Insights
Taylor Falkner Nominated for Manatee Young Professionals Award
Taylor Falkner, land use and local government attorney was nominated Manatee Young Professionals (MYP) MVP Awards.
The 2023 MYP Awards celebrates professionals in Manatee County ages 21-40 who demonstrate initiative and excellence in their careers, contribute time and energy in serving the community, and seek to support other young professionals through their leadership and advocacy. Also being honored are companies and organizations that employ creative, intentional initiatives that seek to attract and retain young talent in the greater Manatee County region.
“Taylor Falkner is one of our outstanding young attorneys, who wants to be active in supporting our community,” says land use and local government partner Mark Barnebey. “Her enthusiasm and attitude for wanting to provide for a better and more vibrant Manatee County is reflected in her service and quick rise through the ranks of the Manatee Young Professionals.”
Manatee Young Professionals (MYP) is a program of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce geared towards those aged 21-40. MYP is Tampa Bay’s longest running young professional program, and provides business, social and community resources for young and young-thinking professionals in Manatee County.
Congratulations to the nominees and winners who are exceptional leaders dedicated to making Manatee County a great place to live, work and play.

Chuck Johnson, Jill McGarry, Dan VanEtten, Taylor Falkner, Jenna Meltzer, Mark Barnebey
Avoid the Pitfalls When Buying Real Estate Online
To understand and minimize your risk, you should be well informed prior to the time of purchase. Speak with experienced counsel before the online auction. It is not news to many Floridians that the latest hot real estate market has been soaring for a while. We are...
Mark Barnebey Presents to Florida State University Students
Land use and local government attorney Mark Barnebey gave an insightful presentation to the Florida State University (FSU) Department of Urban and Regional Planning students. Mark spoke about practical issues for planners and questions planners should be asking...
The Importance of Buy-Sell Agreements
A buy-sell agreement provides for the orderly transition of a business when unforeseen events occur. Imagine a scenario in which there are two women who co-own a business. One of the owners unexpectedly passes away. A few months after the co-owner’s passing, the...
COVID-19 and the Use of Zoom for Litigation
How much has the coronavirus pandemic impacted proceedings in and out of court? Much has changed since the novel coronavirus first began making headlines in 2019, and the legal field is certainly no exception. Given the difficulty of social distancing in the...
Follow This Age-Appropriate Estate Planning Guide for Every Stage of your Life
“Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.”– John Lennon Your crystal ball is likely as good as the next guy’s, which is why it is important to have documents in place to ensure you have a say while navigating life as it happens. With that said, you may...
OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard Related to COVID-19 Vaccinations for 100 or More Employees
As expected, the U.S. Occupational and Safety Health Administration issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) related to the COVID-19 vaccination and employees on November 4, 2021. The ETS requires employers with 100 or more employees to ensure the entire workforce...
Land Use Attorneys Can Counsel You in all Aspects of the Permitting and Development Approval
Attorneys in the Blalock Walters’ land use department represent private clients in all aspects of the permitting and development approval process. We counsel developers and private land owners on matters that require land use and local government expertise, from...
Mark Barnebey Elected Treasurer of Florida Municipal Attorneys Association
The Florida Municipal Attorneys Association (FMAA) was formally organized during late 1981, and adopted its constitution in May of 1982. Its membership consists of over 800 attorneys who specialize in the legal representation of municipalities. These members include...
Why it May Make Sense to Seek an Upward Adjustment to the Just Value of your Homestead Property
Florida law provides for property to be assessed at full market value for taxation purposes, an amount known as the “just value.” It is regularly noted that property is generally assessed at approximately 85 percent of market sales figures, an amount which reflects...
How to Buy or Sell a Business: When Payment Protection Program or Economic Injury Disaster Loans are Involved
Whether a business sale is structured as an asset sale or a stock sale, the buyer usually requires that all existing debt of the target company be paid in full prior to or at the closing. At the height of the coronavirus pandemic many businesses took advantage of the...