SARASOTA, FL; TAMPA, FL; TOLEDO, OH – After adding four new attorneys to its Litigation and Disputes Service Line earlier this year, the national law firm of Shumaker is continuing to expand the team, adding five new associates across its Sarasota, Tampa, and Toledo offices. Staff Attorneys Caley Aidif and Sara Jawad, Associate Sean Bevil, and Partner Larry Obhof also joined Shumaker’s Litigation and Disputes Service Line in 2021.
The newest hires include Jacqueline Gardner and Travis Taaffe in Sarasota, who are also members of Shumaker’s Financial Services Business Sector, focused on broker-dealer litigation and arbitration as part of a team that represents large financial institutions and high net-worth individuals in securities litigation, regulatory investigations, and violations of contractual covenants.
“We are excited to add two new associates to the Financial Services Business Sector here in Sarasota with the addition of Jackie and Travis,” said Sarasota Litigation and Disputes Regional Service Line Leader and Financial Services Business Sector Chair Mike Taaffe. “Both Jackie and Travis worked with our team as summer associates and we see exceptional promise from both of them.”
In Tampa, Steven Nicholas and Robert (Bob) White join the firm. Steven served as a Federal Judicial Intern for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, where he clerked for Judge William Jung. Bob was a professional stage actor for several years before becoming an attorney, practicing in a large mid-west firm prior to joining Shumaker.
“Steven served as a summer associate in our Tampa office last year, assisting with a variety of matters, and we are very happy to have him join the firm as a permanent member of our Litigation and Disputes Service Line,” stated Tampa Litigation and Disputes Regional Service Line Leader Michele Leo Hintson. “In addition, Bob is an excellent addition to our team, and given his diverse background and experience prior to becoming a lawyer, he will serve our clients and their needs well.”
Evan Bunis joins the Toledo office, focused on general litigation matters, such as claims in labor and employment disputes, trust disputes, construction cases, and more.
“We’re excited to watch Evan launch his promising legal career at Shumaker,” shared Toledo’s Litigation and Disputes Regional Service Line Leader Mark Wagoner. “Evan has the smarts, temperament, and drive to be an exceptional trial attorney, and he’s already proven himself to be a valuable member of our team.”
With more than 80 experienced litigators across nine offices, Shumaker’s Litigation and Disputes Service Line represents clients in a broad range of matters throughout the United States, taking a strategic approach to business litigation, working to obtain positive outcomes both inside and outside the courtroom.