Meet the Pennington Team
Clients that hire Pennington P.A. gain access to expert attorneys and special consultants. We work efficiently and effectively to deliver the outcome you expect. Meet our team below.
Howard E. (Gene) Adams
Gene Adams concentrates his practice on Governmental Affairs and Administrative Law. His administrative law experience includes Public Service Commission appearances, bid protests, and other administrative matters. In legislative matters, Gene has a broad spectrum of clients.
Interested in history and government since high school, Gene served as Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Association of Realtors for 12 years. Gene was responsible for the legislative office of the 100,000-member association. His legislative program duties included lobbying, political affairs, grassroots political operations, political action committee administration, and fundraising efforts of the association.
Gene currently serves on the Governmental and Public Policy Advocacy Committee of the Florida Bar. This standing committee of the Bar seeks to promote professionalism among lawyer lobbyists and provide appropriate legal education on matters of interest for lawyer lobbyists. The Committee is currently seeking to expand offerings of continuing education for lawyer lobbyists and to expand local government participation in the committee. Adams will also serve as liaison to the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar for the Committee.
Gene’s previous public service includes serving as the Chief Cabinet Aide for Attorney General Bob Butterworth for 3 1/2 years. His duties included direct responsibility for the review and recommendations to Attorney General Bob Butterworth on legal and policy matters, including environmental permits, natural resource protection, education matters, state budgetary decisions, and oversight of governmental agencies.
Prior to serving as a Cabinet Aide, Gene was the Director of Legislative Affairs and Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Bob Graham. Those duties included direct responsibility for lobbying the Governor’s legislative agenda through the Legislature and policy advisement on all current matters. Gene has also worked as a committee staff member and research assistant in the Florida House of Representatives for the House Judiciary Committee.
Gene received his law degree from Florida State University in 1980 and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from the University of Florida in 1976.
Serving his community through his farming background, Gene presently volunteers for Second Harvest of the Big Bend at the community garden by planting and harvesting vegetables for those needing food assistance. Gene recently completed serving a two-year term as Junior Warden and as a member of the Finance Committee of St. John’s Episcopal Church. He is a Past Board Chair of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Tallahassee and enjoys reading history and biographies.
Ben Andrews is board certified as a specialist in civil trial law by the Florida Bar, maintaining that distinction since 2003. He is also admitted to practice in the State of Georgia. He practices in the areas of professional malpractice defense with an emphasis on insurance agents and brokers, construction defect litigation, insurance coverage disputes, product liability, and general insurance defense. He has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability.
Ben received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Florida in 1985. He received his Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law with honors in 1988. Beginning in 1988, Ben served as a law clerk to Judge Maurice M. Paul, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Florida. Since 1989, Ben has defended many professionals, business owners, individuals, and corporate entities in all types of liability claims in federal and state courts throughout Florida and South Georgia.
He is admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts, all Georgia State Courts, and in the United States District Court, Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida and the Middle District of Georgia. His membership in professional associations includes The Florida Bar, State Bar of Georgia, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), Professional Liability Defense Federation (PLDF), Tallahassee Bar Association, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, and Defense Research Institute.
Ben and his wife Kristy enjoy spending as much time as possible with their four children and extended families, entertaining, traveling, boating, or just gathering.
Jennifer A. Bagby
Jennifer Bagby is an Associate Attorney in Pennington’s Defense Litigation Group and is licensed to practice in the state of Florida.
Jennifer graduated from New York University with a degree in Political Science and a concentration in Business Studies. While at NYU, she was a member of the Policy Debate team and vice-president of her sorority. Following graduation, she worked on the business side of tech, spending her first few years in New York City, then Charleston, South Carolina. While in Charleston, she attended The Citadel Graduate School’s Masters in Intelligence and Security Studies program and was a Chair in the Junior League of Charleston. Her last position prior to law school was as the Head of Digital for a collection of boutique real estate firms. In this position, she became a licensed real estate agent in the state of South Carolina and won the company’s MVP award for her work in launching three websites over the course of one year.
Jennifer attended law school at The University of Mississippi School of Law, receiving the Book Award in Contract Drafting and Negotiations, which denotes the outstanding student in a given course. While at Law School, Jennifer was on the executive board of Ole Miss Law’s Trial Advocacy Team and Graduate Student Council.
Outside of the office, Jennifer is an avid crossword connoisseur and loves spending time in her hometown of Destin, Florida.
Chase Boswell’s practice focuses on insurance defense litigation, including medical/dental malpractice, product liability, premises liability, auto/trucking litigation, corporate and business matters, and employment litigation. Chase is licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Florida and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.
Chase has been recognized in the 2021 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite “Up & Comer.” This honor was bestowed on only 111 attorneys and acknowledged those attorneys under the age of 40 who have exhibited leadership in the law and in their community. Chase was also recognized as a Florida Legal Elite "Up & Comer" in 2019.
