BOYD - Key Persons
Ashley N. Suarez is an associate in the firm's Miami office. Ashley's practice involves all aspects of civil litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Ashley was an associate at a regional law firm handling cases in civil and commercial litigation. Specifically, Ashley defended insurance companies in lawsuits involving first party property, premises liability, and bodily injury.
Ashley was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Ashley attended Florida State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology with a minor in Sociology. She then continued her education at St. Thomas University School of Law where she graduated with a Juris Doctor in 2020. Throughout her law school career, Ashley interned at the Miami-Dade State Attorney's office, clerked at a civil litigation firm, and clerked at an established Latin music label. Additionally, Ashley was involved in various organizations, holding leadership positions in multiple organizations while also being placed on Dean's List for three consecutive years. Upon graduation, Ashley was awarded the Pro Bono Service Award
Benjamin Jaffe is a partner in the Miami office of Boyd Richards Parker Colonnelli, P.L. Ben was born and raised in South Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of Florida. Thereafter, he attended University of Miami where he obtained his J.D.
Ben started his legal career as in house counsel for a statewide insurance company where he first began to develop his practice in first party and third party insurance defense. Ben continued to develop his skills as a civil litigation attorney at a regional law firm where he served as co-counsel for several first party trials representing various insurance carriers throughout the state of Florida.
Bradley A. Spivey, Esq. is an attorney at the firm's Tampa office. Bradley centers his practice on civil litigation, including premises liability, vehicular negligence, professional liability, and community association defense matters. He also has experience investigating and litigating matters involving complex business litigation cases in federal court and has prepared successful appellate briefs to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals for the United States of America.
Prior to joining the firm, Bradley represented individuals and businesses in residential and commercial real estate litigation, community association litigation, and landlord/tenant actions. Bradley also has successfully defended against bodily injury claims, underinsured/uninsured motorist actions, and breach of contract actions. He has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution through both mediation and arbitration.
Bradley received his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law where he was an editor for the University of Florida Journal for Technology and Policy and where he received the Dean's Leadership Award for service to the school. While in law school, Bradley was a judicial intern for the Honorable Monte C. Richardson for the Middle District of Florida and also maintained an in-house legal intern position for a private energy retail company.
Brett Gossett is an associate in the firm's New York Office. He specializes in litigating disputes related to cooperative and condominium boards and real estate disputes. Brett also has significant litigation experience based on his prior association with real estate firms, where he represented commercial landlords and real estate developers in complex commercial litigations. Brett received his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University in 2016 and his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2020.
Brian J. Durham is a Senior Attorney in the Firm's Tampa office. Brian was born and raised in New Jersey, but has mainly resided in the Tampa Bay area since 2004. Over the past ten years, Brian has practiced law with national insurance defense firms. Brian provides his clients with a comprehensive overview of the litigation process and possible outcomes while advising on the most pragmatic and efficient path to a favorable resolution. He consistently presents clients with pre-suit representation that avoids costly and unnecessary litigation whenever possible. Brian is admitted in the New Jersey and Florida bar as well as the United States District Courts for the Middle District of Florida; Northern District of Florida; and the District of New Jersey.
Currently, Brian's practice includes litigation in all aspects of personal injury, premises liability, general liability, construction defect and products liability defense. His work includes employment law and defense of Fair Credit Reporting Act claims. Brian also has extensive defense experience with governmental entities for matters ranging from civil and commercial liability to whistleblower actions and employment discrimination claims. Brian has authored several appellate briefs spanning a range of issues from venue disputes to negligence issues regarding a lack of legal duty and causation. Additionally, He has successfully argued before Florida's Second District Court of Appeal and was granted a per curiam affirmance of a summary judgment in Juarez v. St. Hilaire, 257 So. 3d 436 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2018). Since 2019, Brian has been selected to the Tampa, Florida Rising Stars list annually in the practice area of Civil Litigation - Personal Injury, a designation received by fewer than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state.
