Two long-respected Tallahassee law firms — Gardner Bist Bowden Bush Dee LaVia & Wright, P.A. (“Gardner Bist”), and King & Wood, P.A. — have formally combined to create Gardner Bist King & Wood, LLP (“GBKW”), effective September 1, 2025. The merger reflects a strategic partnership built on shared values, complementary strengths, and a unified commitment to exceptional client service.
“Our firms have deep histories in Tallahassee and bringing them together allows us to honor that legacy while positioning ourselves for the next generation,” said Jay LaVia, the new firm’s managing partner. “Our clients deserve a full-service firm grounded in experience, integrity, and practical problem-solving. GBKW gives us the ability to expand what we do while enhancing the personal relationships and trust that define our work.”
Gardner Bist traces its origins to 1979, when Charles Gardner and partners founded the firm and established a strong presence in real estate, banking and business matters. Founded in 2004, King & Wood contributes deep experience in estate planning, elder law, probate, real estate and business law. Together, the combined firm brings the character of a traditional, full-service Tallahassee practice, now with broader capabilities and statewide reach.
The merger expands the firm’s ability to serve clients across a wide range of practice areas, including:
- Real estate transactions and disputes
- Environmental and regulatory law
- Utility law
- Business law and commercial litigation
- Estate planning, probate, and trusts
- Medicaid and long-term care planning
- Elder care navigation services
Real estate remains a central connector across many of the firm’s service areas, with environmental, permitting, business litigation, and land-use matters often intersecting in ways that benefit from a unified team. GBKW attorneys also maintain several statewide and regional practices, allowing the firm to serve clients far beyond Leon County while preserving its identity as a Tallahassee-based practice.
A key new offering for the combined firm is its expanding elder care navigation program, which assists families facing long-term care decisions, life-limiting illness, and complex planning needs.
“Our clients are navigating some of the most important chapters of their lives — buying property, growing a business, managing regulatory issues, or planning for long-term care,” said Beth Maykut, a partner with the new firm. “By merging, we’re able to provide that full spectrum of support under one roof. We’re especially excited about expanding our elder care navigation services, which are becoming among the most meaningful parts of our work.”
The firms emphasize that the merger will not disrupt existing client relationships. In fact, it will enhance them and clients will continue working with the same attorneys and legal teams they know and trust.
For more information, please visit: http://www.gbkwlaw.com