Chase received his B.S. in Business Management at the University of South Florida, where he also played tight end and fullback for the USF football team and was an executive board officer for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
Chase graduated magna cum laude from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law and received his Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing, Research, & Drafting. As a law student, Chase was a member of the Mercer Advocacy Council and was elected as the Moot Court Chair for Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society. Chase was also a member of the Mercer Corporate Moot Court team and traveled to Delaware to represent Mercer Law School in the Ruby R. Vale Corporate Moot Court Competition. Following graduation, Chase was inducted into the Brainerd Currie Honor Society in recognition of excellence in academics and advocacy skills.
In his personal life, Chase is an avid hunter, fisherman, and sportsman, as well as an ardent supporter of USF athletics.
Breck Brannen is a commercial transaction and litigation lawyer who has significant experience in several areas of business and government law. Breck handles the negotiation, drafting, and closing of complex, high-worth real property transactions and is a title insurance agent for several top title insurance companies. He also handles complex commercial litigation – business and real estate related – in all federal, state and administrative courts in Florida.
Breck is general counsel to the Northwest Florida Water Management District and represents the District in all areas, including board governance, permitting, regulatory enforcement, and real property acquisition, conveyance, and management.
While working towards a B.S. Degree in Business Economics at Auburn University, Breck was a member and vice president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from The Florida State University College of Law in 2002. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2002 and is admitted to practice in all federal courts in Florida and in the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
Breck has been with Pennington, P.A., since 2003 and has served as a member of its board of directors, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Executive Officer/President.
In his personal life, Breck enjoys hunting, fishing, outdoor activities and weightlifting.
John (Jack) L. Brennan III
Jack Brennan has focused his legal practice on representing insurance companies, agents, agencies, and specialty insurers before the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Department of Financial Services, and the Agency for Health Care Administration in Florida and before insurance-related regulatory agencies throughout the United States. His work has included entity formation, mergers, and acquisitions, re-organizations, as well as handling disciplinary matters.
After beginning his career in private practice in Gainesville, Florida, Jack moved to Tallahassee, where he served as a Senior Attorney with the Division of Legal Services of the Florida Department of Insurance (now the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation). While at the Department, Jack was responsible for investigating violations of Florida insurance laws and for prosecuting administrative enforcement proceedings against insurance agents and various insurance entities. He participated in the Department’s review and approval of a number of complex mergers and acquisitions involving major insurance entities. Jack also served as a hearing officer in various proceedings conducted by the Department, assisted in representing the Department in multiple insurance rates filing arbitrations, and assisted in drafting legislative bills and proposed administrative rules.
Jack left the Department to return to private practice in the Tallahassee office of Tew Cardenas LLP, where he became a Partner. He represented state and national clients before insurance regulatory agencies with regard to a full range of insurance and managed care regulatory issues. Additionally, he served as deputy receiver/conservator for two multi-million dollar viatical receivership/conservatorship estates, running day-to-day estate operations, managing conservatorship staff, participating in the collection and liquidation of estate assets, overseeing the design and implementation of claim and distribution procedures for over 7,500 investors and creditors, and providing support for conservatorship litigation counsel.
In 2006, Jack became a founding partner of a new Tallahassee law firm, which later became Brennan Law Office PA. He maintained that practice for 16 years.
Jack graduated with honors from the University of Florida in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. While attending the university, he earned his private pilot license. In 1994, he earned his Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from the University of Florida College of Law and was a member of the Florida Bar.
In addition to his law practice, Jack has been involved with St. Francis Wildlife Association since 1999. He has served on the Board of Directors as Vice-President, as a regular Board member, and currently in an Ex Officio capacity. Jack enjoys running, reading, and spending quality time with his family.
Gerald Bryant
Jerry Bryant concentrates his practice on health care and employment law. Much of his practice is devoted to advising healthcare providers on complex regulatory issues, including state and federal ‘anti-kickback’ and privacy regulations. Jerry also represents all types of employers in both administrative and civil cases involving allegations of unlawful termination. In addition, Jerry’s practice includes case law analysis, policy form analysis, and the production of legal opinions relating to insurance and warranty matters on behalf of a number of the firm’s insurance company clients and other regulated entities. In 2013, Jerry was named by Florida Trend Magazine as a “Legal Elite Up and Comer.”
Before joining Pennington, Jerry clerked with another local law firm while he attended The Florida State University College of Law. Jerry, who was also a member of the FSU Law Review, graduated with honors in 2008.
A native of Tallahassee, Jerry is very active in the local community. He participates in numerous charitable organizations and has coached local youth and middle school basketball teams. In 2014, Jerry was selected as a member of Leadership Tallahassee, a group dedicated to cultivating emerging community leaders.
Jerry lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Laura, and their young son, Jacob.
Austin Cattani
Austin's primary focus is on health care regulation, compliance, and transactions helping hospitals and providers navigate the ever-growing state and federal regulations, including HIPAA, HITECH, Stark, and ‘anti-kickback.’ He has extensive experience in medical research among hospitals, drug and medical device companies, and principal investigators, helping them negotiate and draft clinical trial agreements, informed consents, and comply with IRB, FDA, Medicare billing, and CMS regulations.
