Family Law

• Guardianship
  Saxon|Gilmore assists clients in providing for the security of their families. Our attorneys represent clients throughout the state of Florida in a wide variety of estate planning, guardianship, and trust matters, from simple wills to will contests and complex taxable estates on a cost-effective basis. We can thoroughly evaluate whether a will contest, trust or probate dispute rises to the level of a lawsuit or may be resolved through a favorable settlement; and, if litigation is required, determine the merits, review the facts and evidence, and ensure that our clients’ rights and assets are protected. Because tax, trust, and estate laws are amended ever more frequently, our dedicated attorneys make it a point to stay abreast of the current legal strategies essential to properly structure an estate plan.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Mr. Benton received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida and his Juris Doctorate from Florida A&M University College of Law (“FAMU Law”). During his time at FAMU Law, Mr. Benton was an Associate Justice on FAMU Law’s first Student Government Law School Circuit Court. He also competed in the National Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Competition and was a member of the Criminal Law Society. While attending law school, Mr. Benton interned with several law firms, including the FAMU Law Legal Clinic and the Law Offices of Julianne Holt, Public Defender for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
• Wrongful Death
  In addition, our attorneys have represented insureds, in cooperation with the insurance carrier, in negligent security cases, wrongful death, personal injury, environmental contamination claims, and construction defect claims, as well as claims for negligence and other tort-based claims
• Fraud
  Complex Litigation: Saxon|Gilmore attorneys have handled complex matters in a wide range of tort and other areas, including: product liability (Benlate, Fen-Phen, tobacco) actions; pharmaceutical, chemical, and herbicide claims; securities fraud; asbestos and silica exposure cases; medical malpractice actions; and aviation, railroad (FELA), and automotive cases. We routinely work with engineers, accident reconstruction experts, and medical and other experts. Our practice is based on decades of experience in front of judges and juries in a wide variety of venues. Our attorneys combine industry-specific knowledge with broad litigation experience to provide focused, sensitive, and responsive assistance to handle a variety of matters that may arise during the litigation process.
• Misdemeanors
  Prior to joining Saxon|Gilmore, Mr. Keller was an Assistant State Attorney where he prosecuted thousands of cases ranging from simple misdemeanors to attempted murder.  During his career as a prosecutor, he gained valuable trial experience having first-chaired over 30 jury trials and countless bench trials.
• Murder

