Scott E. Atwood, Stockholder, Fort Myers
Scott serves as the chair of our Labor and Employment Law Group. With an impressive career spanning nearly three decades, he has been a steadfast advocate for entrepreneurs, public entities, and businesses of all sizes across the United States, with a special focus on Florida and Georgia. Scott also brings his expertise as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator to facilitate a resolution as an alternative to lengthy and expensive litigation.
Scott earned his B.A. with honors from Dartmouth College, his law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and his M.A. from the College of William & Mary. He may be reached via email at scott.atwood@henlaw.com.
Matthew L. Brust, Associate, Fort Myers
Matthew concentrates his practice in business formations, operations, and planning. He also focuses on mergers and acquisitions, including federal and state taxation planning while also representing clients before the IRS and Florida Department of Revenue.
Matthew received his Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Law from Webber International University, his J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law, and his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He may be reached at matthew.brust@henlaw.com.
Steven C. Gendreau, Associate, Fort Myers
Steven is part of the Henderson Franklin’s Tort and Insurance Litigation team. The majority of his practice involves handling insurance defense claims related to construction defects, contracts, premises liability, as well as automobile and personal injury cases. He also assists Attorney Ross in maritime and admiralty cases.
Steven received his B.A. from University of South Florida and his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. He may be reached at steven.gendreau@henlaw.com.
Erin E. Houck-Toll, Stockholder, Fort Myers
Erin Houck-Toll serves as chair of Henderson Franklin’s Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Organizations & Planning, Tax, and Intellectual Property practice areas. She is a dual Florida Bar Board Certified Health and Tax attorney.
Erin concentrates her practice in the areas of federal and state taxation, including representing taxpayers before the IRS and Florida Department of Revenue. Erin also assists clients in many aspects of business planning, health care law matters, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property issues.
Erin received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University, her J.D. from Tulane University (cum laude), and her L.L.M. (Taxation) from the University of Florida. She may be reached via email at erin.houck-toll@henlaw.com.
David J. Ledermann, Of Counsel, Fort Myers
David brings twenty-plus years of experience in the employee benefits field. He addresses benefits issues from plan design, drafting and implementation to dealing with the complexities of benefits programs in the context of business mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations and other transactions.
A significant part of David’s practice involves advising clients concerning compliance with the myriad complexities of the two principal federal laws affecting the provision of employee benefits, ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act) and the Internal Revenue Code. He represents clients before government agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
David attended Oakland University (B.S., magna cum laude) and Michigan State University (M.S., Physics) before earning his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, and subsequently, an advanced degree from the University of Miami School of Law (LL.M., Taxation). He may be reached via email at david.ledermann@henlaw.com.
Amanda J. Sharkey Ross, Stockholder, Fort Myers
Amanda focuses her litigation practice in the areas of transportation (automobile, marine, trucking liability), premises liability, negligent security, wrongful death, construction litigation and product liability.
A large part of Amanda’s practice involves maritime and admiralty law. Yacht and vessel owners rely on her experience with purchase and sale transactions, pre-purchase surveys, registration and documentation, vessel insurance and other matters to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Amanda is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Ross received her undergraduate degree from Stetson University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami Law School (cum laude). She may be reached via email at amanda.ross@henlaw.com.
Guy E. Whitesman, Stockholder, Fort Myers
Guy Whitesman is past chair of the Tax Section of The Florida Bar and previous chair of Henderson Franklin’s Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Organizations & Planning, Tax, and Intellectual Property practice areas. He concentrates his practice in mergers and acquisitions, business organization operations and planning, taxation, estate planning and health care law.
Guy received his Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctorate from University of Michigan, and his LL.M. in Taxation from University of Florida. He may be reached via email at guy.whitesman@henlaw.com.