Avon Park Lawyers

Mr. Miklas practices all types of labor and employment law exclusively representing management (employers), including both private employers, as well as Florida municipalities and school districts. He has authored hundreds of articles, has co-authored a LexisNexis Expert Commentary in his field of work and, for the past seventeen years, he has been a contributing author and editor for two leading labor and employment law hornbooks. Mr. Miklas has been listed in Florida Super Lawyers for nine years and he is a frequent employment law presenter and is a nationally recognized speaker and an invited guest lecturer...

Before founding my own law firm, I gained valuable experience working in-house for legal departments and at a boutique law firm concentrating on commercial litigation. During this time, I managed a variety of business disputes. This background in litigation equipped me with a thorough understanding of the critical components that agreements must include to withstand legal challenges and how to effectively safeguard my clients' rights. My background in business has been crucial in integrating legal counsel with business strategies. Being a small business owner myself, I am committed to assisting other entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses while reducing risks and addressing...

Bill's practice is focused on providing his clients with the "second chance" they deserve. As a personal injury and criminal defense attorney, Bill has dedicated his practice to helping his clients begin their journey towards a new and better life - a life they can begin as masters of their own destiny, not merely as victims of circumstance.

Bill has helped numerous people, who have been caught making mistakes and found themselves entrenched in the Criminal Justice system, get a second chance by getting their charges dropped, reduced, or potential sentences mitigated. In many cases, he also has given them the...

Through his broad experience in the government and private sectors, Jesse knows how to navigate the labyrinth of compliance, risk management, and strategic planning. Jesse served as assistant attorney general for the State of Florida. In this capacity, he handled a range of civil litigation, from prisoners’ civil rights complaints to challenges about the adequacy of funding for Florida’s public universities. Jesse also served as assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Financial Services, where he handled matters relating to workers’ compensation compliance, bankruptcy, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). His experience representing the government as both a regulator...

Attorney Michael Throneberry has been pursuing cases on behalf of mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer victims for nearly two decades. He is involved in every case the Firm takes on and is involved preparing clients for depositions, directing discovery, and negotiating the best outcome for the clients. Attorney Throneberry began practicing law at a large firm in St. Louis where he focused on commercial litigation litigating cases on behalf of individuals, small businesses and multi-national companies. After losing his father-in-law to mesothelioma, Attorney Throneberry began to focus exclusively on helping the victims of asbestos exposure, which primarily...

Paul M. McDermott, Esq., practices exclusively in the area of Marital and Family Law. He has experience in litigation, mediation, and collaboration. After practicing law in Virginia for many years as a trial lawyer, he relocated to Florida and founded McDermott Law Offices, PLLC and now practices exclusively in the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which includes Manatee County and Sarasota County.

Mr. McDermott is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator. He is also trained in Collaborative Divorce Law, an emerging field within the Alternative Dispute Resolution realm focused on resolving cases with a "team" approach...

Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, 10/10 Rating from Avvo.com. Former Prosecutor with experience in more than 100 civil and criminal jury trials. Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Injunctions and Family Law cases. Graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law with High Distinction in Trial Advocacy, Order of Barristers. Bachelor's Degree from the University of Miami School of Business.

I have 25 years experience in the legal field as a law clerk, judicial clerk, legal intern and attorney. Since 2000, I've had my own private law practice which has been a general law practice in the past. In the last several years, I have limited my practice areas to certain legal fields. Now approximately 95% of my practice is focused on divorce and family law.

I’m a forward-thinking attorney with a passion for resolving complex legal matters and developing lasting strategies for clients. I love a challenge and I am known for being proactive, attentive, and responsive. I became a lawyer because I could never find an attorney who genuinely cared about me or my businesses. As an entrepreneur who has started, developed, managed, sold, and participated in just about every aspect of operating a business, I understand what an exceptional attorney should be. As your attorney, it’s my responsibility to be more than just a legal advocate or advisor of the law. I am a champion...

Attorney Cheryl Ward will meet your legal needs and exceed your expectations. Mrs. Ward is a Florida Bar licensed attorney practicing throughout the state of Florida. It is her mantra that client satisfaction comes first.

Ethan F. Kominsky is a veteran of over 65 trials in Florida and Illinois. Ethan has practiced insurance defense, representing the same side he now fights daily. His experience working for the other side has given Ethan valuable insight into their tactics and methods. He uses this knowledge to the advantage of his clients.

He began representing injured individuals and their families when he moved to Florida, having been recruited by a name partner at one of South Florida’s largest injury law firms. Ethan has a passion for representing the underserved and underrepresented members of society. He has seen firsthand how...

