Gunster is pleased to announce the addition of four attorneys to the firm: Jovanna S. Bailey, Nicolas J. Cathcart, Frederick "Ricky" L. Hearn, and Wesley Madonna. These attorneys expand Gunster's Private Wealth Services and Business Litigation practices across the firm's Tampa and West Palm Beach offices.
Jovanna S. Bailey is an associate in Gunster's Private Wealth Services practice in Tampa. She advises high-net-worth individuals and families, business owners, and fiduciaries on trust and estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, estate and trust administration, and related tax matters. Prior to joining the firm, Jovanna gained experience in estate planning, trust and estate administration, and tax matters through positions in private practice and the tax services industry.
Jovanna earned her LL.M. in Taxation and her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she served as an editor of the Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy, and her B.A. from the University of Central Florida.
Nicolas J. Cathcart returns to Gunster's West Palm Beach office as an associate in the firm's Business Litigation practice. Nicolas represents clients in complex commercial disputes and appellate matters, handling matters throughout the litigation process, including case assessment and strategy, legal research, pleadings and dispositive motions, trial preparation, trial, and appellate proceedings. He started his legal career at Gunster, working on civil and appellate matters, before serving as a judicial clerk for two years—first with the Hon. John D. Couriel of the Supreme Court of Florida and then with the Hon. Aileen M. Cannon of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Nicolas earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Florida Atlantic University.
Frederick "Ricky" L. Hearn joins Gunster as of counsel in the firm's Private Wealth Services group in Tampa, focusing his practice on probate and trust litigation. Prior to practicing law, Ricky worked in the financial services industry and later in the real estate department of a large telecommunications company.
Ricky earned his J.D., cum laude, and his B.S. from Florida State University.
Wesley Madonna is an associate in Gunster's Business Litigation practice in Tampa. Drawing on his federal clerkship experience, Wesley helps clients navigate complex commercial disputes with an approach grounded in careful analysis, practical judgment, and effective litigation strategy. Prior to joining the firm, Wesley clerked for two U.S. District Court judges: the Honorable Emily C. Marks, former chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, and the Honorable Julie S. Sneed of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Wesley earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Florida and his B.A., summa cum laude, from New York University.
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Gunster. Florida's Law Firm for Leaders.
As a full-service law firm, Gunster provides legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 13 offices statewide. Established in 1925, the firm has expanded, diversified and evolved, but always with a singular focus: Florida and its clients’ stake in it. A magnet for business-savvy attorneys who embrace collaboration for the greatest advantage of clients, Gunster’s growth has not been at the expense of personalized service but because of it. The firm serves clients from its offices in Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, Vero Beach, and its headquarters in West Palm Beach. With more than 340 attorneys and consultants, and 300 committed support staff, Gunster is ranked among the top 200 largest law firms by the National Law Journal. More information about its practices, industries, offices and news is available at www.gunster.com.
