OUR TEAM IS HERE TO HELP YOU
Katz, Siegel & Maple, P.L., a Tampa Bay area law firm servicing all of Florida, provides creative, efficient, and cost-effective representation to businesses and individuals in diverse legal matters. Our Firm’s diverse clients include contractors, design professionals, manufacturers, car dealerships, insurers, and companies in a broad range of transactional and litigation matters, from the pre-suit process through alternative dispute resolution and trial. Our respected and practical team puts our legal knowledge, technological resources, and experience to work for you, providing solutions specific to your goals. The Firm is committed to providing high level, client-focused service.
JEFFREY KATZ
SHAREHOLDER
With 30 years of litigation and trial experience, Jeffrey’s practice includes commercial and personal lines insurance defense. He represents clients in construction litigation, automobile liability, uninsured motorist claims, product liability, toxic tort, lead paint, asbestos, premises liability, and subrogation litigation. Jeffrey tirelessly commits himself to the representation of his clients, involving them in every step of litigation.
A sample of representative recent successes include:
- Obtaining summary judgment for his contractor client in a construction injury claim;
- Successful representation of a general contractor at trial, resulting in a favorable verdict for his client;
- Obtained summary judgment in the Middle District of Florida in a case involving a $1,000,000 claim against his corporate client;
- Successful defense of stucco subcontractor at arbitration, resulting in zero recovery from the claimant.
Jeffrey practices in Florida state courts, as well as the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
In the legal community, Jeffrey is an active member of the Florida Bar, the American Bar Association, Claims and Litigation Management, Clearwater Bar Association, and the St. Petersburg Bar Association. Previously, he volunteered with a team that took area high school students to compete at the national level in the History Competition and supported the missions of Habitat for Humanity – Pinellas, Special Olympics, and the Alpha House of Tampa n/k/a Dawning Family Services, among other deserving non-profit organizations. He likewise enjoys annual support of various non-profits by participating in multiple 5K and 10K races throughout the year.
Jeffrey received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1988 and his Juris Doctorate degree from Stetson College of Law in 1991. Additionally, Jeffrey earned an advanced law degree, a Master of Laws in Taxation, from Emory University College of Law in 1992. Jeffrey is also a Florida board certified mediator and arbitrator.
In his spare time, Jeffrey enjoys spending time with his family, boating, and fishing.
Honors and Recognition
AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating achievable
Representative Cases
Clark v. Huff, 192 So. 3d 487, 2016 WL 2944798 (Fla. 5th DCA May 17, 2016)
Education
University of Florida, 1988, Bachelors of Science in Business Administration
Emory University, College of Law, 1992, LLM in Taxation
Stetson College of Law, 1991, J.D.
Admissions
Florida State Courts
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Memberships
Florida Bar Association
American Bar Association
Claims and Litigation Management (CLM)
Clearwater Bar Association
St. Petersburg Bar Association
MICHAEL SIEGEL
SHAREHOLDER
Michael has been a trial attorney for more than 35 years in cases throughout Florida. He represents automobile dealerships in litigation of all types, including consumer cases and employment discrimination. Additionally, since 1988, Michael has included defending bodily injury claims, premises liability, automobile negligence, and products liability litigation in insurance defense cases. His experience also includes lawsuits filed under consumer protection laws and insurance coverage litigation.
When he’s not advocating for his clients, Michael can usually be found on the golf course or rooting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Honors and Recognition
AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubble, the highest rating achievable
Education
University of South Florida, 1981, Bachelors of Arts
Stetson College of Law, 1984, J.D., cum laude
Admissions
State of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Memberships
Florida Bar Association
American Bar Association
St. Petersburg Bar Association
Clearwater Bar Association
Haley’s practice focuses on representing design professionals, general contractors, subcontractors, and manufacturers in all stages of litigation, and in professional liability matters, commercial litigation, contract disputes, and construction defect litigation. Haley’s experience includes resolution of claims before suit is filed, dispositive motion practice, trial, and appellate briefing and argument. For more than 17 years, Haley’s career has involved litigation throughout Florida and in various federal courts.
Prior to joining the Firm in 2014, Haley was an attorney at a multi-state defense firm, focusing on professional liability and construction defect matters. Before that, Haley was a shareholder at a litigation firm where her practice focused on a broad range of commercial disputes, including insurance coverage claims, professional liability matters, class action litigation, and various construction related matters, as well as representing professionals in licensing issues.
