Law Firms” Ranking by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers®

LLW recently received the 2016 “Best Law Firms” Ranking by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers®.  The firm’s Jacksonville, Tallahassee and West Palm Beach offices received Tier 1 rankings in Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation.  Rankings are determined by a combination of hard data, peer reviews and client assessments. The first-tier rankings are featured in the “Best Law Firms” standalone publication, which is being distributed to 30,000 general counsel and in digital format to 58,000 private practice lawyers worldwide.

In addition to receiving the “Best Law Firms” ranking, below is a list of LLW shareholders that have been named “Best Lawyers” by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers®. This information was published in August 2015 when the listings were announced publicly:

  • Terry E. Lewis – 2016 Lawyer of the Year, Environmental Litigation (West Palm Beach) and 2016 Best Lawyer in the areas of Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation
  • Stephen A. Walker – 2016 Lawyer of the Year, Environmental Law (West Palm Beach) and 2016 Best Lawyer in the areas of Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation
  • Wayne E. Flowers – 2016 Lawyer of the Year, Environmental Law (Jacksonville) and 2016 Best Lawyer in the areas of Water Law, Environmental Litigation and Environmental Law
  • Anne Longman – Environmental Law; Environmental Litigation
  • Alfred J. Malefatto – Environmental Law
  • R. Steven Lewis – Environmental Law; Environmental Litigation
  • James W. Linn – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Employment Law – Management
  • Brenna M. Durden – Real Estate Law, Real Estate Litigation, Land Use and Zoning Law

Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. The 2016 edition of Best Lawyers® includes 11,765 firms covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia and is based on more than 4.9 million detailed evaluations by other lawyers. Best Law Firms® lists are excerpted in a wide range of general interest, business and legal publications worldwide, reaching an audience of more than 10 million readers.

For more information on “Best Law Firms” rankings, visit http://bestlawfirms.usnews.com. For more information on “Best Lawyers” rankings, visit http://www.bestlawyers.com/default.aspx.

Jennifer R. Cowan Appointed City Attorney of City of Treasure Island

Jennifer Cowan, an attorney in the Tampa Bay office of Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., was appointed City Attorney of the City of Treasure Island.

Incorporated in 1955, the City of Treasure Island is a barrier island community located in Pinellas County, Florida. As City Attorney, Jennifer Cowan will advise the City on general legal matters. For more information about the City of Treasure Island, visit http://mytreasureisland.org.

Ms. Cowan’s practice focuses on local government, public pension, land use, and litigation. She can be reached at (941) 708-4040 or at jcowan@llw-law.com.

LLW Gives Back This Holiday Season

Every year our attorneys and staff look forward to spreading holiday cheer to those in need. In turn, and true to the familiar phrase, we feel like we’re receiving more than we’re giving. In addition to our attorneys’ and staff members’ individual charitable activities, our offices participate as a group which, with the aid of charitable organizations, provide us with the opportunity to give back and support our communities.

Our Tampa Bay office donated to the Lealman Special Fire Control District’s Secret Santa fund which purchases Christmas meals and toys for families in the Lealman community.

The Jacksonville office is gathering non-perishable food items, toiletries and clothing donations for the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council, an organization that provides emergency assistance to people in need in Clay, Duval and Nassau counties.

During the Thanksgiving season, the West Palm Beach office collected food for the Palm Beach County Food Bank. For the holiday season, they are currently collecting donations and purchasing toys and clothing for children as part of the Angel Tree program for Families First of Palm Beach County.

Lewis, Longman & Walker wishes you a happy holiday season and a Happy New Year.

Firm News

LLW attorneys participated in the Light the Night Walk on November 5th in Jacksonville to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and its funding of research to find blood cancer cures.  Click here for more information.

Seth Behn moderated a panel discussion on Ethics and the Laws and Rules Regarding Whistleblowing at the 9thAnnual Ethics Seminar on November 6, 2015 in Boca Raton.  Click here for more information.

The 9th Annual Tampa Bay Watch Evening for the Bay “Return to the 1950’s” event was November 7, 2015 at the Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center.  LLW was a proud sponsor of the event. The event celebrated the return of seagrass beds to Tampa Bay.  After years of depleted seagrass populations, seagrass beds have now returned to their 1950’s levels.  Proceeds from the event support the Tampa Bay Watch’s restoration and education programs.  Deborah Getzoff is a member of the Tampa Bay Watch Advisory Council. Click here for more information.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches Chairman’s Circle Reception was November 13, 2015 in West Palm Beach.  LLW was a proud sponsor.  Bob Diffenderfer is a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.  Click here for more information.

The ELULS Mixer was December 1, 2015 in Tallahassee.  LLW was a proud sponsor of the event.  Click here for more information.

Deborah Getzoff attended the Florida Local Environmental Resources Agencies Winter Symposium, December 3-4, 2015 in St. Petersburg. Click here for more information.

The Palm Beach Chapter of the Paralegal Association of Florida will host a Holiday Event on December 9, 2015 in West Palm Beach. Christina Blackwell serves as Parliamentarian of the Chapter and LLW will sponsor the event.  Click here for more information.

Robert Diffenderfer and Sean Alveshire will attend the Florida Chamber of Commerce 2015 Transportation Summit on December 10, 2015 in Jacksonville.  The summit will focus on key topics including insights from industry and policy leaders, the impact of state and federal issues on transportation funding, and Florida’s long-term transportation needs.  Click here for more information.

LLW is sponsoring the Florida Airports Council State Summit on January 13, 2016 in Tallahassee. Robert Diffenderfer and Sean Alveshire will participate in the summit. Click here for more information.

LLW is sponsoring the ELULS Seminar New, Different, Unusual and Uncertain – Environmental & Land Use Law Issues Facing All Floridians on January 28-29, 2016 in Orlando.  Michelle Diffenderfer will participate in a panel discussion titled Clearer or More Confusing? Final Waters of the US Rule Change Remains Murky. Click here for more information.

The Leadership Palm Beach County’s Songwriters in the Round event will be February 18-19, 2016 at the Harriet Himmel Theater in West Palm Beach. LLW is a proud sponsor. Click here for more information.

Glenn Thomas and James Linn will give a Pension Update at the 42nd FPLERA Annual Training Conference, February 22-24, 2016 in Orlando. Click here for more information.

The Florida Engineering Society Winter Water Seminar is February 17-18, 2016 in Tallahassee. LLW is a proud sponsor of the event. Click here for more information.

The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County’s Love of Literacy Luncheon will be held March 10, 2016 in West Palm Beach.   LLW is a proud sponsor of the event.  Click here to read more about the Love of Literacy Luncheon.

The 34th Annual ABA Water Law Conference will be held March 29-30, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Steve Walker will participate in a panel discussion on Water Quality in Indian Country and Michelle Diffenderfer will participate in the conference. Click here for more information.