Polk City Family Lawyers

A native Floridian who was raised in the Tampa Bay area, Mrs. Joyner is an alumnus of Plant City High School. She continued her education at Florida Gulf Coast University, graduating summa cum laude. Thereafter, she earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Florida A&M University College of Law graduating cum laude while maintaining full-time employment, actively participating in the Cherry Chapter of the International Legal Fraternity of Phi Alpha Delta, and volunteering at her son’s elementary school and cub scout den.

Mrs. Joyner is admitted to practice in all Florida courts as well as the United States...

Sherri K. DeWitt was born and grew up in Middletown, New York. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1982 and has been authorized to practice before the U.S District Court of the Middle District of Florida since 1983 and before the U.S. Court of Appeal since 1985. She received her B.A. Cum Laude in 1973 and Ph.D. in 1977 from State University of New York at Binghamton. Dr. DeWitt received her J.D. Degree from Cornell University in 1982. She was an editor of the Cornell Law Review and is the author of a book and numerous articles. Dr....

Keersten Heskin Martinez has over 20 years experience and is one of the few attorneys that is board certified in Marital and Family Law. A partner at a civil litigation firm for many years, she recently started The Heskin Martinez Law Group to focus solely on family law. Keersten tries to resolve cases amicably if possible. However, if not possible, she has the experience necessary to aggressively represent her client's interests in Court.

Attorney Lakeena “Keena” Gillion is a skilled family law attorney specializing in divorce, child custody, timesharing, modifications, injunctions, and other family law matters. With a deep commitment to helping families navigate challenging legal situations, she offers a compassionate yet assertive approach to securing her clients’ best interests. Attorney Gillion brings a comprehensive understanding of family dynamics and legal complexities, combining her legal expertise with a genuine passion for helping individuals and families in need of resolution and closure during emotional and difficult times. Having practiced in various areas of law, Attorney Gillion has developed a strong reputation for her work in...

EXPERIENCE: President, University of Miami School of Law Family Law Society 1999-2000, Criminal Law Society, Author: Drugs a Process of Death Florida Police Chiefs Association, Computer Animation Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Will it Become Tomorrow's New Form of Substantive Evidence? If so, Should it Be? University of Miami School of Law. CALI Award for RICO University of Miami School of Law, Member Golden Key National Honors Society University of Central Florida; Chief of Police City Of Oak Hill Florida 1988-1991Youngest Police Chief In Florida; Lake County Sheriff's Office, Investigator in Charge of Intelligence and Organized Crime 1985-1988; Lead Investigator 5th...

Mr. David A. Faulkner received his undergraduate degree in criminal justice/criminology from Florida State University. He later attended law school at FSU and received his Juris Doctorate with honors. Mr. Faulkner has practiced law for over 21 years. He focuses in the areas of criminal law and family law. In addition to practicing law, Mr. Faulkner is also a Florida Class C Licensed Private Investigator as well as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator.

Taylor is an associate attorney in our Orlando office, serving numerous counties throughout Central Florida. She helps parents, spouses, and families envision their new normal outside of the legal process. She provides a unique quality to the legal practice, as she has been noted for being able to hone in on the individual and family within each case and provide a level of service that leaves client’s feeling heard, acknowledged, and aggressively represented. Taylor was one of three students in her graduating class to participate in the accelerated law degree program, allowing her to complete her undergraduate degree and law degree...

AnnMarie Jenkinson is an attorney and sole owner of Jenkinson Legal PLLC. She graduated from Rollins College Cum Laude in 2005. AnnMarie began the journey to her legal career in 2006 when she commenced her legal education at Barry University – Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law. During her education at Barry University, AnnMarie was President of the St. Thomas More Society. An organization whose purpose is to promote high ethical and moral standards in the legal profession. She also earned high honors in Healthcare Law and Trial Advocacy. In addition, AnnMarie also participated in a clinical internship at Barry...

Michael Severe attended Revelle College at the University of California, San Diego, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science, and minoring in English Literature. After graduation from University, Mr. Severe worked for seven years at Costco Wholesale as a department manager. During this time, Mr. Severe came to understand value of interacting with consumers. Mr. Severe prided himself on ensuring that both he and staff provided the highest quality care to the warehouse members. Mr. Severe left Costco in 2007 to spend some time in the area of finance assisting overseas investors, mainly form the U.K., to enter...

Attorney Ophelia Bernal-Mora graduated with her law degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2004. She was admitted to The Florida Bar and the U.S. Middle District Court of Florida, Mrs. Bernal-Mora has represented well over 1,000 clients in her career thus far.