In addition, Austin provides employment litigation defense to corporate and small businesses, defending them against Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and related state claims. This often overlaps with his healthcare practice, where he helps hospitals and physician practice groups navigate their H.R. complexities, including risk management, medical staff bylaws, and contracts.
Austin is also an adjunct professor with the FSU College of Law, J.M. program, where he teaches courses in healthcare. Before joining Pennington P.A., Austin earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University before graduating cum laude from the Florida State College of Law. During his time at FSU, Austin was an outstanding member of the appellant advocacy team and was recognized as the best oral advocate at the FSU Intramural Moot Court Competition. Austin has demonstrated appellate advocacy skills before the Florida Supreme Court and at several national competitions throughout the country.
In addition to professional accomplishments, Austin served a two-year humanitarian mission in Ukraine, volunteering at local hospitals, schools, and shelters. Austin is married to Heather Cattani, who works as the Practice Manager for Skin Science. They have two boys, Harper and Knox. They enjoy family time and going to the beach, where you will most often find them fishing.
Brian Chojnowski
Brian Chojnowski focuses his practice on defending individuals, businesses, and insurance companies in civil litigation related to bodily injury, property damage, and first-party disputes. He is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida. Brian has a wealth of trial experience, having tried over 70 criminal and civil cases to verdict. Brian has also earned an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a peer review rating system indicating the highest level of professional ethics and legal ability.
Brian began his career as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit, prosecuting criminal offenses from misdemeanors to capital felonies. He then spent over a decade with Kubicki Draper, a large, statewide insurance defense firm, before joining Pennington, P.A. in February 2022.
Brian graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 2008 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration summa cum laude from Kent State University in 2005.
In addition to civil litigation, Brian enjoys teaching continuing education classes to insurance adjusters. He is available to teach classes on a wide variety of topics, including the Five Hour Ethics for Insurance Adjusters course.
Outside of the office, Brian loves spending time with his wife, Leean, and his two dogs, Louie and Finn. He also enjoys woodworking, woodturning, and home improvement projects.
Leean Chojnowski
Leean Chojnowski’s practice focuses on insurance regulation, defense, and litigation; healthcare; and administrative law.
Prior to joining Pennington, P.A., Leean held several positions at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. In her thirteen years at the Office, Leean worked as an attorney, the Financial Administrator for Continuing Care Retirement Communities, and Deputy Director of Life & Health Financial Oversight.
Leean began her career as an attorney in the Office’s Division of Legal Services, where she advised and represented the Office in licensing, solvency, and other compliance matters related to insurance companies, HMOs, third-party administrators, and other insurance-related entities. She participated in hearings conducted by the Office and acted as a hearing officer. Throughout her time at the Office, Leean participated in the review of complex regulatory matters, including initial licensing applications and applications related to mergers, acquisitions, and corporate reorganizations of regulated companies. She also participated in the administrative rulemaking process and reviewed and drafted proposed legislation.
Leean has significant experience with the Continuing Care Retirement Community industry. As the Financial Administrator for Continuing Care Retirement Communities, her team oversaw all aspects of CCRC regulation, including review of applications for new facilities, expansions, and acquisitions of existing facilities; review of contract forms and financial statement filings for compliance with Florida law; and examinations. Leean presented annual reports to the Governor’s Continuing Care Advisory Council. She also led the development and implementation of changes to Chapter 651, Florida Statutes, by working with stakeholders to develop legislation, administrative rules, and forms.
Leean received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in Public Relations, summa cum laude, from the University of Georgia. She graduated from the Florida State University College of Law cum laude. In law school, Leean was a member of the Law Review and the Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law. She also worked as a legal writing teaching assistant and an extern at the First District Court of Appeals. She was on the Dean’s List and received academic scholarships and book awards for Property I, Criminal Law, and Animal Law. During her time at the Office of Insurance Regulation, Leean earned a Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance from Florida State.
Outside of the office, Leean enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Stephanie Clark’s practice focuses on professional malpractice defense, with an emphasis on insurance agents and brokers, construction defect litigation, product liability, and general insurance defense.
Stephanie graduated with a B. S. degree in Business Management from the University of Florida before attending the University of Florida Levin College of Law on an academic scholarship, where she graduated cum laude. While at UF, Stephanie served as a law school ambassador, responsible for mentoring both potential and incoming students. She also served as an officer of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Society. While studying abroad in France, Stephanie received the Book Award in Comparative Procedure. The Book Award was created to honor scholastic achievement in legal education. This award recognizes the outstanding student in each course at the UF Levin College of Law.