Haley is active in the local and legal communities. For over ten years, she’s held numerous positions of leadership in the American Bar Association Section of Litigation. Haley served as President of the Board of Directors for Alpha House of Tampa n/k/a Dawning Family Services and held numerous board positions for the Network of Executive Women of Tampa Bay and other various memberships and leadership positions. Recently, Haley also volunteered on voter protection efforts in Florida. Haley has spoken on numerous panels and been published on topics ranging from “total cost” damages claims, Commercial General Liability policies in Florida, litigating single-family home construction disputes, and more.
While in law school, Haley worked as an extern at the Department of Justice, Office of the Solicitor General, under Solicitor General Theodor Olson. There, she assisted attorneys in finalizing briefs submitted on behalf of the United States to the Supreme Court and various Federal Courts of Appeals. She also served as a Dean’s Fellow for the Legal Research & Writing program for two years and was a member of the Administrative Law Review.
When she’s not working or volunteering, Haley enjoys hiking with her family, exploring national parks, reading, and rooting for her son as he competes in the masters division in the All-American Soap Box Derby.
Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Law
AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating achievable
Florida Trend, Legal Elite, 2018, 2020 & 2021
Florida Super Lawyers (2014-2021), Rising Star (2010-2013)
Tampa Bay Business Journal, Business Woman of the Year, Finalist 2010 & 2011, and Up & Comers Finalist 2012
Best Lawyers® 2024 Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Petersburg
Case Study: Axis v. Contravest Construction, Law360.com, 9/19/12
Writing Your First Appellate Brief, The Young Advocate, American Bar Association Section of Litigation
Representative Cases
The Avalon at Clearwater Condo. Ass’n, Inc. v. Montecito Renaissance, Inc., Rex Rouis, et al., 73 So. 3d 765, 2011 WL 4865184 (Fla. 2d DCA Oct. 14, 2011)
O’Halloran v. PricewaterhouseCoopers, 969 So. 2d 1039 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007)
Walker & Co. General Contractors, Inc. v. Transcontinental Ins. Co., 2007 WL 569855 (M.D. Fla. Feb. 20, 2007)
Education
University of Akron, 2000, B.A., 2000, magna cum laude
American University, Washington College of Law, J.D., 2003, cum laude
Harvard Business School Executive Education, Governing for Non-Profit Excellence, 2015
Admissions
State of Florida
S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida & the Southern District of Florida
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Associations
Florida Bar Association
American Bar Association, Section of Litigation (2005-Present) • Member, Mental Health & Wellness Task Force (2019 to 2021) • Member, Young Litigator Task Force (2017-2020) • Co-Chair, Membership & Marketing Committee (2016-2018); Member 2009-2012) • Co-Chair, Communications Committee (2012-2013) • Editor-in-Chief, The Woman Advocate (quarterly newsletter) (2007-2011)
Community Involvement
Alpha House of Tampa n/k/a Dawning Family Services, Past-President of the Board (2016); Board Member (2010-2017)
Former Volunteer, Bay Area Legal Services
Construction Law Institute Planning Committee of the Florida Bar
BRITTANY L. KAUFMANN
PARTNER
Brittany concentrates her practice on complex construction defect claims, first- and third-party liability claims, automobile negligence claims, and general liability claims, primarily focusing on defending subcontractors, general contractors, insureds, and carriers. Brittany’s experience ranges in all stages of litigation, including pre-suit investigations, discovery, alternative dispute resolution, pre-trial practice, trial, and post-trial practice.
Prior to joining the Firm, Brittany was an attorney at a Tampa personal injury law firm, primarily handling all aspects of automobile negligence and medical malpractice claims.
In 2012, Brittany earned her juris doctor from Stetson University College of Law. During her time in law school, Brittany served as a deputy chief student ambassador and research assistant. Additionally, Brittany earned her place on the honor roll multiple semesters during her time at Stetson. Also while in law school, Brittany clerked for both a Tampa family law firm and a St. Petersburg adoption firm where she gained valuable insight in assisting families with disputes and expansions.
Education
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, B.A., cum laude
Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, Florida, J.D.
Admissions
State of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Associations & Memberships
American Bar Association
Florida Bar Young Lawyers
Florida Bar Association
LINDSAY POLEGA
ATTORNEY
Lindsay concentrates her practice on complex construction defect claims, primarily focusing on defending subcontractors, particularly roofers, as well as general contractors. Lindsay’s experience ranges in all stages of litigation, including pre-suit investigations, discovery, alternative dispute resolution, pre-trial practice, and appellate briefing. Lindsay also serves on the Florida Bar’s Construction Law Institute Subcommittee of the Real Property, Trust & Estate Committee, assisting in preparing the programming and speakers for the annual continuing education event for advanced construction law practitioners.
