Highlands County Lawyers

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....

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...

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...

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 M. Cavanaugh has been a successful trial attorney for over 25 years. He grew up in West Springfield, Massachusetts and moved to Naples in 1997 where he started his legal career. He has been recognized for his trial skills as the recipient of multiple awards including Attorney of the Year at the State Attorneys Office in Fort Myers. Dan Cavanaugh has received the highest possible rating by his peers by being rated AV Preeminent®. Criminal Defense Mr. Cavanaugh focuses his practice on DUI cases and criminal defense. In 2022 he was designated ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer Scientist. Mr. Cavanaugh prosecuted in Lee...

John is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Immigration and Nationality Law and has been practicing law for over a decade. He focuses his practice on immigration and criminal defense. John has extensive experience as both an immigration attorney and a criminal attorney. John is the two term prior Chapter Chair for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Central Florida Chapter, and is the immediate past Chair of the Florida Bar Immigration and Nationality Law Certification Committee. John is a member of the Florida Bar and the Federal Bars for the United States Court of Appeals for...

Felicia A. Bunbury is the CEO and founder of The FAB Law Firm, LLC. The FAB Law Firm, LLC is dedicated to providing our clients with personalized and high quality representation. The FAB Law Firm, LLC uses digital tools and systems to make the process of hiring and working with Felicia seamless and stress-free. Whether your case is a child support dispute or divorce, Felicia fights hard by putting her knowledge and experience to work for you.

Felicia is a seasoned trial lawyer with a track record of success.

You really can’t be sure how a tragedy will affect your life, and the lives of those around you, until someone else causes injury to you, or takes the life of someone you know. Once it happens, you may be angry. Maybe you can’t work, or pay your bills, or get the medical care you need, or you just want to make sure the wrongdoer is held accountable. Whatever your reason, and whatever your questions, we are here to help you. At Distasio Law Firm, we put the wants and needs of our clients first. We fight for those...

Michael is a life long Florida native, born in a solid blue-collar suburb. From a young age Michael understood the value of hard work, learning with his father in the construction industry. His sense of service and commitment to helping others inspired him to join the military shortly after 9/11. Michael supported combat search-and-rescue and counter-terrorism operations as a United States Air Force airborne radio operator aboard H/C-130/p aircraft, where he learned many life lessons and values that he takes with him throughout his law practice. Michael is a fighter who voluntarily deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, North Africa,...

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...

I am a practicing attorney with over twenty-seven years experience in Florida and New York. I currently actively litigating family law cases including modification of alimony, domestication of a foreign decree and dissolution of marriage cases. Additionally, I am appearing as local counsel for Plaintiff’s in debt collection, mortgage foreclosure and insurance subrogation cases. I previously served as a Child Support Hearing Officer/Magistrate for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Bradenton, Florida.

While I have experience handling catastrophic injury cases of all types, I focus my practice on medical malpractice cases. I became the youngest partner at Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen, P.A., before starting McArdle Law, P.A.

Over my career, I have gone to trial in malpractice cases in Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte Counties. I have fought in deposition, mediation, and trial for clients robbed of their health by negligent healthcare providers, helping clients obtain million-dollar results multiple times through settlement and trial. I have dealt with cases involving amputations, blindness, brain damage, serious burns, misdiagnosed cancer, spinal-cord injury, and wrongful death.

In these...

At the Law Offices of Adam G. Hill, I believe that every client is important. My firm, with locations in Tampa, Orlando and Fort Myers, is recognized for its aggressive and experienced legal team, proficient in managing sensitive and complex legal situations. I understand that dealing with legal issues can be daunting, which is why I prioritize open communication. Unlike many other firms, I ensure that clients receive prompt responses directly from their attorney, fostering a sense of comfort and trust. Clients can feel confident that their cases are being handled with great care and attention.

Daniel A. McGowan is a Trial Lawyer and Litigation Counsel for individuals, families, foundations, endowments, and institutions. Practice exclusively in the area of advising fiduciaries and individuals in all aspects of trust administration and related court proceedings, including will and trust contests, actions to construe, modify and reform wills and trusts, breach of fiduciary duty claims, elder abuse, as well as proceedings to remove and surcharge fiduciaries. Mr. McGowan is a member of the Florida Probate Rules Committee (2020 Term); Florida Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section; Estate and Trust Law Section of the Ohio Bar; Probate and Trust...

