<< Areas of Practice
Commercial Litigation Department All of the attorneys in the litigation department have extensive experience in State, Federal, and Appellate Courts. The attorneys have handled a great variety of commercial disputes, including the following: construction contract disputes, prosecution of construction liens and claims against payment bonds, defense of performance and payment bonds, business valuation disputes, all types of commercial contract disputes, business tort claims including libel and slander, claims of unfair competition, antitrust, securities laws, trademark and copyright disputes, real estate disputes, injunctive relief for claims of theft of business secrets, violation of employment contracts, replevin of floor plan merchandise, enforcement of foreign judgments, proceedings supplementary to set aside fraudulent conveyances, lender liability issues, claims and defenses under the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act and the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Truth in Lending and numerous issues affecting banks, credit unions, as well as commercial lenders and lessors. The department has broad knowledge and expertise in trials, arbitration proceedings, mediation and defense of class actions. This wealth of experience can be utilized by any client who may be contemplating or defending litigation. Members of the Kass, Shuler, Solomon, Spector, Foyle & Singer, P.A. Commercial Litigation Group:
	Mark J Bernet
	Born Baraboo, Wisconsin, 1961; admitted to Florida Bar, 1986, United States District Court, Middle, Southern and Northern Districts of Florida, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, United States Supreme Court. AV rating, Martindale-Hubbell. Education: University of Wisconsin (B.A. Journalism and B.A. Political Science, 1983); Notre Dame Law School (J.D. 1986), member of Notre Dame Law Review. Member: The Florida Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association. He is a partner in the Litigation Department and has concentrated his practice in the area of business litigation, including the areas of complex commercial litigation and creditors' rights in bankruptcy. He has served on numerous occasions as a court-appointed receiver in cases involving substantial fraud, and he also has served as a Chapter 11 Trustee in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case involving a ponzi scheme.
	Scott A Frick
	Mr. Frick’s practice includes all aspects of litigation including trials, arbitrations, mediations and appeals in both state and federal courts including the prosecution and defense of class action and collective action matters. Mr. Frick currently concentrates his practice in the areas of business litigation and other areas of law affecting business, including: Labor and Employment Litigation including claims arising out of restrictive covenants and the defense of claims arising under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act; Business Torts; Business Dissolutions and related proceedings; Construction Litigation; Products Liability; Banking Litigation including the defense of claims under TILA and RESPA; Patent Infringement; Trademark Infringement; Trade Dress Infringement and General Commercial Litigation. Mr. Frick also assists clients and other lawyers in the areas of Appellate Practice, Trial Consulting and Litigation Strategy, and, Mr. Frick represents parents and their special needs children in all aspects of protecting children’s rights to a free appropriate education under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act and other federal and state laws. Mr. Frick is a member of the Florida Bar and the Colorado Bar and has been admitted to practice in the following courts: United States District Court, Middle District of Florida; United States District Court, Western District of Virginia; United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida; United States Circuit Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, and; All State Courts of Florida and Colorado. Mr. Frick obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, cum laude, in 1990 where he also served as an Editorial Board Member for the Stetson Law Review. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Frick obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in 1986.
	Michael A Kass
	Born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1942; admitted to Florida Bar, 1972, United States District Court, Middle District of Florida. Education: Pennsylvania State University (B.A., 1966); Loyola University (J.D., 1972). Member: The Florida Bar, Commercial Law League of America. AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Kass is the founding partner of the firm. He takes particular interest in using technology and other innovations to improve the firm's processes and business productivity. He is an active and longstanding member of TEC (The Executive Committee), an organization focusing on business best practices in small businesses across all industries.
	Edward B Pritchard
	Born Haddonfield, New Jersey, 1958; admitted to Florida Bar, 1987, District of Columbia, U.S. District Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit and U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, 1988. Education: Allegheny College (B.A., 1981), George Mason University (M.A., 1984), Whittier College School of Law (J.D., 1987). Member: Florida and District of Columbia Bar Associations, Hillsborough County Bar Association, American Bar Association and Phi Alpha Delta.
