The insurance and civil litigation defense firm Tyson & Mendes LLP announced the opening of its first Jacksonville office on April 20.
Former Wicker Smith Partner E. Holland “Holly” Howanitz is the firm’s managing associate in Jacksonville.
She is accompanied by Catherine Crawley, Ashley Hollingsworth, and Tara Floyd, three additional former Wicker Smith partners, and several associates.
The Tyson & Mendes facility in Jacksonville is the firm’s third location in Florida.
Together, these offices provide insurance defense litigation services to customers across the state.
The Jacksonville office is located at 50 N. Laura Street, Suite 2500 of the Bank of America Tower.
The firm stated in a press release that the inauguration of the new office coincides with the passage of Florida House Bill 837, which modifies the manner in which civil lawsuits are litigated in Florida.
According to the company, it has already significantly increased the number of lawsuits lodged in the state.
Strategic Managing Partner Robert Tyson stated, “The opening of a Tyson & Mendes office in Jacksonville with this talented group of attorneys effectively doubles our presence in Florida at a time when the state is about to be inundated with civil lawsuits.”
The company maintains locations in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa.
Howanitz has nearly two decades of legal experience in areas such as general liability, professional liability, medical malpractice, long-term care, automotive, transportation, and construction litigation.
Howanitz served as a shareholder at Wicker Smith and was the second youngest person to be promoted to equity.
She has represented individuals and significant corporations.
Howanitz is licensed to practice law in the states of Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Oglethorpe University and her law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law.
Catherine Crawley, a partner, focuses on civil litigation, premises liability, construction, transportation and haulage, and medical malpractice in her practice.
Ashley Hollingsworth, a partner, has experience in auto negligence, premises liability, nursing home, and assisted living facility matters.
Tara Floyd, a partner, focuses on civil litigation, construction, insurance coverage and bad faith, medical malpractice, nursing home and assisted living, automobile litigation, and premises liability cases.