DeSoto County Lawyers

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...

Mr. Lechner is a Florida Bar board certified labor and employment lawyer with years experience representing both employees and employers in all aspects of employment law matters. He was recently selected 2020 Lawyer of the Year, Employment Law - Mgmt., St Petersburg (US News & World Report).

Mr. Lechner’s expert speciality extends to all employment disputes, including wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination including but not limited to age, race, gender, national origin, overtime and wage/hour payment issues, retaliation and whistleblower claims, as well as restrictive covenants, unfair business practices, related state tort and contract issues and other types of employment...

Richard Henry Maney Senior Partner As the founder and managing attorney of Maney Gordon Zeller, P. A., Richard has been practicing in the area of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization law for over 41 years. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1972. In 1974, he received his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law. Mr. Maney is a member of the Florida Bar Association and is Board Certified in the area of Immigration and Naturalization Law. He is also a member of the American Trial Lawyers...

Florida Injury Attorney who has recovered millions of dollars for his clients. Call for a free consultation: 833-444-2326. Adam Rieth is a litigation trial attorney with the Barnes Trial Group. While at Barnes Trial Group, Adam has obtained the following verdicts at trial for injured clients: $3,425,000 (Motorcycle crash - Pasco County, Florida); $596,900 (When attorneys fees were awarded - ultimate recovery: $1,024,498.87) (Motorcycle Crash - Hillsborough County, Florida); $583,112.37 (Motorcycle Crash - Pinellas County, Florida). Adam Rieth has also settled many cases for millions of dollars, including: $1,504,634 (Car Crash); $1,100,000 (Car Crash); $1,000,000 (Motorcycle Crash); $2,300,000.00 (Premises Liability); $1,100,000...

Jonathan May, Esq., M.A. studied communications at the University of Illinois, the University of Miami and Law at Nova Southeastern University. Attorney May developed skills in leadership, teaching, coaching and physical training as a collegiate football coach with the University of Miami, University of Illinois and Florida International University.
Attorney May then became a communications professor and has taught at over sixteen schools in the area. This is a unique background that has helped contribute to his success in the legal field. Most people are not aware that a communications background involves education and the development of...

With more than 25 years of experience in criminal law, Rocky Brancato has established himself as a leading attorney in the Tampa Bay legal community. As a seasoned criminal trial attorney, he worked his way up to the role of second-in-command of the largest criminal defense firm in Tampa Bay, before launching The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. Rocky has a wealth of experience handling high-stakes criminal cases, including homicides and sex offenses, from his tenure in a specialized major crimes unit. He is the author of How to Choose a Major Crimes Attorney, or Any Criminal Defense Attorney for that Matter,...

We are a law firm helping people to reduce student loans and other debts, including filing bankruptcy if necessary. Don't believe others who say nothing can be done about student loans - we are seeing fantastic results every day! I was formerly trial counsel for Sallie Mae and other student loan servicers in bankruptcy dischargeability cases. I "switched sides" and now represent student loan borrowers and other debtors both inside and outside of bankruptcy. Since getting rid of student loans is so difficult in bankruptcy, we have had to get creative in finding ways to reduce...

Brett Szematowicz is originally from Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Tampa when he was in 1991. He attended high school locally at Tampa Preparatory School and graduated in 1999. Mr. Szematowicz attended college at The American University in Washington, D.C. and graduated with a B.A. in Justice. While at The American University, Mr. Szematowicz was a member of the highly selective Leadership Program in the School of Public Affairs. Mr. Szematowicz attended South Texas College of Law, located in Houston, Texas. During law school, Mr. Szematowicz interned with the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office in...

For over 30 years, John V. Tucker has helped people get 1) disability benefits, 2) life insurance benefits, 3) ERISA benefits, 4) Long Term Disability, 5) Social Security Disability and SSI, 6) Veteran’s disability|VA Service Connected Compensation, and 7) Life Insurance and Accidental Death benefits. Mr. Tucker has achieved AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatingSM—the highest available—through Martindale-Hubbell’s® attorney peer review ratings for his ethical standards and legal ability. He is also rated 10/10 (Superb) by Avvo.com, an online lawyer rating and selection guide. He has been named one of Tampa Bay Magazine’s Top Attorneys in Tampa Bay, selected by...

As an expert estate, trust and tax attorney, Greg Herman-Giddens provides comprehensive wealth planning, protection and management services to residents of Florida, North Carolina Tennessee and New York. He also provides consulting adn co-counseling services to attorneys throughout the country. Through careful selection of strategies tailored to clients' individualized goals and objectives, he helps individuals protect their family, preserve assets and save taxes.

Ross Jurewitz is a nationally recognized Personal Injury attorney. He dedicates his work to representing clients who have been injured due to the negligence of others.

