Our Attorneys

Casey W. Arnold

A Jacksonville native, Casey is a shareholder who joined the firm in 2018. Prior to joining Fisher Tousey, Casey was a partner at a well-respected boutique commercial litigation firm in Jacksonville. Casey is an experienced trial lawyer who has handled a number of jury trials, non-jury trials and evidentiary hearings.

Casey focuses his practice in all areas of trust, guardianship and probate disputes, real property disputes, disputes involving fiduciaries, and business and commercial litigation. In addition to handling litigation needs for clients, Casey regularly advises clients on dispute resolution matters, and often works with other Fisher Tousey attorneys to provide litigation expertise and counsel in an effort to best protect the interests of clients.

Casey is a Barrister in the Chester Bedell American Inn of Court, and a 2016 graduate of Leadership St. Johns. His peers have recognized Casey for his skill, and he is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubble, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a Rising Star in 2018.

Areas of Practice

• Probate, Trust, Fiduciary and Guardianship Litigation
• General Civil Litigation
• Business and Commercial Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Eminent Domain
• Insurance Disputes

Education

• University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D., 2008
• University of Florida, B.S.,B.A Finance, 2005

Admissions

• The Florida Bar
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. Tax Court

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Harris L. Bonnette Jr.

Harris is a native of South Carolina.  He concentrates his practice in all areas of Federal tax controversies including tax deficiency and collection due process litigation in U.S. Tax Court and refund, summons enforcement, and FBAR penalty litigation in U.S. District Court as well as all trust and estate disputes including will and trust contests, estate and trust litigation, and estate and trust administration.

After earning his LL.M. in Taxation degree, he became an attorney with Internal Revenue Service Chief Counsel’s Office from 1990 to 1995, first in Austin, Texas and then in Jacksonville, Florida.  He joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 2011.

Harris is an adjunct professor for the Graduate Program in Estate Planning at the University of Miami School of Law (2009 to present).  He is a frequent lecturer on topics in the areas of tax controversies and trust and estate disputes.  Harris lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Linda.

Areas of Practice

• Tax Controversies
• Trust and Estate Disputes
• Probate Administrations
• Trust Administrations

Education & Credentials

• Washington University in St. Louis (LL.M. in Taxation, 1990)  
• University of Miami (J.D., 1989)
• University of Florida (B.S. in Agriculture, 1986)
• Florida Bar Board Certified Tax Lawyer
• AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

Bar Admission

• The Florida Bar
• Jacksonville Bar Association
• U.S. Tax Court
• All U.S. District Courts in Florida
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals

Memberships

• Tax Certification Committee, The Florida Bar (Member 2011 – 2017; Chair 2014-2015)
• Tax Section of the Florida Bar
  • Director, Long Range Planning Committee, 2018 – present
  • Director at Large, 2016 – 2018
  • Treasurer for the Tax Section, 2014- 2016
  • Secretary for the Tax Section, 2012 – 2014
  • Co-director of Education, 2009 – 2012
  • Member, Executive Council, 2003 – present
• Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar
  • Liaison with Tax Section of Florida Bar, 2012 – present
  • Co-vice chair of the Estate and Trust Tax Planning Committee, 2009 – 2012
  • Circuit Representative for the 4th Circuit of Florida, 2005-2009
  • Member, Executive Council, 2005 – 2013

Publications and Presentations

• The IRS and Their Pesky Summonses: A Primer on Enforcement and Common Defenses, The Florida Bar Journal (December 2016, Vol 90, No. 10)
• The IRS Will Absolutely, Positively Not Pay Your Attorneys’ Fees (Or Will They?), The Florida Bar Journal (May 2010, Vol. 84, No. 5)
• Fiduciary Administrative Challenges, The Duty of Disclosure, Florida Banking (March 2004, Vol. 19, No. 3) (co-authored with John P. Cole)

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Anne Buzby-Walt

Anne Buzby-Walt is a native of Philadelphia and a graduate of Duke University and Wake Forest University School of Law.  She began her legal career as an associate with Fisher, Tousey, and Wallis, the predecessor to Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball.  She then spent the next 21 years of her legal career at another firm in Jacksonville before returning to Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 2010.

Since 1992, Anne has been board certified as a specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estates by The Florida Bar.  Since 2006, she has been listed in Florida Super Lawyers and was among the top 50 Florida Women Super Lawyers in 2012.  She has been listed in the Legal Elite in Florida Trend Magazine and the publication “The Best Lawyers In America”.  She is a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).  She serves as a member of the ACTEC Employee Benefits in Estate Planning Committee.  Anne is a former member of the Executive Council of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar, and former member (former co-vice-chair) of the Probate Law and Procedure Committee, and actively serves as a member (former vice-chair) of the IRA, Insurance and Employee Benefits Committee thereof.

Anne is married to Tom Walt.  Tom and Anne live in Ponte Vedra Beach and enjoy traveling, tennis, cycling and the beaches lifestyle.

