COLEMAN YOVANOVICH KOESTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Coach, Team Marreese Speights
Alex R. Figares joined the firm in 2004 and is a Partner in the firm's litigation department, where he focuses his practice on complex commercial disputes. Alex has a broad commercial litigation practice, with experience in multi-million- dollar jury and non-jury trials. He has represented clients in both state and federal courts, and before arbitration panels (including international arbitration). Among other civil matters, he has litigated in the areas of trust and probate, commercial landlord-tenant, disputes among shareholders, partners, and professionals, and in a wide range of real estate matters. Alex has extensive experience in all aspects of construction matters and litigation. He has represented owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, architects, and engineers, advising, negotiating, and preparing all types of construction contracts. He also litigates issues that arise from these contracts, including construction defect, surety, and lien law claims.
Caroline Marisa Storey is a Partner with Coleman Yovanovich Koester. She joined the firm in 2011 after graduating from Stetson University College of Law where she earned both a law degree and a master's degree in business administration. Mrs. Storey brings strong analytical skills to the litigation team and has demonstrated extraordinary speed and efficiency in the practice of law beyond her years. Her meticulous eye for legal nuance coupled with her intuitive collaborative nature makes Mrs. Storey an efficacious asset to the firm, its clients, and their pursuits.
Craig Grider joined the firm in 2002 and is one of the firm's shareholders. Mr. Grider focuses his practice in the areas of residential and commercial real estate acquisition and development, business, construction and corporate law. Mr. Grider represents regional developers and builders in most aspects of real estate development in Southwest Florida. Mr. Grider also handles commercial leasing and contract negotiation and the purchase and sale of business enterprises and assets.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate With the Firm
Danielle Parliament is an associate with the Firm's litigation department. Prior to completing law school, Danielle had been working for the Firm for 14 years as a litigation paralegal, before earning her Juris Doctor degree from Ave Maria School of Law in 2021. In her time at the Firm, Danielle has had wide-ranging experience in a variety of civil litigation areas, including business litigation, contract disputes, foreclosures and landlord-tenant matters, and construction disputes, among many others. As an associate, Danielle continues working on a diverse range of civil litigation matters, with an emphasis on construction defect cases in particular.
Ed Koester chairs the Firm's trial, arbitration and appellate practice group. Ed represents clients with relentless energy and focus, is well known for his expert use of trial technology, is an exceptional tactician and always maintains the Coup d'œil. Ed enjoys a nationwide practice, and while he holds active licenses in Florida, Michigan, and Montana, he routinely appears pro hoc vice throughout the United States. Board certified in business litigation by the Florida Bar and AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Ed has a wealth of trial experience in probate and trust litigation, intellectual property, non-compete and employment litigation, real estate development litigation, shareholder disputes, construction matters and bankruptcy litigation. Ed's complex litigation practice includes litigation against Fortune 500 companies.
Ed has prevailed in jury trials on a myriad of subjects:
Represented a doctor/inventor accused of fraud in the sale of an orthopedic device company in a two-week jury trial in Orlando, Florida and obtained a judgment in favor of the doctor/inventor on his counter-claims in excess of $8,000,000.00.
Prevailed in a two-week jury trial in Tampa, Florida, on behalf of a client being sued for millions of dollars by a jury consultant. Ed procured a judgment against the jury consultant for the client's attorneys' fees and expenses of over $2,000,000.00.
After an eight-week jury trial, Ed's client prevailed against an engineering firm for negligent misrepresentation related to hurricane code compliance for a multi-million dollar home.
Represented sellers of property in Pine Island, Florida who were sued by a buyer for fraud. Ed successfully defended the claims brought by the buyer, won on the sellers' counterclaims, and obtained a jury verdict and judgment against the buyer for over $4,000,000.00.
Successfully defended a prestigious golf club in a jury trial brought by a wealthy homeowner alleging defective design and utilization of a golf course.
Defended an individual accused of fraud in the sale of product and successfully reduced the damages from over $6,000,000.00 to less than $300,000.00.
Successfully defended a husband and wife in a jury trial over claims brought by the buyers of their multi-million dollar home over fraudulent misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment of alleged defective conditions, and obtained a judgment against the buyers for attorneys' fees and costs.
