For Stephen Gross, the path to becoming a Board-Certified Construction Law Specialist didn’t begin in a library—it began in the cramped, high-stakes belly of a nuclear submarine.

As a U.S. Navy nuclear electrician from 1994 to 1999, Stephen operated in an environment where technical systems had to be flawless and a single oversight could have catastrophic consequences. Today, he translates that mission-critical precision to the construction industry. He understands that in construction law, much like in a nuclear engine room, the “wiring” of a contract or the “foundation” of a legal strategy determines whether a project succeeds or sinks.

While he serves as Zinzow Law’s vital South Florida presence, Stephen’s reach is defined by a relentless Pittsburgh work ethic and a veteran’s discipline. By combining his problem-solving mindset with elite Florida Bar Board Certification, he offers clients a rare advantage: a lawyer who truly understands the mechanics of how things are built and the tactical resilience required to protect them in the courtroom.

Whether he’s untangling a complex defect claim or drafting a foolproof agreement, Stephen treats every case with the preparation of a military operation. He knows that his clients’ livelihoods are on the line, and he brings the same grit to the legal “trenches” that he once brought to the submarine service.

When the hard hats are off, Stephen stays grounded by the values of home, sharing his life with his wife, their two sons, and his mother. For Stephen, the ultimate goal is simple: providing the rock-solid legal foundation his clients need so they can focus on building the future.

A Foundation of Precision

Lan White’s career is built on a foundation of tactical precision. Long before navigating complex legal landscapes, he developed his disciplined approach to problem-solving during his early service as a Captain in the U.S. Army. During his army service he commanded an Engineer platoon , an intelligence collection detachment in Viet Name, and an infantry rifle company stateside. Since joining the Florida Bar in 1981, Lan has applied that same structured focus to a legal legacy that bridges the technical complexities of the courtroom with the high-stakes strategy of the corporate boardroom.

A lifelong adventurer, Lan once crossed rugged terrains and open roads on two wheels, tackling the Alaska Highway, Blue Ridge Parkway, Andes and the American Southwest as an avid motorcycle enthusiast. Today, he and his wife explore the globe with a different kind of precision, trading the motorcycle seat for international air travel and world-class cruising vessels.

The Insider’s Blueprint
Lan does not just study construction and real estate law; he lived it. Having served as a principal, Vice President, and General Counsel for four distinct real estate development companies, a mechanical subcontractor, and a general contractor, he brings a rare “insider’s” viewpoint to the firm. He knows firsthand the operational friction, financial risks, and regulatory hurdles that builders face every day.
This deep commercial background is backed by elite credentials. Lan has been a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Construction Law since 2008—a distinction held by a highly selective group of vetted legal experts. His peer-recognized leadership also earned him a position as a Fellow and Barrister in the elite Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA).

Maintaining the Ground Rules
Beyond the job site, Lan is a highly sought-after neutral voice in dispute resolution. He commanded respect on the bench as a Special Magistrate for the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board, conducting quasi-judicial hearings to keep the industry compliant and fair.

When corporate disputes peak, Lan steps in as a seasoned arbitrator for both the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), systematically untangling intricate construction, commercial, financial, and securities issues.

Forging the Next Generation
Lan brought his signature operational focus back to academia early in his career. After earning his Juris Doctor with honors from Stetson University College of Law in 1981, Lan eventually returned to his alma mater as an Adjunct Professor of Law to masterfully teach the next generation of attorneys the finer details of secured transactions.

Steven ‘Rusty’ Nisbet is a Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Law Specialist and the Senior Trial Attorney and Litigator at Zinzow Law. Having tried well over 100 cases, Rusty knows his way around a courtroom.  Prior to joining Zinzow Law Rusty spent over 20 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Tampa.  Having grown up as one of 5 children in a large New England family, it was in that Rhode Island Town where Rusty would begin to develop his identity and role in the world.  His family provided him with a strong moral foundation and a love for people.  These values were then re-emphasized through athletics.  Rusty learned about teamwork, accountability, trust, winning, losing, hard-work and so much more, and in a way that only competitive athletics can teach.  His summers were consumed with all things water, including: sailing, swimming and lifeguarding.  His winters were all about blazing a trail on skis down the powdery and the slightly icy snow that covers the New England Mountains.  His spring was all about competitive bike riding.  In the fall his time was divided between competitive football and lacrosse, having been awarded the distinguished rank of a U.S. High School All American Football Player.  Rusty went on to play college lacrosse and serve as a ski instructor.  He has skied all over the United States and in various spots around the world.  He has participated in several charitable bike rides across the state of Florida and has competed in Sprint Triathlons and Century Bike Rides.  While both an accomplished Attorney and athlete, if you ask Rusty what his proudest accomplishment is he will not hesitate and tell you it is his family.  Rusty has raised 5 successful children and all with the same level of love for humanity and family with which he was raised.  Just mentioning his family puts a smile on his face and sometimes a tear in his eye.

Justin R. Zinzow is the CEO and Founding member of Zinzow Law.  Justin is a Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Law Specialist.  His background in the road construction, landscaping, and building trades provides the real world experience and insight that foster his role as counselor.  Justin is versed in construction, real estate and business transactional law and litigation; but he prides himself most on being a zealous counselor of not only the law, but of business and life.  Justin often operates as a General Counsel for his clients.  As General Counsel he couples his expert legal skills, training, and business background to provide the perfect partnership, helping his clients and friends grow their businesses.  When not in court you will find Justin on any given day wearing jeans, boots and a cowboy hat.  This is not just a wardrobe for Justin; it is the personification of the values he carries throughout his life and his businesses.  These values can be summed up in the Code of the West.