Fentrice D. Driskell

Overview

Fentrice Driskell has significant experience representing banks and other financial institutions in commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters. She also defends clients throughout all stages of consumer finance litigation involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), and the Truth in Lending Act (TILA).  Fentrice partners with clients to develop policies, procedures, and compliance best practices with respect to state and federal consumer protection laws, including the TCPA. In addition, she handles commercial and contested foreclosures and works with clients to enforce creditors’ remedies in bankruptcy proceedings.

As a business litigator, Fentrice has handled cases involving breach of contract, civil theft, the Uniform Commercial Code, covenants not to compete, nonsolicitation clause disputes, theft of trade secrets, and unfair and deceptive trade practices. She also has experience litigating civil lawsuits to recover criminal restitution.

Prior to joining Carlton Fields, Fentrice clerked for the Honorable Anne C. Conway of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Experience

• Managed portfolio of consumer finance defense litigation for national and state-chartered banks.
• Assisted private lender with prosecuting and defending multiple federal and state court actions related to borrower’s $22 million default on commercial loan.
• Assisted preferred Small Business Administration lender in prosecuting commercial foreclosures from filing of complaint to property sale.
• Secured $1.7 million award for international manufacturing in companion civil case after former employee convicted of embezzlement.

Recognition

• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• The Best Lawyers in America, Antitrust Law (2023–2024)
• Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2020–2023)
• Florida Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine (2011–2019)
• Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine (2019)
• Florida Legal Elite Up & Comers, Florida Trend Magazine (2015)
• Leader in the Law Award, Florida Association for Women Lawyers (2015)
• President’s Award, George Edgecomb Bar Association (2014)
• Honorary Chair, Hillsborough County Branch NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner (2014)
• Carlton Fields Pro Bono Hero, multiple years, and Mentor of the Year (2013)
• Lake Gibson High School Hall of Fame, first student inducted (2012)
• Tampa Connection Team Member of the Year (2008)
• Up and Comer Award, Tampa Bay Business Journal (2008)

Professional & Community Involvement

• American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar
  • Standing Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (2013–present)
• Florida Association for Women Lawyers
• George Edgecomb Bar Association
  • Second Vice President
  • President (2014–2016)
  • First Vice President (2010–2014)
  • Secretary (2008–2010)
• National Bar Association, Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter
• Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
  • Fellow (2014)
• Hillsborough County Bar Association
• Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers
• Hillsborough Education Foundation
  • Board of Directors
• J. Clifford Cheatwood American Inn of Court (2006–2008)
• William Reece Smith Jr. Litigation American Inn of Court (2014–2015)
• Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association
• Tampa Connection (2007–2008)
• Tampa Crossroads Inc.
  • Board of Directors
  • Secretary (2014–present)
  • Director (2007–2014)
• Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
  • Volunteer (2007)
• SHARE Florida Food Network
  • Advisory Board (2008–2009)
• Susan G. Komen, Suncoast Affiliate Race
  • Committee Member (2006–2007)

Speaking Engagements

• "LTA Chair's Choice: Reflecting on the Centennial of the 19th Amendment — a Discussion With Tampa Bay’s Women in Politics," Tampa Bay Chamber (August 7, 2020)
• "Who You Gonna Call? An Update on the Telephone Protection Consumer Protection Act, Compliance Best Practices, and Litigation Trends," International Association of Privacy Professionals (February 11, 2014)
• The Florida Bar's Practicing With Professionalism (March 1, 2014)
• "Balancing Life and the Law," The Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Professionalism and Law Student Division of the Young Lawyers Division, Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, FL (October 6, 2014)
• "Legal Issues Involving the Use of Personal Electronic Devices and Social Media in the Workplace," Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association (June 23, 2012)
• "Attorney-Client Privilege and the Use of Social Media in the Workplace," Association of Corporate Counsel (May 19, 2011)

Credentials