Attorney Derek Usman Is Ready To Fight For You & Your Business!

Attorney Derek Usman (left) of the Usman Law Firm, PA., and his marketing assistant Corinne Ishler, attended the Hillsborough Bar Association’s Judicial Food Festival. (Photo provided by Derek Usman)

When you have a local and approachable attorney like Derek Usman available, calling upon a lawyer for legal help in employment and business matters gets a little less stressful.

Outside of his offices or the courtroom, you may see Derek out and about in the area. He is a proud member of the Rotary Club of New Tampa. He regularly attends Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church in South Tampa’s Hyde Park neighborhood. You might even find him picking up kombucha or cold pressed juice at Nutrition Smart.

“People need somebody they can trust,” Derek says. “A lot of people don’t have someone in their social circles who is capable, ethical and competent to help with legal matters. The average person may only need someone like me once in a lifetime, so it’s important to always be trustworthy.”

After nearly a decade of practicing law in Chicago, Derek has been serving the Tampa Bay area since 2015, when he moved to Wesley Chapel. His Usman Law Firm, P.A., has two offices. The main office is on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa, just south of Wesley Chapel and his newer office is in downtown Tampa. Derek specializes in business law (contracts, labor, company ownership structure, etc.), employment law (workplace disputes) and litigation.

 Derek’s education and experience make him especially well suited to the areas of business and employment law. He earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Business from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) in 1997. He became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Illinois shortly thereafter. Then, in 2001, he earned his Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) degree from the Northern Illinois University College of Law. After law school, he joined the Comptroller’s Office at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and, while working there, was able to earn a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation degree, at no cost to himself, from Chicago-Kent College of Law at IIT in 2005.

His experience with accounting and taxes helps him spot financial issues in contracts and transactions. “I can check if assets are depreciated, inflated, or valued properly,” he says. “In public companies versus private companies, ownership can be valued in different ways and I can help clients figure out which option is most advantageous for them.”

Your Litigation Specialist

What does it mean to specialize in litigation? It means Derek is capable of serving as a trial lawyer.

“As a lawyer, going to court is common,” Derek explains. “You have to go to court every time you file a motion. But, it’s unusual for business disputes to go to trial. It’s (usually more) economical to settle. But going to trial is something I am always prepared to do for my clients.”

For example, the Usman Law Firm recently emerged victorious in a three-day federal jury trial against Ulta Beauty, Inc., in which Derek was able to win $60,000 for his client in an employment law case. He also has represented Priatek, LLC, a startup company based in St. Petersburg, and two whistleblowers who filed a lawsuit against the Salvation Army.

Derek says many people would prefer to pick a large law firm versus a smaller practice like his for business legal matters.

“The so-called ‘white shoe firms’ — the well-established, large city firms — may feel less risky, especially if money is not an issue,” he says. “But, bigger firms also can mean double or triple the cost without necessarily getting a senior lawyer. You may get the new, less-experienced guy right out of law school.

He adds, “On the other hand, when you go against large companies that have in-house legal teams, they will have their experts for all types of cases. They definitely will have their own trial expert.” Either way, I have gone up against them.” 

The Usman Law Firm, P.A.’s New Tampa location is at 20701 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Suite 207, and the downtown Tampa location is at 505 E. Jackson St., Suite 305. For more information, please visit DUsmanLaw.com, call (813) 377-1197.

North Tampa Law Group Can Help With Estate Planning & More!

North Tampa Law Group’s attorney Brian Arrighi and title manager Taylor Oliveri provide legal assistance for estate planning, probate and real estate transactions in their office in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off S.R. 56 near I-75 in Wesley Chapel.

Attorney Brian Arrighi, the owner and managing partner of North Tampa Law Group, says his firm has the knowledge and experience to be your go-to expert if you need legal assistance for a real estate transaction, estate planning or probate.

North Tampa Law Group is conveniently located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, about a mile east of the I-75 exit off S.R. 56 (behind MINI of Wesley Chapel). The firm relocated there several years ago, after Brian originally opened it in the Tampa Palms Professional Center in 2014.

Brian Arrighi

Brian has been practicing law for more than 14 years, since earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, and a B.S. degree in Mass Communications from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He’s a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section of the Florida Bar.

He says the busiest part of his practice might be real estate transactions, as the housing market in this area remains very active.

“It has been and still remains more of a seller’s market,” says Brian. “If the home is priced fairly, we frequently see homes go under contract quickly, with multiple offers. In a seller’s market, we also see an increase in calls regarding ‘For Sale By Owner’ transactions.”

