J. Meredith Wester, Former Shareholder (Retired)

EDUCATION:
Stetson University College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1990
University of South Florida, B.A., magna cum laude, 1988

PRACTICE AREAS:
Litigation

After 31 years of practicing law (including 21 years with Mechanik Nuccio Hearne & Wester, P.A.), Meredith Wester retired on April 30, 2021.

Meredith Wester concentrated her practice in the area of commercial litigation with a focus on title insurance litigation, commercial landlord/tenant, construction law, bankruptcy, environmental law, securities fraud litigation, medical malpractice and personal injury.

Meredith developed particular expertise in commercial landlord/tenant rights, construction law, title insurance and creditors' rights issues. Her clients in the landlord/tenant field were owners of regional malls, office buildings and shopping centers. In the construction field, she represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. She also represented creditors in bankruptcy proceedings and general creditors' rights matters. Additionally, Ms. Wester has extensive litigation experience representing clients on land use issues involving easements and deed restrictions.

Meredith is a former Chair for the Florida Bar’s Hillsborough County Grievance Committee. She has been an active member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association (serving on the Board of Directors), the Hillsborough County Trial Lawyers Association and the Tampa Bay Inns of Court (currently serving as the Executive Director on the Board). She has also served as a board member of the Governing Board for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Northwest Hillsborough County Basin Board (appointed by Governor Chiles). She is also a former Chair for the building committee and served as a board member of the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation.

Meredith is an active member of the community as well. She has served as legal counsel for many 501(c)(3) organizations. Meredith was legal counsel and a member of the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay International Business Counsel, Treasurer of PACE for Girls, President and one of the founders for the Hillsborough County Head Start Foundation and an appointee of the Hillsborough County Commission to serve on the Hillsborough County Children's Advisory Board. She is the legal counsel and former Treasurer of the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni and the former President of the FBI Tampa Bay Citizens Academy Chapter. Meredith is also a member of the Idlewild Baptist Church.

Meredith is a graduate of the Business College at the University of South Florida (B.A., magna cum laude, 1988) and received her law degree from Stetson University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1990). Meredith has an “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell. She has lectured on environmental law, construction lien laws in Florida, Board of Directors’ duties in a 501(c)(3) Organizations and creditors' rights in Bankruptcy.

Prior to entering the practice of law, Meredith was a surgical nurse at University Community Hospital. This background has enabled Meredith to have a unique understanding of the medical issues involved in medical malpractice and personal injury cases.