The Legal 500

Within M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m), Fowler White Boggs P.A. is a third tier firm,

Clients like the face that the ‘very responsive and knowledgeable’ firm Fowler White Boggs P.A. is ‘conveniently located in major cities throughout the state of Florida’. The firm expanded its corporate M&A practice in the past year through lateral hires, such as Jason Campbell and ‘extraordinary’ corporate practice co-head Daniel Nunn Jr in Jacksonville joining from McGuireWoods LLP, who is ‘extremely intelligent and able to assess a situation in a thorough but practical manner. I would recommend Nunn for any M&A activity’. In addition, Arnold Zipper joined the Fort Lauderdale office as a shareholder from Hodgson Russ LLP. The practice is known for its expertise within the financial institutions, energy and life sciences sectors, its sweet spot being the $5-25m range, but its recent highlights include serving as Florida counsel to MPS Group in connection with its $1.3bn Merger with Adecco, and advising a privately held corporation that has bought and sold different aircraft in transactions having a total value of approximately $100m. The firm also served as counsel to the special committee of the board of directors of Steel Vault Corporation in connection with its merger with VeriChip Corporation, and advised the purchaser of a franchised motor vehicle sales and service dealership. The practice has capabilities within the healthcare sector space and acted for the seller in the disposition of a health care business. Jacksonville-based corporate practice co-head Thomas Gibbs is ‘an excellent practitioner’. Healthcare specialists Linda Robison and Mark Folk left the firm, joining Shutts & Bowen LLP in Fort Lauderdale.

Within Land use/zoning , Fowler White Boggs P.A. is a third tier firm,

Fowler White Boggs P.A. has 11 shareholders who practice environmental and land use law across Florida. The firm continues to represent Clear Springs on land use, zoning and permitting matters relating to its 18,000-acre development in Polk County. Clients describe Rhea Law and department chair Linda Shelley as ‘excellent’ and ‘would highly recommend them for any major land use work in Florida’.

Within Domestic tax: East Coast, tier 6

Fowler White Boggs P.A. has one of Florida’s largest and most expert tax practices, with a department complement well-leavened by experienced former government counsel. The commended estate and personal tax planning team advises many of Florida’s numerous high-net-worth families and individuals. Clients confirm ‘competent, effective and extremely satisfactory’ service, and note a ‘well-developed mutual respect’ between the tax group and the Florida Department of Revenue. In Tampa, tax practice leader Mitchell Horowitz and Hunter Brownlee are highly recommended for both federal and local tax advice. Recent confidential instructions include IRS and state tax audits, and the representation of a major soft drinks manufacturer in the acquisition of a bottling plant. Darren Farfante, a former Justice Department Tax Division trial attorney, combines his tax practice with bankruptcy expertise. In Tallahassee, SALT practice chair William Townsend and Rex Ware are expert in multi-state taxation. Tax practice group clients include Citigroup, Pepsi-Tropicana, Hearst Corporation and Sara Lee Corporation.