Successfully represented a homeowner in a jury trial for water intrusion and construction defects.
Ed is a very experienced and skilled appellate lawyer. He has represented clients before federal and state appellate courts including the Florida Supreme Court and the Montana Supreme Court. He recently prevailed at the Florida Supreme Court on the issue of the right to compensate witnesses for assisting in discovery and for reasonable compensation for testifying. Ed's body of work includes upholding jury verdicts and judgments in numerous appellate courts and obtaining reversals on appeal of lower court judgments. He has prevailed on appeal at the Federal Court of Appeals for Eleventh Circuit in cases involving judgment collection, maritime law and civil rights. Ed has also succeeded in upholding several summary judgments on appeal in complex litigation matters. Example oral arguments: Trial Practices, Inc., v. Hahn Loeser & Parks, LLP, 260 So. 3d 167 (Fla. 2018) [Oral Argument]; and Young Bock Shim, et al., v. Frederick Buechel, et al., 291 So.3d 1249 (Fla. 5th DCA 2020) (table decision) [Oral Argument].
Francesca Passidomo is a Partner with the firm's real estate department. She is a native Neapolitan and understands the history and evolution of the area. She joined the firm in 2016 after graduating from the University of Florida, where she earned both her Juris Doctor degree from the Levin College of Law and her Master of Real Estate Sciences degree from the Hough Graduate School of Business. Francesca's practice is centered on real estate transactions, real estate zoning and land use, and commercial and residential development.
Garrett Carney is an associate attorney with the firm's estates and trusts department. He joined the firm in August of 2018 after graduating from the University of Florida, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Levin College of Law. His practice is primarily centered on complex estate and gift tax planning. He grew up in Naples and attended Barron Collier High School where he played tennis for four years. When not in the office, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or on the golf course.
Greg Urbancic is one of the firm's shareholders. Mr. Urbancic's practice is focused on real estate and local government, with particular emphasis on assisting clients on commercial and residential real estate transactions, real estate development and special districts. Mr. Urbancic has established and counsels numerous community developments districts throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Urbancic is also well versed in REALTOR® associations and has received extensive training from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® in professional standards for REALTORS®.
Harold's practice is focused primarily on commercial and residential real estate, business and corporate law. He has extensive experience in complex transactions throughout Southwest and Central Florida. Harold represents developers, investors and end users in all aspects of real estate and business transactions including sales and acquisitions, financing, construction and leasing.
Kevin Coleman is a shareholder of Coleman Yovanovich Koester and one of the firm's founding members. He has lived in Naples since early childhood and has considerable historical knowledge of real property and development in Southwest Florida. Mr. Coleman focuses his practice in the areas of commercial and residential real estate as well as corporate, banking, construction and business law. Mr. Coleman frequently provides training to brokers and real estate sales associates on relevant legal topics based on his real estate experience including instruction on sales contracts and updates in Florida real property law. He is a licensed education provider by the Florida Real Estate Commission and has also been a guest lecturer on golf club turnovers at various ALI-ABA seminars.
Matt Devisse is a Partner in the Firm's trial, arbitration and appellate practice group. Matt represents clients with fierce passion and focus, and uses his competitive approach to obtain the best possible results for his clients. Matt approaches each litigation matter as if it were his own, which fosters a unique and unparalleled desire to achieve individualized success for every matter. Board Certified in Business Litigation by The Florida Bar, Matt focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation to include high-end real estate development litigation, business and shareholder disputes, construction-related litigation, and trust and probate litigation. Matt consistently uses his "failure is not an option" mentality and overwhelming desire to achieve victory to obtain favorable results for his clients. A few examples of Matt's success are:
Obtained directed verdict on all of opposing parties' claims in multi-million dollar dispute in connection with the sale of a medical device company. Trial resulted in a judgment in favor of Matt's client in excess of $8,000,000.00.
Two day evidentiary hearing resulted in a finding of contempt against the principal of a judgment debtor which owed in excess of $2,000,000.00 on attorneys' fee judgment. Contempt finding and subsequent request to commence proceedings supplementary led to judgment debtor and principal filing for bankruptcy, which resulted in a favorable settlement for the client.