Jodi Leisure is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar, and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Jodi completed her dual J.D./M.B.A. degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1999. She has practiced in the field of personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, and other tort related claims for her entire career, and has achieved tremendous results for clients in these areas. Ms. Leisure was appointed by the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) to join their elite association. ABOTA is an invitation only organization of the finest lawyers and judges in America....

Since 1995, K.C. Williams, Esquire, of Williams Law, P.A., has been assisting Florida residents with a wide variety of insurance claim issues and serious personal injury claims. K.C. Williams has established himself as one of the most active insurance claim lawyers in Florida and has a reputation for achieving results and providing unsurpassed service to his clients. At Williams Law, P.A., we are dedicated to protecting the rights of Florida homeowners, businesses, and individuals who face challenges with insurance claims and personal injury cases. With years of experience and a proven track record of success, we provide personalized...

Anna Katherine Stone has been practicing workers' compensation, personal injury and social security disability since 2003. She was a partner/shareholder with the law firm of Barbas, Nunez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian, P.A. from January 2010 until September 2018 when she left to open her own law practice, Injury Florida Law Firm, P.A., in October 2018. All of her files are handled exclusively by Ms. Stone and her legal assistants. She is readily accessible by phone, email and even text messages. Ms. Stone believes in walking the client thru every step of the case.

She obtained...

Gary Jodat enjoys living in Sarasota with his wife, 2 younger children and their dog Drake, a Yorkshire Terrier. During leisure time, his family enjoys swimming, boating and the beach. The 3 older children attended Manatee County schools and are no longer at home. Gary R. Jodat is the founding attorney of Jodat Law Group, P.A. started in 1994. He received his Juris Doctor Degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1993 and his undergraduate degree from Roger Williams University. Fresh out of law school he was an Assistant Public Defender trying criminal, Juvenile...

Suffering a personal injury, whether from a car or motorcycle accident, negligence, faulty workmanship, or any other cause can have a profound impact on your life. That's where Marsalisi Law comes in. While we can't undo the harm caused by the injury, we can provide you with honest and high-quality legal representation. We will work tirelessly to recover the compensation and justice you deserve. At Marsalisi Law, our personal injury lawyers in St. Petersburg will vigorously fight for your rights and ensure that you are compensated for your financial and personal losses. We understand that every personal injury case is unique,...

For more than 25 years, Attorney Morgan Gaynor has been practicing law in and around Florida state. During that time, he has given voice to countless clients in an effort to fight for their rights. Attorney Gaynor has tried cases in both state and federal courts and frequently deals with cases involving complex insurance litigation, maritime law disputes, personal injury, and wrongful death.

Attorney Gaynor has a reputation for success and has been certified by The Florida Bar as an expert in Civil Trial Law, a certification fewer than 2% of practicing lawyers can claim. He prides himself in his ability...

I decided to become a lawyer in honor of my friend, Sgt. Jessie Davila, who was killed in action while we were deployed to Iraq. My initial focus in the law was to help other Veterans navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability system as a Veterans lawyer. However, I discovered that many of the Veterans I was helping obtain VA disability benefits also needed help with estate planning and elder law concerns. This realization led me back to law school, where I earned my Masters in Law (LL.M.) in Elder journey in the legal profession started with internships...

Mitchell Lloyd Feldman Esq., Experienced Trial Lawyer, 23 Years Litigation Experience. For over 2 decades, MITCHELL LLOYD FELDMAN, ESQ., has been a Civil Litigator, who has worked on the defense and the plaintiff side of cases. Over the last 10 years, Mr. Feldman has focused his practice representing employees and individuals in personal injury, workers' comp and employment claims. Mr. Feldman’s bench and jury trial experience includes cases involving the following: Wage and Hour Claims, Personal Injuries and Automobile Accidents, Workers’ Compensation, Employment Contracts and Whistleblower Actions, and one Criminal case. Mr. Feldman has handled...

John M. Frazier, Jr. is a partner at Widerman Malek, PL that focuses on delivering a full range of litigation in both state and federal courts; including the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States as well as acting in advisory capacities for businesses and corporations reviewing contracts, documents, and providing legal feedback to aid and assist decision-makers. His area of practice includes corporate litigation and transactions, complex commercial litigation, real estate litigation and transactions, business representation, and maritime law. John has been a keynote speaker educating the public on the...

Attorney Alena Miles holds a Master's LL.M. degree in tax law, and she is a Certified Public Accountant. Florida Tax Attorney | IRS Tax Relief, FIRPTA, International & State Tax Help Attorney Alena Miles, LL.M. in Taxation and Certified Public Accountant (CPA), provides comprehensive tax law services to individuals and businesses facing IRS tax audits, FIRPTA compliance issues, international tax problems, and Florida Department of Revenue audits. Alena focuses on IRS tax relief, federal and international tax planning, business tax transactions, tax compliance, and tax controversy representation. She assists with FIRPTA withholding, foreign investment tax matters, and cross-border tax reporting for corporations, LLCs,...