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Mr. Gilmore specializes in the areas of business and corporate law, real estate, public finance, and commercial litigation. He serves as special counsel to housing authorities in Florida and other states relative to affordable housing development matters, which involve a multiplicity of legal issues unique to housing authorities as well as applicable to governmental agencies and/or corporate entities. He has developed a specialty in public housing law and has been involved in two extensive litigation matters appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court that established nationwide precedents. Further, Mr. Gilmore has been involved in the establishment and operation of instrumentalities and affiliates associated with development and fundraising for housing authorities. He can be reached at 813.314.4502 or via email at rgilmore@saxongilmore.com.
• Mergers and Acquisitions
  Jozette Chack-On is a partner at Saxon|Gilmore concentrating her practice in the areas of corporate law, business law, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, public, affordable and workforce housing, mixed-finance real estate transactions, and infrastructure project development. Ms. Chack-On has been instrumental in structuring, negotiating, and documenting a broad range of complex transactions for our corporate and public housing authority clients.   She has 24 years of legal experience including extensive experience in mixed-finance affordable housing revitalization and new construction projects, including public/private partnerships, project financing (such as HOPE VI, CNI, low income housing tax credits, tax exempt bonds, SHIP, SAIL, HOME), due diligence, acquisition and redevelopment of real estate, and project management.  Her experience with our diverse group of clients enables her to negotiate and document even the most complex transactions and to work efficiently from the concept, development, and financing phases through the proper creation, completion and management of each project.  Ms. Chack-On has also served as special counsel to Tampa Bay Water, a regional water supply authority, for the development of Design-Build-Operate (DBO) water facilities, as well as reservoir and well mitigation issues.  She earned her B.S. degree...
• Business Disputes
  J. Frazier Carraway senior partner and co-founder of Saxon|Gilmore, has retired after more than 35 years of practicing law. He concentrated his practice on civil rights, and general civil litigation, including complex state and federal litigation involving commercial, contract disputes under Puerto Rican Law, environmental litigation; representation of insurance companies in general commercial liability insurance litigation; community association operations and community association law; and representation of sureties, general contractors, materialmen and owners in arbitration, mediation, and jury trials. He has served as counsel for various public, private, and governmental entities, and routinely provides advice on compliance with federal, state, and local laws, orders, rules, ordinances, regulations and policies, including Florida Government in the Sunshine law. He has served as counsel to the Board of Trustees of Hillsborough Community College since 2004. He earned his undergraduate degree from New College of The University of South Florida. Upon graduation, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army before returning to civilian life and working for U.S. Home, Rutenberg Division, in several construction-related capacities. In 1988, Mr. Carraway graduated
• Business Transactions
  Our business group can effectively and efficiently tailor its services to address your business requirements through our knowledgeable attorneys and their collaboration with integrated practice groups at Saxon|Gilmore. This enables us, as the need arises, to draw on the expertise of our other attorneys who are proficient in related practice areas and provide these services on a cost-effective basis. Our attorneys can creatively structure various business transactions, and document and close these transactions expeditiously. We offer a full spectrum of legal services related to various aspects of our clients’ businesses and provide clear, concise, and practical advice, as well as prepare the required documentation and assess any litigation or regulatory risks.
• Limited Liability Companies
  Saxon|Gilmore’s attorneys are knowledgeable in the many federal, state, and local issues that affect businesses, whether engaged in intrastate, interstate, or international operations, and strive to build an efficient and effective working relationship with our clients to better understand and implement their long term goals and business plans. Our attorneys serve private and public entities, corporate and individual developers, large and small corporations, private and commercial land owners, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies, entrepreneurs, transnational businesses, financial institutions, insurance companies, automotive sector companies, and professional services firms. Saxon Gilmore has a wealth of experience assisting and advising clients on a wide range of business issues including...
• Construction Contracts
• Trade Secrets
• Intellectual Property
  Saxon|Gilmore also has a strategic professional relationship and the ability to liaise with one of the country’s leading intellectual property firms and through that relationship can provide advice on copyright and intellectual property law.
• Antitrust

