Bartow Lawyers

Attorney Kevin Humphries attended Stetson University College of Law before he started off his legal career serving as a felony prosecutor for the state attorney’s office of the 10th Judicial Circuit. His history includes a widely diverse track record at both county and circuit court and in the state courts of the following counties: Dade, Hardee, Hillsborough, Highlands, Osceola, Pinellas, and Polk. Mr. Humphries has also litigated cases in federal court in the United States Middle District Court for Florida in Tampa. Kevin Humphries has served as a partner in private practice for more than a decade. He opened Lopez &...

Tonmiel Rodriguez is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Lawyer, a distinction few Florida attorneys achieve. He is an experienced litigator, having tried over 56 criminal trials, conducted hundreds of depositions, and litigated numerous motion and evidentiary hearings. Tonmiel was inducted into the National Trial Lawyers list of "Top 40 under 40" Florida Criminal Trial Lawyers. He has been published three times in The Defender, a publication of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL). In 2015, Attorney Tonmiel Rodriguez was awarded the FACDL's James T. Miller Scholar Award.

In 2005, Attorney Tonmiel Rodriguez received his Political Science Degree, with Honors,...

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.

Diane Buerger has over 30 years experience as a Florida Criminal Defense lawyer – with cases ranging from felonies to misdemeanor and traffic cases. Her practice includes representation on both the trial and appellate levels. She handles cases from high-profile to first-time offenders. Her primary practice is criminal law -- in both trial and appellate courts. She's successfully argued before the Florida Supreme Court -- and District Courts of Appeal. She's a Past President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers -- and also the Polk County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

WORK EXPERIENCE Board Certified as a Criminal Trial Specialist by the Florida bar (1999-Present) BOSWELL & DUNLAP, LLP Bartow FL. Partner, Litigation Specialist, 2004 - Present OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY, TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, Tallahassee, FL Assistant State Attorney, Special Prosecution Director. EDUCATION COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Board of Directors Bartow Women’s Care Center, (2009 to Present) Board of Directors, Chairman, Heartland for Children. (2010 to Present) Tenth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee (2005-Present) Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Board of...

Attorney Melodie López earned her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Central Connecticut State University in 1991 before moving on to the University of Miami School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate in 1994. Her career began working in the public defender’s office, where she tried criminal cases. Later, she moved on to the state attorney’s office. From there, Attorney López started her civil litigation practice. It was in 2009 that she opened Lopez & Humphries, P.A., with partner Kevin Humphries. Here, they focus on many different personal injury cases, including those that involve commercial truck accidents, other motor...

Stacey Hendrix McNelis - Experienced Legal Support From A Polk County Native

Stacey H. McNelis is dedicated to the practice of law and helping those in need. She focuses primarily in Criminal, Dependency and Family Law, and Social Security in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties. She is an experienced trial attorney, having handled numerous cases in the county court as well as at the circuit court level. Over the course of her career, she has argued hundreds of motions and has tried over 30 jury trials.

Prior to founding McNelis Law, Ms. McNelis joined Colón & McNelis, P.A., in 2005 and practiced...

I am a trial attorney with more than nineteen years of courtroom experience helping individuals, couples, and families in Polk and Hardee Counties. I hold a Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability. Due to the nature of my practice, I appear before the judges in the Family Law division practically every day of the week. Through my years of trial work I have grown to recognize which cases may ultimately have to be tried and which cases may be resolved without going to court. By focusing on solutions to my client’s problems rather than...

Pete was raised in Hardee County and graduated from Hardee Senior High School in 2003. He then went on to get his bachelor's degree in International Affairs from Florida State University with a focus on Middle Eastern Studies. He received his law degree with honors from Tulane University Law School in New Orleans in 2010 and was a Notes and Comments Editor for the Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law. After law school, Pete worked as a prosecutor mostly in Hardee and Highlands Counties, and briefly in Polk County in the Economic Crimes Division. Pete then worked for William Fletcher...

