Capping off a year of expansion, the shareholders of Lewis, Longman & Walker have unanimously elected Tara Duhy as firm President.

“When I joined LLW 20 years ago, I immediately knew that I had found a professional home,” said Duhy. “I am honored to lead LLW and continue our commitment to our culture of providing clients with the highest level of legal services and the best working environment for our attorneys and employees.”

Duhy has earned awards for her leadership and expertise in land use, environmental, and water law and has chaired LLW’s land use and development practice groups. Duhy has also served on LLW’s Executive Committee and managed the West Palm Beach office for nine years.

As part of her statewide land use, natural resource and water law practice, Duhy advises clients through every stage of permitting, government coordination and enforcement related to development.

“Dedication to our people ensures that our clients will always receive quality counsel and tireless advocacy,” Duhy said. “It’s not just good business, it’s a culture that naturally builds upon itself in attracting and retaining the best talent to our firm.”

Immediate Past President Michelle Diffenderfer offered her successor a vote of confidence.

“I am very excited to devote more time to our clients, and fortunate to have Tara continue to take our firm to smart and continued growth in the future,” said Diffenderfer, who has served as LLW’s President since 2015. “It’s a challenge for any firm to sustain growth while building a bench within. But together, we have built a team that will seamlessly carry us forward.”

Established in 1994, LLW has grown into one of the state’s foremost firms in environmental, land use and regulatory law.

Firm leadership credits LLW’s success to the culture created by the founding partners, which proved pivotal in LLW successfully navigating the transition from founding partners, defying an industry trend, and continuing to grow — LLW has added nine attorneys over the past year.

“Growing and evolving is more than a show of pride,” Duhy said. “It’s a commitment to our clients that we will continue to provide effective counsel with the brightest talent in the state.”

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Florida political figures are rushing to endorse U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds’ candidacy for Florida Governor.

That included several who served alongside the Naples Republican in Congress or in the Florida Legislature. Here is a running compilation of those backing Donalds from the jump.

“Byron Donalds and I were elected to the State House in 2016 and for four years led the fight in Tallahassee to transform education in Florida,” posted state Sen. Randy Fine, a Palm Bay Republican and GOP nominee in Florida’s 6th Congressional District. “For the past four years I have marveled at how my classmate took that fight to Washington. I couldn’t be more excited to see him return to Florida as our next Governor and take us to the next level. Honored to join Donald Trump and endorse him on Day 1!”

State Rep. Juan Porras, a Miami Republican, also quickly endorsed Donalds.

“Last year, I was the first State Representative to endorse Donald Trump and few men stood with the President as staunchly as Byron Donalds,” Porras posted. “Today, I am honored to be the first in the State House to endorse him to be the next Governor of Florida.”

State Rep. Yvette Benarroch, a Marco Island Republican, also cheered the run. “Big news for Florida! My friend and Congressman Byron Donalds is running for Governor, and there’s no one better to keep our state strong,” she posted. “He’s a proven fighter for conservative values, 2A rights and Florida Families. Let’s keep the American Dream alive! Join me in supporting Byron Donalds for Florida Governor. Let’s get it done!”

State Rep. Berny Jacques, a Pinellas Republican, also endorsed Donalds.

So did state state Rep. Toby Overdorf, a Palm City Republican. “I have served with Byron Donalds and can’t wait to call him Florida’s next Governor,” he posted. “I am 100% on Team Donalds and Keeping Florida Great.”

Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, shortly after Donalds’ announcement, posted: “Now that he’s officially a candidate, I am happy to say that Byron Donalds has my endorsement for Governor.”

Former state Rep. Spencer Roach, a North Fort Myers Republican, also formally endorsed. “I was proud to serve with Byron Donalds in the FL House, I am honored to call him my Congressman, and I can’t wait to see him lead our great state as Florida’s next Governor!”

Former Republican Party of Chair Christian Ziegler posted his endorsement, citing Trump. “Byron Donalds for Governor of Florida. Endorsed by President Donald Trump.”

Other officials had openly encouraged Donalds to run. “Run, Byron Donalds, Run!” posted state Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, a Fort Myers Republican. “Byron has been a Great Congressman and would be a Great Governor! We are proud to be his constituents and would be proud to support him should he run!”

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With the cost of living continuing to climb, Floridians — especially seniors and those with disabilities — are facing greater challenges in affording essential health care. Lawmakers from Tallahassee to Washington, D.C., must come together to advance policies that lower costs and expand access to care.

They can do just that by adequately funding Medicare Advantage — the increasingly popular version of Medicare that leverages public-private partnerships, coordinated care, and a greater variety of more integrated benefits. Together, these features work to the “advantage” of beneficiaries, caregivers, and all Floridians by improving patient outcomes, reducing costs, and supporting healthier senior communities.

Both my time in the Florida House of Representatives and now as Chair of the Small Business and Consumers Alliance have given me a deeper understanding of the importance of the Medicare Advantage program and its positive impact on Florida families, businesses, and communities. This is one of those rare examples of a working, effective government program and, as such, it deserves the support of lawmakers in Congress.

This is especially concerning given the repeated funding cuts to Medicare Advantage in recent years — cuts that have jeopardized benefits and driven up premiums. Fortunately, the Advance Rate Notice released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services during the last couple weeks of the Joe Biden administration called for a slight payment increase. However, it will be up to Congress and the new administration to follow through, work to reverse years of cuts, and put Medicare Advantage on a stable path for the future.

Compared to traditional Medicare, beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage can choose from a wider range of health care services and support, like access to integrated prescription, vision, hearing, and dental benefits with no additional premiums, as well as fitness and nutrition benefits that help seniors focus on eating well, staying active, and participating in their communities.

On top of providing seniors and patients with disabilities with more comprehensive care, Medicare Advantage also helps deliver critical cost savings at a time when saving every penny counts. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries pay lower monthly premiums than traditional Medicare enrollees and save more money thanks to the capped annual out-of-pocket expenses that Medicare Advantage offers.

The value and benefits Medicare Advantage provides help explain the rapid growth the program has had over the last decade or so. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage in now up to over 34 million Americans, including more than 2.9 million Floridians — that’s well over half the Medicare eligible population both nationally and statewide. It is critical for lawmakers to keep this program strong so it can continue improving quality of life and contributing to stronger, healthier communities in the Sunshine State and across the country.

As lawmakers consider this issue, it is critical to note that seniors and patients with disabilities are not the only ones to benefit Medicare Advantage program. Their family members, networks of caregivers, health care teams, local small businesses, and communities all benefit from a stronger, fully funded Medicare Advantage program. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should prioritize this and ensure Medicare Advantage gets the funding and support it — and the tens of millions of Americans it serves — so greatly deserves.

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Jim Kallinger represented District 35 in the Florida House of Representatives from 2002–2004. He later served as president of the National Association of Former State Legislators and is now Chair of the Small Business and Consumers Alliance.

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