Employment Law

• Employment Litigation

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Saxon|Gilmore specializes in all aspects of real estate law. The main principals of our Firm’s real estate department combine over 100 years of experience in real estate development. Our attorneys represent a diverse group of land owners, developers, institutional lenders, sophisticated investors, governmental entities, and commercial landlords for the acquisition and disposition of real property. We have a wide variety of experience in both commercial and private real estate transactions which enables us to negotiate and prepare the precise documents to address even the most complex real estate transactions. In serving as counsel for public entities, developers, and financial institutions, we have experience in all aspects of commercial lending and real estate financing.
• Premises Liability
  Corporate and Business Litigation: Saxon|Gilmore represents clients in matters such as contract and commercial disputes, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy matters, franchising and distribution questions, commercial insurance coverage disputes, securities litigation, antitrust, trademark and copyright infringement matters, corporate and individual employment-related issues including trade secrets, non-competition, proprietary rights, and discrimination, professional and product liability, premises liability, administrative matters, and all phases of construction disputes.
• Construction Litigation
  J. Frazier Carraway (Retired) – J. Frazier Carraway senior partner and co-founder of Saxon Gilmore & Carraway, P.A. has retired after more than 35 years of practicing law.  He concentrated his practice on consumer and commercial litigation, construction litigation, and general civil litigation, including complex state and federal litigation involving construction, construction arbitration, commercial, civil rights, environmental and general litigation; and representation of sureties, general contractors, materialmen and owners in arbitration, mediation, and jury trials.
• Real Estate Transactions
  We have played a major role in negotiating, structuring, and documenting a myriad of complex real estate transactions and planned communities. Our attorneys are frequent speakers at legal and housing seminars across the country. Saxon|Gilmore has a strong commitment to providing superior client service and staying at the forefront of affordable housing issues. Our expertise includes...
• Eminent Domain
• Land Use and Zoning
  Saxon|Gilmore’s environmental, water, and land use expertise enables us to meet the needs of business and industry in the fast-emerging global economy. Our attorneys have represented a variety of companies with a myriad of environmental and land use issues, including state and local government law, real property transactions and property rights, master planned communities, regulatory compliance, construction and litigation, and are able to critically analyze environmental concerns and structure our negotiations to minimize any exposure to environmental liability.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
• Medical Malpractice
  Paul M. Quin – Paul Quin is a partner at Saxon Gilmore & Carraway, P.A., and concentrates his practice on entertainment law, toxic torts, products liability, medical malpractice, freedom of speech, environmental law, general tort law, and complex business litigation. Mr. Quin has also focused his practice on FELA litigation and railroad law, and is a past member of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  David J. Tong is a partner with Saxon|Gilmore. He has practiced law in Tampa since 1984, and presently concentrates his practice in the areas of first-party property insurance defense, real estate litigation, complex commercial litigation, and bankruptcy/creditors’ rights.
• Wills
  Saxon|Gilmore devises strategies to implement our clients’ desires for the disposition of their holdings, including planning for the continuity of family businesses and determining ways to minimize liability for transfer taxes, homestead matters, and educating our clients on methods available to administer their assets upon incapacity or death and to avoid probate. In addition to the preparation of wills and trust agreements, as well as powers of attorney and advance directives for designation of healthcare surrogates, successful estate planning by our team of attorneys encompasses a wide variety of techniques enabling us to customize each individual’s estate plan to preserve assets and ensure proper and efficient estate distribution. Our work experience encompasses...
• Trusts
  Centrally located in Tampa, the firm practices throughout Florida, in all state and federal courts, with a primary focus on business structuring and transactions, together with complex commercial litigation. Saxon|Gilmore also has extensive experience in public finance, governmental regulatory issues, housing and community development, real estate development and finance, insurance and liability defense services, construction law, products liability, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy, entertainment law, environmental law and land use, and estate planning trusts and probate. With twelve attorneys on staff, we are able to combine the talent, capabilities, and resources normally found in much larger organizations to critically evaluate a broad range of issues and structure our representation while providing the high level of professionalism, flexibility, responsiveness, and personal attention of a smaller firm.
• Power of Attorney
• Probate
  Saxon|Gilmore advises clients on the financial, tax, and business aspects of estates. Our attorneys and other professionals are well versed in probate law and, at a difficult time of personal loss, we can offer clear and concise guidance through the entire probate process to ensure smooth and efficient administration of each estate, including preparation of probate documents and the paperwork necessary for transfer of assets; and, if needed, provide representation in probate litigation. We often handle ancillary estate proceedings for out-of-state residents who have died leaving Florida assets, resulting in a quick and efficient administration process to distribute those assets.

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  Mr. Tong is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the Florida Bar, where he is a member of the Business Law and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Sections. He served as President of the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, a 350+ attorney group in the Tampa Bay area, in 2005-2006, and was a member of its Board of Directors from 2000 to 2007. He has authored continuing legal education materials for the National Business Institute on curing Florida real property title problems, and he has spoken on bankruptcy law, title insurance law, and foreclosure law for major banks and other lenders throughout the United States. Mr. Tong is peer review rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating.
• Foreclosure
  Saxon|Gilmore has extensive experience in handling foreclosure work, ranging from vigorously contested, complex multi-party cases involving deficiencies to uncontested matters which result in summary judgment. Our creditors’ rights attorneys, supported by a team of paraprofessionals and staff, have extensive knowledge of finance documentation and credit policies to address each stage of a transaction and ensure maximum recovery in addition to substantial experience in obtaining receivers and in strenuously enforcing assignment of rent provisions under the latest Florida laws.
• Tax Law