Legal Recognitions and Community Achievements in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

Local attorneys celebrate their achievements at the Florida Super Lawyers event.

News Summary

Sarasota and Manatee Counties have experienced significant professional recognitions, particularly among local attorneys, highlighting their commitment to excellence in the legal field. Prominent figures from Dickinson & Gibbons have earned titles such as Florida Super Lawyers, while community initiatives like the Susan Terry Foundation and financial literacy programs through Goodwill Manasota emphasize ongoing local development and support. The recognition of various legal and business organizations further showcases the dedication to public service and operational excellence in the region.

Sarasota and Manatee Counties News Highlights

Recognition of Local Attorneys in Florida Super Lawyers List

In Sarasota, several prominent attorneys have received recognition as part of the 2025 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A., based in Sarasota, proudly announced that partners Deborah J. Blue, Gary H. Larsen, and Jeffrey D. Peairs earned the distinction as Florida Super Lawyers for 2025. Additionally, attorney Jesse R. Butler was designated a Florida Rising Star for the same year. The Super Lawyers designation, a service of Thomson Reuters, identifies attorneys based on peer nominations, research, and evaluations by credentialed panels, acknowledging high professional achievement and peer recognition.

Deborah J. Blue, a Board Certified in Marital and Family Law, has been named a Super Lawyer for her 17th year, with expertise in complex family law cases including equitable distribution, business valuation, alimony, and child support. Gary H. Larsen, a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator, has been a Super Lawyer for 11 years, mediating in areas such as medical malpractice, wrongful death, and personal injury. Jeffrey D. Peairs, similarly certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer and Mediator, specializes in complex litigation such as personal injury, wrongful death, and construction cases.

In the same region, Jesse R. Butler, a Board Certified Appellate Attorney and member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors, was named a Rising Star. His practice focuses on legal malpractice, consumer law, and civil litigation, and he holds the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent rating.

Community Initiatives and Foundations

Susan Terry Foundation Established to Support HIV-Affected Individuals

In Tampa, the Susan Terry Foundation was officially launched on July 1, 2024, by CAN Community Health. The foundation honors the legacy of Susan Terry, a Sarasota AIDS advocate who co-founded the city’s first AIDS clinic in 1991, an organization that later became CAN Community Health. The foundation’s primary goal is to support organizations that help HIV-affected individuals lead full, stigma-free lives. Its pillars include Community Collaboration, Critical Factors Affecting Health, and Education & Awareness. Susan Terry, known for her compassionate leadership, passed away in 2009 at the age of 53.

Education and Financial Literacy Programs

In Manatee County, Goodwill Manasota secured a three-year grant totaling $192,000 from United Way Suncoast. The funds aim to enhance financial literacy and related programs through operations supporting the GoodPartner Coach and Learning and Development initiatives. Over this period, the organization plans to positively impact approximately 1,400 individuals, including employees and community members seeking assistance at local Resource Centers and Job Connection sites in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. United Way expressed that this multiyear funding promotes sustainability and community impact.

Recognitions and Awards

Clerk’s Office Honored for Excellence

The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Manatee County received the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers’ Best Practices Excellence Award for the fifth consecutive year. The Office of Angelina “Angel” Colonneso was among 33 out of 59 offices recognized in all 10 categories of the program, which emphasizes operational excellence, legal consistency, and best practices through self-assessments and peer reviews.

Legal and Business Community News

Sarasota-based attorney Stephen M. Fernandez of Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh has been named to the Super Lawyers list for 2025, recognized for his extensive experience in personal injury law. Similarly, Erum Kistemaker, managing attorney of Kistemaker Business Law Group in Ormond Beach, marked her 10th consecutive year on the Super Lawyers list, specializing in real estate, condo law, and business law.

Real estate company EXIT King Realty welcomed new agents including Jolyn Taylor and Cody Pleszewski at its Bradenton office, while Sarasota’s Sarasota’s Finest Home Watch earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association, founded by retired police detective Linda DeNiro.

In the legal sector, eight attorneys from Icard Merrill, a Sarasota law firm, were recognized in the 2023 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists, including notable names such as Drew Clayton and Thomas F. Icard, Jr.

Additionally, the conservation-focused organization, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, appointed Patrick Carlton and Daniel E. Vigne to its board of trustees. In community service, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County announced new board members and officers, including Marilyn Thompson as Chair and Paul Hudson as Vice Chair.

Community and Business Development

Halfacre Construction Company in Lakewood Ranch expanded its staff with six new employees to support ongoing growth. Meanwhile, in Manatee County, Douglas J. Elmore, lawyer and community advocate, and Debra Estes, director of ESOL and migrant programs, joined the board of the Manatee Community Foundation as of July 1.

Legal Industry Recognitions and Local Growth

Attorneys from Icard Merrill received multiple honors, while local real estate firms and service organizations continued to expand. Sarasota’s Sarasota’s Finest Home Watch achieved national accreditation for operational standards, and Stephen Fernandez, a Sarasota-based attorney, was recognized for his legal expertise.