Brian attended law school at Rutgers Law School - Newark, where he was a student attorney of the Child Advocacy Clinic which worked to ensure that the child welfare system was sufficiently addressing the safety, permanency and well-being needs of the children it represented. After graduating law school, Brian served as the law clerk to the Honorable Ernest M. Caposela of the New Jersey Superior Court. His experience provided valuable insight to the inner workings of the court system and the dynamic between judges, attorneys and litigants.
Bryan J. Mazzola, Esq. is a litigator whose focus is in defending cooperative corporations, condominium associations, HOA's and their board members and managing agents. Bryan litigates a wide variety of matters in this regard: holder of unsold shares issues, construction disputes, neighbor on neighbor disputes, breaches of contract, warranty of habitability claims and nuisances, particularly noise disputes.
Carolina V. Fernandez is an associate in the firm's Tampa Office where her practice focuses on civil defense litigation. Prior to joining Boyd Richards Parker & Colonnelli, P.L., Carolina was an associate at a Florida-based law firm, handling insurance defense claims of medical malpractice, automobile negligence, and premises liability.
Carolina was born and raised in Miami, FL. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law, where she graduated in 2022. During her law school career, she clerked for a law firm focusing on first party property. Additionally, she worked as an extern for the Department of Children and Families and as a certified legal intern for a local non-profit, Gulf Coast Legal Services.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Firm
Craig J. Shankman joined the firm in 2014 and practices out of the firm's Miami office. Craig regularly advises individuals and corporate clients on a wide range of complex litigation matters with a focus on commercial litigation, professional liability representing attorneys and accountants, condominium and homeowner association disputes, and employment disputes, among other matters.
Craig is also a member of the Firm's appellate practice having had success before the Third District Court of Appeal, the Fourth District Court of Appeal, and the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit. Craig also litigates matters within various local, state, and federal agencies, including the EEOC, Florida Commission on Human Rights, and Florida's Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
Craig is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law earning his Juris Doctor with the honors of magna cum laude. While in law school, Craig was a U.S. Constitutional Law Dean's Fellow and earned book awards (highest grade) in Torts, Federal Income Taxation, and Florida Legal Research Techniques.
Emil A. Samman joined the firm as a partner in May 2023. Emil co-manages the firm's New York office which focuses on litigation. Emil specializes in resolving and/or litigating disputes related to cooperative and condominium boards, with a primary focus on D&O claims, real estate transactions, loan defaults, and construction defects. Emil is panel counsel for insurance companies with respect to cooperative and condominium claims and title claims.
In addition, Emil has experience representing cooperative and condominium boards in connection with general governance issues and day to day matters.
Esmee was born and raised in Miami, Fl prior to moving to Tallahassee, Fl. She graduated from the Florida International University in December of 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. She then earned her Juris Doctor degree from Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in December of 2017.
Prior to joining the firm, Esmee developed experience representing homeowners and carriers in first-party insurance defense. With a strong background in defending against property damage claims, bad faith allegations, and policy interpretation, she provides strategic counsel to mitigate risk and achieve favorable outcomes for her clients. Skilled in negotiations, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution, she has successfully handled cases involving hurricanes, non-weather water losses, fire damages, hail and other property relate claims.
As an experienced attorney specializing in first party property insurance defenses and partner at Boyd Richards Parker Colonnelli, P.L., Esmee's practice is focused on representing insurers in coverage disputes, litigation, and claims investigations.
Outside of the legal field, Esmee enjoys spending time with her family and is passionate about giving back to the community, volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem for two years.
Frank has recovered millions of dollars for his clients through breach of contract actions, foreclosure proceedings and through repossession/liquidation of collateral in various states across the country. Primarily, he has enforced secured creditors' rights against dealers who have defaulted on floor plan financing arrangements covering inventory of boats, motorcycles, power sport vehicles, golf carts, mobile homes, appliances and outdoor power equipment.