Having practiced both as a prosecutor and an assistant public defender, i was able to represent many clients in a short period of time. i was able to go to trial on a regular basis and acquire the skills that I needed to successfully represent clients throughout my 25 year career. I have tried serious cases both at the state and federal level, including, murder, trafficking and sex crimes to mention just a few. I have the trial experience that will facilitate a fair resolution of your case short of trial or if necessary,aggressively represent you and your rights...

As the founder of the legal practice Advocate Law Firm, P.A., Lakeland attorney Melissa A. Wilson devotes her practice to cases of family law, criminal defense and personal injury. She has been working in the legal field since 1998, and she is admitted to practice in both Connecticut and Florida courts. Attorney Wilson is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and Quinnipiac University School of Law. Contact her firm for a free case review.

Deborah Carroll grew up in central Florida, raised her family in central Florida and committed her practice to her hometown area. She graduated in 1999 from University of South Florida with a B.A. in Business Management. In 2002, Ms. Carroll graduated from Stetson University with her MBA and Stetson University College of Law with her JD.

Following law school, Ms. Carroll worked as an Assistant Public Defender with the 10th Judicial Circuit in Bartow, Florida, with both felony and misdemeanor cases. In 2005, Ms. Carroll went into private practice with a well known law firm in Lakeland, FL...

Rafael was born and raised in Polk County, Florida, and graduated from Auburndale High School in 1984. Rafael received his B.A. degree from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1997. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in April of 1998, and initially served as an Assistant Public Defender, handling a variety of cases. After just a few months as a misdemeanor attorney, Rafael was quickly promoted to Felony, where he was responsible for cases ranging from drug possession to murder. Rafael soon established...

Stephen K. Brooks practices at the Brooks Law Group with offices in Tampa, Lakeland, and Winter Haven, Florida. He can be reached at steve@brookslawgroup.com or 1-888-We-Mean-It. Steve received his B.A. Degree from Stetson University and his law degree from Stetson University College of Law. Steve also had the opportunity to study at Oxford University through an arrangement with Stetson University College of Law. He then joined a six-member law firm. The diverse experience he gained there has been invaluable to his own firm. It is the basis of a wide pool of practical knowledge and personal contacts from...

The passion to practice law is #1 in my life! I enjoy the everyday opportunity to work with individuals, families and businesses; I help them to save time and trouble! Outside of work, I enjoy a number of activities and hobbies. For me, travel is paramount; I have been to all 50 US States, seven of seven continents and 117 countries! I enjoy photography (travel and landscape particularly), public speaking, non-fiction reading, creative writing and publishing articles, visiting art museums, jazz, gardening, hiking, kayaking, backgammon, attending performing arts and theatre productions, and dining on exotic cuisine. I have offices in Winter Haven and...

Attorney Darla K. Snead is a Polk County Florida native and focuses her family law and personal injury practice in the Central Florida area. Ms. Snead is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator and a Florida Arbitrator. She has been practicing law for over 25 years and has experience representing clients in many different areas of the law including family law, divorce, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and personal injury. Ms. Snead started Darla K. Snead, P.L. in 2009 after leaving a law firm in Lakeland, Florida where she was a partner in a firm practicing on the defense...

Heather Bryan is an experienced trial attorney. Heather began her legal career at the Public Defender's Office for the Tenth Judicial Circuit, where she worked on misdemeanors, felonies, and appeals. Heather then did plaintiff's personal injury work in private practice. Heather's passion for the courtroom was fueled by defending those whose rights had been compromised. She understands the importance of protecting all peoples' fundamental, Constitutional rights. Heather firmly believes in the tenet that every person deserves zealous representation, and if the case requires it, Heather is dedicated to giving every client his or her day in...

