Welaka Criminal Lawyers

My Story I came to Jacksonville in October, 1978, after graduation from Duke University School of Law. My third-year roommate, Bob Parrish, prevailed upon legendary criminal defense and civil rights lawyer Bill Sheppard to grant me an interview and soon I began a clerkship with the firm of Sheppard, Carithers, and Weinbaum. All three partners became lifetime friends and mentors. Hugh Carithers went on to serve with distinction as a Circuit Judge for many years, retiring in December, 2019. Steve Weinbaum became recognized as one of the outstanding trial lawyers in Florida, winning several high profile cases while working with Bob...

Mark Longwell was born in Silver Spring, Maryland (adjacent to Washington, D.C.), where he spent his youth. He moved to Grosse Pointe, Michigan in elementary school and graduated high school in 1983. He earned a multi-disciplinary Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Political Science and Psychology from Michigan State University in 1987. In 1990, Mark earned his Juris Doctor Law Degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. After completing an internship at the Office of the United States Attorney in Washington, D.C., Mr. Longwell moved to Orlando, Florida, where he accepted a position as an Assistant State Attorney,...

Mother, wife, family law attorney, business owner, woman rights advocate and philanthropist are one of the few hats that Rania Arwani wears on a daily basis. After gaining her B.B.A. in Finance from Texas, she planned to be a stock market analyst, and after working in that field for a short period of time, she felt that something was missing and that’s not where her passion was. Shortly thereafter she relocated to Florida and attended Barry University School of Law, where her commitment to family law took root.

Rania acted as a Research Assistant at Barry University School of Law and...

Michelle Kalil Taylor is a native and lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida. Michelle continued her education at University of Florida where she also attended law school and obtained her Juris Doctorate degree. While in law school, Michelle was a highly active and recognized member of the nationally competitive Moot Court team. For the past 13 years, Michelle has dedicated her practice defending those accused of crimes. Michelle began her criminal defense practice by immediately serving as an assistant public defender in...