RUDEN McCLOSKY MAKES MOVE TO EXPAND SARASOTA LAW PRACTICE

SARASOTA, Fla. February 11For 19 years, some of Sarasota's most well-respected attorneys have been conducting business as usual from their 1549 Ringling Boulevard address. Quietly providing expert legal counsel with integrity and professionalism to a long list of prestigious clients, the Partners of the Sarasota office of Ruden McClosky, a Florida firm with ten offices around the state and one office in Venezuela, have steadily expanded their practice. From the three founding attorneys  Dart, Ford and Spivey  the firm has grown, and today ten attorneys comprise Ruden McClosky's thriving Sarasota practice.

With an eye toward continuing growth, the Partners of the Sarasota office of Ruden McClosky recently relocated their offices to 1515 Ringling Boulevard. The firm now occupies the seventh floor of downtown Sarasota's Northern Trust Building, providing the attorneys an additional 2,000 square feet of space. (Totaling more than 10,000 square feet.) The new Ruden McClosky offices feature a substantial law library and space for new attorneys, including Ronald A. Shapo, who recently joined the firm.

Shapo has extensive experience in real estate, land use/environmental, construction and government/administrative matters. His areas of expertise add to Ruden McClosky's breadth and depth in the practice areas of Banking and Finance; Bankruptcy; Construction; Corporate; Environmental; Governmental Relations; Guardianship; Health; Immigration; Intellectual Property; International Transactions; Labor & Employment; Land Use & Zoning; Civil and Criminal Litigation; Natural Resources; Real Estate; Tax; and Trusts and Estates.

'We're very excited about our recent expansion,' said Sarasota Partner David Boyette. 'We feel our new location will support our firm's growth and better enable us to serve our clients in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and across the state.'

'Taking time to learn about our clients' businesses and listening to what they value allows the Partners of this firm to truly foster relationships that take us beyond the traditional role of legal technician,' said Partner John Dart, who is also the incoming 2005/2006 chairperson for United Way of Sarasota County.

Both attorneys and staff have made significant contributions to the overall health and well being of the Sarasota area through community-based sponsorships and active, charitable volunteerism over the years. The firm's strong support of numerous not-for-profit and human services organizations  as well as the Partners' extensive volunteer efforts for organizations such as United Way of Sarasota County, The Florida Center for Child and Family Development and the Sarasota Family YMCA  Ruden McClosky has helped make a positive difference in the Sarasota community.