	Charmaine A Reed
	Born Laramie, Wyoming. Admitted to Wyoming Bar and United States District Court, District of Wyoming 1997, Florida Bar and United States District Court, Middle District of Florida 2009. Education: University of Wyoming (B.S. Marketing, 1993); University of Wyoming, College of Law (J.D. 1997), Phi Delta Phi, served as Magistrate and Exchequor. Riverton, WY: Ass’t City Attorney 1997-1999, City Attorney 2000-2002; Deputy County and Prosecuting Attorney, Sheridan County, WY 2002 – 2008; Fremont County Bar Association, served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
	Elizabeth M Ryan
	Born Syracuse, New York, 1967; admitted to Massachusetts Bar, 1995, Florida Bar, 1996. Education: Northeastern University (B.A., 1991, magna cum laude), Boston University School of Law (J.D., 1994). Member: The Florida Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association; The Real Property, Probate & Trust Section of the Florida Bar; The Florida Bar Construction Law Committee; the National Association of Women in Construction; and, the Hillsborough County Bar Association Construction Law Section. Ms. Ryan's focus at the firm is in commercial litigation and construction law. Prior to joining the firm in 2002, she worked for two years as an attorney for the Hillsborough County Guardian Ad Litem Program representing the best interests of children involved in state dependency proceedings. Ms. Ryan was a member of the Academy of Arts & Sciences Honor Society at Northeastern University, a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship and a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. On a personal side, in addition to having lived in the Dominican Republic for two years in an effort to aid local orphanages and learn basic Spanish, she has studied Italian, Russian and French and travels to Europe frequently.
	James M Shuler
	Born Nashville, Tennessee, 1952; admitted to Florida Bar, 1977, United States District Court, Middle District of Florida and United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: Emory University (B. A., 1973); Duke University (J. D., 1977). Phi Beta Kappa Member, Duke Law Journal, 1976-1977. Member: Hillsborough County Bar, American Bar Associations; The Florida Bar. AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Shuler is a member of the Business Law, Trial and Appellate Practice sections of the Florida Bar. He has concentrated his practice in the area of business litigation, including the areas of construction law, shareholder and partnership disputes, contract and commercial law, business torts, and intellectual property.
	Gilbert M Singer
	Born New York, New York, 1955; admitted to Florida Bar, 1979. Education: Emory University (B.A. 1976); University of Miami School of Law (J.D., 1979). Member: The Florida Bar; Hillsborough County Bar Association; Commercial Law League of America. AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Singer is a 29 year member and past President of the Kiwanis Club of Tampa and a past Kiwanian of the Year (Doyle Carlton Memorial Award - 2002). He is on the Board of Directors for the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee, serves as the attorney for that organization, and led the Hillsborough County legal response team for the reelection of Governor Jeb Bush in 2002. He was also a member of President George W. Bush's Legal Team for the 2000 Florida recount. Mr. Singer is a founding member and former president of the Grand Krewe de Libertalia, and a volunteer attorney for the Guardian Ad Litem program. In 1996, he was honored by the Florida Bar and the Florida Supreme Court for his pro bono service. He has also been very active as a board member for Joshua House, Kids Charity of Tampa Bay, LifeLink, and has served on the Citizens Advisory Commission to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. In 2002, Governor Jeb Bush appointed him to the Florida Commission on Human Relations, where he served a 4 year term as Commissioner. In 2007, Governor Charlie Crist reappointed him to this same post, where he was elected and currently serves as Vice Chair. He has been and continues to be active as a volunteer in local and statewide political campaigns. Mr. Singer is a member of the Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club and The Royal Krewe of Privateers.
	Neil C Spector
	Born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1949; admitted to Pennsylvania Bar, 1975, Florida Bar, 1979, Colorado Bar, 1992, United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, 1975, Middle District of Florida 1979, U. S. Supreme Court; 1982. Education: New York University, Duquesne University (B. S., Cum Laude, 1972); Duquesne University (J. D., 1975). Member: Hillsborough County Bar Association; The Florida Bar; Commercial Law League of America. National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys. AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Spector frequently lectures on credit matters for several organizations in the community. He is a volunteer attorney for the Guardian Ad Litem program, and has volunteered at Shriner's Hospital for Children. He is a former board member of the Jewish Community Center.
	Ronald H Trybus
	Born Buffalo, New York, 1957; admitted to Florida Bar, New York Bar, United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1983, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1984 and the United States Supreme Court, 2009. Education: State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A. Magna Cum Laude, 1979); (J.D. Cum Laude, 1982). Member: Hillsborough County Bar Association; the Florida Bar (Business Law Section, Labor Law Section and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section). He is rated (AV) by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, its highest rating. Mr. Trybus is a member, past president, and current treasurer of the Rotary Club of Tampa Town and Country.
	Joan W Wadler
	Born Tampa, Florida, 1960; admitted to Florida Bar 1991; Middle District of Florida 2008. Education: University of Florida (B.A., 1982); University of Miami (M.B.A., 1984); Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 1991). Ms. Wadler is currently working towards becoming a Board Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. Ms. Wadler has served on the Board of Trustees of Congregation Schaarai Zedek since 2001 and on the Executive Committee since 2003. She will be completing her two year term as the President of Congregation Schaarai Zedek in June 2009 and will continue to serve as the Congregation’s Immediate Past President for two years. In 2006, Ms. Wadler was honored by the Amy Gail Buchman Preschool with the Hadassah Young Woman of Valor Award.
For further information regarding commercial litigation, contact Michael Kass at (813) 229-0900, Ext. 1301.

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