Work Experience

• Has drafted a wide variety of estate planning documents including complex wills and trusts with credit shelter, marital, and generation-skipping transfer tax provisions, irrevocable life insurance trusts, charitable trusts, personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts and intentionally defective grantor trusts
• Has handled tax audits of and disputes relating to estate and gift tax returns.
• Has prepared fiduciary accountings and federal estate tax returns.
• Has implemented various asset protection techniques, including plans utilizing exemptions, limited partnerships and offshore trusts.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Trust Administration
• Probate
• Taxation

Education & Credentials

• Duke University, B.A. 1982
• Wake Forest University, J.D. 1985
• AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
• Fellow, The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
• Florida Super Lawyers (Estate Planning & Probate Category), since 2006 and among Top 50 Women Super Lawyers in 2012
• Legal Elite in Florida Trend Magazine
• Best Lawyers in America

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• Jacksonville Bar Association

Memberships

• The Florida Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
• IRA, Insurance and Employee Benefits Committee of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar
• Employee Benefits in Estate Planning Committee of American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

Publications & Presentations

• Anne is author of Chapter 14 on Final Distribution and Discharge in Practice Under the Florida Probate Code, 2014 Edition.
• Anne is a frequent lecturer on topics in the trusts and estates area.

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Ross H. Chafin

Ross was born in Walnut Creek, California, but considers himself a Florida “native”, having lived all but his first two years in the state. Ross is a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law and received his undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Central Florida. Ross began his practice in 2011 at an established Jacksonville firm, before joining Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 2017. Ross’s practice includes commercial real estate acquisitions, sales, financing and leasing, commercial loan work-outs and restructures, and title and survey review. 

Ross and his wife reside in Jacksonville Beach, and enjoy traveling and getting outdoors whenever possible to hike, explore, kayak and camp. Ross is a board member of the North Florida Land Trust and an active member at Momentum Church of Jacksonville.

Areas of Expertise
Real Estate

Education and Credentials 
University of Florida Levin College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2011)
University of Central Florida (B.S.B.A. 2005)

Bar Admissions
Florida

Memberships
Florida Bar Association
Jacksonville Bar Association

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Robert A. Dawkins

Robert grew up in northern Virginia, then moved with his family to North Carolina, where he attended college and law school at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from North Carolina as an undergraduate and was in the top ten percent of his law school class. After graduating from law school in 1980, Robert took a job with the firm, where he has practiced almost exclusively in the areas of wills, trusts, estate planning and taxation ever since. Robert became a partner in the firm in 1986. Since 1987, he has been board certified as a specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estates by The Florida Bar. Robert has written many articles in the estate planning field for professional publications and additional articles for popular publications, including authoring one article that was awarded the “Best Cutting Edge Article” by Probate and Property Magazine

Robert lives in South Ponte Vedra Beach and has a married daughter, Deanna, who lives in the United Kingdom.

Work Experience

• Counsel and advise clients in their estate planning by helping to select strategies to minimize estate and gift taxes while implementing personal goals such as the protection and transfer of family wealth.
• Represent clients after the death of a family member to quickly and efficiently pay debts and taxes and transfer the decedent’s assets to the heirs, wherever possible employing post mortem strategies to minimize estate and income taxes.
• Advise and assist in charitable giving, often using charitable giving strategies to accomplish the two goals of benefitting the client’s charities and the client’s family in a way that greatly reduces, or even eliminates, estate taxes.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Probate
• Trust Administration
• Taxation
• Guardianship
• Charitable Planning/Planned Giving

Education & Credentials

• University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D. 1980)
• University of North Carolina (B.A. 1978)
• Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts, and Estates
• AV Rated – Martindale Hubbell

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• U.S. Tax Court

Membership

• American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar- Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
• Jacksonville Bar Association- Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
• Estate Planning Council of Northeast Florida

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Michael W. Fisher

Michael W. Fisher is a native of Jacksonville and a graduate of The Bolles School, The Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania, and Stetson College of Law. He is the founding and senior partner of the law firm of Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball. Mr. Fisher is a past trustee of The Children’s Home Society of Florida Foundation, a board member and past chairman of the Buckner Division of the Jacksonville Children’s Home Society, a past trustee and currently general counsel of The Community Foundation, and past president of Planned Parenthood of North Florida. He lectures and has published articles on income and estate taxation. He formerly practiced as a CPA. Mr. Fisher is a member of both the Tax Section and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar, and past chair of the Charitable Organizations and Philanthropic Planning Committee, as well as founder of Haitian Microfinance, Inc. He has been a speaker for the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section and is one of two Jacksonville lawyers Board Certified by The Florida Bar as specializing in both Taxation and Estate Planning and Probate Law. He is also recognized in the publications The Best Lawyers in America and Florida Super Lawyers.

Michael Fisher is married to Linda McLucas Fisher, formerly a professor of humanities at Florida Community College of Jacksonville. The Fishers have two children, Laura Lee Fisher Corbett and Michael M. Fisher.

