Balm Lawyers

Matthew Wheeley was born in Haines City, FL and grew up in Clearwater. He and his wife, Dianna, have two grown children who were recently married and live in Tampa. They have two spoiled dogs still living at home. Matt has completed a marathon, half-marathon, and numerous triathlons.

I represent clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses throughout the Tampa Bay area. I am a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). I graduated with Honors from the University of Florida College of Law in Gainesville, Florida, in 1999, and served as Vice Chair on the Executive Board for the UF Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Board. I completed internships at the State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit prosecuting cases in the felony division, and the United States Attorney's...

Brian Palacios Law is a Criminal Defense Firm located in Tampa, Florida. A Criminal Defense Attorney and former State Prosecutor, Mr. Palacios is an experienced Trial Attorney with a deep knowledge base in all areas of Criminal Defense. He personally handles each case, securing favorable outcomes for his clients and tirelessly advocating for the just and fair treatment they deserve. Mr. Palacios has handled thousands of criminal cases across a broad range of practice areas from DUI's to Murder. Mr. Palacios is an experienced and skilled Criminal Defense Attorney, who will advocate on your behalf to secure the best possible...

Timothy C. Martin is licensed to practice law in the state of Florida. As the owner/attorney of Martin Law Office, P.A., he serves the Tampa Bay and Central Florida areas and beyond in matters relating to animal law, estate planning and probate, real estate/real property including landlord/tenant matters, corporate law, business organizations and transactions, LGBT issues, and limited family law matters.

Michael D. Fluke, P.A. is an A.V. rated law firm low volume practice handling serious Divorce and Family Law and matters. When you are dealing with matters of Custody, Alimony or Equitable Distribution, you may need to fight for your rights. Michael D. Fluke, P.A. is always ready to help you fight. Receive the personal attention you deserve!

Frank Fernandez has been practicing law for over 26 years in the Tampa Bay area and Hillsborough County. In 1992 he received his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University, which he attended under a full academic scholarship. He received his law degree from the Florida State University College of Law in 1995 and became a member of he Florida Bar later that year. Frank has appeared on behalf of his clients at the trial and appellate level in Federal and State courts all throughout Florida. He has dedicated his legal career to specialize in Personal Injury and Criminal Defense. As a personal injury lawyer, Frank...

Dennis Hernandez, Esq. is a fifth-generation native of Tampa, Florida, who started practicing law at 23 years old. Dennis graduated from Duke University at 20 with a bachelor’s in economics. He then graduated eighth in a class of 260 from Florida State College of Law and obtained his Master of Law from Harvard Law School at 24. Additionally, Dennis graduated from the prestigious Trial Lawyers College and is one of only 1,378 attorneys who claim this distinction. In 1996, he started the Florida personal injury firm Dennis Hernandez & Associates, P.A. he has grown to serve accident victims across the state...

Matt Erjavec is a native Floridian who graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Business Management and received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Upon graduation from law school, Matt returned home to Florida and began practicing as a personal injury attorney at a high volume law firm in Tampa, Florida. During this time, Matt gained invaluable experience handling all aspects of personal injury cases while representing thousands of injury victims. However, this experience also exposed Matt to the shortcomings of high volume law firms - namely, that many times...

I'm Attorney Jim Tanner. I've been a trial attorney for 37 years. I was born and raised right here in Tampa Bay area. My dream was to become a Professional Baseball Player. It came true the very night I graduated from High School I was selected as the third draft choice nationwide by the Detroit Tigers Baseball organization. My Education: I earned my BA from USF in Political Science, and my Juris Doctorate from Boston Suffolk Law School where I served as a Special Prosecutor for the MA Governor's Consumer Boards...

I have accumulated years of experience in civil trial practice, focusing on litigation and arbitrations. I earned my B.S. in 1976 and my J.D. in 1979, both from Stetson University. My primary practice area involves defending medical malpractice cases, where I represent both physicians and hospitals in litigation, arbitration, and Department of Health investigations. Additionally, I manage the defense of premises liability and product liability cases for major grocery store chains, as well as for physician practice locations and a hospital. My experience also extends to handling the defense of automobile, bad faith, PIP/UM, and general insurance litigation. I have...