Mr. Wells has been a member of the Florida Bar for over 30 years and has represented both insurers and their insureds over the course of his career. Mr. Wells handles bodily injury cases and insurance coverage claims, including first party property matters (fire, sinkhole, hurricane, windstorm, and water damage claims), other insurance claims (life, disability and other direct actions against insurers), bad faith claims (claims against an insurer for improper claim handling), and insurance agent negligence cases, in both the state and federal courts. Mr. Wells is an experienced litigator, having litigated matters statewide, including the...

David McLaughlin is a dedicated Orlando personal injury attorney with over 18 years of legal experience at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law, representing clients in both state and federal courts at trial and appellate levels. His diverse professional background includes information technology, real estate, employee benefits and compensation, and education. Additionally, as a Florida licensed construction contractor, he has hands-on experience working with some of the nation’s most prominent developers and has served as corporate counsel for private contractors. This unique combination of legal and practical experience enables him to relate well to individuals from all walks of life....

Nicholas "Nick" A. Norden, co-founder and partner at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law, has devoted more than ten years to championing the rights of the injured in personal injury lawsuits. His journey commenced in 2011, marking a pivotal shift from defending insurance companies and large corporations to advocating for accident victims. This transition was fueled by his profound desire to aid those profoundly affected by negligence. With a robust educational foundation encompassing a BSBA in Finance and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida, Nick possesses a deep understanding of both legal and financial facets critical to his practice....

Erin K. Grall is a native to Vero Beach, Florida. She is a graduate of St. Helen School and John Carroll High School. After graduating from Wake Forest University with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication, she worked as a paralegal in Charlotte, North Carolina for an insurance defense firm handling asbestos cases. Ms. Grall attended Marquette University Law School where she served as the Student Bar Association President. She also held a national board position that assisted law students in finding public interest jobs and creating loan repayment programs for lawyers who serve the public interest.

Following law school, Ms....

Carol Avard is a member of the Medical Malpractice, Social Security, Federal Torts, and Motor Vehicle Collision sections of the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). She is also a member of the Bad Faith, Disability Law, Employment Law, ERISA Litigation, Insurance Law, Medical Negligence, Nursing Home, PI/Wrongful Death, Products Liability, Professional Negligence, and Social Security Disability Law sections of The Florida Association for Justice. Additionally, she is an Accredited Veterans Disability Attorney. Carol is a member of the NOSSCR Board of Directors – a professional association of Social Security Disability practitioners.

John M. Hemenway is a founding partner of Bivins & Hemenway, P.A. John serves as a trusted legal advisor to business owners, real estate investors, and families seeking to preserve and pass down their wealth and values. His practice focuses on estate planning and probate, small and closely held businesses, and real estate, combining experience in each of these areas to provide a comprehensive approach to transactions and planning.

John earned his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Florida. John regularly presents at legal education seminars on both probate and estate planning topics, and is published on estate planning...

Anthony G. Ryan is one of a select group of criminal defense attorneys in Florida who are Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar. This certification recognizes his proven expertise in the courtroom and his thorough grasp of Florida’s criminal justice system. Mr. Ryan has a proven track record of success defending clients in high-stakes cases ranging from DUI and drug charges to serious felonies and complex allegations. He handles each case personally—never passing it off to an associate—so you always know who’s standing beside you in court. Clients value his direct approach, thorough preparation, and commitment to achieving...

Attorney John Morey is a native of Tampa, Florida. After moving to New York he attended the State University of New York College at Brockport where he earned a Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology. Mr. Morey earned his Juris Doctorate from the Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law where he graduated in the top 25% percentile of his class.



Mr. Morey has been dedicated to being a zealous advocate for his clients since the first time he stepped into a courtroom as a certified legal intern for the Seminole County Legal Aid Society, Inc. The experience he gained...

Zachary Leacox is an Orlando personal injury attorney at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law. He is a Board Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law, a distinction achieved by less than 7% of Florida's legal practitioners. This certification, independently granted by the Florida Bar, signifies the legal community’s official recognition of a lawyer's proficiency within a specific legal area. It represents expertise, attesting to peers' recognition of a lawyer's skill and experience in their field. Having initially represented insurance companies and major corporations, Leacox gained invaluable firsthand insight into their strategies for minimizing their liability for injury claims. Now, he exclusively...

Michael E. Zmijewski is an attorney in Morgan & Morgan's Orlando office. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Michael graduated Magna Cum Laude from Temple University's Fox School of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Following his undergraduate studies, Michael went on to attend Oklahoma City University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor with high honors. While in law school, he was honored by being inducted into Phi Delata Phi International Honor Society for his commitment to scholastic achievement. In 2002, following his graduation from law school, Michael moved to Orlando, Florida to...