Work Experience

• Estate planning for high net-worth individuals.
• Counsel and advice to clients concerning formation and capitalization of corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and other types of business entities.
• Represent clients in the acquisition or disposition of equity interests or assets of businesses and the dissolution or liquidation of such businesses as well as mergers and other types of tax-free reorganizations.
• Represent clients of ongoing businesses regarding tax, contracts and general business matters.
• Advise clients on the creation and tax exempt status of charitable organizations.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Taxation
• Corporate and Business Formations and Sales

Education & Credentials

• Stetson College of Law (J.D. 1967)
• University of Pennsylvania (B.S. 1965)
• The Wharton School of Finance
• Florida Bar Board Certified Tax Attorney
• Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts & Estates Attorney
• Certified Public Accountant (Florida 1969)

Author

• “Recent Litigation Highlights New Obstacles for Florida Timber Owners Seeking Long Term Capital Gains Treatment for Receipts Under Timber Cutting Contracts,” The Florida Bar Journal, July 1975; “Regressive Taxation under IRC Sections 121 and 1034,” Taxes – The Tax Magazine, September 1969

Co-Author

• “Florida Homestead, A Difficult Post-mortem Estate Tax Planning Property,” The Florida Bar Journal, January 2002;
• “Charitable Gift Annuities: Opening the Door for Smaller Split Interest Gifts,” ActionLine, June 1999;
• “Charitable Alternatives for Retirement Accumulation,” The Review of Taxation of Individuals, Fall 1992;
• “Administration of Trusts in Florida,” The Florida Bar, 1981

Lecturer

• The Florida Bar Programs: “Charitable Gift Annuities in an Era of Falling Interest Rates,” 2003;
• “Trust Me! The Principles Have Changed! – 2002
• Changes: Principal and Income Act and Trust Accounting Law,” 2002
• Jacksonville Programs: “Charitable Gift Annuities,” 2004;
• “The New Florida Principal and Income Act,” 2002;
• “Homestead and Federal Estate and Gift Taxes,” 2001;
• “Installment Sales to Defective Trust,” 2000; “Gift Annuities,” 1999
• AV Rated – Martindale Hubbell

Bar Admissions

• Florida

Membership

• The American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar
• Past Chair, Charitable Organizations and Philanthropic Planning Committee, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
• Member, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
• Member, Tax Law Section
• Jacksonville Bar Association
• Past Chair, Trust and Probate Section 2001-2004
• Estate Planning Council of Northeast Florida

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Beverly H. Furtick

Beverly has practiced estate planning and probate law in Jacksonville for 30 years. She was born in Greenwood, South Carolina, and attended college and law school at the University of South Carolina. Beverly was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and earned a B.S. in business administration, with a major in accounting in 1982. She also successfully completed the CPA examination in 1983, during her first year of law school. In 1985, Beverly obtained her J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina and passed the South Carolina and Florida Bar exams. Beverly joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 1989 and became a shareholder in 1990. She currently serves as the firm’s managing shareholder. Beverly is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Northeast Florida and has been board certified as a specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estates by The Florida Bar since 1993.

Beverly is married to Russell Furtick, Vice-President and General Counsel for Allstate Dealer Services (formerly American Heritage Life). Beverly and Russ have two sons, Ben (age 26 and a CPA and Assistant Vice President of Bank of America Merrill Lynch in London) and Ryan (age 25 and just received his J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from Washington University in St. Louis in May and has recently taken The Texas Bar and started as a tax associate with Crady, Jewett & McCullough in Houston, Texas). Beverly enjoys watching baseball games and taking vacations (especially to St. Martin).

Work Experience

• Facilitate the creation of revocable living trusts to avoid the unnecessary expenses and time delays sometimes associated with the probate process.
• Handle guardianships.
• Trust and estate administration.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Taxation
• Trust and Probate Administration
• Guardianships

Education & Credentials

• University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D. 1985) Phi Beta Kappa
• University of South Carolina (B.S., 1982)
• Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts & Estates
• Co-Author: “Defending the Accumulated Earnings Tax Case,” The Florida Bar Journal, December, 1999
• AV Rated-Martindale Hubbell

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• South Carolina

Memberships

• American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar
• Jacksonville Bar Association
• South Carolina Bar
• Estate Planning Council of Northeast Florida

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Laura Fannin Jacqmein

Laura graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Law, where she was a member of the Chester Bedell Inn of Court and a Teaching Assistant for Legal Research and Writing. Following law school, Laura gained valuable courtroom experience as a Public Defender in Charleston, South Carolina.

When not practicing law, Laura enjoys teaching youth Sunday school at Lakewood United Methodist Church and a class for women at the City Rescue Mission. Laura is married to Jeff Jacqmein, a family doctor, and they have three adult children.

Laura joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 2016 and practices primarily in the areas of estate and trust litigation.

Work Experience

• Counsel and advise clients in the resolution of inheritance disputes.
• Represent clients in various aspects of estate and trust litigation.

Areas of Practice

• Will Contests
• Trust Disputes
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims
• Guardianship Litigation

Education & Credentials

• University of Florida College of Law (J.D., with Honors, 1992)
• Davidson College (B.A., English, 1988)

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Memberships

• The Florida Bar (Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section; Trial Lawyers Section)
• Jacksonville Bar Association
• American Bar Association

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Annie H. Janoski

Annie H. Janoski is a Jacksonville native who graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A., cum laude, in 2010. She received her J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2013, and is a member of the Florida Bar and the Jacksonville Bar Association. Annie worked as a law clerk at Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball before joining the firm as an associate in 2013. She practices in the areas of estate planning and probate and trust administration.

Annie resides in the Riverside area with her husband, Jordan, a litigation attorney in Jacksonville.