Lesly Carmen Longa Vaillancourt litigated and defended claims on behalf of individuals against corporations for over 10 years. Today she focuses her practice on wills, estate planning and family mediation. Attorney Longa speaks Spanish, has represented foreign nationals in U.S. Courts, and also handles a variety of international matters for business and estate planning clients. She is a Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator who can help divorcing couples file for divorce and negotiate an agreement without attorneys, preserving the family's dignity and empowering folks to decide for themselves what is best for them and their children. ...

Family Diplomacy is dedicated to helping clients restructure their families privately and respectfully. We practice exclusively in out-of-court dispute resolution, with a focus on collaborative divorce and family law, mediation, direct negotiations, and unbundled legal services. We maintain this out-of-court practice because we strongly believe that family disputes should be resolved in a private conference room, not in a hostile and public courtroom environment. This unique perspective on family law stems back to Adam B. Cordover’s experience studying International Affairs in Washington, D.C., and abroad. Adam had the rare opportunity to work closely with...

Maj: pronounced like the first syllable of "Magic" Vasigh: pronounced "Va-sigh" Most people go through life thinking they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. And many of them never will. But sometimes, a regular, decent, professional person - a teacher, college student, nurse, or fellow lawyer - will find themselves in a situation they never thought they'd be in. That's when they call Maj Vasigh, a criminal defense attorney in Tampa who is an expert in criminal defense litigation. Though he represents people from all walks of life the majority of his clientele aren't the type of "hard criminals"...

Robert advises clients in the areas of cybersecurity, privacy, data protection, cyber insurance, e-discovery and emerging technologies.

Mr. Zoecklein currently focuses his practice on Plaintiff's Civil Litigation. His team is currently litigating cases throughout the State of Florida in the practice areas of probate administration, estate litigation, insurance claims, family law and business law. Brice Zoecklein grew up in Blacksburg Virginia and attended Virginia Tech where he graduated cum laude and obtained a degree in business management. While at Virginia Tech Mr. Zoecklein ran several successful franchises throughout Virginia and North Carolina. Mr. Zoecklein then obtained his juris doctorate degree cum luade and a Masters in Business Administration from Stetson University College of Law....

Army Veteran and former Law Enforcement Officer, Sean decided to continue to serve his community by becoming an Attorney. Sean has a mission to protect the people and started Panther Law, P.A. to do just that. He offers legal help in Litigation, Estate Planning, Probate, Bankruptcy, and Special Needs Law.

For almost a quarter-century, I have largely dedicated my professional life in service to such victims and, over time, have learned the real value of the hospitality service education and training I received. While providing a high-quality hospitality service experience to someone during their restaurant visit or hotel stay was professionally rewarding to me, I have found no greater professional fulfillment than providing high-quality legal service and achieving corrective results for individuals who have suffered unlawful treatment at the hands of their employers. I have counseled thousands of individuals. I have achieved multiple million-dollar recoveries for my clients. And, while...

Paul Knudsen was born in New Port Richey, Florida and resided there until eight years old. He then moved to Orlando where he attended Dr. Phillips High School. At 18, he went to The Florida State University on an academic scholarship. While at FSU, Paul received numerous Dean’s List Honors and is still an avid Florida State football fan. After his graduation from Florida State, Paul moved to Jacksonville and began attending Florida Coastal School of Law. In the Spring of his first year, Paul was invited to join the Moot Court Honor Board for his appellate advocacy skills....

JEFFREY S. GOETHE is a partner with Barnes Walker, Goethe, Perron, Shea, & Robinson, PLLC. The firm's main office is in Bradenton, with appointments available in the firm's Anna Maria Island, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish offices. Mr. Goethe is a graduate of Maryville College and the University of Tennessee College of Law and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1990. He is board certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in wills, trusts and estates law and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Mr. Goethe is a member of the Florida Bar’s Real...

We are O’Brien Hatfield, PA, a criminal defense law firm with offices in Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. I am an equity partner. I am a statewide recognized criminal defense attorney with over fifteen years of experience in state criminal courts. I head the state criminal defense division. I am a licensed member of the Bar of the State of Florida (2009). My law firm consists of five lawyers, four legal assistants, two private investigators, one sentencing mitigation specialist, and numerous third party experts who assist on a case by case basis. We have three divisions in our firm: federal criminal...

Steven C. Ruth is the managing- trial attorney of The Ruth Law Team. For over 35 years he has exclusively represented thousands of families in successfully obtaining compensation for their injuries or wrongful death due to the negligent conduct of individuals, corporations, and insurance companies. He conducts jury trials involving auto, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as defective products, elderly abuse, and medical malpractice. He is admitted to practice before all state courts in Florida and Minnesota, the Federal Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, the Federal Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of the United States...

