The statewide Florida law firm of Fowler White Boggs (Fowler) and the Ft. Lauderdale based firm of Atkinson, Diner, Stone, Mankuta, & Ploucha, P.A. (Atkinson) announced their plans to merge in the first half of 2012. This merger is a continuation of the dynamic expansion of the Ft. Lauderdale office of Fowler which will grow to nearly thirty attorneys in less than two years. The Firm is meeting its goal of attracting quality lawyers through the addition of the highly regarded and successful Atkinson attorneys.
The Atkinson firm has a long standing history of excellence, community accomplishment, leadership in the legal profession, and a distinguished law practice for more than 40 years. Fowler, established in 1943, has grown from its original roots on the west coast of Florida into a strong state wide presence.
“This combination really gives us the people, connections and capabilities we need to fully serve the top tier of the South Florida market, and we expect to continue growing together,” said Terrence Russell, Managing Shareholder of Fowler’s Ft. Lauderdale Office and a former President of The Florida Bar. Jesse Diner, Managing Shareholder of Atkinson and also a former President of The Florida Bar said, “Our firms have known and respected one another for years, and we could not be happier to call each other partners. This is a great fit.”
“This move opens the way for us to take our already established success to the next level, and we are looking forward to the larger statewide and national platform that Fowler offers,” added Adele Stone, former President of The Florida Bar Foundation and presently a member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors. “Our goal is to be the ‘go to’ commercial law firm in Florida, and this is how we’re getting there,” said Rhea Law, CEO and Chair of the Fowler Board of Directors. “Rhea Law and I have similar practices on both coasts,” noted Wilson Atkinson, founding shareholder of the Atkinson firm, “and we are excited about spanning the state together with our clients and colleagues.”
The combined firm will continue the tradition of outstanding representation for clients that comprise the economic engine of Florida. Business and Construction Litigation, Land Use, Real Estate, Corporate, Immigration, Tax, Intellectual Property, Health Care and Wealth Management are some of the areas of practice that the Ft. Lauderdale office of the combined full service Firm will offer.
Fowler White Boggs is internationally connected with a Florida focus with more than 130 attorneys in five offices located in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville and Tallahassee.