Work Experience

• Advise and counsel clients concerning their estate planning.
• Create and review a variety of estate planning documents.
• Probate and trust administration.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Probate and Trust Administration

Education & Credentials

• University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D., 2013)
• University of Florida (B.A., cum laude, 2010)

Bar Admissions

• Florida, 2013

Membership

• Florida Bar
• Jacksonville Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section

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Marvin C. Kloeppel

Marvin “Mark” Kloeppel first joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 2003; from 2008 through 2012, Mark worked as a tax attorney for a Fortune 300 company and returned to Fisher, Tousey, Leas and Ball in 2012.

Mark has a diverse tax practice, and represents individuals and businesses on a variety of legal matters. Mark’s focus is on closely held businesses; he represents a number of entrepreneurs, physician practices, real estate investors, automobile dealers and other business owners and their businesses. He has helped many successful business owners with succession planning and represented clients in buying or selling businesses, including the sales of businesses to public companies.

Work Experience

Formation and selection of business entities. General corporate governance. Acquisition and disposition of businesses. Acquisition and disposition of tax credits. Tax planning for tax deferred real estate transactions. Restructuring of businesses, including the liquidation and dissolution of businesses. Structuring mergers and other forms of tax-free consolidations. Assisting owners with business succession planning as part of their overall estate plan to ensure a successful business will be retained within their family. Provide businesses with general legal advice and representation, including negotiation of contracts and employment agreement, representation with respect to financings, real estate acquisitions, and regulatory compliance issues. Works with taxpayers to resolve tax disputes with the IRS and state tax authorities.

Areas of Practice

• Tax Planning
• Tax Controversy
• Business Planning and Corporate Law
• Business Acquisitions and Dispositions
• Tax Deferred Real Estate Transactions
• Tax Credits
• Captive Insurance Companies
• Healthcare Transactions
• Employment Agreements

Education & Credentials

• New York University School of Law (L.L.M, Taxation, 2000)
• University of Virginia School of Law (J.D. 1999)
• University of Virginia (B.A., 1996)
• Florida Bar Board Certified Tax Lawyer
• Florida Legal Elite- Tax 2018
• AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
• Editor, Virginia Tax Review, 1997-1999
• Graduate Editor, New York University Journal of International Law and Politics, 1999-2000

Bar Admission

• Florida
• Virginia
• Georgia
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Tax Court

Memberships

• Florida Bar Tax Certification Committee
• American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar
• The Virginia Bar
• The Georgia Bar
• Jacksonville Bar Association

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John E. Lawlor, III

John was born in Chicago, Illinois, but raised in Jacksonville where he graduated from Bishop Kenny High School. John completed his undergraduate studies at Washington & Lee University where he earned a B.S. degree in accounting. John received his J.D. degree and LL.M. degree in taxation from the University of Florida College of Law where he was also a member of Law Review. John is a board-certified Wills, Trusts and Estates Attorney. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in both Florida Super Lawyers and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers. Prior to joining Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 1990, John served 12 years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. John has also worked as an attorney with the Internal Revenue Service and is an adjunct professor at Florida Coastal School of Law, teaching wills, trusts, probate and tax law.

John has three children (and seven grandchildren) –  Sarah, who works in the not-for-profit field; Joshua, a firefighter/paramedic with St. Johns County Fire Rescue; and Mary, a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care Clinic.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Probate
• Trust Administration

Education & Credentials

• University of Florida (LL.M., Taxation, 1989)
• University of Florida (J.D., with honors, 1975)
• Washington & Lee University (B.S., in accounting, 1972)
• Member, Editorial board, Florida Law Review, 1975
• Assistant U.S. Attorney, Middle District of Florida, 1978-1989
• Estate Tax Attorney, Internal Revenue Service, 1975- 1978
• Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts, and Estates
• Adjunct Professor of Law, Florida Coastal School of Law
• AV Rated – Martindale Hubbell

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• U.S. Tax Court

Memberships

• The Florida Bar (Member – Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, and Tax Section)
• Jacksonville Bar Association
• American Bar Association (Member – Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section)

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Michael R. Leas

Michael R. Leas was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and has practiced in Jacksonville for over 35 years in the areas of taxation law, employee benefits law (including pension, profit sharing and 401(k) plans and nonqualified deferred compensation plans), corporations, and the purchase and sale of closely held businesses. Michael graduated magna cum laude from Duke University in 1976 with degrees in both mathematics and economics, and received his juris doctor degree from Duke University School of Law in 1979. Michael has been a board-certified Taxation Lawyer since 1988. He is the former president and an active member of the ASPPA Benefits Council of North Florida (formerly the Employee Benefits Council of Northeast Florida).

Michael has been selected to be included in The Best Lawyers in America for 2013 and was also selected in a statewide poll as a Florida “Super Lawyer.”

