Chris Berga, Conroy Simberg

Florida-based insurance defense firm Conroy Simberg has opened an office in Thomasville, Georgia, and also has formed a cannabis division based out of its Hollywood office.

Partner Joshua Canton, who has been a partner in the firm's Tallahassee office since 2011, will oversee business development and client relations throughout Georgia as managing partner of the new Thomasville office. Canton has practiced civil liability defense for nearly 20 years.

The firm has done work in Georgia for more than 10 years—in the areas of civil liability, workers' compensation and appellate matters, the firm said. Four other attorneys from various Conroy Simberg offices in Florida will split their time with the Georgia office.

The new Florida-based cannabis practice will be co-chaired by partner Christopher Berga and fellow Hollywood office liability partner Mark Goldstein.

“Our view is that we're going to approach all areas of the marketplace with an emphasis on defense practices, but at the same time regulatory issues that we anticipate have arisen and are going to arise,” Berga said.

Earlier this year, Conroy Simberg hired Berga from Lydecker Diaz to work out of its Hollywood and Miami offices. He was at Lydecker for about 14 years practicing in securities defense, insurance insolvency, financial litigation, e-discovery and lobbying. At Conroy Simberg, his practice focuses on commercial and construction litigation, director's and officer's liability, and general insurance defense.