A civil trial lawyer since 1983, Alan Wagner brings an extensive and unusual skill set to his partnership in the firm. True to the firm’s dedication to plaintiffs’ rights, his experience plays a vital role in helping clients get the justice they deserve. Alan has distinguished himself as a courtroom lawyer, with recognized experience in handling claims of legal malpractice, medical malpractice, professional negligence, products liability, bad-faith litigation, complex commercial disputes, and toxic torts. Alan became a partner in the firm in 1994 and has served as President of Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore since 2003. His exceptional skills and competence have guided and fueled the practice’s growth and success over the decades. Alan has successfully sued doctors, lawyers, hospitals, nursing homes, airlines, cruise lines, accountants, realtors, architects, famous magicians and rock stars, airlines, car companies, construction companies, and many others who, through negligence, have caused harm to his clients – his experience is that vast and varied. One of his key areas of expertise is the examination of expert witnesses, frequently a difficult yet critical component in personal injury litigation. Consistently voted by his professional peers for inclusion on U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Lawyers” lists, in plaintiff’s legal, medical, and professional malpractice, he has honed through decades of experience a reputation for general excellence in trial advocacy. Like every member of Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore, Alan takes his legal and ethical obligations to his clients seriously, and he expects all colleagues in the broader profession to do the same. He is not afraid to sue other lawyers when their negligent actions or failures to act have caused harm to clients. Alan believes, and passionately so, that attorneys are privileged to earn and hold the trust of their clients; attorneys who violate that trust need to be held accountable. Alan’s proficiency and skill are reflected in his leadership roles, professional honors, and numerous memberships. He served as president of the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association during 2020-2021 and has served on its board of directors from 2007 to the present time. In 2005, he was inducted as a fellow of the prestigious and distinguished American College of Trial Lawyers, considered the premier professional trial organization in America. Additionally, he was appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to serve two six-year terms on the Florida Standard Jury Instructions Committee (Civil). He is board-certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by both The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. On the personal side, Alan holds both single and multiengine pilot’s licenses and is a dedicated husband and father. His wife, Deborah, is the founder and director of Tampa Bay’s Child, Inc., a local nonprofit organization that links impoverished children with sponsors from the community, a journalist, and ten-year member of the St. Pete Times Editorial Board. The couple are avid boaters, and Captain Wagner is well-versed in all matters marine! He has two wonderful grown “children,” both graduates of Rice University: his son Alex, a software engineer who lives in Denver with his wife Stefanie and their two Australian shepherds, Varly and Gru; and his daughter, Natalie, a senior scientist with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, who lives in New York City with her husband, Mick, and their goldendoodle, Ollie.

Area of Practice: Complex Commercial Litigation At a time when specialization is a defining quality of the legal profession, Ryan Wagner is a throwback to an earlier era. Happy to call himself a “hybrid attorney”, he is both a litigator and a dealmaker. He can, with equal facility, try a case to its final verdict, or quarterback a complex negotiation to its final signature. Over the course of Ryan’s career, he has become well versed in all phases of the litigation process in both state and federal courts, including at the appellate level. As a litigator, Ryan focuses on understanding his clients’ goals in order to develop an effective and personalized approach to resolve their disputes. In doing so, Ryan is able to keep his clients grounded in reality by getting them to question their own motives before bringing a lawsuit, and if he perceives that the probable result is not in their best interests, he will not hesitate to advise against it. As a result, if his clients decide to proceed, they do so with their eyes open. However, when the need to litigate a case arises, each client knows they will have a fierce advocate on their side, fighting vigorously to protect his client’s financial position, reputation and stability. Although Ryan has established a successful track record as a commercial litigator, Ryan measures his success in terms of trust and confidence that his clients have instilled in him, and by that measure, he has been quite successful. Ryan represents clients of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies, to family owned, closely held corporations and individuals. He has litigated matters for clients such as: Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc., iHeart Radio, Hamburg Sud North America, Inc., XPO Logistics, LLC, Centurylink Communications, LLC, Capitol Indemnity Corporation, The Hearst Corporation, and The Miami Heat. Adhering to Wagner Law Group, PLLC’s motto, Ryan maintains his focus on developing custom litigation strategies that minimize business interruptions, so that his clients can concentrate on what they do best -- running their business.

Ms. Hannah Wailes is technically a Colorado Native, although as a travel nurse she has lived and worked in California, Texas and Ohio. As a newer associate, Ms. Wailes looks forward to using her background in healthcare, attention to detail, and critical thinking skills to work as an advocate for her clients.

Andrés is a BLP Special Counsel specialized in the practice of Real Estate & Hospitality and Corporate. He has been admitted for over 20 years to practice law in Costa Rica and in the State of New York. Andres has advised clients in the legal processes involving the development of hotels, including construction contracts, financing, negotiation of administration contracts and franchises with international hotel operators (Four Seasons, Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton), for projects in Costa Rica and other destinations in Latin America. In his practice, has represented tourism companies with an emphasis on the concession area of the Gulf of Papagayo Tourist Project in Costa Rica. He has vast experience in real estate transactions and legal aspects of luxury resort sales, including hotel development, single-family lots, condominium units, and fractional products, as well as expertise in the development, and legal planning of organized communities, resorts, and tourism projects.

I am passionate about the law and interpreting it for the benefit of my clients in real life situations. Excellence and integrity in practice are the foundation of my ethics, whether I am providing high-level counsel to international companies, or legal support to business operational teams at a granular level. As the founder of Wakhariya & Wakhariya, a full-service international law firm, I lead a team of skilled attorneys in providing critical, strategic and practical advice to clients, specifically in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, India, and East Africa. As a senior attorney, I act as outside general counsel to my clients, and have the ability to take a holistic view, while offering legal advice across multiple businesses on commercial, legal, compliance, and regulatory issues. I have a unique combination of education, knowledge, and professional qualifications and memberships, which make me a highly sought-after cross-border transaction specialist.