Pavese Law Firm is proud to announce attorneys Neale Montgomery, Christopher Shields, and Christina Harris Schwinn have been named to the esteemed 2021 Super Lawyers list of top attorneys in Florida. Ms. Montgomery was named in the field of Land Use/Zoning, Mr. Shields was named in the field of Real Estate, and Ms. Schwinn was named in the field of Employment & Labor. This honor is bestowed upon no more than five percent of lawyers statewide. In addition, Justin Mazzara and Michael Lehnert have been named to the Rising Stars list as top up-and-coming attorneys. Each year, only two-and-a-half percent of lawyers in Florida receive this prestigious acknowledgement.
Selections for the revered Super Lawyers list result from the extensive research efforts executed by the Thomson Reuters’ rating service of lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. All of whom have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The multi-phased selection process is rigorous and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. The equally prestigious Rising Stars list recognizes the state’s top up-and-coming attorneys.
Montgomery is a partner at Pavese Law Firm. She joined the firm after serving as an Assistant County Attorney for Lee County, where she focused on zoning and land use matters. Her practice continues to focus on zoning and administrative matters related to all aspects of the entitlement process and development of land primarily in Southwest Florida.
Shields joined Pavese Law Firm in 1984 and became a partner in the firm in 1990. He is Florida Bar Board Certified in Condominium and Planned Development Law as well as in Real Estate Law. Shields is one of only 28 attorneys in the entire state of Florida to hold this dual distinction. He specializes in creating and representing residential, commercial and mixed-use condominium, cooperative and homeowners association communities.
Schwinn joined Pavese Law Firm in 2005 and became a partner in 2009. Her primary practice areas are employment law, business transactions, community association law and real estate law. Schwinn is an accomplished public speaker and regularly writes articles that have been published both locally and nationally in a variety of publications.
Mazzara joined the firm in 2019 and has practiced in Southwest Florida since 2007. He focuses his practice in the areas of complex business and commercial litigation involving real property, contractual disputes, construction, governmental affairs, partnership/shareholder disputes, and employment/non-compete agreements.
Lehnert joined the firm in 2021 and he concentrates his practice in the area of real estate law, including assisting property owners, lenders, and developers with commercial and residential development, acquisition, financing, title, and leasing.