Golden Gate Business Lawyers

Andrew Pardun, LL.M. is an Associate with the firm specializing in the areas of Real Estate Law, Title Insurance, Commercial and Residential Real Estate Closings, Commercial Lending and Borrowing, Foreclosure Matters, Business Law, and Tax Law.

Andrew joined the firm in January of 2016 after completing his Juris Doctorate Degree from Stetson University College of Law and his MBA Degree, with Honors, from Stetson University. Andrew completed his MBA degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honors society. During his first year at the firm, Andrew completed his Master of Laws Degree in...

Stephen J. Wein is a founding shareholder of the firm. He was previously the Chairman of the Litigation Department of a prominent local firm where he was also a member of its Executive Committee. He is a 1976 graduate of Stetson University College of Law. Steve’s extensive litigation experience is diverse, ranging from Complex Commercial to White Collar Criminal matters on behalf of and against public and private companies, financial institutions, insurance companies and professionals. The representations have dealt with a wide gamut of legal issues involving securities, antitrust, class actions, computers and software, intellectual property, healthcare fraud...

Mr. Gallagher graduated from Stetson University College of Law. After graduation he began practice with a large Tampa firm focusing on insurance litigation. Additionally, Mr. Gallagher served as a Federal Judicial Intern for Chief Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich of the U.S. Middle District of Florida. Mr. Gallagher has experience in both litigation and transactional matters. His current practice focuses on insurance litigation, foreclosure defense, real estate litigation, business law and consumer law.

While at Stetson, Mr. Gallagher was the Director of the Legal Writing Clinic, President of the Christian Legal Society, a Teaching Fellow for Legal Research and Writing classes, a...

Mr. Curry is a civil trial lawyer and has had his own firm for most of his career. He has been recognized by Judges and his colleagues as one of the preeminent lawyers in his field receiving an “AV’ rating from Martindale Hubbell. He has an active Civil Trial Practice participating in civil trials involving Commercial, Personal Injury, Family Issues and General Business Litigation. In addition to his successful Law Practice he served as a Founding Director and General Counsel of Platinum Bank from 1997 through 2012.

Mr. Curry has served as President of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. He was...

A native of Florida, Ryan T. Cox graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in criminology before going on to get a master’s degree in criminal justice from UCF and a law degree from UF’s Frederick G. Levin College of law. Following graduation, Ryan represented clients in civil litigation and business transactions before finding his niche defending people against criminal charges.

Now, having returned home after 4 years working in Colorado, Ryan has decided to apply his skills to representing the people of the gulf coast. He joins Carlson Meissner with extensive experience handling all manner of...

Betty Marion Whitman resides in Ocala, Marion County, Florida where she began practicing law in Marion County in 1987. Betty started her legal career as a secretary to her father, a general practitioner in Melbourne, Florida. She continued to work as a legal secretary in various cities in Florida and briefly in New York City. She obtained her A.A. degree from Brevard Community College, then went on to the University of Central Florida to obtain her B.A. degree, and then to Law School at the University of Florida. Betty has achieved an “AV Preeminent” rating by Martindale & Hubbell,...

Thomas C. Saunders is one of only a small handful of lawyers in Polk County, Florida that hold themselves out as double Board Certified. Tom is certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in both Civil Trial and Business Litigation.

Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist (Fla. Bar). Personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, professional negligence, commercial litigation.

In 2007, Mr. Kerr established the law firm Russell Kerr, P.A. with an emphasis on Business and Real Estate Transactions, Civil Litigation and Immigration Law. Mr. Kerr has extensive experience in real estate and business matters which include a wide array of transactions from residential and commercial real transactions to small business matters to complex mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Kerr is also actively engaged in finding practical Immigration solutions for his clients in this ever-changing complex area of federal law. Mr. Kerr began his legal career with a highly regarded insurance defense firm located in Rockville, Maryland, a...

Christopher B. Hopkins is a managing partner of Hopkins PA, a business advisory and advocacy boutique law firm. He has more than 25 years of trial and appellate experience representing businesses and families in the areas of defamation, privacy, cyber security, commercial, malpractice, nursing home, and probate litigation. In addition to his work in the courtroom, Christopher’s practice involves a wide range of emerging technologies such as cybersecurity, data breach, e-discovery, Internet crimes, policy/terms-of-service drafting, privacy, and social media discovery. Christopher’s work in these areas permits him to protect client data as well as effectively target discovery...

