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Icard Merrill is a full-service law firm based in Sarasota, Florida, delivering innovative and effective legal solutions through dedicated and caring professionals. Since 1953, Icard Merrill has offered clients comprehensive legal experience in multiple practice areas, including business and corporate, community association law, construction, bankruptcy, employment, estate planning, family law, government and administrative, immigration, intellectual property, land use and zoning, litigation, mobile home and manufactured housing, real estate, tax, and mediation services.
Icard Merrill’s attorneys are leaders in their respective fields, providing experienced and knowledgeable advice to businesses and individuals throughout the Suncoast. Our attorneys combine a commitment to exemplary client service with the latest innovations in the practice of law to provide quality advice in a wide range of legal disciplines. Our dedicated practice groups work both independently and cooperatively to ensure a high level of comprehensive representation.
The cornerstone of Icard Merrill is an enduring commitment to excellence, integrity, teamwork, and the community. More information is available at icardmerrill.com.
Rankings
Regional
Sarasota
Tier
1
Sarasota
Construction LawTier
1
Sarasota
Family LawTier
1
Sarasota
Land Use and Zoning LawTier
1
Sarasota
Personal Injury Litigation - PlaintiffsTier
1
Sarasota
Real Estate LawTier
2
Sarasota
Litigation - Land Use and ZoningFirm Leadership
Highlighted Client Comments
These featured testimonials reflect a sampling of client experiences. As every legal matter is unique—comments are personal opinions, not guarantees of future results.
Land Use and Zoning Law
I was extremely pleased with my experience with Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg and Mike Furen. They were knowledgeable and professional in guiding me through a challenging case. All the people we worked with in the firm did a great job. I would recommend for sure!
Joe McNamara
Administrative / Regulatory Law
They seem to be the most respected and knowledgeable commercial real estate and zoning firm in the area.
Paxton Kinol
Belpointe Multifamily Partners, LLCLand Use and Zoning Law
One of the best law firms in the country, it is highly responsive to clients' needs.
Cyrus Ansary
International Lawyer & Financier – ISICO LLCReal Estate Law
With regard to Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, they have assisted us with numerous real estate matters in Florida. Jeff Pflugner has been magnificent not simply in resolving certain extremely unusual title matters but also in providing advice on how to structure numerous types of transactions, including property purchases and sales, long term leases, and property financing's. Mr. Pflugner has made himself available on short notice and has even worked extensively when away from his office in order to meet a time line not of his own creation. His explanations of title issues have been easy for laymen to understand and appreciate particular problems and have thus greatly reduced the time required to close extremely complicated real estate transactions.
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg has represented me for over 20 years and is truly the top professional legal firm in Sarasota.
James Gabbert
Gabbert Investments, LLCLand Use and Zoning Law
I have worked with Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg on land use issues since 1980. They are creative, knowledgeable, well connected, and have always produced the best possible results.
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Bill Merrill of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg is one of the best land use lawyers I've ever worked with. Amazing attention to detail and insight, highly recommended.
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Bill Merrill's judgement on the real estate matters we engaged him to handle is impeccable. Trustability is key ingredient (to me) in any successful professional relationship. Bill has proven, time and time again, to a very trustworthy lawyer. Being one who, over my professional career, has dealt mostly with legal professionals from larger, national law firms, finding a very competent, likeable real estate lawyer in a smaller community like Sarasota has made a fairly complicated real estate transaction, manageable. I highly recommend Bill Merrill and the Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg law firm. More importantly, I trust his judgement.
Jim Cater
The GlenridgeClosely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
My company has used Icard, Merrill for 10 years now and my company has never had a legal issue that the firm could not handle. They successfully won the only trial we have been directly involved in (in this case as the plaintiff).
Land Use and Zoning Law
Bill Merrill with Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg is as respected and knowledgeable as they come in land use and zoning matters in my experience in both Sarasota and Manatee counties. My association with him goes back over 20 years. He is honorable and effective.
