TAMPA, FL – On the heels of announcing one of the biggest lease deals in Tampa office space, Shumaker has added three new lawyers to its Tampa office. Jillian (Jill) Askren joins the firm as an associate in the Litigation and Disputes Service Line, Michelina D. Carbone joins as an associate in the Real Estate and Development Service Line, and Vonya Z. Lance joins as a senior attorney in the Wealth Strategies Service Line.
Jill devotes her practice to complex litigation in both state and federal courts, representing clients in individual, class action, and government enforcement matters, as well as commercial business disputes. She is well-versed in all forms of dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration and has worked on matters from the pre-litigation stage through final disposition or resolution. Jill has experience conducting discovery, researching, and drafting a wide variety of motions, including dispositive motions, preparing witnesses for deposition, expert witness preparation, and other aspects of preparing complex cases for trial.
“We are pleased to welcome Jill to Shumaker. Her depth of knowledge and experience will serve to be a tremendous asset to the firm and our clients,” said Partner and Litigation and Disputes Regional Service Line Leader Michele Leo Hintson.
Michelina helps guide clients through commercial and residential real estate transactions with a detail-oriented and individualized approach. She handles commercial leases, use agreements, and financing matters; prepares various types of contracts; and resolves a variety of title and closing matters. Michelina represents developers, home builders, lenders, borrowers, and investors involved in residential developments, apartment complexes, retail facilities, industrial projects, mixed use projects, and other related matters. She assists clients throughout the acquisition, disposition, development, leasing, and financing processes using an authentic and diligent approach.
“Michelina’s arrival will strengthen our already robust real estate practice,” said Partner and Real Estate and Development Regional Service Line Leader Sam Queirolo. “We are proud to have her join our team.”
Vonya is dedicated to providing creative and thorough counsel to her clients. She focuses on tax and estate planning; estate and trust administration; charitable planning; nonprofit organizations; and estate and trust litigation. Vonya’s practice is enhanced by her impressive background in complex business law and tax and estate planning matters. Prior to joining Shumaker, she worked for another Tampa area law firm, where she assisted charitable organizations with transactions, compliance, self-dealing compliance, taxation, organizational documentation, and other related matters. Vonya has represented a wide range of clients in general estate planning and tax matters, including both basic and more complex generational planning.
“We are excited to have Vonya join Shumaker. Her understanding of complex estate planning issues facing individuals and business owners further strengthens our private wealth services practice,” shared Partner and Wealth Strategies Regional Service Line Leader Bill Swindle.