President, CEO, Shareholder and Founding Partner of the firm in 1978, Richard D. Schuler has been actively involved in Civil Trial Litigation for 33 years. He has considerable experience in defending and prosecuting civil cases. For the past 28 years, his practice has been deveoted to representing injured plaintiffs in complex matters including medical malpractice, product liability, airplane crashes, construction accidents, automobile accidents and other types of personal injury claims.

Anthonia “Toni” Imudia attended Columbia University in the City of New York where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science degree in Nursing. She obtained a doctorate degree in nursing practice from the Univeristy of Miami before attending Stetson University College of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees. Toni worked in healthcare for over 13 years and rose to the level of an executive director of a non-profit agency in New Orleans. The agency provided primary care to HIV-AIDS patients under the Ryan White program. Toni later took an...

The Castro Law Firm, located in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, provides a range of legal services to clients that focus on probate, estate planning and business. Attorney Taren Castro is a former Florida State Trooper, Assistant State Attorney and Assistant Attorney General. Because of this experience, she has a unique, diverse background on the inner workings of the criminal and civil legal systems. This experience can be invaluable for her clients. Whether you need assistance with probate, estate planning or business Attorney Castro can assist you. Born to immigrant parents, Taren is fluent in Spanish. If you only...

Attorney Stephen Lacey is a Estate Planning and Probate Attorney in Melbourne, Florida. His practice areas focus on Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate, Wills, Trust Administration and Wealth & Asset Protection. With over 20 years of experience, Attorney Lacey has handled various Estate Planning cases in the State of Florida.

After graduating from law school, I joined an insurance defense firm where I managed cases related to constitutional, employment, and personal injury issues. I successfully handled multiple appellate matters and frequently managed to prevent liability for my clients in numerous cases. Subsequently, I have represented both plaintiffs and defendants in various legal areas including business, probate, constitutional, and construction litigation, handling matters through both trial and appeal stages. My efforts have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for several of my clients, and I have consistently managed to prevent liability for defendants on many occasions. My courtroom successes have led...

Jacquelyn M. Codd, Esq., has been a Polk County native since she was 5 years old. She started working in local law firms in 2010 and worked as a paralegal and law clerk throughout her time in undergrad and law school. She consistently focused on clerking in areas which could give her valuable contracts, collections, and construction law experience. She also ensured that she spent at least one year working in the area of consumer and collection defense so that she could learn the tricks of the trade and protect her future clients from falling into regulatory compliance traps during...

David A. Beale is a graduate of Cornell University (B.S. 1971) and Fordham Law School (J.D. 1974, Law Review 1972-74). He is a member of the New York Bar (1975) and Florida Bar (1990). David Beale is a member of The American Bar Association, The Florida Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Association of the Bar of City of New York, and Palm Beach County Bar Association. He belongs to the Business Law Section and its Computer Law Committee of the Florida Bar, as well as its Entertainment Arts and Sports Law Section, where he served...

I am commercial litigator who understands the benefits and risks of litigation for each of my clients. I emphasize a practical assessment of disputes and provide innovative strategies. Whether advancing or defending claims, I am relentless in pursuing my client’s objectives.

Nickolas C. Ekonomides is the sole shareholder of Nickolas C. Ekonomides, P.A., with offices in Clearwater, Florida and has been practicing law in the Tampa area since 1994. His practice covers a wide range of corporate and real estate representation with concentration in business and commercial state and Federal litigation. Mr. Ekonomides was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1994 and to the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, in the same year. In 2004, Mr. Ekonomides was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

He is a long standing member of his...

Erica Allen is a trademark attorney and visionary leader. As an entrepreneur since childhood, selling bedazzled bags at the local flea market and cookies at the golf course, Erica has always been driven to help bring dreams to life. Over the past decade she has combined her legal expertise and innovative spirit to help over a thousand business owners protect their brands, grow their businesses, and lean into their zones of genius. Erica continues to help hundreds of businesses legally protect their brands each year through trademarks, contracts and intellectual property law, establishing a foundation for success. Today, Erica’s passion...