Stephanie is also a certified fitness instructor and loves travel, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Kimberly A. Crowell
Kim Crowell concentrates her practice in the area of corporate transactions, commercial real estate, and franchising. Her penchant for business has allowed her to assist clients in a wide range of corporate transactions ranging from negotiating leases to closing complex financing arrangements. Kim brings a wealth of knowledge of the franchising industry from her experience as a franchisee of several restaurants. She routinely reviews and negotiates franchise agreements, area development agreements, and other related franchising documents.
Prior to joining Pennington, P.A., Kim practiced law in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she represented developers in connection with the acquisition, sale, leasing, and financing of commercial real estate projects.
Kim graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. In 2006 she received her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
A native of Tallahassee, Kim enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
*Licensed in Florida and North Carolina.
Chad Dunn
Chad Dunn’s practice focuses on civil defense litigation and all aspects of administrative law, including professional licensing issues, rule challenges, and public procurement.

Prior to joining Pennington P.A., Chad practiced in various roles within the Florida Department of Health’s Prosecution Services Unit. Chad began his career as an assistant general counsel prosecuting physicians on behalf of the Board of Medicine. He went on to serve as Chief Legal Counsel for Allied Health, Chief Legal Counsel for Medicine, and then Deputy General Counsel for all of prosecution. As Deputy General Counsel, Chad oversaw the prosecution of forty Department regulated professions.
Chad represented the Department before the Division of Administrative Hearings and the Department’s various professional licensing boards, including the Boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Dentistry, Chiropractic Medicine, Massage Therapy, Mental Health, and Physical Therapy. Chad litigated issues of public importance such as excessive opioid prescribing, impairment, and medical malpractice, and he successfully brought to trial multiple three strike medical malpractice cases mandating revocation of those physicians’ licenses.
Chad received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of West Florida in 2010. He received his Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law in 2014. While in law school, the Florida House of Representatives selected Chad to be a legislative fellow. As a fellow, he worked for the Health and Human Services Committee.
Before college, Chad served four years in the United States Air Force. He operated as a satellite systems technician at Camp Humphreys in Anjeong-ri, South Korea, and at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. He received an honorable discharge in 2008.
Outside of the office, Chad spends time with his wife Cari raising their two young boys. He also enjoys fishing and sports.
Logan Eagen
Logan Eagen provides general assistance to a number of different practice groups within Pennington P.A., while focusing his practice in the areas of insurance defense and real property law.
Logan received a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management with a minor in Business from Florida State University. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he actively participated in numerous student organizations. While attending the University of Florida, Logan was a Law Clerk for Pennington, P.A., primarily supporting the firm’s insurance defense practice. While in law school, Logan also volunteered for the Alachua County Driver’s License Reinstatement Clinic to assist in reinstating numerous suspended or revoked driver’s licenses.
Logan enjoys traveling, playing golf, watching sports, and doing jigsaw puzzles in his spare time.
Rachel Givens
Rachel Givens’ practice focuses on the areas of worker’s compensation, employment, insurance defense, healthcare law, and wills and estate planning.
Rachel received a Bachelor of Science in English with a minor in Political Science from Auburn University. At Auburn, she competed on an athletic scholarship and was named Captain for both the University’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams. Rachel received her Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law. Prior to joining the firm, Rachel served as a Certified Legal Intern with the 2nd Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, where she gained trial experience within the Misdemeanor and Felony divisions. Rachel is a founding member of the Young Lawyer’s Committee for the Worker’s Compensation Section of the Florida Bar.
Outside of the office, Rachel enjoys running, traveling, and supporting Auburn University athletics.
Luke Grabowski’s practice focuses on insurance defense litigation, business and commercial law, regulatory compliance, governmental relations, and administrative law, particularly in the death-care industry.
Luke received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Political Economy and Law from Michigan State University in 2009. He was actively involved in various leadership roles on campus and also worked as a Legislative Assistant in the Michigan Senate. Luke graduated from the Florida State University College of Law, cum laude, in 2012 and received numerous distinctions, including receiving the book award in Florida Administrative Practice and being selected as a member of the Dean’s List and Phi Delta Phi.
Luke began his legal career as a consultant at a governmental relations firm in Tallahassee. He then focused his practice on representing insurers and other F&I providers in the areas of regulatory compliance and governmental relations in Florida and throughout the country. Prior to joining Pennington, P.A., Luke spent a number of years representing individuals and businesses in the areas of administrative law, business transactions, and insurance defense and coverage litigation. Luke is admitted in all state courts as well as the Federal Northern and Middle District Courts of Florida.
In his spare time, Luke enjoys golfing, cooking, and traveling with his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, John and Aleks. He is also a Certified Bourbon Steward, so he spends most of his free time studying the history of our native spirit, hosting Bourbon tastings, and producing a successful Bourbon blog and podcast.