Michael is married to Gale Leas who also graduated from Duke University and holds a masters of business administration degree from the University of North Florida. Michael and Gale have two children, David and Christine. David graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology and works as an engineer in Virginia. Christine graduated from Northwestern University School of Law and lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Work Experience

• Counsel and advise clients concerning formation and capitalization of corporations, partnership, limited liability companies and other types of business entities.
• Represent clients in the acquisition or disposition of equity interests or assets of businesses and the dissolution or liquidation of such businesses as well as mergers and other types of tax free reorganizations.
• Advise clients on establishment, operation and termination of 401(k) plans, pension plans, profit sharing plans and other types of qualified and nonqualified retirement plan arrangements, as well as cafeteria plan, stock option plans, and other types of employee benefit plans.
• Represent clients of ongoing businesses regarding tax, contracts and general business matters.
• Advise client on the creation and tax exempt status of charitable organizations.
• Advise charitable organizations on establishment, operation and termination of employee benefit plans including 403(b) plans and 457 plans

Areas of Practice

• Taxation
• ERISA
• Employee Benefits
• Corporation and Business Entities
• 401(k) and Pension Plans
• Profit Sharing Plans
• Exempt Organizations

Education & Credentials

• Duke University School of Law (J.D. 1979)
• Duke University (B.A. magna cum laude, 1976)
• Florida Bar Board Certified Tax Lawyer
• AV Rated – Martindale Hubbell

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• U.S. Tax Court

Memberships

• American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar
  • Member, Sections on: Tax; Business Law
• Jacksonville Bar Association
• ASPA Benefits Council of North Florida

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Ryan M. Ludwick

Ryan M. Ludwick graduated from the University of Florida where he received a B.A. degree in history, with honors, in 2007 and a J.D. degree, with honors, in 2010. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2010. Ryan joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball as an associate in April of 2012 and practices in the areas of Estate Planning and Administration and Taxation. Ryan is a member of the Northeast Florida Estate Planning Council and Jacksonville and American Bar Associations. He is a graduate of the inaugural class of the Florida Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

Ryan and his wife, Megan, are originally from Crystal River, Florida. They moved to Jacksonville in 2010 and reside on the south side. Ryan and Megan enjoy watching Gator athletics and participating in some of the many distance running events held in Jacksonville.

Work Experience

• Advise and counsel clients concerning their estate planning.
• Probate administration

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Taxation
• Probate Administration

Education & Credentials

• University of Florida
• Fredric G. Levin College of Law (J.D., honors, 2010)
• University of Florida (B.A., honors, 2007)

Bar Admissions

• Florida

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Kateena E. Manners

Teena Manners is a native of Florida and a three-time University of Florida graduate, having achieved her B.S. degree in Accounting from the Fisher School of Accounting, and her J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from the Levin College of Law. Teena was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2006, and worked with another large firm in the Jacksonville area prior to joining Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball as a Shareholder in 2016.

Teena practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, asset protection planning, exempt organizations and general corporate representation, including tax planning for mergers and acquisitions. She is a member of The Florida Bar Association.

Teena serves on the Board of and as Treasurer for AMIkids Jacksonville, a local charity devoted to rehabilitating juvenile delinquents through evidence based programs.

Teena is married to Robert Manners and they have two children, Olivia and Robert. Teena and her family live in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Teena and Robert enjoy Gator football, running, yoga and living at the beach.

Work Experience

• Advise and counsel clients regarding estate planning strategies.
• Probate administration
• Advise and counsel clients concerning asset protection strategies
• Advise and counsel Tax Exempt Organizations regarding organization, structure and compliance with tax laws
• Counsel ongoing businesses regarding general corporate matters, as well as tax planning for mergers and acquisitions

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Trust Administration
• Probate
• Asset Protection
• Corporate
• Exempt Organizations

Education & Credentials

• University of Florida, Graduate Tax Program (LLM in Taxation, Suma Cum Laude, 2006)
• University of Florida, Levin College of Law (J.D., Cum Laude, 2005)
• University of Florida, Fisher School of Accounting (B.S., Cum Laude, 2002)

Bar Admissions

• Florida

Memberships

• The Florida Bar Association
• Jacksonville Bar Association

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Robert N. Miller

Rob joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 1998, and became a shareholder in 2002. He specializes in estate planning, estate and trust administration, probate, and elder law, with his elder law practice focusing on Medicaid planning and guardianship. Rob was educated at Washington & Lee University, where he received his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, in 1985, and his J.D. degree, cum laude, in 1994. While in law school, he was a member of the Law Review. Between college and law school, he served as a Lieutenant in the United States Army with the 6^th Battalion, 8^th Field Artillery, 7^th Infantry Division (Light). He is board certified in Wills, Trusts, and Estates by The Florida Bar. In 2016, Rob was selected to the: “Florida’s Legal Elite” by Florida Trend Magazine; “The Best Lawyers in America”; and as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers in Florida” by Florida Super Lawyers.

Rob is married to Tracy Tyson Miller, a Jacksonville attorney specializing in Social Security Disability. Rob and Tracy have two sons, Walker and Nathaniel, and a daughter, Reed.

Work Experience

• Creates estate plans that transfer clients’ wealth efficiently and cost effectively at their death.
• Helps surviving family members with the administration of their loved one’s estate or trust.
• Helps clients structure their assets so that they can qualify for Medicaid assistance for their nursing home bills.
• Helps clients become guardians for their incapacitated family members.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
  • Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills
• Estate and Trust Administration
• Elder Law
• Guardianship
• Medicaid Planning

Education & Credentials

• Washington & Lee University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1994)
• Member, Washington & Lee Law Review, 1992-1993
• Washington & Lee University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1985)
• Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts & Estates Lawyer
• AV Rated-Martindale Hubbell
• Florida Legal Elite, 2016
• Florida Super Lawyer, 2016
• Best Lawyers in America, 2016
• Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 1985-1989

Bar Admissions

• Florida

Memberships

• The Florida Bar
  • Member, Section on Real Trust; Elder Law
• Jacksonville Bar Association

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Alice C. Morris

Alice joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball as an Associate in 2016.  She concentrates her practice primarily in real estate.  Alice received her J.D. degree from the University of Florida College of Law, where she was President of Phi Delta Phi International Honor Society and was selected as a Pupil in The Chester Bedell and Gerald T. Bennett American Inns of Court.  She began her legal career after raising three children with her husband, Bruce, and volunteering extensively in the community, within the St. Johns County School District, and as a Girl Scout leader.