Frederick C. Sung is an associate attorney in the New York office. His practice is focused on condominium and co-op law, real estate disputes, and employment matters involving discrimination and wrongful termination claims. Prior to joining Boyd Richards Parker & Colonnelli, P.L., Frederick worked at several law firms, including an AmLaw-200, concentrating on insurance defense litigation. Frederick represented regional and national corporations in various fields through all stages of litigation in New York state and federal venues in the areas of labor law, personal injury/torts, commercial litigation, medical litigation, and insurance coverage. Frederick obtained his undergraduate degree in Political Science from SUNY Binghamton in 2012 and received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 2015.
Gerard was born and raised in North Jersey prior to moving to Miami. He attended the University of Florida and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. He graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 2015, where he was also a member of the Social Justice Law Review.
Gerard's current practice involves all aspects of civil litigation and he has litigated a wide variety of matters in both state and federal courts, including premises liability claims, breach of contract actions, auto accident cases, and cases involving construction defects.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Florida Bar
Gissell is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Dade County Bar Association, and the Cuban American Bar Association.
Gizem Petrosino is an experienced trial attorney with a national practice, representing clients in complex litigation across state and federal courts. She has been recognized in the 2025 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Labor and Employment Litigation, marking her second consecutive year on the list.
Admitted in Texas and New York, Gizem's practice spans a broad spectrum of litigation matters, including complex business disputes, class actions, employment litigation, intellectual property, construction, and co-op/condominium disputes.
She defends businesses against claims involving discrimination, harassment, wage and hour violations, wrongful termination, and violations of the FMLA and ADA, advising clients across industries such as retail, professional services, staffing, construction, healthcare, and transportation.
While her practice is primarily focused on litigation, Gizem also serves as outside general counsel to corporate clients, advising on entity formation, governance, and contract matters.
Gizem assesses how legal issues impact a client's operations, finances, and reputation, ensuring strategies align with long-term business goals. Known for her clear, solution-driven approach, she translates complex legal issues into practical, actionable strategies.
Outside of work, Gizem is an avid traveler and enjoys the opera.
James Cannon is an experienced litigation attorney who has been representing insurance carriers, their insureds, and self-insured clients for more than a decade. During that time, he has represented clients in a variety of general liability matters, including construction defect litigation, real estate litigation, premises liability, auto negligence, and related matters.
His construction defect practice focuses on the representation of developers, design professionals, contractors, and subcontractors in claims relating to commercial, residential, and mixed use projects, ranging from single family homes to large mixed use condominium projects. James has successfully defended cases involving claims of deficiencies in structural components, building envelope systems, electrical and mechanical systems, site grading and planning, roofing, and interior finish systems.
In his real estate practice, James has successfully represented condominium and homeowner's associations, commercial landlords and tenants, and sellers and purchasers of real estate in cases relating to deed restriction interpretation and enforcement, land use matters, public and private nuisance claims, and related matters.
James' premises liability practice includes the representation of restaurants, convenience stores, retail stores, commercial shopping malls, auto dealerships and repair centers, hospitals, and apartment complexes in slip/trip and fall matters, negligent security, and dram shop claims, among others. His auto negligence practice includes the representation of auto dealership and repair centers, commercial trucking companies, towing and hauling companies, taxicab services, and public transportation carriers, among others.
James K. Parker was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. Jim graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1973. He is an AV-rated trial attorney that has been in litigation practice in southern Florida for 45 years. Jim is a named partner with the Firm and is also certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a Circuit Court Mediator and is a member of the Florida Academy of Professional Mediators.
Jason A. Goodman is an associate in the firm's New York Office, and specializes in litigating disputes related to cooperative and condominium boards, with a primary focus on D&O claims. Jason has expertise in defending claims stemming from the business judgment of corporate boards including housing cooperatives and condominiums, litigating disputes involving the rights and powers of boards to control policy, to enforce by-laws and lease provisions, real estate disputes, as well as disputes with sponsors and holders of unsold shares.
