Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. is proud to announce that fifteen attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™. This national recognition is based entirely on peer review, reflecting the high level of respect these attorneys have earned from their colleagues in the legal community.

Real Estate Attorney Thomas Gunderson Named “Lawyer of the Year”

Of special note, stockholder Thomas Gunderson was named the 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Real Estate Law for Fort Myers. This honor is awarded to only one lawyer per practice area and metropolitan region each year and is based on the highest peer feedback received.

Kayla Richmond Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

Kayla Richmond, a Florida Bar Board Certified Divorce and Family Law attorney, was selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ for her outstanding work in family law. This designation honors attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional promise in private practice and are early in their careers.

The fourteen (14) attorneys named to 2026 The Best Lawyers in America^® list and practice areas include:

• Scott Atwood – Employment Law – Management
• Scott A. Beatty – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation – Real Estate
• J. Matthew Belcastro – Construction Law
• Michael J. Corso – Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Lisa Goddy – Elder Law, Trusts and Estates
• Thomas H. Gunderson – Real Estate Law
• Erin Houck-Toll – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Tax Law
• Carlos A. Kelly – Commercial Litigation
• David J. Ledermann – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• C. Richard Mancini – Trusts and Estates, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Christina M. O’Brien – Family Law
• Douglas B. Szabo – Commercial Litigation
• Beth T. Vogelsang – Family Law
• Jeff E. Wright – Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning