Law firm adds eight attorneys to area office

TAMPA — Gunster, a full-service business law firm headquartered in West Palm Beach, has hired eight attorneys at its office in downtown Tampa’s SunTrust Financial Center.

According to a press release, William Schifino Jr., John Schifino, Scott Brown, Daniel Dietrich and Iden Sinai joined the firm as shareholders, while Justin Bennett and Madison Gardiner were named associates. William Schifino Sr. joined in an of-counsel capacity.

The expansion provides a significant boost to Gunster’s business litigation and real estate practices, the release states.

“Tampa is experiencing tremendous growth and expansion,” states Bill Perry, Gunster’s managing shareholder, in the release. “Bill, John and Scott have strong roots and a history of leadership in Tampa and the greater community. As a Florida-focused firm, we are bullish on our state. The addition of these attorneys brings increased connectivity and access for our firm and our clients to take advantage of these plentiful opportunities.” 

William Schifino Jr. served as president of the Florida Bar from 2016 to 2017 and sits on the board of trustees for the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. He has been named managing shareholder of Gunster’s Tampa office.

John Schifino is the president of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and has been active within the association for more than 15 years, while William Schifino Sr.'s legal career has spanned more than 40 years, much of which time was spent running his own firm in Tampa.  

“Gunster’s focus on Florida is a good match for our clients and our community,” William Schifino Jr. states in the release. “The statewide footprint provides a significant advantage to our Florida-based clients and is consistent with many of their business models. We are excited to affiliate ourselves with Gunster, which firmly believes in Florida’s potential and what it can bring to our clients.”