He explains that North Tampa Law Group offers the same title services as a title agency, but a title agency has to refer a buyer or seller to legal counsel if any legal issues arise. With a real estate attorney already involved, Brian and his team simply go to work addressing those issues, and act as your title agency.

“It’s a convenience,” he explains. “We cover all the bases, whereas a title agency can’t address anything that requires legal advice or legal documents.”

He adds that hiring North Tampa Law Group to handle a real estate closing doesn’t necessarily increase the cost of a transaction without an attorney. “Our fees are very competitive compared to a standard title agent,” Brian says.

Covid Choices

Brian says that because of the Covid-19 pandemic, North Tampa Law Group has changed the way it handles closings, giving clients a variety of choices to allow them to close in the manner that is most comfortable for that client.

“We can send a mobile notary to the client, or we’re even offering curbside signings, where the client pulls up in their car, calls us, and we send the notary out to them,” Brian explains. “Clients also can choose to sign in the office, but we space it out and clean the conference room in between groups.”

In most transactions, the seller is the party who chooses the title agency, and sellers often use whoever their Realtor recommends. But, people are free to choose, so they can let their Realtor know they would like North Tampa Law Group to handle their closing and title insurance.

Taylor Oliveri

Taylor Oliveri, the firm’s title manager, works with clients from start to finish on real estate transactions to ensure that those transactions close without a problem.

“Taylor is extremely responsive and very helpful,” says Brian. “Buyers and sellers are calling, they’re anxious and nervous and worried, and she’s great at bringing everybody back down to earth…calming them down.”

Taylor says North Tampa Law Group will go the extra mile to make sure your closing goes smoothly. 

“As a smaller law firm, we have more of a boutique feel, rather than a large corporation,” she says. “We establish a good rapport with our clients and with Realtors, as well.”

Many of the clients Taylor works with are those who are selling their homes without a real estate agent. “People want to save money by not hiring a Realtor,” she says, “and they still get top-notch service with us.”

Seven Oaks resident Sandy Villeneuve agrees. When she was ready to sell a townhome that she owned as an investment property in The Bay at Cypress Creek (near I-75 off S.R. 56), she says she didn’t want to use a real estate agent.

“Nobody knew the property better than I did, so I refused to pay a Realtor thousands of dollars to sell it for me,” she says. “But, I couldn’t do the legal side of it, so I needed an attorney.”

Sandy says she and her husband sat down for a consultation with North Tampa Law Group and were pleasantly surprised at the low cost of hiring the firm. From the first meeting, Sandy says it was a great experience every step of the way. “Brian was absolutely wonderful,” she says. “He and Taylor were so responsive and easy to work with. They made it a very easy transaction.”

People looking to sell their property “by owner” can schedule a free phone or in-person consultation with North Tampa Law Group. At that point, Brian and his team go over the steps to the transaction and provide of the all necessary documents, such as a real estate contract, seller disclosure form and homeowners association documents.

To access some of the documents, or to find out what your title costs would be, visit NorthTampaLawGroup.com.

Estate Planning & Probate

North Tampa Law Group also helps people ensure that they don’t unintentionally leave behind problems for any heirs they may have, which can require a lot of time and expense to resolve. Estate planning is preparing for the management of your assets and determining how to efficiently distribute the assets to your loved ones when you pass away. 

People are often most familiar with a Last Will & Testament document, which directs the distribution of assets, but does not avoid the potentially lengthy and expensive court process known as “probate.” North Tampa Law Group also can discuss a “living will” and other options to avoid probate. 

At a consultation with North Tampa Law Group, all estate planning options are discussed to avoid or minimize any court involvement. While probate might not be the best option for everyone, Brian says there are times when it can be beneficial.

In addition to asset distribution, Brian adds that real-life factors — such as long-term health care, guardianship and insurance coverage — also are part of estate planning.

 â€œThere is really a lot we can help you with,” he explains. “Many clients are relieved to find out it was not as expensive or as difficult as they thought.”

Brian says that communicating effectively with clients is an important part of the firm’s success. “I think we do a great job of explaining things in simple terms and allowing the client to proceed at their own pace,” he says, adding that many people don’t like to think about estate planning. “Addressing the issues is more difficult for some people and it can take a few discussions before they determine how they want to handle their affairs, and that is perfectly fine.”

For those who have recently lost someone and find themselves needing assistance in the probate process, Brian is experienced in that area as well.

North Tampa Law Group is located at 26852 Tanic Dr., Suite 102. For more information, visit NorthTampaLawGroup.com or make an appointment for a free initial consultation by calling (813) 518-7411.