September 19, 2024
TAMPA, Fla. – GrayRobinson is pleased to announce a team of board-certified construction attorneys have joined the Litigation Section as members of the Construction Team. Coming from a Tampa Bay boutique law firm, the five new attorneys located in our Tampa office include Shareholders Kellie Caggiano, B.C.S., Lauren Eliopoulos, B.C.S., and Hannah Tyson, B.C.S., Senior Associate Randell “Rick” Rowe, B.C.S., and Associate Melissa Petersen.
“We are excited to strengthen our team of construction attorneys with the talents of Kellie, Lauren, Hannah, Rick, and Melissa,” said GrayRobinson Shareholder and Construction Team Leader Trevor Arnold, B.C.S. “Collectively, they bring nearly 50 years of experience to our team, representing clients in complex construction litigation matters. Having known Kellie for most of my career, I’m confident that this expansion will further GrayRobinson’s ability to provide top-tier legal services within the construction space, and I’m excited for our future.”
Kellie Caggiano, B.C.S., Shareholder
“I am thrilled to join GrayRobinson and contribute to such a dynamic and well-respected team,” said Caggiano. “Trevor’s approach to construction law aligns with my professional standards, and I look forward to collaborating with him and the rest of the GrayRobinson team to advocate for our clients around the state.”
Caggiano is board certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar and concentrates her practice on a comprehensive range of liability defense matters. With over two decades of experience, she excels in defending contractors, subcontractors, developers, architects, engineers, and other professionals in complex construction litigation cases throughout Florida. Her focus areas include construction defect litigation, professional liability, wrongful death defense, and personal injury defense for construction entities. Caggiano also handles transactional matters, including drafting construction contracts, resolving construction liens, and assisting with contract issues. She has significant trial experience in commercial and construction litigation and in recent years has been instrumental in changing Florida’s statute of repose through trial level and appellate victories.
Caggiano received her Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University and Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Florida. She is admitted to practice in Florida before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Caggiano is actively involved with The Florida Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Claims Litigation Management Western Florida Chapter-Tampa, and the Defense Research Institute.
Lauren Eliopoulos, B.C.S., Shareholder
“I am excited to join GrayRobinson and bring my passion for construction law to such a highly regarded team,” said Eliopoulos. “My focus has always been on providing comprehensive legal support to developers, general contractors, and subcontractors across Florida. GrayRobinson’s dedication to excellence and broad scope of practice provide the perfect environment for leveraging my practice. I’m looking forward to embarking on this new chapter while continuing to deliver favorable outcomes for clients and advancing the firm’s reputation in construction law.”
Eliopoulos is board certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar and focuses her practice on all aspects of construction-related matters from contract preparation and execution, to liens, and defect lawsuits. She represents developers, general contractors, and subcontractors throughout Florida, offering extensive experience in defense of installation and product defect claims, with a focus on corrosion, water intrusion, and coating failures in sliding glass doors, windows, and railings for single-family homes, multi-family communities, mixed-use projects, and high-rise condominiums. Eliopoulos has a strong track record of successfully resolving claims at all stages, from pre-suit negotiations through litigation, arbitration, and trial. She specializes in resolving matters favorably for her clients before trial, leveraging her skills in thorough initial case analysis and expert strategy development.
Eliopoulos received her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Stetson University. She is an active member of the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Pinellas Chapter.
Hannah Tyson, B.C.S., Shareholder
“As a ninth-generation Floridian, my deep-rooted passion for Florida’s growth and development drives my commitment to my clients,” said Tyson. “I am delighted to join GrayRobinson and continue to bring a client-centered and thoughtful approach to advising clients in construction law across the Sunshine State.”
Tyson, board certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar, primarily dedicates her practice to construction defect litigation cases, while also assisting clients with drafting contracts and lien disputes. Throughout her career, Tyson has defended developers, general contractors, and subcontractors in construction defect litigation involving high-rise condominiums and residential communities, including townhomes and single-family homes. Tyson skillfully navigates cases involving numerous parties, including homeowners’ associations, condominium associations, developers, architects, engineers, general contractors, and subcontractors.
Tyson received her Juris Doctor from Stetson University and Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Florida State University. She is an active member of the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the St. Petersburg Bar Association.
Randell “Rick” Rowe, B.C.S., Senior Associate
Board certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar, Rowe focuses his practice on construction law and commercial litigation, representing contractors and developers throughout North, Central, and South Florida. He has worked on various residential and commercial projects, including many high-profile developments in Florida. In addition to his work in construction matters, Rowe specializes in civil appellate law and frequently handles complex construction matters before Florida’s District Courts of Appeal.
Rowe received his Juris Doctor from Florida State University (FSU) College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from FSU. He is admitted to practice in Florida before the U.S. District Court for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Rowe is actively involved with The Florida Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the St. Petersburg Bar Association.
Melissa Petersen, Associate
Petersen concentrates her practice in construction law, offering skilled representation to developers, general contractors, and subcontractors across Florida. She handles disputes involving single-family homes, condominiums, and commercial and retail spaces. In addition to construction law, she is skilled in premises liability and personal injury defense, providing comprehensive legal support across multiple practice areas. Peterson’s legal career is rooted in her formative experiences during law school, where she interned at the State Attorney’s Office for the Eighth Judicial Circuit.
Petersen received her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society from Florida Atlantic University.
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CONTACT
Kristen Bridges, kristen.bridges@gray-robinson.com, 850.545.1917