Christopher Hill’s practice focuses on insurance defense and litigation, including medical/dental malpractice, bodily injury and under/uninsured motorist claims, auto/trucking litigation, Personal Injury Protection claims, and commercial litigation, as well as commercial Landlord-Tenant law. Christopher is licensed to practice law in Florida and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
Prior to joining Pennington P.A., Christopher practiced law in Tampa in the areas of bodily injury and under/uninsured motorist claims, Personal Injury Protection claims, and Landlord-Tenant law. While in Tampa, Christopher was actively involved with the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
Christopher received a Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, in Business Management from Florida State University in 2015. At Florida State, Christopher served as an Orientation Leader, on his fraternity’s executive board, and on a national committee for his fraternity. Christopher received his Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law, cum laude, in 2018. While in law school, Christopher received the book award for Trademarks and Unfair Competition, was a member of the Phi Delta Phi National Honor Society and served as his fraternity’s chapter advisor. Christopher clerked for various law firms and the Florida Department of Agriculture in practice areas ranging from contract and construction law to legislative research and rule review.
Outside of the office, Christopher enjoys spending time with his family and supporting Florida State athletics. Christopher is also a member of the Florida State University College of Law Alumni Board of Directors and is involved with the Young Lawyers Division.
J. Wiley Horton
Wiley Horton’s practice focuses on patents, trademarks, copyrights, licensing, and trial work and is the largest intellectual property practice in northern Florida and southern Georgia. Wiley sits on the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, Northern District. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and he has received pro hac vice admission to numerous other federal courts throughout the United States.
Prior to entering the legal profession, Wiley served as an intelligence analyst in the defense sector. Previously, he worked as a guidance and control engineer on the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Launch System, where he created guidance and control systems for air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. He also worked as a mechanical design engineer performing contract work for Motorola, Caterpillar, NCR, American Crane, and Siemens.
Wiley has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability and has been named Legal Elite by Florida Trend Magazine. Wiley has also been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as a Top Rated Lawyer for his work in Intellectual Property.
Wiley received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama, magna cum laude, and his Juris Doctorate from The Florida State University College of Law, with honors.
Wiley is a former Commissioner of the Florida Commission on Ethics and a member of the American Inns of Court. Wiley is the former Chairman of the Florida Aerospace Finance Corporation, a former Commissioner of the Florida Education Standards Commission, a former member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a former member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Wiley is married and has a daughter and two sons. He sits on the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission. He is also a skilled machinist and welder. He enjoys restoring antique firearms and building mechanical prototypes. Wiley is also an instrument-rated private pilot.
To learn how Wiley can assist you in protecting your intellectual property or to schedule a call visit his website at
https://www.wileyhortonlaw.com/.
Marc Ito
Marc guides his clients through Florida's complex regulatory environment, with a focus on regulatory compliance, and litigation in all courts of Florida, at the Division of Administrative Hearings and before State Governmental Agencies.
Marc’s practice focuses on the regulation of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and medical marijuana treatment centers in areas of certificate of need, rule challenges, licensing, changes of ownership, and regulatory compliance. Additionally Marc represents applicants in procurement litigation before Florida’s State Agencies with a focus on bid protests before the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
Marc’s experience includes seven years representing the State of Florida in healthcare litigation related to Medicaid fraud, Healthcare regulation and insurance regulation. Marc’s good rapport with Florida’s State Agencies ensures that litigation only becomes an option as a last resort. Since leaving state government, Marc has been in private practice representing clients in regulated industries before state regulators.
Marc is the Immediate Past-Chair of the Administrative Law Section of the Florida Bar and often serves as a speaker on the subject of administrative litigation.
Marc is married to Jamie Ito, with two children, Max and Sam. In his spare time Marc captains an adult soccer team with the local Tallahassee Soccer Association and plays guitar.
Shirley F. Kerns
Special Consultant
Practice Areas
Shirley Kerns is a Special Consultant who provides insurance regulatory consulting and compliance services to a wide range of insurance-related entities, including insurance companies, TPAs, MGAs, insurance agencies, agents, and extended warranty/service contract companies. Shirley represents clients before the insurance departments in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in licensing matters as well as the development, approval, and deployment of their insurance and extended warranty products and services.
Shirley has significant experience in the national regulatory arena affecting the extended warranty/service contract industry and assists companies in establishing national licensing strategies and conducting regulatory compliance assessments. Shirley actively monitors industry legislation throughout the country and reports current developments through The Service Contracts Compass website for companies active in this industry.
Shirley’s practice also includes the evaluation, preparation, and submission of various insurance regulatory filings, including certificates of authority, licensing and registration applications, acquisitions of insurance-related entities, and product form and rate filings.
Prior to joining Pennington P.A. in 2008, Shirley served as the Assistant Executive Director of the Service Contract Industry Council and the Guaranteed Asset Protection Alliance, both national trade associations whose member companies are active in offering extended warranties and other ancillary Finance & Insurance (“F&I”) products on a national scale. In these capacities, Shirley testified and lobbied before numerous state legislatures and participated in various administrative proceedings regarding legislation and industry standards.
Before entering the private sector, Shirley held various senior management positions within the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and the Florida Department of Financial Services (formerly the Department of Insurance) over 20 years with the agencies. Her areas of responsibility included oversight of property and casualty form and rate filings, agent and agency licensing, and workers’ compensation insurer practices in Florida.
