Highlands County Lawyers

Nicole has resided in the Tampa Bay area for the last 20 years. She majored in criminology while attending Saint Leo University and interned with the United States Secret Service.

Upon graduation, Nicole attended Stetson University College of Law in Pinellas County, where she concentrated on trial advocacy. While attending school, she interned with the State Attorney’s Office for Pinellas County.

After law school, Nicole became the Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit for Pinellas County. During the three years, she was employed at the State Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted misdemeanors to serious crimes.

Nicole served as a...

I fight insurance companies, big companies, or a person who is trying to bully and railroad another person into an unfair result. I believe that the Courtroom and the American Jury is the great equalizer in civil justice. I spend my team handling auto wreck, truck accident, and premises liability cases.

At the office I am lucky that one of my law partners is my Wife Nicole, and extremely accomplished trial lawyer. My other law partner is a great friend and accomplished trial lawyer, Lee. Great people make up my team. I am excited to get to work in the morning....

Erin Kirkwood has the skills and tools to handle your loved one's probate estate no matter where you live. Erin can navigate the probate process for you from near or afar. Erin utilizes state of the art technology for documents and signatures that allows the probate process to flow smoothly. Erin offers flat fees for most services so you will know the cost up front. Erin can prepare comprehensive estate planning documents including Wills and Trusts. Erin also drafts Living Wills, Healthcare Surrogate Designations, Powers of Attorney and other Estate Planning documents. Erin has been an...

Tampa Bay tax lawyer Nehemiah Jefferson founded America's Tax Attorney to provide experienced representation and counsel to individuals, small business owners, and tax professionals throughout Florida and beyond. He is dedicated to using his years of professional knowledge and client-focused approach to help those facing complicated tax matters. In fact, by solely focusing on tax law, he provides focused solutions and personalized representation in tax preparation, representation, litigation, audits, and criminal tax matters. In addition, his firm provides services at reasonable fees and offers financing to help, when needed. Contact America's Tax Attorney to schedule your initial case consultation to...

Joseph “Trey” Flynn received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida, and went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton - School of Law in 2007. While in law school, Mr. Flynn served on the community service based St. Thomas More Society, while also serving as a board member and later president of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society. After graduating law school Mr. Flynn moved back to this hometown of Orlando, and went on to serve as an Assistant Public Defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. During his time as...

Michele Diglio-Benkiran is the founder of Legal Counsel, P.A. Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran has been practicing law for over 24 years with a special emphasis on Real Estate and Business Law. Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran earned her Juris Doctor Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 1999 where she was the Business Manager of Journal of Medicine and Law, Justice of Phi Alpha Delta, a scholarship recipient, and published in Who’s Who: American Law Students 1998. She graduated from law school and immediately began working at the Office of the State Attorney – 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County,...

Jaya Balani is a partner with the NeJame Law Firm. Born and raised in the Orlando area. Ms. Balani earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Central Florida and later went on to earn her law degree from Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando. Ms. Balani began her legal career as a Legal Intern with NeJame Law, a position she held during her last two years of law school. As an intern, Ms. Balani worked closely with all of the partners on a wide range of state and federal criminal cases. She demonstrated an impressive work...

Joseph M. Sternberg is a highly accomplished third-generation entrepreneur with a rich history of establishing and managing a range of businesses. Inspired by his grandfather and father's wholesale produce business, he imbibed the core values of hard work and perseverance from a young age. Being the first attorney in his family, Joseph's decision to pursue a legal career was deeply influenced by his older sister's life-altering car accident and the ensuing lawsuit against U-Haul, which ignited his passion for providing innovative solutions to his clients. During his time at the University of Miami School of Law, Joseph interned with the respected...

Jim Sherris was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida. Jim Sherris received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida. He also received a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Florida College of Architecture. Subsequently, he received his Juris Doctor from Barry School of Law, Orlando where he was Lead Article Editor of the Barry Law Review, and Training and Coaching Committee Chairman of the Moot Court Board. While in law school, he clerked for law firms handling cases dealing in Family Law, Personal Injury Defense, Personal Injury,...

I am a board certified lawyer representing businesses, individuals, general contractors and other construction industry parties in litigation, arbitration and mediation for 25 years. I am an expert on the lien law in Florida and I forgot more about construction law, than most attorneys will ever know. I work hard for my clients and they appreciate my efforts. I have drafted and negotiated hundreds of contracts and understand all aspects of business and construction litigation. I have handled many jury trials, bench trials and countless successful summary judgments. I have significant and successful experience handling appeals...

Prior to joining Whittel & Melton, Mr. Sheslow served as an Assistant Public Defender in Manatee County, Florida. Mr. Sheslow accumulated an impressive trial record while with the Public Defender’s Office. He was quickly promoted from a Misdemeanor to Felony case load in less than 10 months. Mr. Sheslow has tried over 20 cases ranging from DUIs and Domestic Batteries to life felonies. He has earned acquittals in serious cases such as firearms offenses and sex offenses. Additionally, Mr. Sheslow completed the National Criminal Defense Lawyers College held at Mercer College of Law in Macon, Georgia, where he learned from...

