Freeborn & Peters LLP has opened its first office in Florida, located in the Tampa City Center.
The firm’s Tampa office will be led by two veteran attorneys, Lawrence “Larry” P. Ingram and Jessica Kirkwood Alley. The pair have experience in client advocacy, litigation, particularly in professional liability, third-party insurance coverage, qui tam, healthcare fraud and restrictive covenant disputes.
In a release, the firm said Freeborn’s new location also helps to address increased demand for the firm’s services in the Southeastern region of the United States, where Freeborn has existing clients. The firm also will seek to expand by assisting new clients, particularly in litigation, real estate and corporate transactions.
The release continues:
Larry Ingram joins Freeborn from Phelps Dunbar LLP where, as founder of that firm’s Tampa office, he served as both Office Managing Partner and Regional Practice Coordinator. He concentrates his trial and counseling practice in professional liability, third-party insurance coverage, qui tam, healthcare fraud and restrictive covenant disputes. Mr. Ingram joins Freeborn as a Partner of the firm and as the Tampa’s office’s Managing Partner.
“Freeborn and Peters has a superlative reputation across many areas of complex litigation. Jessica and I are glad to be joining such a strong team. We know, too, that we will be bringing our own unique strengths and experience to bear as part of the Freeborn network,” Ingram said.
The other attorney joining the firm as a Partner is Jessica Kirkwood Alley, also formerly of Phelps Dunbar LLP. Ms. Alley concentrates her practice on complex commercial litigation and focuses in the areas of professional liability, qui tam defense and third-party insurance coverage litigation. Freeborn’s dedication to putting clients first and its emphasis on living up to its core values attracted Alley to the firm.
“I am proud to be a founding partner of Freeborn’s Tampa office, and I look forward to telling the story of the firm’s success to clients in Tampa, across Florida and indeed the Southeast region of the U.S.,” Alley said. “Freeborn has so much to offer, even beyond litigation. It has extensive experience in real estate development and investment, which is well-suited to Florida. Freeborn also has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to support midsized corporations, particularly in M&A transactions, which is of increasing importance in a growing economy.”
In addition to Ingram and Alley, Freeborn’s Tampa office includes two associate attorneys, Jason P. Stearns and Robert A. Stines, as well as several professional staff members.
Freeborn’s decision to grow its presence in the Southeast is part of a considered strategy of expansion, based on three factors: client demand, expanded capabilities and cultural fit. “Our clients are asking us to serve them in other parts of the country, and the addition of an office in Florida will dramatically increase our capabilities in the Southeast,” said Michael J. Kelly, Freeborn’s Co-Managing Partner.
“We also are adding new leaders to our litigation practice who will further grow our capabilities in areas where clients are increasingly seeking our support. We know, too, that Larry, Jessica, and the other attorneys and staff who are joining us are committed to the core values of integrity, commitment, effectiveness, teamwork and caring that are so central to our culture. We expect great things to be made possible for our clients as a result,” Kelly said.
Freeborn now has offices in Chicago, Ill.; New York, NY; Richmond, Va.; Tampa, Fla.; and Springfield, Ill.
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