Shirley received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Risk Management/Insurance from Florida State University and enjoys gardening, photography, and sports – especially coaching her local adult Special Olympics Soccer teams.
Annabelle L. Maddox
Annabelle Maddox provides assistance to various practice groups within the firm, with her focus primarily in the areas of intellectual property law and insurance defense. She is a member of the Tallahassee Bar Association and the Young Lawyer’s Division of the Florida Bar.
Annabelle received a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing with a minor in Entrepreneurship from Florida State University. At Florida State, she served on the Executive Board for Dance Marathon as the Fundraising Chair and was an active member of Phi Mu Sorority. Annabelle received her Juris Doctor from The University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating cum laude. There, she was involved in various organizations, including the Transactional Law Clinic, the Government Law Student’s Association, and the Law Association for Women. Prior to joining the firm, Annabelle worked as a law clerk at the 2nd Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office.
Outside of the office, Annabelle enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, and supporting Ole Miss athletics.
E. Murray Moore, Jr.
Shareholder
Practice Areas
Murray Moore primarily represents and advises healthcare providers and nonprofit entities. He serves as General Counsel to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Inc., which is a 772-bed hospital and health system. Murray advises TMH and other health care providers (including but not limited to physicians, nurses, physician extenders, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and hospitals) with regard to a myriad of state and federal health law and regulatory issues. He also enjoys providing advice and representation to other nonprofit organizations and continues to draw on his early background in real estate and transactional matters. Prior to joining Pennington in 1995, Murray practiced as an Assistant State Attorney in Duval and Clay Counties.
A native of Tallahassee, Murray graduated from Maclay School in 1983. He graduated with a B.A. (Economics and Spanish) from Vanderbilt University and then returned home to graduate from The Florida State University College of Law with honors. Murray has enjoyed giving back to the community through service to the Legal Aid Foundation of the Tallahassee Bar Association, Trinity United Methodist Church, Maclay School, Leadership Tallahassee, and Goodwood Museum and Gardens.
Murray is a member of the Tallahassee Bar Association, the Florida Bar Health Law Section, and American Health Lawyers’ Association. He has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability, and has been named Legal Elite by Florida Trend Magazine.
Jon M. Pellett
Jon M. Pellett’s practice is focused on providing a defense of licensed health care and other professionals in administrative disciplinary proceedings brought by various licensure boards in the State of Florida. He represents his clients before a variety of Florida’s state agencies, including the Department of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Administration, and Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Jon regularly advises clients on a wide range of administrative law issues, including formal proceedings before the Division of Administrative Hearings, rulemaking practice and procedure, and legislative and regulatory developments affecting health care providers.
Jon is an honors graduate of The Florida State University College of Law and is a member of The Florida Bar. He has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability.
Jon is a member of the Council on Licensure, Enforcement, and Regulation (CLEAR). CLEAR promotes regulatory excellence through conferences, educational programs, webinars, seminars, and symposia. The organization provides networking opportunities, publications, and research services for those involved with or affected by professional and occupational regulation. As a neutral forum to encourage and provide for the sharing of best practices, CLEAR serves and supports the international regulatory community and its vital contribution to public protection. Jon serves on CLEAR’s Program Committee, Compliance and Discipline Committee, National Certified Investigators Training Committee, and International Relations Committee.
Jon is a member of Pennington’s Administrative Law practice group as well as its Healthcare Law practice group.
Carl R. Pennington, Jr.
Carl Pennington's practice concentrates on civil and commercial litigation, business and corporate law, and eminent domain. Carl has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability. Over his many years of practice, Carl has also been recognized in various law lists, including The Best Lawyers in America, Florida Trend Magazine's Legal Elite, and Law and Politics Magazine’s Super Lawyer.
Carl received his Bachelor of Arts Degree and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida. Carl started his career as an attorney for the Florida Industrial Commission. He was a sole practitioner before entering the law partnership of Ervin, Buford, and Pennington. He founded the law partnership of Pennington and Wilkinson, the predecessor to Pennington P.A. more than 40 years ago.
Carl has been active in local and state bar associations and served as president of the Tallahassee Bar and as a member of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is a member of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, American Board of Trial Advocates, American Bar Foundation, and American Judicature Society. He is a past member of the American Bar Association and American Inns of Court.
Carl served on the First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission and as chair of the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission.
In addition to his law practice, Carl has been active in numerous real estate developments and other business enterprises, including serving as Chairman of the Board of The Southern Bank, member of the Board of Directors of MHI Group, and member of the Board of Directors of Citizens and Southern National Banks of Florida.
R. Geoffrey Place, II
Geoffrey Place’s practice focuses on insurance defense litigation, including medical/dental malpractice, product liability, premises liability, and commercial litigation. He also practices in the appellate courts of Florida, assisting with drafting briefs in various practice areas. Geoffrey is licensed to practice in the state of Florida.