Karen Harkness Houser is an attorney with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns, operating out of the firm's Melbourne office. She specializes in Commercial & Residential Real Estate, Corporate Law, Estate Planning, and Elder Law.

She graduated from Virginia Tech with her B.S. in 1981 and received her J.D. from the St. Thomas University School of Law in 1991. In 1992, Ms. Houser earned her LL.M in Taxation from the esteemed College of William and Mary.

She has handled numerous cases including Office, Warehouse, Shopping Center & Hotel Projects, Acquisition & Disposition of Raw Land, Construction...

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...

Mark H. Wright is the senior trial attorney with the Mark Wright law group. Faced with a wealth of options after finishing law school, Mr. Wright chose to dedicate his professional life to helping those in need. For almost thirty years, Mark has focused his practice in the areas of serious injury and wrongful death cases, premises liability, products liability, negligent security, insurance disputes, automobile crashes, truck crashes and motorcycle collisions.

Mr. Wright tailors his practice to the individual needs of his clients. Unlike larger law firms that provide a cookie-cutter approach to client representation, Mr. Wright prides himself on tailoring...

A native of Florida, Ryan T. Cox graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in criminology before going on to get a master’s degree in criminal justice from UCF and a law degree from UF’s Frederick G. Levin College of law. Following graduation, Ryan represented clients in civil litigation and business transactions before finding his niche defending people against criminal charges.

Now, having returned home after 4 years working in Colorado, Ryan has decided to apply his skills to representing the people of the gulf coast. He joins Carlson Meissner with extensive experience handling all manner of...

John is the managing member of Anthony & Partners, LLC, Tampa, Florida’s premier bankruptcy and creditors’ rights firm. He covers the statewide needs of his clients from Pensacola to Key West and his practice includes areas of chapter 11 reorganizations, complex chapter 7 liquidations, assignments for the benefit of creditors, loan restructures, state court loan enforcement litigation, and lender liability defense in state and federal courts. From 2001-2009, John chaired a statewide 22-lawyer creditors’ rights department of a large law firm. In the aftermath of the economic crisis that began in 2008, he has positioned Anthony & Partners, LLC to...

Originally from Buffalo, New York with an NY bar license still in effect, I have been living in Sarasota for the last 25 years. My Florida Bar license was obtained in 1978 and I have been practicing since then in the fields of personal injury and family law. I believe in settling cases with mediation when possible and saving clients both time and money whenever possible. I am a member of the Florida Justice Association and believe my motto of "Talk to a lawyer who cares " should be followed. My web page is www.divorcelawyersarasota.com where additional information including client...

Betty Marion Whitman resides in Ocala, Marion County, Florida where she began practicing law in Marion County in 1987. Betty started her legal career as a secretary to her father, a general practitioner in Melbourne, Florida. She continued to work as a legal secretary in various cities in Florida and briefly in New York City. She obtained her A.A. degree from Brevard Community College, then went on to the University of Central Florida to obtain her B.A. degree, and then to Law School at the University of Florida. Betty has achieved an “AV Preeminent” rating by Martindale & Hubbell,...

William "Bill" Wieland is an attorney for the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. He operates out of the firm's Melbourne and Orlando locations.

He graduated Pre-Med from Wake Forest University in 1973, and received his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University in 1984. Mr. Wieland has over 30 years' experience and practices in a wide array of fields.

He began his focus in Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Products Liability, Insurance Defense, and Medical Malpractice. In 2004 he became a title insurance agent, expanding his practice areas even further to include Real...

After law school I was a prosecuting attorney for the State of Florida. This provided invaluable preparation for my future career in litigation. While working as a prosecutor, I recognized a need for attorneys with real litigation experience in Family Law.

I often represent clients that are having their first legal experience through a divorce. I am dedicated to client education as the first step towards achieving a successful outcome. By providing information and legal knowledge, our clients can then be active participants in their cases.

I have represented hundreds of clients with divorce and family law needs. Clients benefit from clear...

Attorney Stephen Lacey is a Estate Planning and Probate Attorney in Melbourne, Florida. His practice areas focus on Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate, Wills, Trust Administration and Wealth & Asset Protection. With over 20 years of experience, Attorney Lacey has handled various Estate Planning cases in the State of Florida.

My name is Terrence O'Sullivan. I have been practicing Criminal Defense since 2003. I have tried cases all over the State of Florida and in the United States District Courts throughout Florida.

I have handled 1000's of cases from misdemeanor marijuana to DUI to murder charges. I give every case my full attention. My career in Criminal Defense has shown that every case affects each client differently.

I have been in private practice as well as a public defender in South and Central Florida for 16 years. I have extensive trial experience throughout the State of Florida.

What sets...

As the founder of Hanlon Law, my number one priority is to protect our clients' future. We have over 20 years of experience in handling criminal defense cases including drug crimes, DUI, violent crimes, domestic violence, and other charges that carry serious penalties. Contact our firm for a free and confidential consultation if you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Tampa.

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.

