Lippes Mathias is pleased to announce that it has elevated Alessandro A. Apolito, a long-time partner, to office leader in the firm's Jacksonville office. As office leader, Apolito will oversee the day-to-day operation of the firm's Jacksonville office, managing staff and attorneys to ensure smooth office function. Apolito will serve as a conduit to firm leadership and will help coordinate the office's strategic approach, implementation of initiatives and objectives, and attorney recruitment. Apolito will be a constant envoy of the firm's culture of collegiality and collaboration, maintaining a uniquely positive environment where employees, in turn, feel compelled to provide the best service and experience possible for their clients.

Christopher A. Walker, partner and member of Lippes Mathias' real estate practice team, precedes Apolito as office leader in Jacksonville, having played a crucial role in establishing the firm's presence in Florida and growing the office's attorney count by more than 1600% since opening the office in 2017. Walker will continue to serve his clients out of Lippes Mathias’ Jacksonville office.

“Our Jacksonville office remains in excellent hands,” Kevin J. Cross, Lippes Mathias' managing partner and chairman, said. “Alessandro has demonstrated leadership traits in our Jacksonville office for years and has shown himself to be proactive and efficient, always going the extra mile to ensure the firm's and his clients' success. We’re also exceptionally grateful to Chris for his unwavering dedication to building our Florida presence.”

Apolito focuses his practice on probate, trust, and guardianship litigation, including breach of fiduciary duty claims, undue influence, accountings, improper distribution of assets, will and trust contests, removal of personal representatives (executors), trustees and guardians, and incapacity proceedings. He represents both fiduciaries and beneficiaries in this type of litigation. He has successfully resolved these cases after both trial and mediation. This litigation experience also allows him to continually improve his clients' estate planning to help them avoid future estate, trust, or guardianship litigation.

Apolito's estate planning practice involves helping individuals plan for their future. He focuses on each client's wishes and provides them with the tools to fulfill their requests. He assists his clients with preparing wills and or trusts, durable powers of attorney, declarations of health care surrogates, and living wills. 

Apolito's probate and trust administration experience includes small and large Florida estates. He has represented personal representatives and trustees in administering estates, including assisting with the transfer of assets, payment of estate debts, and distribution to beneficiaries. He also represents beneficiaries to ensure they know their rights during the administration process.

Apolito has received numerous recognitions, including the Jacksonville Business Journal's 40 Under 40 award and the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division's Lynn Futch Most Productive Young Lawyer Award. He can be reached by email at aapolito@lippes.com or by phone at 904-660-0020, ext. 1516.

Lippes Mathias is a full-service law firm with nearly 200 attorneys serving clients regionally, nationally, and internationally. With offices in Buffalo, Clarence, Albany, Long Island, New York, Rochester and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Greater Toronto Area; Chicago, Ill.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Cleveland, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma City, Okla. and Washington, D.C., the firm represents publicly and privately-owned companies, private equity and venture capital firms, independent sponsors, real estate developers, financial institutions, municipalities, governmental entities, and individuals.