Law firm expands practice

BRADENTON — Prominent law firm Blalock Walters, in an effort to grow its land use and local government practice, hired two well-known local attorneys.

The newly hired lawyers are Mark Barnebey and Scott Rudacille. Barnebey was previously the senior land use attorney for Manatee County. The past chair of the Florida Bar's city, county and local government section, Barnebey is also the attorney for the city of Palmetto and special counsel for the Manatee County School Board.

Rudacille, meanwhile, is an attorney for several local government entities, including the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority.

“We are delighted that men of the caliber of Mark and Scott have joined us,” Blalock Walters managing partner Cliff Walters said in a release.  “Their reputation for integrity and their common sense handling of client matters will deepen our ability to respond to our land use and governmental clients.”

Blalock Walters, founded more than 80 years ago, is one of the largest law firms in the Bradenton-Sarasota market.