David Goldman is an experienced and accomplished Personal Injury Attorney. He believes that everyone should be treated fairly and is dedicated to bringing justice to all areas of society. David has been fighting for the rights of injured Floridians for 30 years. He is committed to providing aggressive advocacy and pursuing the results that his clients deserve.

David has has been named among the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. He received a Preeminent Rating, the highest possible, from Martindale-Hubbell. He was also honored with the Legislative Leadership Award from The Academy of...

Attorney Devon Workman is an accomplished personal injury lawyer serving Fort Lauderdale and the broader Florida community. As the founder of Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, Attorney Workman has built his practice on a foundation of experience, professionalism, and a commitment to securing justice for his clients. Over the course of his career, he has handled more than 1,000 cases, recovering over $30 million in settlements and verdicts. Attorney Workman began his legal journey at one of Florida’s largest and most prominent law firms, where he gained insight into handling complex personal injury cases. While his time there provided...

For the past 30 years, Lisa Hu Barquist has practiced law in state and federal courts, worked in public and private sectors, at national and boutique law firms, on civil and criminal matters. For 11 years, Lisa served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida and Western District of New York prosecuting criminal narcotics violations and civil Medicare fraud. The FBI, DEA, IRS, Bureau of Prisons, and local law enforcement officers recognized her for her service. Lisa's growing up as an immigrant to this great country, working at her family restaurant since the age of...

Barbara Kibbey is a leading personal injury lawyer and partner with Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart , a personal injury law firm that assists clients throughout the Stuart, Florida, area. Attorney Kibbey has helped obtain $30 million in compensation for personal injury victims since the firm was established in 2014. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami and her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida. Barbara has received numerous accolades during her legal career. The National Trial Lawyers Association named her one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and she was ranked in the Top...

D. Graham Anderson is an experienced personal injury attorney serving clients across Clermont, Leesburg, and The Villages, Florida. His practice focuses on auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death claims, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, and premises liability including negligent security. A former insurance defense attorney, Graham now uses his deep understanding of insurance strategies to fight for the rights of injured individuals and their families. He earned his law degree from Barry University School of Law, where he served on the Moot Court Honors Board, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University. Graham...

L. William Porter III, or "Bill" as he is better known, is an attorney in Central Florida. His areas of expertise are Bankruptcy, Commercial Litigation and Civil Litigation. Bill Porter received his undergraduate degree and his law degree from Florida State University, receiving his B.S. with honors and his J.D. with high honors. He served as a Trial Attorney for three years for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the U.S. Trustee in Orlando, Florida. Since 2011, Bill Porter has taught Introduction to Bankruptcy and Creditor Rights at Valencia College as an adjunct professor.

Jim Dodson spent many years of his long legal career as a partner in a large personal injury law firm, but he had some different ideas about how to practice law. He envisioned a practice centered on the clients’ needs, where he could get to know his clients and be personally involved in their cases. He wanted to create an environment where any client would feel comfortable about calling, where every client with a question about their case could easily get an answer, and where all clients could expect to have their phone calls returned. Jim turned this vision into...

Manny is a graduate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (1990) and was admitted to the Florida Bar in May of 1990, as well as the United States Middle District Federal Court. He is a certified Circuit Civil Mediator performing numerous private meditations in the area of Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury in West Central Florida. Mr. Franco is a member of the Florida Bar Workers’ Compensation Section, Florida Workers Advocates, as well as the Hillsborough County Bar Workers’ Compensation Section. He has lectured on the topic of workers’ compensation mediation. He is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar...

Don Cahall prides himself on being extremely passionate about every one of his clients’ cases no matter whether the damages involved are small or large. Don’s clients are victims who have been harmed by others’ negligent or intentional wrongdoing. To obtain justice for his clients, Don’s objective is to attempt to recover his clients’ financial damages as quickly as possible. It has been said that the wheels of justice turn slowly. The culpable parties often seek to obstruct and delay justice and courts are regularly inundated with heavy caseloads. Thus, to meet his objective, Don utilizes an aggressive approach to...

Attorney John L. Calcagni, III from the Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III is a highly skilled, aggressive, and experienced criminal defense trial attorney. He is a former military prosecutor in the U.S. Army JAG Corps where he prosecuted hundreds of complex felony cases in the United States and abroad. Attorney John L. Calcagni, III also served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney with U.S. Attorney's Office in New York. As a prosecutor, attorney John L. Calcagni, III never lost a single case. He is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York,...

