Syprett Meshad

03/04/2026

Have you met our Managing Partner Ken Poole? He joined our firm in 2009, was named partner in 2016, and has been managing partner since 2022. He devotes his practice to the areas of family and criminal law, and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Ken is a former prosecutor, previously serving as an Assistant State Attorney in the 12th Judicial Circuit, and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator in Family Law. He has completed Florida Supreme Court Certified Training as an Arbitrator and is proud to offer collaborative divorce as an out-of-court alternative to typical adversarial divorce processes.

Ken earned his Juris Doctorate in 2005 from the UF Levin College of Law . He holds a Master of Science degree in Management (2003), and a Bachelor of Arts degree, cm laude, in Environmental Science with minors in Agricultural Law and Natural Resource Ethics and Policy (2001), from the University of Florida.

If you'd like to speak with Ken, call the Syprett Meshad office at 941.365.7171.

02/13/2026

Kicking off Valentine's weekend with a Friday the 13th?! Our firm celebrated with a Gothic Valentine's celebration featuring themed dishes and desserts, a bake-off contest, and dressing up for those who dared!

Whatever you do this weekend, stay safe and have fun!

Happy Valentine's Day!

02/10/2026

Syprett Meshad has been named one of the Best Law Firms in Sarasota for Family Law, and Family Law Attorney and Partner Kenneth M. Poole, Jr., has been named a Family Law Best Lawyer, according to Best Lawyers.

Our firm is recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms, and Attorney Poole was featured in the “Best Lawyers” supplement included earlier this fall in print editions of the Sarasota Herald Tribune, the Tampa Bay Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Best Law Firms® rankings celebrate firms that have consistently demonstrated excellence in legal expertise and industry knowledge. Each firm included has been rigorously evaluated based on client feedback, peer recommendations, leadership interviews, and the depth of their practice. The result is a comprehensive guide for businesses and individuals seeking top-tier legal counsel in the United States.

We're proud of our firm and congratulate Ken on his recognition. Here's to a great year ahead!

01/22/2026

Our attorneys and legal team were joined by many friends, family members, and colleagues from around the Suncoast on January 13 at Michael's on East Wine Cellar, to celebrate Attorney Michael Resnick and congratulate him on his amazing 52-year career!

Mr. Resnick, who had focused in his practice in the area of Family Law, announced his retirement in December. A founding member of our firm, he provided extraordinary leadership as President for many years.

We send many thanks, congratulations, and best wishes to our friend and colleague!

12/31/2025

We're looking forward to 2026 and wishing you all a very safe and Happy New Year!

12/22/2025

We're so grateful, not just at the holidays but all year-round, for our clients and the amazing community of Sarasota.

Wishing you all a fabulous holiday season!

12/17/2025

Sarasota native Mabry Robinson has joined Syprett Meshad as an Associate Attorney, practicing civil litigation, real estate, family law, and probate.

Mabry earned his Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law, where his great-grandfather was one of the five or six students who graduated in Stetson's 1902 inaugural class. His career in law follows the footsteps of three generations in his family.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Risk Management and Insurance from the University of South Florida, and gained insight and experience through extensive internship experiences with insurance companies while completing his studies.

Mabry is a member of The Florida Bar and the Young Lawyers Division of the Sarasota County Bar Association.

An eighth-generation Floridian, Mabry attended Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School and is an avid outdoorsman.

Please join us in welcoming Mabry to our firm. To reach him, call our offices at 941.365.7171

12/09/2025

12/09/2025

Keeping a successful law firm operating smoothly is an art. Maintaining those operations over four decades requires sharp organizational know-how and great people skills. This month, we recognize our Firm Administrator Patricia Ann Roby for 41 years of service.

For almost as many years as Syprett Meshad has been in existence, Patricia has been working behind the scenes, ensuring day-to-day operational and administrative details are seamlessly taken care of so that our attorneys and paralegal staff can focus on serving the legal needs of our clients.

With heartfelt appreciation, we celebrate Patricia’s 41 years with our firm!

A bit of Patricia’s back story:

Born in Brockton, Massachusetts, Patricia moved to Florida during the fall of 1973 and graduated from Booker High School in 1983. She attended Manatee Jr. College from 1983 to 1984.

Hired in 1984 as a delivery and errand “runner” without an ounce of experience in the legal field, Patricia quickly established herself as an invaluable right-hand to the founding partners of our firm. She dedicated herself to learning the intricacies of the legal field and law firm management, and over the years, assumed more responsibilities in accounting, staff management, community and nonprofit engagement, and keeping the office running smoothly.

By 1999, in recognition of her expanded duties and contributions to the firm, Patricia was named Firm Administrator. Her service has been invaluable in steering day-to-day operations for our firm as it expanded to serve the diverse needs of clients in our ever-growing community. Check out these photos of Patricia over the years and yes, she's still a big fan!

We’re grateful and happy to have Patricia on our team ... congrats on 41 years, Pat, and cheers to many more!

11/26/2025

Gratitude for community is what brings us all together. Not just at Thanksgiving but throughout the year as we see neighbors helping neighbors, read stories of support for those in need, and give time, money, and energy to making Sarasota a place for all to live and thrive.

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

11/17/2025

We're happy to announce that Attorney Ben Sorrell has rejoined our firm!

Combining big-firm expertise with smaller-firm accessibility, and having represented, closed, and negotiated over $250 million in transactions, Ben brings a wealth of experience to the table in handling complex real estate matters, including the drafting and negotiation of purchase and sale agreements for residential property, retail shopping centers, hotels, office buildings, and other real estate documents such as easement agreements and financing documents. He is also well-versed in preparing and negotiating office, retail shopping centers, industrial/warehouse, and residential leases.

Named a “Rising Star” from 2021-2025 and listed as a top-rated Florida lawyer by Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), SRQ Magazine has also named him an Elite Top Attorney for five consecutive years (2020-2025).

Do you have a question for Ben? Contact him at 941.365.7171.

09/19/2025

Our firm is saddened to share that Partner Jim D. Syprett passed on September 13, 2025. In 1968, together with John Meshad, he established our firm under its original name: Syprett & Meshad.

In memory and celebration of his extraordinary contributions to our firm and our community, we share these excerpts from his obituary in the Sarasota Herald Tribune:

Born in Clarksville, Tennessee, Jim spent summers with friends and family on the Cumberland River where he discovered his lifelong passion for the water. He graduated from Vanderbilt University, and after obtaining his law degree from the University of Florida in 1965, he moved to Sarasota.

He began his illustrious legal career with the Law Offices of Dick Lee. He was a natural in the Courtroom – a charming southern accent, a gifted and prolific storyteller, and an unequaled command of the law and the details of his case – all which made him a formidable, but respected foe.

A “lawyer’s lawyer,” Jim’s work ethic was legendary. His integrity, dedication and warm nature earned him the respect of all who worked with him. His colleagues and clients loved him, his opponents revered him, and the judges admired him. He also served as a mentor to many young lawyers throughout the Bar and was a most trusted and reliable colleague to the lawyers in his firm. In 2023, the Senior Counsel of Sarasota County presented Jim with the Esteemed Colleague Award.

He was a longtime advocate for the Family Counseling Center and the Cancer Support Community and served on the Board of the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation for over ten years–elected as its president for three terms. He was most proud of his part in planning the new state-of-the art Jellison Cancer Institute.

Jim’s greatest passion, however, was his family. He was a most loving husband to Charlie Ann Syprett, devoted father of two treasured sons Troy D. Syprett and Todd D. Syprett, and an adoring grandfather to four beautiful grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jim’s memory to the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, 1515 S. Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239 or https://smhf.org/