Adams & Reese Welcomes Former Federal Prosecutor and Environmental Lawyer

Adams & Reese is pleased to announce that Rhett DeHart and Ralph DeMeo have joined the Am Law 200 firm’s Charleston and Tallahassee offices, respectively, in the firm’s Intersection of Business and Government Group (IBG).

Rhett DeHart joins Adams & Reese as Partner. Over his distinguished 20-year career, Rhett has served in various roles including Acting U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, Counsel for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, and in private practice. As Acting U.S. Attorney, Rhett successfully oversaw numerous high-profile criminal and civil cases, including an $11 billion securities fraud case involving the state’s largest utility company, and a $140 million False Claims Act suit involving healthcare providers. He will be representing companies and individuals in white-collar criminal and civil actions, healthcare fraud, False Claims Act, customs and import fraud, bank fraud, environmental crimes, internal investigations, and other matters. Rhett is licensed in South Carolina, multiple U.S. District Courts, and the Supreme Court of South Carolina. Chambers USA ranks Rhett in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, and he has earned numerous prestigious accolades.

“We are very excited about having both of these acclaimed professionals join our firm. Rhett adds to our growing white collar expertise and will play a key role in helping clients navigate issues with federal and South Carolina agencies, while also bolstering our presence in Charleston. Ralph’s expertise is well-known in Florida, and he will be a significant addition in our quest to build one of the leading environmental law practices in the Sunshine State. ” stated Brad Lampley, Partner and IBG Practice Group Leader.

Ralph DeMeo, joining as Counsel, practices primarily environmental law. He represents businesses, landowners, individuals, and local government entities throughout Florida and nationally in state and federal courts, before state and federal agencies, and by assisting with legislative initiatives. Ralph’s wide-ranging practice includes environmental and land use issues, administrative matters, representation before government regulatory agencies, domestic and industrial wastewater and solid waste releases, toxic torts, and brownfields, as well as real estate due diligence, condemnation, construction defects, energy and utility law, transportation law, and animal law, with emphasis on civil and administrative litigation. Ralph is also an academic, serving as an adjunct professor at FSU College of Law, Stetson College of Law, Tallahassee State College, and Florida A&M University (FAMU). He is licensed in Florida, multiple U.S. District Courts, and the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He is ranked by Chambers USA in Environmental law, as well as by other ranking organizations.

“Ralph brings a rare depth of experience in environmental and land use matters and will significantly expand our growing environmental practice. Our clients across the firm’s footprint, but especially across the Sunshine State, who are pursuing critical projects and sustainable growth will immediately benefit from his knowledge,” said Herschel Vinyard, Partner in Charge of the firm’s Jacksonville office. “Ralph helps position Adams & Reese as the go-to firm when clients face particularly challenging environmental issues in Florida.”

Vinyard, former Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, joined Adams & Reese in 2021 with Jeff Littlejohn to launch the firm’s Environmental practice, which focuses on complex development, infrastructure and permitting challenges.

Rhett earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1994. Ralph completed his J.D. at Florida State University in 1984.