Geoffrey received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations, with a concentration in Latin America, with a minor in Philosophy from Louisiana State University in 2017. He was active in various leadership roles on campus, including serving as an Ambassador to the University, in addition to being admitted to the Ogden Honors College. Geoffrey earned his Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law. While at FSU, Geoffrey served on the executive board for the International Law Students Association and held various positions working in administrative law, private practice, and the Florida judiciary. Prior to joining the firm, Geoffrey clerked for Judge M. Kemmerly Thomas at the Florida First District Court of Appeal.
In his personal life, Geoffrey enjoys being active in the Tallahassee theatre community, engaging in outdoor activities, such as hiking and fishing, and traveling with his family.
Stuart Poage
Shareholder
Practice Areas
Stuart is board certified as a specialist in construction law by the Florida Bar, maintaining that distinction since 2008. He is a certified Florida Circuit Court mediator and panel arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association. He is admitted to practice law in Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky in both state and federal courts. He maintains an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability.
Stuart received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Kentucky in 1997 and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Florida State University College of Law in 2000. Prior to joining Pennington, Stuart was the office managing shareholder of Kubicki Draper’s Tallahassee and Jacksonville offices since 2008, where he supervised and litigated a wide variety of cases, including multi-party construction defect claims, construction zone accidents, first-party property insurance claims, auto negligence, wrongful death, premises liability, and complex products liability litigation.
In his spare time, he enjoys running marathons, playing golf, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Stacey.
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Steven M. Puritz
Shareholder
Practice Areas
Steve Puritz’s legal practice includes the defense of claims involving premises liability, construction liability, construction defect, product liability, automobile negligence, and insurance coverage. Prior to joining Pennington P.A. in 2006, Steve spent thirteen years at another Tallahassee law firm that specialized in insurance defense. Steve has tried cases throughout most of North Florida and parts of Central Florida. Steve graduated from law school at Florida State University with Honors and also received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Florida State University.
Mr. Puritz is licensed to practice in all State and Federal Courts in Florida. Steve has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability, and has been named Legal Elite by Florida Trend Magazine.
Lee Roddenberry
Lee Roddenberry is a Special Consultant* who provides consulting and regulatory assistance to insurance companies, insurance agencies, and investors seeking to create new insurance enterprises. Lee works on insurance company and agency formation and the expansion of licensed companies and agencies to states across the country. Lee also aids with routine regulatory filings, consults on rate and form filings, financial and market conduct examinations, and disciplinary matters involving insurance agents and agencies.
Prior to joining Pennington, P.A., Lee was employed as a Special Consultant for the Brennan Law Office, P.A. for approximately fourteen years, where he provided all the services described above.
Prior to joining the Brennan Law Office, P.A., Lee served in several key positions at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, including as Property & Casualty Chief Examiner and Director of Property & Casualty Forms & Rates.
Lee has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Florida State University School of Business and over twenty years of experience working on complex insurance matters.
In his spare time, he enjoys offshore fishing and spending time with his children.
Cody Short’s practice focuses on insurance defense and litigation, including medical/dental malpractice, product liability, premises liability, auto/trucking litigation, commercial litigation, and employment litigation. Cody is licensed to practice law in Florida and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Cody received his B.S. in Political Science from Florida State University and earned his Juris Doctor from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. While at Mercer, Cody Served as Chairman of the law school’s Community Outreach Committee and was active in several student organizations. Following graduation, Cody clerked for Judge M. Kemmerly Thomas at the Florida First District Court of Appeal. Prior to joining Pennington, P.A., Cody practiced law in the areas of employment litigation, government enforcement and investigations, and appellate advocacy. As part of his appellate practice, Cody had the opportunity to argue before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Cody was named a 2021 Super Lawyers Rising Star. Each year, Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in Florida through a multiphase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research, and peer evaluation.
In his personal life, Cody enjoys golf, waterfowl hunting, and supporting Florida State University athletics.
Mike Thomas is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar, which distinguishes him as a specialist and an expert in his practice area. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and in 2014, was named the Attorney of the Year, recognizing his excellent advocacy and outstanding achievements within the jury trial system. He has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability, and has been named numerous times as Legal Elite by Florida Trend Magazine.
Mike received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication from Florida State University, where he was a member of Gold Key and the Sigma Chi fraternity. He received his Juris Doctorate from The University of Mississippi. During law school, Mike served as the President of the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. Mike is a member of the Florida Society for Health Care Risk Management, the Florida Trucking Association, the Transportation Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the Tallahassee Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, and the Professional Liability Defense Federation. He currently serves on the second judicial circuit professionalism panel and as an adjunct professor with the Florida State University College of Law, where he teaches a course on medical malpractice to Juris Masters students.
Mike is licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Northern, Middle, and Southern U.S. District Court of Georgia, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mike is an avid waterfowl
hunter and also enjoys saltwater fishing and attending college football games. He currently serves as a trustee for the Leon High School Foundation.