I believe it is important to identify a clients goals and build a strategy to best meet those goals. Growing up in a small town taught me to stand behind my work and to only provide services that people really need.

Chris grew up in Basehor, Kansas on the outskirts of Kansas City where he learned to “pay it forward.” He lives and works by the ideal that the work you do and the promises you make to individuals carries forward. With that in mind, Chris attended Kansas State University where he earned his B.S. in Speech Communications. Chris also spent...

Nancy Brandt is an Of counsel attorney with the Central Florida law firm Bogin, Munns & Munns. She specializes in Civil Litigation and Business Law, including Real Property Development, Commercial Contract Disputes, Commercial Litigation, Real Property Disputes, and Insurance Defense. She received her B.A. in 1992 and her J.D. in 1995 from the University of Florida. Ms. Brandt teaches Civil Litigation I as an adjunct professor at Valencia College.

James D. Kisio is an Of Counsel attorney with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. Mr. Kisio practices areas of law including Business Law, Real Estate Development, and Contract Action Law. He is admitted to the bars in both Florida and Texas, where he received his J.D from University of Houston.

Prior to receiving his law degree, James D. Kisio earned his B.A.E. from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In the past, he has worked for organizations including NASA, using his technical background to work on simulators designed to train astronauts how to land spacecraft.

S.I. “Sandy” Valbh – Business, Tax & Estate Attorney Serving Central Florida S.I. “Sandy” Valbh brings a dual background in law and accounting to his practice at Bogin, Munns & Munns, where he advises clients across Orlando, Clermont, Kissimmee, Melbourne, and Orange City on business formation, real estate transactions, tax matters, and estate planning. A former accountant and lifelong entrepreneur, Sandy understands the legal and financial challenges business owners face and leverages that insight to deliver clear, strategic guidance. He holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Florida State University (1994), a J.D. from Drake University (cum laude, 1997), and...

Ms. Hattaway began her career in litigation representing large publicly held corporations in complex business disputes. She has experience in both federal and state courts. Her practice has included civil rights litigation, employment law, real property litigation, franchise negotiations, as well as business litigation. Most recently, Ms. Hattaway has focused on assisting clients with strategic business planning: drafting operating agreements, drafting and editing sales contracts, negotiating contracts and advising businesses, including multi-specialty medical group, individual physicians, pharmacology research specialists, new franchisees, expanding family-owned enterprises, and design startups. Ms. Hattaway served as a Commissioner of the Canaveral Port Authority....

I have handled just about every kind of case imaginable, from adverse possession to will contracts. I am the person who will handle your case from start to finish. Your case will not be turned over to a secretary, never to be heard from me again. You will even have my cell number.

Andy Dogali was born in San Diego, California in 1962. He received his B.A. Degree, magna cum laude, from Florida State University in 1983. He received his Juris Doctor, with honors, from the Florida State University College of Law in 1986. He was admitted to the Bar in 1986 and co-founded the firm of Forizs & Dogali, P.A. In 2013 he aquired sole ownership of Forizs & Dogali and re-named the firm Dogali Law Group. Mr. Dogali is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Florida, and has appeared in litigated matters in more...

The Carney Law Firm serves individuals and businesses throughout Florida in business litigation, estate planning, and probate matters. The Carney Law Firm offers clients expertise from a firm they can trust. Mr. Carney has big law firm experience, but provides small firm service. A potential client’s biggest worry is often the expense of hiring a professional attorney. Mr. Carney is often able to assist his clients by offering contingency and flat fee options. The Carney Law Firm is committed to providing each client aggressive and practical legal representation. In recognition of his legal skills and ethical standards, Mr. Carney received an AV...

Oxalis B. Garcia is a native from Puerto Rico. After being admitted to practice Law in the State of Florida she began focusing on practicing Family and Criminal law in the Tampa Bay area. Since that time, she has represented clients in divorces, custody disputes, post-judgment modification actions, child support matters, alimony and domestic violence injunctions. In addition she has represented client in Misdemeanors, Traffic Infractions, DUI’s and Violations of Probation. Presently she is admitted in three (3) jurisdictions and is fluent in both the Spanish and English languages. In addition Attorney Garcia volunteers at the Free Family Law...