We assist families avoid impoverishment from long term care and nursing home expense by qualifying their loved ones for Medicaid and VA benefits. We prepare Wills, Trusts and Durable Powers of Attorney and settle Estates and Trusts. We seek maximum recovery when loved ones are abused or neglected in a Nursing Home or ALF. Ted moved to Florida in 1960 from Michigan and began his firm in 1990. Over the 32 years that he has been in practice, Ted has helped many hundreds of families qualify for Medicaid and protect the assets that they have worked a lifetime to...

Katherine Neal was born in San Antonio, Texas, and moved around during her formative years as an "Army Brat." Her father was a Brigade Commander and Colonel in the United States Army, and instilled in Katherine her work ethic and commitment to excellence. Katherine has been in practice nearly 20 years, and has spent her entire career advocating for victims of personal injury, wrongful death, and funeral home/cemetery/crematory malpractice. She is Board Certified for the state of Florida in the area of Civil Trial law. This distinction has only been bestowed on about 2% of lawyers in the...

Anton Hopen is an Honors College graduate of the University of South Florida in Interdisciplinary Science. In addition, he is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Law. At UF Law he received the Presidential Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement. Furthermore, at the University of Florida, he won election as Student Body Chancellor and chief justice of the Honor Court. Prior to his career in intellectual property law, he served as a felony criminal prosecutor for the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Additionally, as a trial attorney, he conducted over fifty (50) jury trials to verdict as...

William T. Harmon, ESQ, CPA, MBA, EA (“Will”) represents taxpayers to resolve and settle their tax debt with the IRS. Since Will is a multi-licensed tax professional, your tax issue will be addressed from all angles, ensuring nothing is missed and an appropriately tailored solution is employed. He will prepare and file any of your unfiled tax returns and help you achieve optimal answers to your tax liability so that you can ideally use your resources. Will provides the following IRS Tax Issue services: IRS Collection Appeals, Offer in Compromise, IRS Audit & Assessment Assistance, Payroll Trust Fund Recovery...

Jeffrey P. Battista is originally from Oakland, Maryland. He graduated magna cum laude from West Virginia University’s internationally accredited accounting program in 1997. Immediately thereafter, Mr. Battista attended the University of Florida, where he graduated and received his Juris Doctorate degree in 2000.

During his tenure at the University of Florida, Mr. Battista was employed with the office of the State Attorney beginning in 1998, and upon graduation from law school, he accepted a position as an Assistant State Attorney in the Indian River County State Attorney’s Office in order to gain necessary trial experience and the extensive knowledge of our...

Have represented hundreds of contractors/employees in bid protests, claims, investigations, audits, debarment. Served in Congress for three terms, 2009-10 and 2013-2016. Passed more legislation in 2013-2016 than any other Member of Congress. Named "Most Effective Member of Congress." Authored legislation on full and open competition. Named "Attorney of the Year" by national organization Taxpayers Against Fraud. Three degrees from Harvard: AB, MPP, JD. Lead counsel in more than 50 Government Accountability Office bid protest decisions, and more than 30 U.S. Court of Federal Claims decisions. Legal victories reported in WSJ, WashPost, NY Times, CNN, 60 Minutes. Loving father of...

Communication matters most in times of family law crisis. Family law clients deserve and receive prompt responses directly from Mr. Metcalfe personally. Clients value personal lawyer contact and are encouraged to speak and communicate directly with their attorney. George Metcalfe has over 30 years of experience in matrimonial and family law matters and has studied tax law in the LLM Graduate Tax Program at the Levin School of Law at the University of Florida. He also attended the University of Miami School of Law, and is a Charter Class J.D. graduate of St. Thomas University School of...

The founding lawyer at Gardiner Immigration P.A., Attorney Grace Gardiner proudly serves clients throughout South Florida, including Tampa, Plantation, and Fort Lauderdale. She is an immigrant herself and understands the potential challenges that many of her clients face. Because of this knowledge and experience, Grace is able to handle a number of complex legal matters, helping clients live and work in the United States. He focus is to always provide compassionate legal care, especially in the face of emotionally trying matters, such as deportation and family visas. To learn more about Attorney Gardiner’s practice and how she may be able...

Stann W. Givens is the founding partner of Givens Law Group. An accomplished family law attorney, he regularly assists clients throughout the Tampa area in all manner of complex divorce, child custody, and related matters. Stann Givens is Board Certified in Family Law by the Florida Bar, making him one of very few attorneys who can claim to be an expert in this area of law.
Stann Givens was awarded Lawyer of the Year for Tampa Family Law by The Best Lawyers in America® and has earned the highest possible peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell®: AV Preeminent®. Recently, the Family...

