The largest business law and legislative affairs firm on the West Coast of Florida has officially put boots on the ground in Pinellas County, announcing plans to open an office location in the Northern Trust building, in downtown St. Petersburg.
With four seasoned law professionals, including three St. Petersburg staples and a new addition, the timing was right to open the doors to an office to cement a St. Petersburg presence for Shumaker, which will be the only AM Law 200 firm in the city.
“Shumaker has been involved, and has serviced clients, in St. Pete for a number of years but with the continued growth of the city, in nearly every manner, it no longer made sense for us not to have a physical presence on that side of the bridge,” says Richter. “We think that the expansion is important not only to foster the growth of the firm, but also to contribute to the flourishing, and growing, economy of St. Pete.”
Operating out of the new location will be St. Petersburg Managing Partner and Intellectual Property and Technology Regional Service Line Leader Mindi Richter, Executive Vice President and Principal U.S. Cities Practice, former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and Robert “Bob” Warchola, who serves on the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as general counsel for The Greater St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation.
In addition, David Delrahim, previously with Englander Fischer, will be joining the Shumaker office, in St. Petersburg, as a partner, effective February 1. Delrahim represents a range of clients in business litigation and other related matters. In addition, Diedre N. Turner will be joining the team in St. Petersburg as a paralegal.
“We had specific criteria, in targeting St. Pete talent to help in opening the office and David’s commitment to legal excellence, paired with a deep understanding of, and involvement in, the region’s legal landscape, aligns seamlessly with Shumaker’s culture of providing first-class legal counsel to its clients,” Richter says.
“I am excited to join Shumaker and its superstar team of lawyers. I chose Shumaker because of its diverse, and plentiful, practice areas filled by first-rate lawyers. Shumaker has long ties to the Tampa Bay community and is willing to invest, directly, into St. Petersburg by opening a local office right in the heart of downtown. I’m thrilled to continue my practice in St. Petersburg while serving the Tampa Bay region and beyond,” says Delrahim.
With the right team in place, Shumaker has secured its office location in St. Petersburg and hopes to be moved in, and operating, by summer 2024.
