Ruden McClosky Attorneys Named “Tampa Bay’s Top Lawyers by Tampa Bay Magazine

Florida full-service law firm Ruden McClosky announces that seven attorneys from its Tampa office – James Soble, Deborah Boje, Michael Cooke, Bruce Lamb, Mark Ragusa, David Shear, and Jeff Shear – have been named as "Tampa Bay’s Top Lawyers" by Tampa Bay Magazine in its July/August 2010 edition.

Tampa Bay Magazine is a business and lifestyle publication for the greater Tampa Bay area, including Clearwater, Sarasota, and St. Peters burg. The magazine selects its "Top Lawyers" based upon rankings provided by independent legal research company, LexisNexis.

James Soble concentrates his practice in commercial real estate development, leasing and financing, and asset based lending. He also has extensive experience in land acquisition and construction law matters. His clients include developers, contractors, realtors, financial institutions and private investors. Mr. Soble is the Administrative Partner of the Firm's Tampa office and a member of the Firm's Management and Executive Committees.

Debra Boje is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in the area of Wills, Trusts and Estates and is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). She focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, taxation, and family business succession planning. She is a frequent speaker at seminars and is a contributing author to Basic Estate Planning in Florida, Fourth and Fifth Edition, published by The Florida Bar.

Michael Cooke is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice. He concentrates his practice in environmental, utility, and energy law. He represents utility, industrial, agricultural, banking, government and developer clients on matters involving clean air; water; wastewater; climate change; utility plant and transmission line regulation; and renewable energy and telecommunications issues. Mr. Cooke has previously served as General Counsel for the Florida Public Service Commission in Tallahassee and as the Director of Air Resource Management for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Bruce Lamb is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice. He focuses his practice on the representation of professionals and health care entities before regulatory bodies, and on physician-facility contract issues. Prior to entering the private practice of law, Mr. Lamb served ten years with the Florida Department of Professional Regulation in such capacities as General Counsel, Director of the Division of Regulation, Chief Medical Attorney, and Chief Trial Attorney. He is the head of the firm’s Health Law practice group.

Mark Ragusa has a diverse civil litigation practice and is a member of the Firm’s Litigation, Health Law, Construction and Financial Recovery-Work Out practice groups. Mr. Ragusa has been involved in numerous professional organizations. He is a current member of The Florida Bar’s Standing Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee and a current member and former Chair of The Florida Bar’s Member Benefit Committee. He also previously served as the Chair of The Florida Bar’s Client’s Security Fund.

David Shear is a member of the Firm’s corporate, real estate, and banking practice groups, concentrating his practice on the representation of clients in real estate, corporate, banking, commercial, and investment interests. Mr. Shear is a past president of The Florida Bar, as well as a Past President of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the Florida Lawyers Legal Insurance Corporation, of which he is currently a member of the Board of Directors. He has also served and is presently serving on several Corporate Boards, as well as currently serves as the Chairman of the Development Council of Bay Area Legal Services. He has just been named the second recipient of The Judge Don Castor Award which will be presented at a ceremony in September 2010.

Jeffrey Shear’s practice primarily involves commercial and residential real estate development, commercial leasing, mortgage lending, and purchase and sale transactions. Mr. Shear also has experience in the health care field, representing hospitals and hospital systems in regard to real estate transactions, leasing and regulatory matters. Previously, he has served as a former Assistant City Attorney for the City of Tampa, which provided him with a broad base of experience in all areas of land use, including zoning, subdivisions, permitting, impact fees and historic preservation.

About Ruden McClosky
Ruden McClosky, one of Florida’s most established full-service law firms, represents regional, national, and international clients with business interests throughout the state. With offices across Florida, Ruden McClosky is fueled by strong client relationships, a roster of experienced attorneys, and a commitment to delivering superior client service with a focus on results. Among the most respected law firms in the state for more than 50 years, Ruden McClosky’s culture is grounded in excellence, professionalism, diversity, and civic involvement. For more information please visit www.ruden.com.