Mrs. Bernal-Mora's has a strong litigation background, her experience and the focus of her practice remain with family law. Divorce, child custody, mediation, paternity, domestic violence, child support, alimony, and family law appeals are just some of the cases in which Mrs. Bernal-Mora has assisted her clients.

What differentiates Ophelia from other lawyers is over 10 years of experience...

Cheri Hobbs is a co-owner and managing partner of Compass Law. Cheri grew up in a family where service was not just something that was talked about, but something that was practiced daily in their lives. As a daughter of missionaries, she grew up helping people from all walks of life. From living with Indian tribes in the Amazon forest, to serving the needy in orphanages, to taking in domestic violence victims into their home, Cheri has always seen first-hand the real need that exists in all of humanity. It is this perspective and sincere compassion that propelled her into...

George Chandler was a born in the Central Florida area and has practiced here his entire career. From taking on the Florida Attorney General to guiding families through difficult times; George has always practiced with the best interests of his clients in mind. He received his Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Finance from Stetson University and his Juris Doctorate from the Florida A & M University College of Law.

George has spent his entire career helping individuals prepare for and navigate the intricacies of the legal system. He has had success in trials throughout multiple disciplines of law and...

Stephen D. Korshak earned his B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1974 and graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1980. He holds memberships in the Florida Bar since 1985 and the Illinois State Bar since 1981. Additionally, Mr. Korshak is licensed to practice in federal court. Previously, he served as a real estate instructor at the City Colleges of Chicago, Wright Campus, teaching real estate courses from 1984 to 1988. He remains an active member of the Florida and Orange County Bar Associations. Stephen is also a licensed Florida real estate broker and a title insurance agent.

Windy L. Wilkerson obtained her juris doctor with honors from Florida State University College of Law in 2001. Her professional legal services include the areas of personal injury, probate, family law, civil litigation, criminal defense, and workers' compensation. Her office, serving the Greater Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties, is located in Brandon, Florida 33511. There is easy parking and consultations are free!

My practice is limited to Family Law and Criminal Defense. I also am able to prepare simplified wills. If I am not able to help you or your family with an area of law, I have an extensive network of attorneys I can refer cases to. I was Partner with Bigney & Orth P.A. for 9 years where my specialties were the same as they are now. Prior to that, I was an Assistant State Attorney in Seminole County. In my years as an attorney in Florida, I have been lead trial attorney in over 100 jury...

Mr. Rechel has been engaged in the practice of law in the Tampa Bay Area since 1990. After earning his B.A. degree in psychology and history from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1986, Mr. Rechel graduated with his Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1989. He is a member of the Florida and Illinois Bars and is also a Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator. He founded Rechel and Associates, P.A. in 1992. Since the inception of his career, divorce and family law have always been Mr. Rechel’s primary areas of practice. Over the last 25...

Don DeCort entered private practice in 1994 after an illustrious career in the U.S. Army, which culminated with his retirement as a colonel. He practiced with the firm of Anderson & Artigliere, PA from 1994 to 1995 and spent eight years as a partner in Holcomb & DeCort, P.A., from 1995 to 2003. He opened the Law Office of Donald P. DeCort, P.A. in 2003 and, along with Kristin R. H. Kirkner, Esquire, opened DeCort & Kirkner, P.L. July 1, 2010, and continues to concentrate his practice in the areas of family law, including military aspects of divorce and small...

Judge Michael J. Scionti is a Circuit Court Judge with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in the State of Florida, who has served our community and country for over two decades, upholding the rule of law in and out of the courtroom, on and off the battlefield, and throughout all branches of government.

Judge Scionti is a Tampa native and lifelong resident of Hillsborough County. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law. Judge Scionti has held various positions of public trust as a...

Carlos has lived virtually all his life in Hillsborough County and has attended local schools and the University of South Florida and South Texas College of Law, where he earned his law degree. He has served Florida as an Assistant State Attorney (84-85), Assistant Public Defender (85-87) and subsequently in private practice since 1987 to present. As Special Court Appointed Counsel in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as, in U.S. District Courts for the Middle District of Florida Middle, the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court, his serve...

Maribel Martinez – Attorney / Former Judge
A Florida personal injury attorney, family law attorney and traffic law attorney for over 20 years. Maribel Martinez began her career in New Jersey, where she had the honor to serve the public both as a Public Defender and Judge for the City of Passaic. As a public defender, she defended misdemeanor, DWI, traffic and domestic violence cases. As a Judge, she presided over similar trials as well as TRO’s, arraignments and bail hearings for felony and misdemeanor matters. At the same time, in the private sector, Maribel helped injured parties recover money...