Area of Practice

• Real Estate

Education & Credentials

• University of Florida College of Law (J.D., cum laude)
• College of William and Mary (B.A., Government)

Bar Admissions

• Florida

Memberships

• American Bar Association
  • Member – Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section; Business Law Section; Young Lawyers Division
• The Florida Bar
  • Member – Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section; Environmental and Land Use Law Section; Young Lawyers Division
• Jacksonville Bar Association
  • Member – Environmental and Real Property Law Committee; Corporate, Business, In-House Counsel Committee; Franchise, Intellectual Property and Technology Committee; Young Lawyers Section
• Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association

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Krista Waldron Ray

Krista Waldron Ray, originally from Arcadia, Florida, graduated from the University of Florida where she received a B.S. degree in business administration, with honors, in 1997 and a J.D. degree, with high honors, in 2000. She was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2000. Krista joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in September 2000 and practices in the areas of Taxation and Estate Planning and Administration. Krista is also a member of the Jacksonville and American Bar Associations.

Krista and her husband, Matt Ray, a commercial real estate appraiser, live in Ponte Vedra Beach with their son, Sam, and twin daughters, Leslie and Madeline.

Work Experience

• Advise and counsel clients with respect to their estate planning.
• Advise and counsel clients with respect to Probate and Trust Administration.
• Create a variety of estate planning documents including wills and trusts (with tax provisions such as marital, credit shelter and generation – skipping transfer tax provisions), charitable trusts, life insurance trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts and personal residence trusts.
• Facilitate the creation of revocable living trusts to avoid the unnecessary expenses and time delays sometimes associated with the probate process.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning & Probate
• Taxation

Education & Credentials

• University of Florida College of Law (J.D., with high honors, 2000)
• University of Florida (B.S. B.A., with honors, 1997)

Bar Admissions

• Florida

Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Jacksonville Bar Association

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Mary A. Robison

Mary was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota at Duluth (B.A. magna cum laude, 1980), and Duke University (J.D. 1983). Mary was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1983. Mary is board certified in Real Estate by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, and is currently serving as the Chairman of the Real Estate Certification Committee of The Florida Bar. She served as a member of The Florida Bar’s steering committee for the fifth edition of Florida Real Property Complex Transactions. Mary has been selected as a Florida “Super Lawyer”, one of the top five percent of lawyers practicing in the State of Florida. Mary joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 1983.

Mary’s older daughter, Rachel, teaches Latin at Windermere Preparatory School in Windermere, Florida. Her younger daughter, Clara, is a graduate student in coastal biology at The Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences.

Work Experience

• Counsel and advise clients on the purchase and/or sale of commercial real estate.
• Counsel and advise clients concerning formation of corporations, partnership, limited liability companies, and other types of business entities relating to real estate and asset transfers.
• Represent clients in the acquisition or disposition of equity interests, assets of businesses and real estate.
• Counsel and advise clients on tax deferred real estate transactions.

Areas of Practice

• Real Estate
• Tax Deferred Real Estate Transactions
• Corporation and Business Entities

Education & Credentials

• Duke University School of Law (J.D. 1983)
• University of Minnesota (B.A., magna cum laude, 1980)
• Phi Kappa Phi
• Chair, The Florida Bar Real Estate Certification Committee, 2004-2005
• Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer
• AV Rated – Martindale Hubbell

Co-Author

• Florida Homestead: A Difficult Post- Mortem Estate Tax Planning Property,” The Florida Bar Journal, January 2002

Bar Admissions

• Florida

Memberships

• American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar- Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
• Jacksonville Bar Association- Member, Section of Taxation

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Kristie A. Saoud

Kristie joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 2017.  Kristie focuses her practice on corporate planning and business law.

Work Experience 

• Form business entities
•  Create and review a variety of corporate and real estate documents
• Assist in the facilitation of closings regarding sales of business entities 
• Research complex legal issues related to corporations, unincorporated business entities, and taxation

Areas of Practice

• Business Law
• Corporate and Partnership Law
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Commercial and Real Estate Finance
• Real Estate

Education and Credentials 

• University of Florida Levin College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2017)
• Wake Forest University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2014)           
• Moot Court
• Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society
• Pupil in The Chester Bedell and Geral T. Bennett American Inns of Court

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Scott St. Amand

Scott joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 2016.  Scott concentrates his practice in all areas of tax controversies, both state and federal, as well as estate and trust litigation and administration.

Areas of Practice

• Tax Controversies
• Trust and Estate Disputes
• Probate Administrations
• Trust Administrations

Education & Credentials

Scott earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and Latin from Wake Forest University in 2007.  He earned his J.D. from the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law in 2010, and his LL.M with Honors in Taxation from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law in 2016.  While pursuing his J.D. at the University of Richmond, Scott was awarded a prestigious research fellowship and served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Richmond Journal of Law and the Public Interest.

