Most law firms in the Tampa Bay area and across the country are still male-dominated. The senior and managing partners are often run with norms established in the 1950s which unfortunately have no basis in reality for practicing law in today’s high-technology and fast-paced environment. This mindset makes it difficult for smart, capable female attorneys to rise to partnership and supervisory levels at their firms on their own terms while also raising a family. The tide is changing, and now the legal landscape is an environment in which more partners are women, and more female partners are working moms.
Such is true at Anthony & Partners.
At this firm, women out-number male partners 3 to 2. Even partners named Anthony are equally split: one male, John Anthony, one female, Stephenie Anthony.
Balancing clients’ needs with family responsibility is central for most working moms, and it’s just as important for A&P partners Stephenie Anthony, Barbara Luikart and Kristi Neher Davisson. They each have diverse practice areas, but similarly each one takes her children to school in the morning before tackling the day’s court hearings, depositions, client meetings or real estate closings.
Their work and friendship strongs more than two decades, and they recognize that it is a special circumstance that they are all law partners together now. “We support each other as lawyers, partners, and as moms. We are dedicated to each other and to our shared goal of efficiently providing quality, proactive legal services to our clients. If anyone needs help getting ready for a hearing, finalizing papers or dealing with firm administrative issues, we are here for our partners, staff and associates. It’s important to support each other to build a strong law firm,” says Barbara Luikart.
Kristi Davisson agrees. “I’ve picked up my partners’ kids from daycare and know that if I’m in a jam, help is always available, from home and from the firm.”
Stephenie Anthony is a founding member of the firm, and knows the balancing act well. “John and I formed this firm in 2009 after working in other places that were all male-dominated,” she says. “Kristi and I went to law school together; we met on the first day of orientation. John and Barbara were partners in a former firm years ago, and have worked with common clients through the years. We don’t compete with each other; rather we complement each other’s talents and areas of practice.”
All three partners are married and raising children ages 2 to 23. “Sometimes we have to adjust our schedules to deal with family issues, but we work hard, and we work hard to take care of our families. With technology these days, we are able to have the flexibility we need to do what we need to do outside the office, as well as in the office,” Stephenie says.
It’s not unusual at Anthony & Partners to schedule client and office meetings outside of the standard 9-to-5 because the firm’s partners know that real life happens at all hours of the day. Clients — who feel their own family responsibilities even in the midst of litigation — appreciate the partners’ willingness to color outside the lines as necessary.
Remote access office technology is helpful in this regard, allowing Anthony & Partners attorneys to log in from home and continue working after the kids are in bed or before they get up.
Diversity in areas of practice, working environment, clients and expectations puts Anthony & Partners at the forefront of the practice of law in Tampa and Florida. Barbara Luikart says it’s a win-win situation. “Providing clients with quality legal representation includes a proactive firm culture which promotes and supports diversity. It makes good business sense and leads to the best outcomes for our clients. We can work with flexibility knowing that we have the support we need at the office to best represent our clients, combined with the support we need at home to ensure our families are safe, happy and healthy.”
All partners at Anthony & Partners have obtained the AV Preeminent peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell which indicates the highest level of professional and ethical excellence in the practice of law.
Meet the Women Partners
Stephenie Anthony is a founding member of Anthony & Partners. She is a past President, Chairman and Secretary of the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, having served on the association’s board for eight consecutive years. For two years following admission to The Florida Bar, Stephenie clerked for the Honorable Alexander L. Paskay, Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Florida. Stephenie is a trial lawyer focusing on creditors’ rights, bankruptcy law and commercial litigation.
Barbara Hardy Luikart is a partner and co-chair of the firm’s real estate practice area. She has more than 28 years of experience in all facets of commercial real estate, including negotiating, documenting and closing the acquisition, development, financing, sale and leasing of commercial properties such as apartment, hotel, restaurant, retail, office, nursing home and golf course communities, large vacant land tracts and mixed use developments. She represents developers, lenders, borrowers, commercial landlords and tenants, individuals and businesses.
Kristi Neher Davisson is a member of Anthony & Partners and joined the firm in 2011. Kristi concentrates primarily on complex civil litigation in state and federal courts. She represents local and global clients in a variety of matters, including qui tam or whistle blower defense, nursing home defense and creditors’ rights. Kristi is also certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit and Appellate Court Mediator and Arbitrator. Prior to commencing her legal career, Kristi was an award-winning television news and documentary producer.
201 North Franklin Street, Suite 2800
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 273-5616
anthonyandpartners.com