Attorney Michael E. Golub provides legal counsel to residents of central Florida in the areas of family law, bankruptcy, and criminal defense. Mr. Golub is an effective negotiator and litigator who is more than capable of handling matters through litigation or mediation. He is a certified as a family law, circuit civil, and appellate mediator by the Florida Supreme Court. Additionally, he has a wealth of litigation experience representing criminal clients in misdemeanor, felony, and juvenile matters and was an Assistant Public Defender for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Mr. Golub lives in Tavares with his wife and three...

Deborah Cook’s life-long passion is families. Licensed as a Marriage and Family counselor, she provided help to families in conflict for over thirty years. Deborah Cook transferred her talent to the exclusive practice of Family Law. She cares deeply, and loves the opportunity to help others. Deborah is an excellent listener and straight forward communicator. She zealously works hard for her clients in an effort to restore balance and happiness in their lives. She is generous with her time and energy. It is her practice to help disputing parties resolve their issues before relying on the...

As Partner at Potts Law Firm, Matthew Tabakman uses his litigation experience to pursue property insurance and personal injury claims on behalf of his clients. Having practiced law in Central Florida since 2002, Matt has handled these types of cases from the time they are pre-suit claims, through the litigation process to negotiated settlement or jury verdict.

Matt studied political science at the State University of New York at Binghamton and international affairs at The George Washington University before pursuing his Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. While in law school, he participated in competitions...

"Whitney Boan is an experienced Orlando criminal defense lawyer with 11 years of trial litigation experience who is committed in serving her clients by treating them with dignity and respect, by humanizing them to the court and to opposing counsel, and by expeditiously and aggressively assisting them by protecting their legal, civil, and human rights through what is sometimes a daunting and complex legal system. In 2015, she formed Whitney S. Boan, P.A. where she continues to handle federal and state criminal cases as well as select family matters for her clients. At Whitney S. Boan, P.A., she...

Ms. Hooglander attended Cleveland Marshall College of Law and Cleveland State University after graduating from the University of Florida. She not only graduated with her juris doctor but also a master of public administration degree. Shortly after graduation, she began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney with the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office. During her tenure there, she progressed from a county prosecutor to a top felony prosecutor. She gained the experience of over 25 jury trials and a wide array of bench trials during this time. In 2001 Ms. Hooglander began as...

Attorney Stephanie Modica is a native of Clermont, Florida. Stephanie attended the University of Florida (Go Gators!) graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Subsequently, she earned her Juris Doctor, Cum Laude from Roger Williams University School of Law where she was a participant in the Honors Program and Assistant editor of the Law Review.

Stephanie began her career as a Judicial Staff Attorney in Lake County for the Honorable Don F. Briggs, Honorable Mark A. Nacke, Honorable Michael G. Takac, and Honorable James Baxley. As Staff Attorney in both Circuit & County Court, Ms. Modica developed extensive knowledge...

With over a decade of experience and recognition within the legal industry, Attorney Lazaro Blanco has established himself as a dependable Kissimmee criminal defense lawyer. He serves clients throughout Osceola County who were charged with crimes such as DUI, theft, and violent offenses. As Lead Attorney at Blanco Law Center, PA, he stands ready to fight for the rights and futures of all his clients. If you face serious criminal charges, now is the time to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how you can protect yourself from the devastating consequences of a conviction. Do not fight the...

If you are looking for the best Orlando family law attorney or Orlando criminal defense attorney call The 850 CALL JOE Law Firm! Orlando attorney Joe Knape is highly experienced when it comes to the matters of criminal defense and family law in Orlando and Central Florida. Joe understands the complexity of today’s legal system serving the Central Florida area for over 6 years. To make sure the highest quality legal services are provided, Joe dedicates himself to every single client and works whenever It’s necessary providing Orlando with some of the best family law and criminal defense services without...

R. Gregory Colvin knows what it’s like to be facing difficult family law disputes. He grew up in a single-parent household without his father’s involvement. His mother supported the family on a teacher’s salary. Mr. Colvin is also a single father with sole custody of his child. He truly understands what families are facing when they go through family issues such as divorce and custody because he has gone through it himself. His approach when it comes to practicing law is to provide client-focused and personalized solutions that are tailored to their specific needs.