Corporate Law
I have been dealing with Icard Merrill for nearly 10 years and find them to be one of the best, all-encompassing law firms that I have had the pleasure to deal with over my 25-year career banking. The firm does an excellent job hiring and retaining knowledgeable lawyers to ensure that my legal needs in both business or personal matters are well taken care of. I refer personal and company business to them on a regular basis.
Real Estate Law
This firm not only understands the law today but completely understands the value in helping to shape it for their clients in the future. Hands down, there is no better.
JD Porter
Wiregrass Ranch, Inc.Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
We have used this firm on our family's legacy project for several years now. Wiregrass Ranch is broadly believed to be the most complex and successful development in the state, and Icard Merrill has done an amazing job to help us take our project not only to the next level, but to the forefront of cutting edge thinking.
JD Porter
Wiregrass Ranch, Inc.Rankings
Regional
Sarasota
Tier
1
Sarasota
Construction LawTier
1
Sarasota
Family LawTier
1
Sarasota
Land Use and Zoning LawTier
1
Sarasota
Personal Injury Litigation - PlaintiffsTier
1
Sarasota
Real Estate LawTier
2
Sarasota
Litigation - Land Use and ZoningTier
3
Sarasota
Litigation - Real EstatePractice Areas
Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg PA has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 7 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
- Administrative
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Arbitration
- Banking and Finance Law
- Business Disputes
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Commercial
- Commercial Development
- Commercial Litigation
- Community Association Law
- Complex Disputes
- Condominiums
- Construction
- Construction Disputes
- Construction Law
- Contract Review and Negotiation
- Corporate Governance and Compliance Law
- Elder Law
- Employment Law - Individuals
- Employment Law - Management
- Environmental
- Environmental Law
- Family Law
- Family Law Arbitration
- Family Law Mediation
- Financial Services Regulation Law
- Information Technology Law
- Land Use
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Litigation
- Litigation - Banking and Finance
- Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Litigation - Construction
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
- Litigation - Securities
- Mediation
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Municipal Law
- Mutual Funds Law
- Personal Injury
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- Planning
- Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
- Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
- Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
- Real Estate
- Real Estate Law
- Securities
- Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Securities Regulation
- Tax Law
- Trademark Law
- Transactions
- Trusts and Estates
- Utilities Law
- Water Law
- Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants
- Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
- Wrongful Death
- Zoning
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg PA proudly has 11 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
Client Comments
A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
Firm News
September 9, 2021
Icard Merrill Attorneys Honored as 2021 Elite Top Attorneys
August 19, 2021
Eleven Icard Merrill Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers in America
August 6, 2021
Attorney Todd Kaplan Named New Icard Merrill Shareholder
July 11, 2021
William Merrill III Named to Florida Trend’s 2021 Legal Elite
July 9, 2021
Icard Merrill Attorneys Named to 2021 Florida Super Lawyers
May 24, 2021
Nokomis Financial Advisors Awarded $1.5 Million for Negligent Compliance Advice
... ...
Awards
Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg PA is honored to be recognized for excellence by Best Law Firms and other leading legal industry organizations. Our rankings and awards reflect the dedication, skill, and results our attorneys deliver across a wide range of practice areas. In addition to our Best Law Firms awards, Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg PA has earned accolades from respected national and regional publications for outstanding legal service and professional achievement. Explore our awards below to learn more about how Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg PA continues to set the standard for quality legal representation.
2019 Best Law Firms
2020 Best Law Firms
2021 Best Law Firm
2022 Best Law Firm
2023 Best Law Firm
Offices & Contacts
Sarasota, FL
2033 Main Street, Suite 600
Sarasota, FL 34237
United States
Lakewood Ranch, FL
8470 Enterprise Circle, Suite 201
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
United States
Punta Gorda, FL
252 West Marion Avenue, Unit 1127
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
United States