Publications

• Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Erosion of the Offshore Asset Protection Trust and the Rise of Its Domestic Analogue, 91 Florida Bar Journal 6, June 2017.
• Serial Strippers Take National Stage: Fourth Circuit Permits Lien-Stripping in Chapter 20, XXXII ABI Journal 6, 14, July 2013.
• “Down” Is Out “Off” Is In: Stripping Liens after McNeal, XXXI ABI Journal 6, July 2012
• Protecting Neglect: The Constitutionality of Spiritual Healing Exemptions to Child Protection Statutes, 12 Richmond Journal of Law and the Public Interest 139, 2009.

Bar Admissions

• Supreme Court of Florida
• United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
• United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District Florida
• United States Circuit Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• United States Tax Court

Memberships

• Florida Bar Association
• Jacksonville Bar Association
• Tax Section of the Florida Bar
• Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar

Civic Activities

• Communities in Schools of Jacksonville, Young Professional’s Board Chairman
• Leadership St. Johns
• Junior Achievement

Clay B. Tousey, Jr.

Chip has practiced trust and estate law since 1976 and was an original member of the firm in 1978. Chip is an author of several publications (including Administration of Trusts in Florida and Basic Practice under the Florida Probate Code) and has been a frequent lecturer on estate planning topics (including “Estate Planning for Owners of Closely Held Businesses” at the NYU Institute on Federal Taxation). Chip was elected by his national peers to be a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel in 1987 and has been a Florida Bar Board Certified specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estates law since 1986.

A native of Jacksonville, Chip attended the University of Florida (with a major in accounting) and Duke Law School, where he was chosen to be a member of the Law Journal. Chip has been recognized by his peers by being selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America, as well as a Florida “Super Lawyer” and one of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite.

He was also honored with the Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year award in 2014 and again in 2017.

Chip has been married to his wife, Phyllis, an epidemiologist, since 1973, and they have two children, Meredith and Clay. Chip is an elder of Palms Presbyterian Church and a director of The Jacksonville Symphony, The Cummer Museum, Gator Boosters and enjoys playing tennis in his free time.

Work Experience

• Counsel and advise clients in their estate planning and help them create and execute appropriate tools, such as wills, revocable trusts, insurance trusts, charitable trusts, family partnerships, residence trusts, and grantor trusts.
• Help trustees and personal representatives after a death to quickly and efficiently distribute assets to beneficiaries, and educate them on other necessary duties that must be performed.
• Counsel and advise clients on planned charitable gifting opportunities, such as family foundations, charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Charitable Planned Giving
• Trust and Estate Administration

Education & Credentials

• University of Florida (B.A./B.S. in Accounting, with highest honors; 1973)
• Duke University Law School ( J.D. 1976)
• Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (since 1987)-Member of Charitable Planning Committee
• Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates Attorney (since 1986)
• AV rated-Martindale Hubbell

Author & Lecturer

• Administration of Trusts in Florida,1981
• Basic Practice Under the Florida Probate Code,1989
• Contributing editor, Journal of Partnership Taxation, 1989-1995
• Estate Planning for Owners of Closely Held Businesses, NYU Institute on Federal Taxation,1989

Membership

• Jacksonville Bar Association
• American Bar Association (Member, Real Property and Probate sections)
• The Florida Bar (Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Tax sections)

Clay B. Tousey, III

A Jacksonville native, Clay B. Tousey III graduated with honors from Harvard University in 2002. In 2005, he received his J.D. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was a member of the Virginia Law Review editorial board and inducted to the Order of the Coif. After law school, Clay was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 2005 and practiced law in Charlotte, North Carolina, for three years before joining Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball and being admitted to the Florida Bar.

Clay joined Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball in 2008 and became a shareholder in 2011.

Clay currently focuses his practice on Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, as well as forming and counseling Tax-exempt Entities (including public charities, private foundations, private operating foundations and community foundations) and general Corporate representation. Clay has been recognized by his peers as a Florida “Super Lawyer.”

Outside of Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball, Clay serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Wolfson Children’s Hospital and a Trustee of Riverside Presbyterian Church, in addition to other philanthropic and civic engagements.  Clay is married to Tracy Tousey, a philanthropic consultant, and they have three young children. Clay and Tracy enjoy traveling, cooking and chasing their children.

Work Experience

• Advise and counsel clients concerning estate planning.
• Assist families and fiduciaries with probate and trust administration.
• Form and advise tax-exempt entities and their officers and directors, including public charities, private foundations, private operating foundations and community foundations.
• Counsel ongoing businesses regarding general corporate matters, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Corporate

Education & Credentials

• University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., Order of the Coif, 2005)
• Harvard University (B.A., cum laude, 2002)

Author

• “Exceptional Circumstances: The Material Benefit Rule in Practice and Theory,” Campbell Law Review, July 2006

Bar Admissions

• Florida

Membership

• Florida Bar Association
• Jacksonville Bar Association
• Estate Planning Council of Northeast Florida

W. Hamilton Traylor

Hamilton Traylor, a shareholder, joined the firm in August 2008, having practiced law in Jacksonville since graduating from the University of Florida College of Law, with honors and as a member of the Order of the Coif, in 1981. From 1981-1999, he practiced with several firms in Jacksonville in the areas of general business, corporate and partnership law, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and securities, and real estate law. In January 2000, Mr. Traylor became the CFO and general counsel of a privately-held third party logistics and warehousing company headquartered in Jacksonville. He later became president of its real estate development affiliate before returning to private practice in 2006. He joined the firm in 2008 and became a shareholder in 2011.