Peter T. Hofstra is an of counsel real estate attorney at DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis, P.A. His expertise in real estate law has helped to solidify the firm as a specialist in real estate acquisitions, condominium and association law and transfer of real property.

Dominic J. Baccarella is a divorce and family law attorney and criminal defense lawyer. He has earned an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating available for attorneys for legal ability and ethical standards. Prior to opening Baccarella & Baccarella, P.A., Mr. Baccarella worked as an assistant professor for the Legal Assistance program at Hillsborough Community college and as the Assistant State Attorney for the State of Florida. In 1989–1990, he was a certified contract advisor to National Football League (NFL) players. In addition to providing clients with zealous and thorough representation in divorce, family law and...

Practice Areas: Business Law; Construction Law; Real Estate
Admitted: 2005, Florida and U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Law School: Florida State University, J.D.

Member: Hillsborough County Bar Association; The Florida Bar.

Biography: Board of Directors, Tampa Interbay Rotary Club. Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator. Lifetime Member Veterans of Foreign Wars. AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Named “Rising Star” in Business Litigation by Super Lawyers. Consistently named to “Tampa’s Top Rated Lawyers” by Legal Leaders Magazine.

Born: Charlotte, North Carolina, April 1, 1974

MilitaryService: U.S. Navy, 1993-1999

Cases: Scherer v. Villas Del Verde Homeowners Ass'n, Inc., 55 So.3d 602 (Fla....

Wes Trombley is a partner with Trombley & Hanes, P.A., concentrating in the areas of both criminal and civil litigation. Wes is a lifelong resident of Tampa, Florida, and graduated from Jesuit High School, the University of South Florida with a Business Marketing Degree, and Stetson University College of Law. As a law student and prior to becoming a member of the Florida Bar, Wes served in the 13th Judicial Circuit for Hillsborough County, Florida as a Judicial Intern and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Intern Prosecutor and he served for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida...

Joel has handled a wide range of legal matters for both plaintiffs and defendants since he began practicing law in 2001. Joel focuses his law practice in two main areas: securities and investment arbitration and litigation, and commercial litigation. In the securities and investment area, Joel represents investors, agents, brokers and broker-dealers in customer and industry disputes involving suitability, breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation, and negligent supervision. In the area of commercial litigation, Joel represents clients in state and federal court disputes involving breach of contract, life insurance, and negligence. For more information, please visit www.ewusiaklaw.com.

Attorney Petrochko was born in Pennsylvania. After earning a bachelors of science degree from Penn State University he decided to trade his snow shovel in for beach blankets and jurisprudence. Keith was awarded a Juris Doctor degree from Florida A&M University College of Law. While pursuing this degree, he was involved in several academic and civil organizations including leading the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. It was during this time that Keith developed a passion for civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Keith primarily focuses his efforts on labor and employment law and personal injury cases. He enjoys being...

Paul's practice is focused on providing his clients with "good judgment" and Paul prides himself on working hard to see that his clients move towards fixing problems and preparing for a better future. Paul concentrates on matters involving business law, entertainment law, replevin law, real estate, landlord-tenant, probate, wills, estates, and trust law. Paul has been appointed several times by Florida Courts as personal representative and attorney ad litem in complex and sensitive litigation matters involving probate and wrongful death, as well as in representing unknown parties and historic landmarks in real estate foreclosure and eminent domain...

A Florida and New Jersey licensed attorney with over ten years of experience using an exemplary understanding of law to solve clients' problems, improve their operations, and further develop their business plans with effective outside-the-box strategies. Facilitates and implements innovative ideas through objective analysis, as demonstrated by the establishment of new standards in the sports and entertainment industry. Counsels commercial clients on legal business strategy – from idea to inception – during all stages of the business lifecycle, from start-up to maturity.

Heather M. Meglino serves as General Counsel for Quality One Wireless and is the chief legal officer for the organization. She has broad experience counseling clients in areas spanning every aspect of business and commercial law, including contracts, complex business litigation, fraud-misrepresentation, employment law, intellectual property, and licensing. Heather was previously Founder at Meglino Law, a law firm focused on business and commercial law. Additionally, Heather litigated cases including employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, overtime and unpaid wages, FMLA leave and disability issues, employment contracts, whistleblower and other employment law claims under various state and federal laws. She is licensed...