The Firm’s Tallahassee presence continues to grow steadily with the addition of Litigation Attorney Christopher R. Clark in the last quarter of 2020, and Litigation Shareholder Douglas L. Kilby, Government & Administrative Attorney Robert J. Walters and GIS Analyst Jennifer E. Hyde* this year. Located at the crossroads of business and government, the Tallahassee office is positioned to effectively serve clients throughout Florida. Each addition was strategically chosen to bolster the group’s key strengths in the Tallahassee office, including robust Litigation, Land Development, Zoning & Environmental, Government Affairs and Government & Administrative practices.
Douglas L. Kilby is a seasoned litigator with over 30 years of industry experience, including as a Florida Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Economic Crimes (Antitrust) Division. He focuses his practice on class action, antitrust, business litigation, and government investigations, particularly matters involving the Attorney General’s office. Doug is highly experienced in representing commercial institutions in state and federal court, including lawsuits by consumers
or competitors. He has more than 20 years’ experience advising clients with internal investigations and creating compliance policies and systems to reduce the risk of government investigations. Doug has also assisted companies respond to data breaches and comply with state and federal data breach notification laws.
Christopher R. Clark is an Associate in the Litigation Department. He represents clients in trust and estates litigation, government and administrative litigation, and commercial litigation at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal court. Christopher also provides advice and counsel to many corporate clients regarding the legal and regulatory framework relating to expansion into statewide and national markets. Prior to joining the Firm, Christopher was an
Associate at a Florida Insurance Defense Litigation firm. He also served as an Assistant State Attorney for the State Attorney’s Office in the Second Judicial Circuit where he managed all aspects of a felony caseload from arraignment through trial.
Robert J. Walters is an Associate in the Government & Administrative group. His practice focuses on administrative litigation, civil litigation, appeals, and Florida administrative law, including regulatory compliance, licensure, administrative complaints and disciplinary proceedings, as well as election law, election compliance and non-profit association formation, compliance and management. Prior to joining the Firm, Robert worked as an Assistant Public Defender for the Second Judicial Circuit, where he provided representation to indigent individuals charged with criminal offenses in both misdemeanor and criminal traffic courts. Robert also worked in the
Division of Licensing within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services where he gained experience in regulating and enforcing Chapter 493 and Chapter 790 licenses, and developed a broad base of knowledge in Florida’s Administrative Procedures Act.
Jennifer E. Hyde* serves as an in-house Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst for the Firm, with over 20 years of industry experience in the private and public sectors. She supports all practice areas through comprehensive GIS analysis, data modeling, high-quality map exhibits, data conversion and manipulation, research/forensic mapping, and web mapping. Jennifer is skilled in spatial data development, maintenance, and quality control of multiple complex and related databases. Prior to joining the firm, Jennifer managed a GIS team for the Space and Intelligence Systems division at L3Harris, a global aerospace and defense technology company.
“These strategic hires reflect the continued momentum of the Tallahassee office,” said Managing Director Rick Schatz. “They each broaden and strengthen our capabilities and presence in the region.”
To keep pace with the growing group, last year the office expanded from the seventh floor of the Highpoint Center to additionally occupy half of the sixth floor. In July, construction will commence again to further expand into the entire sixth floor. The larger floorplan provides more office, event and meeting spaces, an internal staircase connecting both floors, as well as other physical and technological improvements. The project is expected to be completed before year end and will allow the office to better serve the needs of clients in the region.
Contact Douglas L. Kilby: dkilby@stearnsweaver.com | 850-354-7613
Contact Christopher R. Clark: crclark@stearnsweaver.com | 850-329-4853
Contact Robert J. Walters: rwalters@stearnsweaver.com | 850-329-4851
Contact Jennifer E. Hyde*: jhyde@stearnsweaver.com | 850-354-7609
*Non-Lawyer.
About Stearns Weaver Miller
Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson is a full service law firm with offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Tallahassee, and Coral Gables, Florida. We offer multidisciplinary solutions with a focus on Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights, Corporate & Securities, Government & Administrative, Labor & Employment, Real Estate, Real Estate Finance, Commercial Finance and Loan Restructuring & Workouts, Land Development, Zoning & Environmental, Marital & Family Law and Tax. For more information, visit stearnsweaver.com.