Mr. Traylor was born in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1956, and grew up in numerous places, both in the U.S. and overseas, before settling in Jacksonville. He graduated from Barrington High School, Barrington, Illinois, in 1974 and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in 1978. Mr. Traylor is a member of the advisory board of The Salvation Army, Northeast Florida Area Command, and the board of directors of Coastal Blood Foundation, Inc. He resides on the west side of Jacksonville with his wife, Julie.

Work Experience

• Advise clients concerning formation and capitalization of corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and other types of business entities.
• Counsel clients in the acquisition or disposition of equity interests in business and business assets.
• Assist clients of ongoing businesses regarding commercial and general business matters.
• Advise clients on the purchase and/or sale of commercial real estate.
• Counsels borrowers and lenders in commercial finance transactions, such as secured loan transactions, construction loans and asset-based financing.

Areas of Practice

• Business Law
• Corporate and Partnership Law
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Commercial and Real Estate Finance
• Real Estate

Education & Credentials

• University of Florida College of Law (J.D., with Honors, 1981)
• University of Virginia, 1978
• Order of the Coif

Bar Admissions

• Florida

Membership

• The Florida Bar
• Jacksonville Bar Association

Leah C. Battista

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since October, 2017.

Education

• Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 1991)
• University of South Florida (B.A., Psychology, 1984)
• Member, The Florida Bar (inactive status)

Carla Blewitt

Education:

• Rivier College, Nashua, New Hampshire (B.S., 1989)
• Currently studying for the Certified Legal Assistant Exam.

Member:

• National Association of Legal Assistants
• Paralegal Association of Florida
• Northeast Florida Paralegal Association

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since August, 1999.

Jeanne Bernacki

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since July, 1994.

Education & Credentials

• Career Institute of Omaha (A.A., 1986).
• University of North Florida (Paralegal Certificate, 2004);
• Certified Legal Assistant.

Kimberly D. Brafford

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since April, 2006

Education & Credentials

• Florida State University (B.S. 1998).

Mary S. Dixon

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since February, 2008.

Education & Credentials

• American Institute of Paralegal Studies (Paralegal Certificate, 1987)
• Florida Registered Paralegal, Member, Northeast Florida Paralegal Association.

Mara McQueeney

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas and Ball since April, 2011.

Education & Credentials

• University of South Carolina, B.A., English.
• University of North Florida, Paralegal Certificate.

Janet L. Morrison

Education & Credentials

•  California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, California (Paralegal Certificate, 2003)
• Advanced Certified Paralegal – Social Security Disability
• Florida Registered Paralegal
• Member: National Association of Legal Assistants
• Paralegal Association of Florida
• Northeast Florida Paralegal Association
• Past Treasurer for The Central Coast Paralegal Association (2004)

Laura M. Romine

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since July, 2012.

Education

• University of North Florida (History, 2007).
• Certified Paralegal
• Member, Northeast Florida Paralegal Association, National Association of Legal Assistants.

Kristina Stephens

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since May, 2013.

Education

• Florida State College of Jacksonville (A.S. Paralegal Studies, 2013)
• Certified Paralegal
• Member, National Association of Legal Assistants

Ashlee Trapnell

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since April, 2018.

Education & Credentials

• Florida State College at Jacksonville (A.S. Paralegal Studies, 2018)
• Member of the National Association of Legal Assistants
• Currently studying for NALA’s Certified Paralegal Exam

Nadine (Dini) Vascellaro

Dini has been employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since November 2011.

Education

Dini graduated from Santa Fe College, Gainesville, Florida with an Associate of Science in Legal Assistant in 1992 and later earned her Associate of Arts degree from Santa Fe College in 2001. She also possesses the credential of an enrolled agent which permits her to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Dini earned this credential by passing a three-part comprehensive test covering individual and business tax returns. Dini is currently studying for the written examination for admission to practice before the United States Tax Court for non attorneys. Dini is a certified paralegal by the National Association of Legal Assistants and is a Florida Registered Paralegal. She is also a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, National Association of Legal Assistants, and Northeast Florida Paralegal Association.

Traci L. Venable

Education:

• Kaplan University, B.S. Paralegal Studies.
• Currently enrolled at Trinity Law School to obtain her MLS in 501(c)(3) organizations.

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since March, 2015.

Laurinda L. Walls

Employed with Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball since March, 1988.

Education

• St. Petersburg College (A.S., 1985)
• University of North Florida (Paralegal Certificate, 1990)
• Certified Paralegal (CP), Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) – Estate Planning and Probate
• Florida Certified Paralegal (FCP)
• Member: The Florida Bar (Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section)
• National Association of Legal Assistants
• Paralegal Association of Florida
• Northeast Florida Paralegal Association (Two term Treasurer, One term NALA Liaison)
• Two Term Member of Advisory Board, Legal Studies Institute, University of North Florida