Two Firm Members Receive Top Honors

Location: Tampa

Bryant Miller Olive Celebrates a Legacy of Excellence as Two Firm Members Receive Top Honors from The Florida Bar's City, County and Local Government Law Section

April 29, 2026 - Bryant Miller Olive P.A. (BMO) proudly announces that two members of the firm-Alan S. Zimmet and Hannah Carpenter-were honored at the 2026 Annual Conference of The Florida Bar's City, County and Local Government Law (CCLGL) Section. Their recognitions reflect a powerful legacy of excellence within the firm and the continued passing of that legacy to the next generation of local government lawyers.

Alan S. Zimmet Receives the Ralph A. Marsicano Award
BMO attorney Alan S. Zimmet was named the 2026 recipient of the Ralph A. Marsicano Award, the Section's most prestigious lifetime achievement honor. The Marsicano award is a singular honor; the oldest and most widely respected award by the Section. This award is presented annually to a Florida Bar attorney who has made outstanding contributions to the development of local government law.

Zimmet becomes the third BMO attorney to receive The Marsicano award in the past six years. David C. Miller, retired BMO Shareholder, was The Marsicano award recipient in 2025; Grace Dunlap, former CEO and Managing Shareholder of BMO was the recipient in 2021.

Zimmet dedicated over 40 years of service to local government and municipal law. He previously served as City Attorney for Largo, and as General Counsel for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. He began his legal career as an attorney for the United States Department of Labor. He then worked for the City of Clearwater as an Assistant City Attorney for three years before he entered private practice.

"Alan's career has had a lasting impact on local government law across Florida," said JoLinda Herring, BMO's CEO and Managing Shareholder. "His dedication, scholarship, and service have strengthened communities statewide. We are proud to see him recognized with the Section's highest honor."

Hannah L. Carpenter Receives the 2026 Law Student Award
The CCLGL Section recognized Hannah Carpenter, a BMO law clerk and third year (3L) student at Stetson University College of Law, with its 2026 Law Student Award. The award honors a student who demonstrates exceptional academic achievement and meaningful contributions and commitment to local government law. Ms. Carpenter will graduate in May 2026 and plans to join BMO full time after the bar exam.

"Hannah represents the future of our profession," Herring said. "Her passion for public service and her commitment to excellence embody the values that have long defined BMO."

The dual recognition of Zimmet and Carpenter highlights the firm's enduring impact on local government law in Florida. Their achievements reflect BMO's commitment to cultivating leaders at every stage of their careers

The words of past Marsicano Award recipient David C. Miller capture the spirit of these achievements: "I will forever treasure the memory of this moment." This sense of honor and purpose resonates today as BMO recognizes the legacy built by attorneys like Zimmet, and the bright future represented by Carpenter.

About Bryant Miller Olive
With more than 55 years of service, Bryant Miller Olive represents governments, businesses, and agencies in matters involving public finance, real estate, state and local government law, complex transactions, project finance, litigation, and labor and employment. The firm has offices in Tampa, Tallahassee, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.bmolaw.com.