Nichelle Womble loves people and is passionate about advocating for human rights and diligently representing her clients in various kinds of lawsuits. She serves as an Attorney with Counsel in the American Islamic Relations office in Philadelphia, representing clients on criminal, civil rights, and civil law matters with a laudable winning rate. She fiercely fights for justice and equality. As a litigation associate Ms. Womble offers legal advice and handles cases including criminal law/trials, sports/business, civil rights, police brutality, workplace discrimination, wage violations, labor rights violations, sexual assault, unlawful imprisonment, juvenile & family law, student defense/title ix, etc. Prior to attending law...

Helbert Lopez believes that helping to solve legal problems doesn’t just mean looking for solutions. It’s also about finding opportunities for clients to move ahead confidently with their lives following a divorce, an immigration matter, an auto accident, or a personal bankruptcy. In his role as CEO of Florida Law Advisers, P.A., Helbert uses his broad range of legal savvy and business wisdom to give Tampa, Orlando, and Central Florida citizens the guidance they need. “My diverse work experience and education provide a solid foundation to solve any issues faced by my clients,” Helbert proudly proclaims. “In these capacities, I have gathered...

Paul W. Rebein has a passion for helping people. His 26 years of experience and deep understanding of the law empower him to fight for justice for his clients. Paul has won and favorably settled thousands of personal injury, auto accident and slip and fall cases. Driven by his faith and a profound empathy for the people he serves, Paul is known for winning cases and and negotiating substantial settlements on his clients’ behalf. A graduate of the University of Virginia Law School and a Tampa resident for years, Paul is 20 years, Paul is at...

Kristin Kirkner has focused her practice on family law and military family law since 2004. By limiting her practice to family law, including divorce, paternity, custody, child support, alimony and military divorces, Kristin has been able to focus on the one area that best utilizes her negotiation and litigation skills. Kristin is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law in the State of Florida, and has been accepted in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit for the State of Florida as an expert in military divorces and division of military pensions. Kristin is the Immediate Past Chair of the Marital...

J. Armando Edmiston is an aggressive, knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer handling a broad range of complex cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death claims. He also handles cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect. If you or a loved one was injured due to another's negligence, don't wait to take legal action. Contact the Tampa office of Armando Personal Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation. ...

Attorney Catherine M. Rinaldo, founding partner of Rinaldo Law Group,
has secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for her clients.
For over 30 years, she has represented hundreds of clients in personal
injury and wrongful death cases arising from automobile negligence,
motorcycle and bicycle crashes, medical malpractice, abuse, defective
products and hotel and apartment inadequate security. She has
co-counseled and partnered with law firms from around the country to
achieve the best results for her clients.

Ms. Rinaldo prides herself in a taking a personal approach to the
representation of her clients. “When a client engages our firm, I want
them to know that their needs and concerns...

Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, I attended West Virginia Wesleyan College studying both business administration and political science. After three semesters at West Virginia Wesleyan College, I transferred to West Virginia University, where I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies. While attending West Virginia University, I worked with my father as a surface miner in the coal fields of West Virginia. Of all the lessons learned during those summers, I learned to appreciate the value of a hard work and the importance of taking pride in whatever you do. At Blumenauer Hackworth, we take pride in our...

An aggressive litigator, Karina Perez Ilic has diverse expertise in civil litigation including motor vehicle accidents, catastrophic workplace accidents, contracts, commercial disputes, premises liability, and motor vehicle accidents. She is not afraid to be a fierce advocate for clients who have been wronged or injured.

A Florida native, she ventured to New Orleans to receive her bachelor’s degree in business law with a minor in French language at Tulane University. She continued her legal education in New Orleans, graduating from Loyola University in 2010 cum laude.

Karina is a member of the Florida State Bar and is admitted to practice in both...

Attorney Kevin A. Fuller has been representing injured victims and defending the accused since 1992. If you have been injured or accused of committing a crime, please call the office to ask questions and get answers. Benefit from more than 25 years of courtroom experience.

Tampa Insurance Law Attorney

As the founder and managing partner of Germain Law Group, Michael Germain continues to represent insurance policyholders, personal injury victims, consumers, and businesses across Florida.