Jason also has litigation experience in defending cooperative and condominium boards and employers in discrimination and employment practices before the NYS Division of Human Rights and the NYC Commission On Human Rights.
Jason also has significant litigation experience based on his prior association with a real estate boutique firm, where he represented commercial landlords and real estate developers in complex commercial litigations. He also gained valuable in-house experience assisting the general counsel at a Long Island based real estate company. Finally, Jason had the honor of clerking at various levels for Justices of the New York State Supreme Court.
We are proud to announce that Jason has also been awarded the distinct honor of being named a Super Lawyer Rising Star in the New York Metro Area for 2023, amidst just 2.5% of the attorneys in all of New York state.
Jason Pulido is an associate in the firm's Fort Lauderdale office. Jason graduated from Florida International University, summa cum laude, in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts, with a Major in Political Science. In 2024, Jason graduated from the University of Miami School of Law, cum laude.
Jason began clerking for the firm after his first year of law school. In his time as a law clerk, he began to learn what it takes to be an effective litigator and trial attorney.
John Hinz is an associate in the Miami office of Boyd Richards Parker Colonnelli, P.L. John was born and raised in South Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Florida International University. Both during and after his undergraduate education, he worked in a variety of industries including retail and healthcare, eventually working as a NREMT Certified Paramedic. After several years of treating patients at a local pediatric nursing facility, he returned to Florida International University, where he obtained his J.D.
John started his legal career in a mid-sized, Florida-based insurance defense firm, where he first began to develop his practice in first party insurance defense. He continued to develop his skills as a civil litigation attorney at an AmLaw 100 firm where he handled a large case load of files in a wide range of defense matters, including first- and third-party property, general liability, and construction defect cases. Thereafter, he joined a local defense firm where he served as second chair in two first-party property trials in South Florida.
At Boyd Richards Parker & Colonnelli, P.L., John's practice focuses general liability litigation.
John H. Richards was born in Suffern, New York and raised in Trumbull, Connecticut. He moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida as a teenager and has been in Fort Lauderdale ever since. John is a partner with the Firm and has extensive trial experience with over 200 trials in all types of civil litigation involving bodily injury, professional liability, wrongful death, property damage, insurance coverage disputes, homeowners and condominium associations, contract and others.
John handles on average ten (10) trials per year, throughout the State of Florida. John began his legal career clerking at two of the pre-eminent civil defense firms during law school and his first employment as an attorney was at the law firm of Conrad Scherer & James in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Thereafter, he became a founding member and shareholder in the law firm of Cooney, Haliczer, Mattson, Lance Blackburn, Pettis & Richards, commencing in 1992. He remained at the law firm until its dissolution in December of 2009, joining Boyd Richards Parker & Colonnelli in January of 2010.
John's practice areas involve all types of civil litigation, including premises liability, professional liability, negligent security, product liability, motor vehicle litigation of all types, representation of homeowners and condominium associations, insurance coverage disputes, first-party litigation, bad faith matters and general commercial litigation. He has participated and continues to regularly participate in alternate dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration; handling on average thirty-plus mediations a year over the past five (5) years.
While maintaining an active practice and trial schedule, he has continued to serve in legal and bar organizations, including previously serving as a board member and president of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association. John is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has served as an officer of the Fort Lauderdale Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He previously served as a member of the Florida Supreme Court Civil Jury Instruction Committee. John received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and received his Juris Doctorate from Stetson College of Law. John was recently named as a 2017 Florida Legal Elite winner in the area of Civil Trials.
Joseph G. Riopelle is a partner in the Tampa Office who joined the firm in 2009. Joe is a Florida native with a few childhood stints in Michigan. Joe's undergraduate degree from Albion College, coupled with a JD/MBA from the University Of Detroit Mercy School of Law, has allowed Joe to excel in all forms of defense oriented civil litigation throughout Florida.
He enjoys connecting with his clients and discussing the real issues in a common sense and experienced based approach. Joe understands that not all issues in the law and life can be reduced to black and white. By quickly recognizing the gray areas and maneuvering through the nuances of each matter, he provides his clients with an efficient and proactive defense.