Lindsay is currently pursuing her certification as an Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US). This certification is earned upon a showing of a foundational understanding of broad global concepts of privacy and data protection law and practice, including: jurisdictional laws, regulations and enforcement models; essential privacy concepts and principles; legal requirements for handling and transferring data and more. This certification demonstrates her ability to provide litigation services to businesses who have fallen victim to data breaches and other privacy incidents.
While in law school, Lindsay worked as an extern at the Florida Attorney General’s Office. She interned for a prominent conflict resolution firm in south-central Florida, where she attended binding and non-binding arbitrations and assisted arbitrators and mediators prepare neutral ADR decisions. She worked as a teacher’s assistant in the legal research and writing department for two years.
Between finishing college and starting law school, Lindsay taught English courses in Europe and worked in finance at the Kellogg Company.
Lindsay is active in local and legal communities. She holds leadership positions in the American Bar Association and is an active member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association. She currently serves as a Vice Chair to the Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Digital Rights Committee. She volunteers regularly with immigration and asylum assistance organizations, including Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) and VECINA. In these roles, Lindsay assists Afghan parolees seeking asylum status, prepare for asylum interviews, and assists children who have been placed into U.S.-based refugee resettlement centers to be reunified with family members residing in the U.S.
In her spare time, Lindsay enjoys lounging in the pool, cuddling her XXL trio of dogs, exercising in all forms except running, and reading just about any fiction she can get her hands on.
Admissions
- Florida Bar
- U.S. District Court of Florida, Middle District
Education
- Stetson College of Law (J.D., 2021)
- Louisiana State University (2014)
Associations & Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Vice-Chair to the Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Digital Rights Committee
- Florida Bar, Construction Law Institute Subcommittee to the RPPTL Committee
- Petersburg Bar Association
Awards
While in law school, Lindsay was the proud recipient of the William Blews Pro Bono Service Award for her extensive volunteer work with the Community Law Program in St. Petersburg, FL and with the Global Brigades, legal division, in rural Honduras.
SHERRI-ANN GRANT-CLARKE
ATTORNEY
Sherri-Ann is an attorney at KSM based in Fort Lauderdale. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida in 2010, where she studied Legal Studies. Thereafter, she matriculated to law school where she earned her Juris Doctor from The Florida State University College of Law in 2014.
Since graduating from law school in 2014, Sherri-Ann has practiced civil defense in various areas, including construction defect, construction lien law, and property damage claims. She now primarily focuses her practice on general liability and construction defects.
Sherri-Ann is admitted to the Florida Bar as well as the United States District Court for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida.
Admissions
- Florida Bar
- U.S. District Court of Florida, Middle District
- U.S. District Court of Florida, Southern District
- U.S. District Court of Florida, Northern District
Education
- Florida State University College of Law (J.D., 2014)
- University of Central Florida (B.A. in Legal Studies, 2010)
Associations, Memberships & Volunteer Leadership Positions
- Florida Bar Standing Committee on Diversity & Inclusion of the Florida Bar
- Florida Bar Standing Committee on Mental Health & Wellness
- Chair of the Board of Directors of The Healing Arts Institute of South Florida International, Inc.
GABRIELLE BACETTI
ATTORNEY
Gabrielle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University in 2014. Thereafter, she attended Florida A&M University, College of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctor in 2018.
While in law school, Gabrielle was a member of the Hispanic American Law Student Association. She also participated in FAMU Law’s Criminal Defense Legal Clinic where, as a Certified Legal Intern, she represented indigent and low-income clients charged with criminal offenses. Also while in law school, Gabrielle studied abroad where she took International Law courses in Spain.
After being admitted to the Florida Bar, Gabrielle began practicing criminal law as a Public Defender in Ft. Myers. She later relocated to St. Petersburg where she began practicing in various areas including business litigation, premises liability, and personal injury. She now primarily focuses her practice on construction defects and general liability. She is currently a member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.
- Florida Bar
Education
- Florida A&M University, College of Law (J.D., 2018)
- Florida State University (2014)
Associations & Memberships
- Florida Bar Association
- St. Petersburg Bar Association
- Florida Association for Women Lawyers
VALERIE TOLISANO
ADMINISTRATOR
Valerie joined our firm as our Firm Administrator in July 2019. She has been in the legal industry for more than 25 years providing management and leadership for all administrative operations. During her career she has been a member and held board positions of the Suncoast Chapter Association of Legal Administrators and volunteered at the Pinellas Auxiliary of the Children’s Home in Tampa.
Born and raised in St. Petersburg and where she raised her two daughters who both have careers in the legal field. Her daughters have blessed her with two adorable grandsons.