Kevin F. Jursinski is recognized as one of Southwest Florida's premier attorneys. He has concentrated more than 30 years of practice in the area of real estate, business and construction law in Naples and Fort Myers. As a testament to his dedication to his legal practice, Kevin is Florida Bar Board Certificated in three areas of practice: Real Estate Law, Construction Law and Business Litigation. He is the only attorney (out of more than 96,000 attorneys) in the entire state of Florida who has ever received certification in these three practice areas simultaneously. Certification is The Florida Bar's highest level...

Bryan McCarthy is an attorney who is dedicated to helping those accused of misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses throughout Central Florida. He has worked as an attorney in private practice and as a public defender, allowing him to represent hundreds of people in complex criminal cases with confidence.

Bryan earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Florida State University in 2007 and his juris doctor at Syracuse University College of Law in New York in 2010. Soon after, he began working as an associate attorney at a local criminal defense firm.

During his tenure with the New York-based law office, Bryan wrote...

James D. Payer was born in Nashua, NH. In 1976 his parents moved their family to South Florida, where he attended Elementary School and then High School at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale. After completing High School Mr. Payer attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida and majored in accounting. Upon graduating from Stetson University Mr. Payer returned to South Florida and pursued post graduate studies necessary to become a Certified Public Accountant. In 1992 Mr. Payer passed the CPA exam and became a Certified Public Accountant. After working briefly as an accountant for a multinational hospital supply company Mr. Payer...

Attorney Billy Brown specializes in the areas of commercial, business, corporate, real estate, timeshare, bankruptcy, and elder law. As a previous owner and consultant of businesses such as restaurants, medical offices, and internet companies, Attorney Brown understands the various needs of business entrepreneurs. Through his years of experience, he has witnessed many individuals face financial hardships due to numerous causes. Passionate about helping others, Attorney Brown committed his life to help those in need of legal representation. Prior to employment as a skilled lawyer, Attorney Brown began his pursuit when he attended the University of Central Florida. It...

I am commercial litigator who understands the benefits and risks of litigation for each of my clients. I emphasize a practical assessment of disputes and provide innovative strategies. Whether advancing or defending claims, I am relentless in pursuing my client’s objectives.

JAMES A. GALE is a founding member of the firm. He is a registered patent attorney who focuses on matters particular to intellectual property counseling and litigation. Mr. Gale has represented clients in cases involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition, covenants not to compete, theft of trade secrets and internet disputes. He has appeared in over 260 federal cases in more than 48 Federal District Courts, as well as handled hundreds of injunctions in over 35 different states around the nation. Mr. Gale’s work and work ethics have always told a lot about his character. An accomplished intellectual property...

The Carney Law Firm serves individuals and businesses throughout Florida in business litigation, estate planning, and probate matters. The Carney Law Firm offers clients expertise from a firm they can trust. Mr. Carney has big law firm experience, but provides small firm service. A potential client’s biggest worry is often the expense of hiring a professional attorney. Mr. Carney is often able to assist his clients by offering contingency and flat fee options. The Carney Law Firm is committed to providing each client aggressive and practical legal representation. In recognition of his legal skills and ethical standards, Mr. Carney received an AV...

Kaitlyn Statile attended the University of Georgia where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Sociology. She then went on to earn her juris doctorate from Florida State University, College of Law. While in Tallahassee, she interned at the State Attorney’s Office, beginning her passion for trial law. After graduation she began working at the State Attorney’s Office in Pinellas County where she conducted over 50 trials and obtained a murder indictment from a grand jury. She then went on to practice civil litigation prior to moving to Costa Rica where she...

I am a trial attorney. I'm a member of the Florida Bar, Federal Bar Association, Hillsborough County Bar Association and George E. Edgecomb Bar Association. I'm also admitted to practice in the United States District Court of the Middle District of Florida. I practice solely in the areas of personal injury, family law, criminal law, and immigration.

Christopher M. Smith currently holds the position of Managing Litigation Attorney with Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, a prestigious personal injury law firm assisting clients across Clearwater, FL, and the rest of the Tampa Bay area. Smith grew up in Clearwater and knew he wanted to practice law from a young age, stating that he “loved the idea of being in court advocating for others.” He obtained his undergraduate degree from Florida State University in 2007 and his Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2011. Attorney Smith worked for the Hillsborough County Public Defenders after he graduated...

Wes Trombley is a partner with Trombley & Hanes, P.A., concentrating in the areas of both criminal and civil litigation. Wes is a lifelong resident of Tampa, Florida, and graduated from Jesuit High School, the University of South Florida with a Business Marketing Degree, and Stetson University College of Law. As a law student and prior to becoming a member of the Florida Bar, Wes served in the 13th Judicial Circuit for Hillsborough County, Florida as a Judicial Intern and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Intern Prosecutor and he served for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida...

I was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area and earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Tampa in 2010. Before pursuing a career in law, I worked as a Copy Editor for the Tampa Tribune. I was awarded a scholarship to attend Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where I graduated Cum Laude in 2016. During my time in law school, I received Book Awards in Legal Writing, Scholarly Writing, and Pre-Trial Skills. I served as Senior Articles Editor for the Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law, and...