Cynthia S. Tunnicliff
Of Counsel
Practice Areas
Cynthia Tunnicliff concentrates her current practice on all aspects of administrative and appellate law, including professional licensing issues, rule challenges, and public procurement. Cynthia routinely practices before the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Department of Financial Services, the Department of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Administration, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Cynthia’s clients value her many years of experience working with governmental agencies and the relationships she has developed with senior-level agency employees.
Cynthia regularly appears before the Division of Administrative Hearings, contesting a variety of agency decisions. Although her appellate practice encompasses a wide range of civil matters, she has a particular emphasis on appeals from governmental agency decisions.
Cynthia has dedicated her free time to enhancing the judiciary and the legal profession. She served as a member of the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and as Chair of both the First District Court of Appeal and the Second Judicial Circuit Nominating Commissions. She also served two terms as Chair of the Second Judicial Circuit Florida Bar Grievance Committee. Cynthia is a member of the Administrative Law Section of the Florida Bar and served on the APA model rules committee.
Cynthia has an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system, which represents the highest level of professional excellence for ethical standards and legal ability. She has been named Legal Elite by Florida Trend Magazine and Super Lawyer Law and Politics Magazine.
Cynthia has also devoted considerable time to her alma mater, Florida State University, having served as Chair of the FSU Alumni Association Board and a member of both the FSU Foundation Board and the Board of Seminole Boosters.
Luis Viera
Luis Viera focuses his practice in the area of insurance defense litigation, including automobile litigation, premises liability defense, and defense of insureds in low limits/multi-party claims. Luis is an experienced and respected litigator and also serves on the Tampa City Council. Raised in North Tampa, Luis is a graduate of the University of South Florida and Stetson College of Law. He is the former Chairman of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Diversity Committee and a former Chairman of the City of Tampa Civil Service Board. He is a founder and President of Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation and previously served on the Board of Tampa Bay Best Buddies, an organization that assists and advocates for persons with special needs and developmental disabilities. Professionally, Luis has been honored by his peers numerous times for his professional work and civic involvement, including Florida Super Lawyers (2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, Rising Stars 2012), Florida Trend Legal Elite (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015), and Tampa Bay Business Journal "40 Under 40" Up and Comers.
IN MEMORIAM
Jerry S. Livingston
1942 - 2023
The Pennington Law Firm lost a valued law partner and good friend with the death of Jerry Livingston on November 19, 2023. Gerald “Jerry" Seals Livingston, 81, had been a member of the Pennington law firm for the last 20 years. A 1968 graduate of the University of Florida College of Law, he had also received his bachelor's degree from UF as well. Jerry grew up in the Duval/Jacksonville area and attended UF on a swimming athletic scholarship. Jerry was the first 3-time All-American athlete named at the University of Florida, a fact of which he was quite proud.
Jerry brought to the law firm a valuable set of skills in the legal profession as well as a warmth and humor valued by all. He was for 52 years the General Counsel for the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council and was General Counsel to Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust and General Counsel to the Florida Citrus, Business & Industries Insurance Fund. He also served for 40 years as the General Counsel for the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association.
For the last several years, Jerry and his wife Diane had moved back to the Central Florida area where they purchased a home on the golf course so Jerry could take advantage daily of his cherished golfing hobby. He and Diane also maintained a home in North Carolina which they treasured for escape from the summer heat in Florida. He is survived by his wife Diane, daughter Landis and several grandchildren. Our firm continues to miss his good nature, his legal abilities and his wise counsel and advice.
John C. Pelham
1950 - 2021
The Pennington firm lost one of its guiding partners with the death of John C Pelham, Jr., on Monday, July 12, 2021. A former President of the law firm, John always provided a steady and calm voice no matter the issues and problems that might face a law firm.
John will always be remembered for his kindness to everyone and his calm and professional demeanor when appearing before the courts or meeting with clients to discuss their legal matters.
John also provided a strong reminder to all of the need to mentor and encourage younger generations. From his days as a sports coach before he became a lawyer, his years serving as a counselor at the American Legion Boys And Girls State program, to his guidance of young lawyers and his grandchildren, John never forgot the need to coach and teach others. He did this with patience, grace, and kindness, always extending care to those in need.
The Pennington firm has lost one of its most treasured assets, an excellent lawyer with a kind heart and a willing ear who was open to all as a friend. His presence and counsel will be greatly missed.
William H. Hughes
1959 - 2014
Rare is the person that consistently exhibits the virtues of objectivity, equity, and intellect. In our Partner William (Billy) H. Hughes, III, the Pennington family was the beneficiary of just such a person. Although Billy’s passing in November of 2014 was too soon for anyone to accept, his blind standards of fairness, and the level of quality provided in representing his clients, are attributes that will remain forever embodied in our core as an organization. We are blessed to have had Billy as a Partner. We are honored to have called him our friend.
Contact Pennington P.A. at 850-222-3533 to schedule a consultation with one of our team members.