Attorney L. Reed Bloodworth, Founder and CEO of Bloodworth Law, PLLC, is a Florida U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyer® in Commercial Litigation Award 2019-22; in Trusts & Estates Litigation 2022; and in Real Estate Litigation 2022. Bloodworth Law is a U.S. News & World Report "Best Law Firm" 2020-22 and has established itself with an office in Orlando and one in Winter Haven. Reed, a 2019-22 Super Lawyer, was named a Florida Trend’s Magazine Florida Legal Elite™ in Civil, Commercial Litigation 2017-19, 2021, a group of less than 1.3% of Florida's attorneys. Reed has been an attorney since 2004...

As a trial lawyer, I see people at a time when they are in their greatest need. Unfortunately, it's not easy to choose the right lawyer for your case. If you choose a lawyer who will never go to court, you are destined to settle your case for too little. Lawyers who never go to court by definition always take the last best offer to settle. Insurance companies know which lawyers will always talk their clients into a settlement.

I am Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Civil Trial. I'm proud to go to trial when necessary to...

At Higgins Law 4 U we zealously assist clients for medical malpractice, personal injury claims of all kinds, foreclosure defense, personal chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy anywhere in the State of Florida, wrongful death, and debt collection defense. If you are outside the state, Winter Haven personal injury lawyer Deborah J. Higgins will assist you in obtaining counsel in another state.

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...

Todd Parrish was admitted to Florida Bar in 2007. His practice has been devoted to the representation of individuals who have suffered injuries through the negligence of others or while on the job.

Sanga Turnbull is the founder and principal attorney at The Turnbull Law Firm, a Florida law firm helping personal injury victims in Lakeland, Winter Haven and Orlando recover compensation for harm done to them by the negligence of others. The comprehensive personal injury practice at The Turnbull Firm includes all manner of motor vehicle accidents, nursing home neglect and abuse, slip and fall, workplace and industrial accidents, medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and more. Injury victims or their families are invited to call The Turnbull Firm for a no-cost, confidential consultation about any potential claims they may have.

Born and...

Attorney Howard Iken is the founder and managing partner of Ayo & Iken, a law firm helping clients with divorce, custody, bankruptcy, criminal defense, and debtor defense. We have offices throughout Tampa Bay and Central Florida. We have the following locations available: Wesley Chapel Summergate Professional Center Seven Oaks - near Wiregrass Mall - off Hwy 56 27642 Cashford Circle Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 New Port Richey - Pasco ...

Dylan Cappello is the managing attorney at Cappello Legal's office in his hometown of Winter Haven practicing in the area of personal injury, first party property claims, and family law.
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Mr. Cappello obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Government and World Affairs with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Tampa. While continuing his education full-time, Dylan also continued to work in several personal injury firms throughout the Bay area. While in undergraduate, Mr. Cappello was also a member of UT's Moot Court Board where he competed in national competitions.
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After graduation, Mr. Cappello immediately attended Stetson University College of Law...

Attorney Nora Leto is a civil trial attorney with approximately 31 years of legal experience, including approximately 17 years of experience with Social Security disability and workers’ compensation claims. Ms. Leto has prior professional legal experience working for Florida State Hospital Office of Patient Legal Services as a Staff Attorney and with Florida Rural Legal Services as a Farm Worker Advocate. She is also fluent in Spanish. Ms. Leto received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Florida State University in 1978. She also received her Juris Doctor, or law degree, from Florida State University in 1981 and was admitted...

I have recently decided to concentrate solely on County and Circuit Court civil mediations and arbitrations. I would future referrals for my services in these areas. The reason for my decision to concentrate solely upon mediation and arbitration is due to the desire to help parties reach settlement without having a Judge or Court impose a Judgment upon them. I believe self-determination is far superior to formal litigation in Court. ...

With over 30 years of experience in personal injury law, Mr. Abrahamson embraces the practice of working with clients on a contingency basis.

“A system of hiring an attorney on an hourly basis rewards inefficiency, creates delays and commonly creates negative issues between the lawyer and the client. Representing clients on a contingency basis in which the law firm earns a percentage of the settlement, however, is much more rewarding for the client and the attorneys. We have a common goal: to pursue the maximum recovery for the client. If there is no financial recovery (i.e. settlement or jury verdict), the...