Legal Briefs (Tampa edition)

Legal Briefs (Tampa edition)

Attorney named partner

at Ruden McClosky

Attorney James J. Porter, a land use expert, has been named a partner in the Tampa office of Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell PA. A 1989 graduate of Emory University School of Law, Porter is a member of the Hillsborough Bar Association, an alumnus of Leadership Tampa and a member of the downtown Rotary Club.

Former New Orleans prosecutor

joins Fowler White

Kathy Billings, a former homicide prosecutor with the New Orleans district attorney's office, joined Fowler White Boggs Banker as an associate. Billings, a Tulane University School of Law graduate, will practice in the Tampa-based firm's securities, financial services and white-collar practice group.

In addition, Suzanne Schwartz Rummell joined the firm as of counsel. Her practice will include the areas of estate planning, administration of trusts and estates, probate and trust litigation.

Carlton Fields hires

Tilden as associate

Jesse Michael Tilden is a new associate in the Tampa office of Carlton Fields PA. As a member of the firm's construction practice group, Tilden will focus on issues such as breach of contract and construction defect claims, construction lien foreclosures and toxic mold disputes.

Associate joins Tampa's

Knopik Varner Moore

Morvarid Malek Jones recently joined Knopik Varner Moore, which specializes in civil trial practice.

Fowler White shareholder

elected to SERVE board

James J. Evangelista, a shareholder with Fowler White Boggs Banker, was elected to the board of SERVE, a nonprofit group that promotes the continuous improvement of educational opportunities for all learners in the Southeast.

Attorney joins Gallagher

& Howard as an associate

Adam A. Levy recently joined Tampa's Gallagher & Howard PA as an associate. Levy, who is certified by The Florida Bar in workers' compensation, has been a Florida lawyer since 1993.

Governor appoints Castillo

to nominating committee

Tampa attorney Michelle G. Castillo, 43, is a newly appointed member of the 13th Circuit Judicial Nominating Committee. Gov. Jeb Bush picked her to succeed Sheila McDevitt. Castillo's term ends July 1, 2007.

Castillo practices law at Kass Shuler Solomon Spector Foyle & Singer PA.

Carrollwood Bar presents

check to scholarship fund

Members of the Carrollwood Community Bar Association recently contributed $4,752 in scholarship funds to All Sports Community Service during a recent association meeting.

Daniel Bubley, a community program director, accepted the check from Randall Reder, the association's volunteer president; and Robert Wise, the association's treasurer.

Plus, the organization recognized Hank Staniszewski as the association's first honorary member, presenting him with an award for raising more than $20,000 for charitable causes over the last three years.