TJ is a fifth-generation Hillsborough County native and has never lived more than two hours from the Tampa Bay area. After graduating from the University of Florida, he worked at a firm in Tampa before beginning law school at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport. While there, TJ gained early experience in case management, client communication, and the practical day-to-day work of a small litigation practice. After completing his first year at Stetson, he returned to the Tampa firm and continued working there throughout law school as the practice expanded into additional offices.

TJ practices in the areas of first-party property and general liability defense. His experience includes litigation and arbitration involving sinkhole claims, hurricane and storm damage, negligent security, premises liability, and product liability matters. From early on in his career, he has handled corporate representative and expert depositions, dispositive motion practice, mediations/arbitrations, the sinkhole neutral evaluation process, and site inspections.

TJ particularly enjoys working with clients who are navigating the litigation process for the first time. He focuses on explaining the process clearly, keeping clients informed, and advocating for their interests as cases move through discovery, mediation, and trial.

Outside of the office, TJ lives with his wife and their dog, Tito. They enjoy hosting friends and family, working on their bungalow home, and cooking together.

Caitlin is a Florida native, born and raised in Orlando, Florida. Cailtin attended Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers, Florida, where she was involved in the Honors College, Chio Omega fraternity, and Student Government. Her involvement on campus led to recognition within Florida Gulf Coast University’s Hall of Fame. After graduating Florida Gulf Coast University, Caitlin took a year and served with the United States AmeriCorp Program and was a Volunteer Coordinator for the University of Central Florida’s Honor’s College. Caitlin attended law school at Tulane University’s School of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana. While in law school Caitlin participating in the clinical program, providing aid to victims of domestic abuse.

Since graduating law school, Caitlin has worked in personal injury and property insurance litigation.  Caitlin manages and defenses cases through all stages of personal injury litigation. Caitlin has experience with mediation, trial, and various stages of appeal. Caitlin’s goal is to provide consistent and responsive advise to clients, in addition to voracious advocacy within the courtroom.

Caitlin resides in St. Petersburg with her husband Matthew, daughter Anna, and their dog Ace. Outside of work Caitlin enjoys taking her family to theme parks, enjoying the local beaches, and musical theater.

Nina was born and raised in Eastern Europe. She discovered her passion for law in the aftermath of the 2008 war that deeply impacted her community. Witnessing firsthand the importance of justice and legal advocacy, Nina dedicated herself to pursuing a career in law to effect positive change. Before entering law school, she gained invaluable experience working at a criminal defense law firm, which solidified her commitment to defending clients’ rights. Nina further honed her legal skills while working with Virginia’s Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, where she gained a deeper understanding of the prosecutorial side of the justice system. 

 Nina distinguished herself as a top student during law school. In addition to earning the award for highest grade in her criminal law class, her academic excellence was consistently recognized, as she made the Dean’s List every semester and graduated in the top 10% of her class. Her dedication to legal scholarship also led to her being selected as a teaching assistant for multiple classes, including Professional Responsibility, Criminal Law, and Criminal Procedure. In these roles, she was responsible for designing syllabi, creating exams, and providing one-on-one tutoring to students.

 As a summer associate, Nina gained valuable experience in wills and estate planning, as well as in personal injury cases. This exposure to civil litigation ignited her passion for this area of law, broadening her interest beyond criminal litigation. Nina’s commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by her membership in various honor societies, including Phi Delta Phi. She also completed a judicial clerkship, which provided her with a unique perspective on the inner workings of the judiciary and further refined her legal acumen.

 Nina speaks fluently in English even though it is her fourth language. Outside of her professional life, Nina enjoys a variety of activities that showcase her diverse interests. She is an accomplished pianist, a thrill-seeker who loves skydiving, an avid video gamer, and a car racing enthusiast. Nina also has a passion for solving mysteries and engages in spirited debates with her husband about the existence of aliens.

Nicolas Umana is an Attorney at Vernis & Bowling of Southwest Florida, P.A. Nicolas was born in Colombia and has lived most of his life in Southwest Florida. Nicolas received his Bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Prior to joining Vernis & Bowling, Nicolas worked at both a Plaintiff’s firm as well as a Defense firm handling First-Party Property cases. Nicolas also gained valuable experience working at the Office of the Public Defender for the Third Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Since joining Vernis & Bowling, Nicolas primarily handles First and Third-Party Property and Construction Defect claims. Nicolas enjoys defending high exposure property claims because it affords him the opportunity to review voluminous records and investigate claims to find key pieces of information and witnesses that can provide new information upon which the defense of the case may lie.

In his time off, Nicolas enjoys traveling, hiking and playing soccer.

Pamela Dimo was born in Kucove, Albania. Her family relocated to northeast Ohio. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from John Carroll University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a focus on European Union Law.

Pamela attended Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago, Illinois and received her Juris Doctorate. While in law school, Pamela attended the University of Augsburg, School of Law Summer Program in Augsburg, Germany where she studied European Union & International Economic Law. She also received a CALI Award for Excellence in International Law of Armed Conflict. After completing law school, Pamela became licensed as an attorney in both Illinois and Ohio.

Pamela began her legal career in Chicago, Illinois initially with the Cook County Human Trafficking & Women’s Justice Services before joining a nationally renowned law firm focusing its practice on personal injury, medical malpractice, and nursing home neglect and abuse.  After five years of practice in Chicago, Pamela moved back home to Ohio and joined a law firm focusing on personal injury, medical malpractice, and nursing home neglect and abuse, where she remained for several years. In 2023, Pamela was recognized by her peers as an Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Pamela is a member of the Florida Bar, Alabama Bar, Illinois Bar, and the Ohio Bar.

Her vast experience having represented both Plaintiffs and Defendants provides her clients the best perspective to evaluate claims and equitably resolve matters.

Outside of the office, Pamela enjoys family time with her husband and two kids, traveling, hiking, and reading.