In practice at Shumaker for over 30 years, Ernie represents clients from a variety of industries in the Tampa Bay area, across Florida and the United States, and overseas. He serves as counsel for the largest liquid bulk transportation company in North America and represents the leading global provider of depot, maintenance, cleaning, and transportation services to the intermodal tank container industry, as well as other transportation and logistics sector participants such as freight transportation brokers.
Ernie has also earned the respect and trust of his Shumaker colleagues, who have elected him to serve on the firm's Management Committee and as Managing Partner of the Tampa office. He has held a variety of other leadership roles at Shumaker throughout his career.
In addition to his transportation and logistics sector clients, Ernie represents:
- A global beauty and nutrition company
- A stem cell cryopreservation and regenerative medicine company
- A Women's Business Enterprise National Council Certified nationwide calibration laboratory
- A multi-state pharmacy, health care services, and products retailer
- An international telecommunications equipment, services, and software supplier
- Domestic and international brand automobile dealerships
Education
J.D., with honors, University of Florida, 1991
B.A., magna cum laude, Boston University, 1986
Professional Associations
- The Hillsborough County Bar Association
- The Florida Bar, Business Law Section
- The Florida Bar Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “A”, 1997-2000; Vice-Chair, 2000
- The American Bar Association, Litigation Section and Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
- Boston University South & Mid-Atlantic Regional Leadership Council, 2023-present
- Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Temple Terrace, Florida
- Corpus Christi Catholic School
- Advisory Board, 2019-2024
- Finance Advisory Board, 2020-2024
- Academy of the Holy Names, Board of Trustees, 2016-2022
- Leadership Tampa Alumni, Class of 2008
- New Tampa Family YMCA, Board of Directors 2001-2007, 2009-2013; Chairman, 2003-2006
- Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2011-2013
- Hillsborough County Consumer Protection Board, 2001-2005; Vice-Chair, 2002; Chairman, 2003-2005
- Westover Homeowners Association, Board of Directors, 2003-2005
- New Tampa Family YMCA, Youth Soccer and T-Ball Coach, 2002-2009
- Temple Terrace Little League, Youth Baseball Coach, 2010-2013
Honors
- AV® Peer Review rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Best Lawyers in America, 2013-2025
- Florida Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine, 2010-2023
- Top Lawyer by Tampa Bay Magazine
Representative Matters
- Represented the owner of a high-rise office tower against a major investor's excessive claims to profits from the sale of the building
- Defended a national retailer against a competitor's efforts to limit its operations at more than 80 locations in five states
- Defended a global architecture firm against a hospital owner's delay claims and simultaneously pursued design claims against other project professionals
- Defended a nationwide pharmacy operator against contract and tort claims following termination of a vendor's supply contract