Erin E. Morse, Esquire is an exclusive Divorce and Family Law Attorney. She and her competent staff handle all Family Law issues including child custody, child support, divorce, military divorce, modifications, paternity, time-sharing & visitation. Her innate business acumen, natural talent of providing creative legal strategies, and prowess as a litigator, combine to offer unparalleled legal protection to her clients.

It was while working under the tutelage of a distinguished Winter Park Divorce attorney that Erin honed her skills and developed the passion for helping families through their most difficult of times. Her passion continues throughout her practice today in...

Naji has represented thousands of injury victims and recovered millions of dollars for his clients since 2003. He has dedicated his legal career to seeking justice by fighting insurance companies and big corporations to protect the rights of individuals and their families across the State of Florida. Naji has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his legal career and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator.

Over 20 years ago, Naji was involved in a serious car accident that left him with permanent injuries, and thousands of dollars in medical expenses. He relied on advertising and hired a big...

Jennifer Zumarraga is well-versed in a wide variety of labor and employment law issues and has been with the Sass Law Firm since 2005. Her legal experience and excellent credentials make her a valuable asset. With over 20 years of experience, she has become an integral part of the firm’s success and reputation. Ms. Zumarraga is a staunch advocate of employee rights, and brings a unique and excellent set of skills to the table. In addition to her keen mind, she possesses the rare ability to easily grasp convoluted scenarios and facts, and boil down complex...

Mr. Cressman was born in Lake Worth, Florida in 1962. Before entering college, Mark served in the U. S. Army Infantry. Mark was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington and Wiesbaden, Germany and was a member of the “Black Knights” of the 3rd Squadron, 5th Calvary. He earned his A.A. degree from Palm Beach Community College in 1985 and his B.A. from the University of Florida in 1988. In 1994, Mr. Cressman earned his law degree cum laude from Nova Southeastern University. There, during his third year, Mr. Cressman was an Acting Attorney General, prosecuting crimes in the...

Mr Garland considers every case as different and potentially unique. It is often useful to focus on the core issue that a case presents. In a particular case it may be to simply admit that the accused did the "act" being charged, but to point out how that act is protected by the Constitution, by a privilege, or by a statutory right.

The war on crime has many victims. Overall, statistics show that crime has dropped over the past 30 years. Yet arrests must be made to justify the existence of, and funding for, the police-prison industrial complex. Many arrests are...

Conti Moore Smith is an Orlando divorce lawyer with Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC. She founded the firm in 2012 to provide family law services to clients across Florida. Ms. Moore’s practice includes all types of family law cases, including divorce, child custody, child support, property division, spousal support, LGBT divorce, judgment modification, move-away orders and relocation, paternity, and domestic violence. Ms. Moore graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor’s degree in 2004. She then graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 2007. Ms. Moore was admitted to the State Bar of Nevada in 2007 and...

Chris Castillo is a renowned personal injury attorney in Tampa, Florida, known for recovering multi-million-dollar settlements for victims of serious car accidents and wrongful death cases. As a Million Dollar Advocate, his record speaks to his ability to secure top-tier compensation for injured clients. A former prosecutor with seven years of experience in Tampa’s 13th Judicial Circuit, Chris handled high-stakes cases, including homicides and vehicular manslaughter. This prosecutorial background equips him with sharp litigation skills that now fuel his success in civil court, especially in complex cases involving catastrophic injuries and trucking accidents. Chris’s legal excellence has earned him multiple accolades, including...

Immigration Attorney Suzanne E. Vazquez has been practicing U.S. Immigration law exclusively more than 10 years. Suzanne is board certified as an expert in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Florida. She is one of only a handful of board certified Immigration lawyers in Central Florida. Subsequent to her designation as an expert in Immigration law by the Florida Bar, Suzanne Vazquez was invited to serve on the Board Certification Committee for the Florida Bar from 2005 to 2008. Suzanne Vazquez has vast experience in addressing immigration matters and has successfully represented many U.S. employers, foreign national investors,...

Attorney Jeremiah E. Jaspon is a leading advocate for those injured in auto accidents and other personal injury cases, offering unwavering support to clients as they seek justice and fair compensation. With a focus on auto accidents—including car, truck, and motorcycle collisions—Jeremiah has earned a reputation for his in-depth knowledge, strategic approach, and dedication to his clients. He understands the unique challenges faced by accident victims, from physical pain and emotional distress to financial hardship, and tirelessly fights to secure the compensation his clients need to rebuild their lives. Jeremiah brings compassion and commitment to every case, guiding injured victims...