Annual Sponsor Spotlight: Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP

At center stage in this month’s CREW Tampa Bay Annual Sponsor/Member Spotlight series, we are featuring two bright stars from the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP: Michelina Carbone and Alicia Lewis.

Shumaker was founded in 1925 and is a premier provider of legal and legislative services. The firm has various service lines and a total of nine offices located in Ohio, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina with local offices in Tampa, Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Dade City. Shumaker’s Real Estate and Development Service Line is comprised of experienced and knowledgeable attorneys who are known for efficiently structuring, negotiating, and closing deals for a wide variety of real estate clients, from commercial property owners and landlords to users and developers. In every real estate matter, Shumaker seeks to understand and resolve critical legal and tax issues while meeting the strategic business objectives of their clients.

Shumaker is one of CREW Tampa Bay’s 2023 Diamond Annual Sponsors, and here are two gems from their team:

Michelina Carbone is an Associate Attorney within the Real Estate and Development Service Line at Shumaker. She has been with the firm since September and is very happy with her decision to join the Shumaker team. Michelina represents buyers/borrowers, sellers, lenders, and developers in the acquisition, development, leasing, financing, and disposition of office and industrial projects, residential developments, apartment complexes, retail facilities, and mixed-use projects. Additionally, Michelina drafts and negotiates commercial leases and use agreements on behalf of landlords and tenants, consults clients on title matters, and prepares and reviews various types of contracts. With an individualized and detail-oriented approach, she builds strong relationships with her clients in the commercial real estate and commercial leasing realm. Michelina truly enjoys her career path at Shumaker, and she understands that to be successful, you must be patient and kind, treat clients well, and have strong communication skills. She knows that if clients are treated with patience, kindness, and respect, they will continue to be repeat clients!

Michelina grew up in South Bend, Indiana, attended the University of Georgia, and received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Baylor University. As a determined student, Michelina concomitantly earned her Master of Business Administration degree through Stetson University and her Juris Doctor degree through Stetson University College of Law.

A little-known fact about Michelina is that while in college, she was an NCAA Division I equestrian athlete who competed in the sport of Western Reining. Reining competitions are incredibly challenging. They are based on the horses’ and riders’ athletic abilities, and they are tested in a series of maneuvers, including spins, stops, flying lead changes, and circles with changes in size and speed. After college, Michelina came to Florida for law school and never wanted to leave! She enjoys living in St. Petersburg and exploring local eateries, stores, and coffee shops. Michelina likes spending time outdoors, going on walks and hikes, and taking in local sporting events. She especially enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her schnauzer-poodle mix (aka: a schnoodle) named Thor.

Michelina joined CREW in 2022, and she serves on the PR/Marketing Committee.

Alicia Lewis is a Land Use and Zoning Senior Attorney in the Real Estate and Development Service Line at Shumaker. She has been with the firm for a year, and she focuses her law practice on land use, zoning, government procurement, affordable housing, environmental law, entitlement due diligence, community outreach, and municipal government law. She represents real estate developers and private property owners to obtain comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning, site plan approvals, platting, variances, special exceptions, and resolve code enforcement matters. Alicia believes that success in business is all about having solid relationships, and she knows that without good relationships, things just don’t get done. Additionally, Alicia believes that success is waking up every day and liking who you are and what you do. Her favorite quote is by Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Alicia grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Auburn University, graduating with a degree in Political Science and Government. She received her master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Alabama Birmingham, and she earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law.

A little-known fact about Alicia is that while in college, to help offset her out of state tuition expenses, she participated and was successful in various pageants, including winning The Miss UAB Scholarship Program. As a classically trained ballerina, Alicia utilized her skills and talents and was awarded various scholarships for participating in, becoming a runner-up in, as well as winning a good number of pageant competitions. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys watching movies, shopping, decorating, and she says that due to being extremely busy, sleep is the best hobby! Alicia truly enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her French bulldog-chihuahua mix (aka: a bullhuahua), named Riley.

Alicia recently joined CREW and is excited to be a new member.