Obtained judgment on the pleadings on piercing the corporate veil claim against owner of builder and developer with nearly $500,000,000.00 in annual revenue on claim attempting to hold owner individually liable for multi-million dollar construction defect claim.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of client based on the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel finding opposing parties liable for multi-million dollars for breach of a licensing agreement, eliminating the opposing parties' claims, and leaving only the amount of damages the client was entitled to to be determined at trial.
Obtained summary judgment in favor homeowners' association on claim that association violated governing documents in connection with use of boat docks and associated appurtenances.
Prevailed on behalf of a trustee in connection with trust beneficiaries' attempt to appoint a special fiduciary in connection with estate worth in excess of $50,000,000.00.
Succeeded in obtaining summary judgment that a plaintiff was not entitled to a multi-million dollar life insurance commission because the plaintiff's interpretation of the contract would render the contract an illegal restraint of trade.
Full evidentiary hearing resulted in defeat of minority shareholder's attempt to obtain a preliminary injunction freezing assets and terminating business operations of pharmaceutical business.
Successfully briefed jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court on the right to compensate witnesses for assisting in discovery and testifying.
Obtained approximately $1,500,000.00 in settlements for general contractor on claims for contractual indemnity against subcontractors after presenting mediation presentation to various representatives and insurance carriers involving over twenty parties.
Full evidentiary hearing on behalf of trust beneficiary resulted in defeat of trustee's and guardian's attempt to dispose of the settlor's and ward's property in connection with an estate exceeding $100,000,000.00 in value.
Obtained final judgment in excess of $200,000.00 in favor of general contractor against subcontractor after trial.
Job Titles:
- President
- Shareholder
- Managing Shareholder
Matt Grabinski is the President of the firm and has been a resident of Naples for more than 30 years. Mr. Grabinski's practice is focused on the areas of residential and commercial real estate acquisition, development and finance, including mixed-use development projects, water-front development projects and commercial lending. Mr. Grabinski also has extensive experience in the preparation of homeowners' association documents and the creation of residential as well as commercial condominiums. He represents developers, lenders, and landlords in real estate financing, development, and leasing matters.
Meagan Magaldi is an associate with the firm's real estate department. She joined the firm in September of 2020 after graduating from the University of Florida, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree from the Levin College of Law. Meagan's practice is focused on real estate transactions, and commercial and residential development.
Mike Gentzle is a partner with the Firm and has been practicing law since moving to Naples in 2006. Mr. Gentzle concentrates his practice on residential and commercial real estate closings, construction contracts and commercial leasing. He is also well-versed in a wide range of other matters, including, corporate and business law, estate planning and foreclosures. Mr. Gentzle prides himself in client satisfaction and building lasting relationships.
Richard D. Yovanovich is one of the firm's shareholders. He was an Assistant County Attorney for Collier County from 1990-1994. As an Assistant County Attorney he focused on land development and construction matters. Mr. Yovanovich represents clients in complex matters before courts, arbitration panels and local and state agencies. Mr. Yovanovich has an extraordinary amount of experience in real estate zoning, construction and land-use, including projects ranging from residential and commercial projects to large developments of regional impact.
Seth Horras is an associate with the firm's litigation department. He joined the firm in May of 2018 after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. Seth's practice has concentrated on trusts and estates, construction defects, and general contract disputes.
Stephanie L. Parry is an associate with the firm's real estate department. She earned her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, Illinois. After practicing in Chicago, she returned home to Naples and joined the firm in 2021. Stephanie's practice is centered on commercial leasing, real estate transactions and commercial and residential development.
Job Titles:
- Shareholder
- Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist
Bill Burke is a shareholder in the firm. Mr. Burke is a Florida Bar Board Certified specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estates Law and concentrates his practice in estate planning and estate administration. He works with clients in conforming their estate plans to Florida law as well as engaging in comprehensive estate and gift tax planning strategies. He also handles the settlements of estates and related revocable trusts both for Florida residents and nonresidents who own property in Florida. Mr. Burke is originally from Syracuse, New York. He and his family moved to Naples in 1995. He was formerly a partner with the law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King.