KEVIN D SLATTERY obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in both Political Science and French from the University of Notre Dame in 1997. While at the University of Notre Dame, he was an active member of both the Notre Dame Council on International Business Development and the national political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha. During his time at Notre Dame, he also studied abroad for one academic year at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest in Angers, France. In 1998, Mr. Slattery participated in the NAFTA Leaders Internship Program at the Washington Center for Internships & Academic Seminars in Washington,...

Attorney Hardy attended Suffolk University Law School's Evening Division. He graduated Magna Cum Laude (with high honors) in the top four percent of his class. From 2005 until 2010, Attorney Hardy served as a State Prosecutor in Tampa Florida. Since 2010 he has been in private practice. In Florida State Courts, he has handled thousands of cases ranging from DUI to first degree felonies. In Federal Court, he has handled international extradition cases, bank fraud, drug trafficking, firearms cases, and immigration offenses. Attorney Hardy is Board Certified by the Florida Bar as an...

A Queens, New York native graduating from the State University of New York (SUNY) Albany in Political Science, History and a minor in Criminal Justice in 2010. Ms. Whitfield graduated Ave Maria School of Law, in Naples, FL in 2013 and became a member of the Florida Bar in 2015. She has established a practice in the Tampa Bay area where she lives and works. Having established several areas of practice including Estate Planning, Probate, Immigration, Criminal Defense, and Business Law matters. Her passion is to help those in her community through the court system with their legal issues and...

Michael Ziegler is the founder and managing partner of Ziegler Diamond Law, a Florida-based law firm dedicated to helping individuals and families overcome financial hardship. With over a decade of legal experience, Mike focuses on bankruptcy law, debt collection defense, and consumer protection cases, ensuring that clients regain control of their financial future. Practice Areas: Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 Bankruptcy – Helping clients discharge or restructure their debts while protecting assets. Debt Collection Defense – Fighting lawsuits from creditors and protecting clients from unlawful collection practices. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Cases – Holding credit bureaus and lenders accountable for...

I am Chris Limberopoulos, the managing attorney at The Florida Law Group, with over forty years of experience in the legal field. I am Board Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a distinction held by only the top 1% of lawyers nationwide. My dedication to achieving justice and securing maximum compensation for my clients covers a wide range of cases, from catastrophic injuries to pro bono work. My commitment to legal excellence has been consistently recognized, earning me numerous awards and a place on the Super Lawyers list every year since 2008. I received...

Attorney Darla K. Snead Dulin 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, Florida Supreme Court Certified Civil Mediator and a Florida Arbitrator. She has been practicing law for over 28 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 Dulin started Darla K. Snead, P.L. in 2009 after leaving a law firm in Lakeland, Florida where she was a...

James R. Nici, Manager of Nici Law Firm, specializes in the areas of estate planning, administration and taxation. Mr. Nici has more than 25 years of experience, specializing in designing sophisticated estate plans for high net worth families and individuals, capitalizing on the tax advantages of declaring domicile in the state of Florida.

Mr. Nici, a “Top 100 Attorney” by Worth Magazine, is the sole developer of the unique process called The Strategic Estate Planning System®. The Strategic Estate Planning System® is designed to assist clients in the complex process of organizing highly detailed estate plans by simplifying client’s overall goals...

Daniel Rosefelt has been a dual licensed tax attorney for over 25 years and a Certified Public Accountant for over 30 years. He is the principal of the tax law firm of Daniel Rosefelt & Associates, LLC. The firm represents individuals and businesses with serious tax issues in the Washington D.C. Metro area, in Florida, throughout the United States and internationally. Mr. Rosefelt's practice focuses on representing individuals and small businesses with serious tax problems such as un-filed tax returns, audits, criminal tax investigations, administrative appeals, tax court litigation, unpaid payroll taxes and resolution of large tax debts...

Attorney Mark Roman founded the firm which is now Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers in 1996 with one goal in mind—help accident victims rebuild their lives. Since then, Attorney Roman has used his legal knowledge and skill to help clients and their families as they deal with the devastating effects of personal injuries. After graduating from Florida State University College of Law in 1986, Attorney Roman began building a reputation as a reliable, compassionate legal advocate. He has been recognized by several prestigious organizations, serves as a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, holds a 10/10...

John C. Austin is a managing partner and lawyer at Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. John has over a decade of experience in insurance law. He has worked for an insurance defense firm representing insurers and claimants in personal injury claims. He also has experience as an in-house attorney with State Farm’s Corporate Law Department. John has handled thousands of personal injury lawsuits, including cases involving motor vehicle accidents, slips and falls, property damage, and wrongful death, to name a few. He has also attended hundreds of depositions (including depositions of expert witnesses), hearings, and mediations. John’s insurance experience...