Foley & Lardner LLP
01 November 2007
Foley & Lardner LLP was founded in 1842 in Milwaukee and began operating in Florida in 1981. The following ten years witnessed mergers with Orlando firm van den Berg Gay Burke Wilson & Arkin PA, Tampa firm Hill Hill & Dickenson PA and Jacksonville’s Commander Legler Werber Dawes Sadler & Howell PA.
Foley & Lardner LLP in Who's Who Legal: Florida
As a result Foley & Lardner LLP emerges as one of Florida’s largest law firms with offices in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Orlando and Tampa. Lawyers from all four cities appear in this publication and the firm boasts a total of eight entries in six of the featured chapters.
The capital markets chapter is home to two Foley & Lardner practitioners. Martin Traber is “an influential player”, known for his work on private equity and stock issues. He is also included in the corporate governance section and is recognised for his public company work, especially in the technology industry. Steven Vazquez joins Traber in the capital markets chapter and is “experienced in venture capital” as well as securities offerings such as IPOs. He was also noted for his work representing growth companies. Vazquez was also highlighted as a “rising star” in the M&A section, which also contains two entries from this firm. Gardner Davis joins Vazquez in the chapter and was described as “fantastic” and “highly competent” during our research. Davis was commended for a range of M&A work, from management buyouts to large combinations.
The “phenomenal” Kevin Hyde features in the management labour & employment chapter and is a past chair of the Florida bar labour and employment section. As well as being a member of the firm’s employment practice Hyde is also part of their automotive industry team and counts a number of tier one manufacturing companies among his clients. Hyde is an expert on discrimination and non-compliance issues as well as Florida whistle-blowing act and wage hour collective actions.
The environment chapter also boasts a Foley & Lardner practitioner, Thomas Maurer. Prior to joining the firm, Maurer served as deputy general counsel for the Department of Environmental Protection. Maurer is a “well qualified” and a “very good” lawyer. His hazardous waste work is said to be particularly noteworthy. Thomas Maida serves as managing partner of the firm’s Tallahassee office and features in the insurance & reinsurance chapter. Maida draws his clients from the property and casualty arena and was praised as an “experienced” practitioner. His regulatory and lobbying expertise was noted on a number of occasions and he completes the firm’s strong showing on the following pages.
To see more profiled firms from Florida, vist the Firm Profiles page in the Florida Special Report