Joe has represented his clients at mediation, arbitration, administrative proceedings and at trial as well as in actions involving the EEOC, HUD, DOL, OSHA, Florida Bar, Florida Commission on Human Rights and the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation in both State and Federal claims related to Homeowner and Condominium Associations, Professional Liability claims including Medical and Legal Malpractice, A&E, Property Managers, Insurance Agents & Brokers, Labor and Employment practices, Real Property, Premises Liability, Insurance Coverage, Personal Injury, Civil Rights Discrimination, Errors and Omissions, Non-Profit and For Profit Director and Officer Liability claims, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction Defect and general insurance defense matters.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the Florida
Justin L. DiBiasio is a litigation associate in the firm's Miami office. Justin focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation matters including director and officer liability claims, professional liability claims, and condominium and homeowners association disputes. He has represented clients before various federal and state trial and appellate courts across a full range of contractual and business tort claims. In addition, Justin is dually-licensed as a Colombian attorney and has substantial experience handling cross-border litigation and arbitration with a connection to Latin America.
Justin's courtroom experience is supplemented by two years of serving as a judicial law clerk, including with the former Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court and in the Business Litigation Session of the Superior Court of Massachusetts. He also has administrative litigation experience that includes matters such as trademark disputes, alleged violations of federal healthcare regulations, and alleged violations of Colombian laws on marketing pharmaceuticals.
Justin has represented clients doing business in a variety of different industries, including aviation, private lending and investment, real estate, technology, and healthcare. In addition to his litigation experience, Justin has advised on contractual matters and corporate and regulatory compliance. Prior to joining the firm, he worked in the Boston office of an international law firm representing healthcare providers in various aspects of their business matters, including transactions, operations, and internal and government investigations. Justin also worked in the intellectual property group of an international law firm in Bogota assisting multinational pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers with commercialization of their products in Colombia. Justin earned his law degree in 2006, cum laude, from Boston College Law School.
During law school he was a staff writer for the Uniform Commercial Code Reporter-Digest and a research assistant for the director of the Legal Research, Reasoning, and Writing Program. Justin received his Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in English and psychology from the University of Rhode Island, where he was an Honors Program graduate and the sole recipient of the President's Award for Student Excellence in both majors. Justin is fluent in Spanish and has a working proficiency in Portuguese.
Justin is a member of the Florida (2013), Massachusetts (2006), and Rhode Island (2006) bars. Justin is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States (2017), the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (2016), and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (2014). In addition, Justin is licensed to practice law in the country of Colombia (2012).
Kristina M. Bado, Esq. is an attorney at the firm's Miami office. Kristina focuses her practice on complex/general civil and commercial litigation, including premises liability, negligent security, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, vehicular negligence, professional liability and insurance coverage matters. She also has experience investigating and litigating matters involving complex high-exposure transportation, trucking, product liability, construction defects, mass torts, and legal malpractice claims.
Prior to joining the firm, Kristina represented national corporations in the defense of catastrophic claims, including wrongful death/survival and complex liability matters. She has also successfully defended underinsured/uninsured motorist actions, breach of contract and defamation claims. Prior to becoming an attorney, Kristina worked as a litigation paralegal for two prominent local law firms and has extensive experience with trials, mediations, depositions, and complex discovery matters.
Kristina volunteers as a Guardian ad Litem, protecting the rights of minors. She also volunteers with Miami Rescue Mission as a mentor to women in the program and serving meals to the homeless.
Kristina received her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law, where she graduated cum laude. While in law school, Kristina was a legal intern for the Carlos A. Costa Immigration Law Clinic, where she provided pro bono legal representation for low-income aliens in removal proceedings in immigration courts. She also served as an Articles Editor for the FIU Law Review and as a member of the Board of Advocates Moot Court.
Job Titles:
- Partner & Appellate Practice Group Vice - Chair