He is a dedicated advocate for his clients' causes, even if their case takes them against large insurance corporations. His resolve stems from nearly a decade of legal experience, which allows him to confidently fight for his clients' futures inside and outside of the courtroom.

Michael Germain founded Germain Law Group on the foundation of open-communication and a drive to help people gain the justice that they deserve.

With insurance-related matters, individuals, families,...

TAMPA CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND DUI ATTORNEY Jason Sammis is a shareholder with the Sammis Law Firm, P.A., who represents individuals charged with felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL. Jason Sammis is actively involved as an attorney on the NORML Legal Committee, which fights for the reform of marijuana laws. He is also a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. EXCLUSIVELY FOCUSED ON CRIMINAL AND DUI DEFENSE By focusing exclusively on criminal and DUI defense in Tampa, FL, Jason Sammis is able to stay...

Marc A. Joseph, P.A. has defended thousands of clients and prosecuted none. Unlike former prosecutors, I have never worked one day to put someone in jail or prison. I will provide the level of uncompromising legal representation that makes a difference in my ability to help my clients avoid criminal convictions and maximum penalties for the offenses they have been accused of committing. Marc A. Joseph is passionate about protecting the rights of the accused in Florida criminal cases! Many defendants are wrongly accused, others know they have made mistakes, but look for an attorney who will...

Christopher Hersem is an attorney in the Clearwater, Florida, area. He was born and raised here, and has practiced law for fifteen years in the area. His advocacy for clients has helped clients overcome criminal charges, traffic tickets, and personal injuries for more than a decade. Attorney Christopher Hersem started his career with an undergraduate education at the University of Florida. After this, he studied law at Stetson University College of Law, with a concentration in advocacy. He was also a member of many organizations at this time. He was named in Who’s Who of American Law Schools. He also...

Christina Anton Garcia graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in criminology and cum laude with a B.A. in psychology from the University of Florida in 2003. She earned her J.D. from the University of Florida's Levin College of Law in 2006. After graduation from law school, Christina Anton Garcia worked for nearly four years as an attorney at the law firm of Older & Lundy, where she practiced marital and family law. In 2010, Christina joined with attorney John S. Castro to form Anton Castro Law. Her expertise in marriage dissolution, paternity, domestic violence, and other areas of family law...

Patrick W. Harland, Jr. is a seasoned litigator and personal injury attorney having tried cases in both Florida State and Federal Court.

Upon graduating from Stetson University College of Law in 1999, Mr. Harland focused his law practice on defending insurance companies as well as some of the nation’s largest nursing home chains in liability suits relating to patient care. Mr. Harland also defended physicians in correctional healthcare cases brought by inmates alleging civil rights violations due to inadequate healthcare.

Today, Mr. Harland uses that defense background to the advantage of St. Petersburg clients who have been injured by the negligence of...

Richard's practice is focused on mediation. As an attorney, Richard worked at three of the country's largest and most prestigious national law firms, representing America's most well-known companies. Richard later established his own law firm, where his practice focused on business litigation and family law. In mediations, Richard uses his broad understanding of the law, ability to listen, aptitude for numbers, and sense of human empathy to help resolve disputes.

Upon Keith's graduation from Law School he worked as an assistant Public Defender in Ocala, Florida where he tried numerous cases. He then moved to the opposite side of the court room and worked for the Hillsborough county State Attorney in Tampa, Florida. As an Assistant State Attorney, Keith handled thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases and major crimes. He obtained valuable litigation experience, knowledge and training during his years of working as a prosecutor and public defender. He is also licensed to practice in the United States Federal District Court in the Middle District of Florida. In 2013, Keith became...

Attorney Jeff Paulk is a criminal defense lawyer at the Tampa law firm of Thomas & Paulk, P.A. Throughout his career, Jeff has handled more than 3,500 criminal cases, and many jury trials. Jeff is a Florida native and graduate of Stetson College of Law. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1998 and the Federal Bar in 2001.

Michael Singer is an associate of Lieser Skaff Alexander who specializes in real estate litigation as well as the representation of commercial and residential landlords in the Tampa area.

He also has extensive experience in probate law. Michael graduated cum laude from University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010, and while there he served as the Articles Editor for the Journal of Technology Law and Policy. A recipient of the Young Lawyers Pro Bono Award in2013, he serves both his community and his clients with integrity and distinction.

He is based in LSA Tampa office.