Experience, Respect and Reputation in the community for over 19 years. Dedicated and Aggressive Trial Defense, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Law, Domestic Violence, Family Law/Divorce, Probate, Estate Planning and Guardianship cases. Member United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, July 17, 1998 Member United States Middle District of Florida, August 14, 1998 Member of Sarasota County Bar Association, 1998-2017 Founding Member and Board of Directors of the Collaborative Family Law Professionals of Sarasota/Manatee Graduated Nova Southeastern University, Juris Doctor, January 31, 1998 Associate Editor for Nova Southeastern University Journal of International & Comparative...

Attorney Sherri L. Johnson provides discreet, compassionate counsel to clients in the Sarasota and Bradenton area who are experiencing financial difficulties and are considering a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing. Ms. Johnson personally handles each client's bankruptcy case from start to finish, including attendance at the Meeting of Creditors.

Business and Family Law Attorney Beth Clause A/K/A "Weezie" started her legal career as a paralegal in 1990 and has been a business and family attorney since 2001 representing clients in litigation as well as contracts, real estate matters, divorce and setting up new businesses for success. Beth is a Florida native with a down-to-earth Florida attitude but takes her role as an advocate very seriously.

Beth is an animal lover and would love to represent animals however since that is not possible she tries to do the next best thing, represent other animal lovers.

Beth enjoys the outdoors and working out.

An AV Rated Civil Trial attorney with more than 30 years of experience, Bernard F. Walsh first began his career protecting the rights of the public as an attorney for the State of Florida. As a trial attorney, Mr. Walsh handled numerous high profile trials concerning serious felony crimes.
Bernie has exclusively practiced personal injury law and helped accident victims in and beyond Sarasota and Manatee Counties in Florida.
Mr. Walsh has won the largest playground recovery (2008-$1,900,000.00), motorcycle recoveries (2006-$6,000,000.00), motor vehicle v commercial truck (2016-$4,700,000), auto accident recovery (2018-$1,050,000.00), and a daycare center recovery (2010-$1,000,000.00) in the State of...

Stephen M. Fernandez received his law degree, with honors, from the University of Florida College of Law. While in law school he focused on courses relevant to the field of personal injury and trial practice. Mr. Fernandez was also an active member of the University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy. Mr. Fernandez has focused his career on representing accident victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death claims. He also represents the victims of wrongful insurance denials. Mr. Fernandez is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Georgia. He is also admitted to practice before...

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...

Candamo Law provides legal consulting and litigation services for individuals and businesses in Tampa. Call us for a free consultation (813) 549-5544

We help businesses protect themselves and represent them in negotiations, collections, lawsuits, arbitration, mediation and administrative hearings. Our practice areas include:

* Business Dispute Resolution and Litigation
* Commercial Debt Collections
* Construction Law and Real Estate Litigation
* General Corporate Law

Our law firm also represents individuals in criminal defense, immigration and civil litigation matters in the entire Tampa Bay area. We are committed to finding practical and affordable solutions to your legal challenges. Our lawyers have considerable experience in various areas of...

Doug Beam is a trial lawyer, and has been since 1985. He’s handled thousands of personal injury, civil, and criminal cases. Doug understands the importance of taking cases to trial and holding large institutions and corporations accountable for their actions.

Throughout his career, Doug has achieved numerous multi-million dollar verdicts, settlements, and judgments in cases involving brain injuries, deaths, and other catastrophic injuries. On a daily basis, Doug fights against insurance companies and corporations who undervalue his client’s injuries or do not accept any responsibility for the damage done to his clients.

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...

Steven L. Frankl practices personal injury law statewide with the law firm of Frankl Kominsky, PA. He represents clients in cases of catastrophic injury, wrongful death, motor vehicle injury, trucking accidents, medical malpractice and products liability, as well as slip/trip fall accidents and nursing home negligence. Mr. Frankl's practice is built on the pursuit of justice and fair compensation for his clients, who appreciate his aggressive and thorough representation. A highly skilled negotiator and seasoned litigator with a strong results orientation, Mr. Frankl works passionately to achieve exceedingly positive outcomes through settlement and in court. "I have an energy and passion...

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...

Philip Freidin has been practicing law for 50 years and has devoted his life to representing clients who have been seriously injured by the wrongful acts of others. Phil has represented plaintiffs in some of the most significant personal injury and medical malpractice cases in Florida’s history and has earned his status as a pillar in the South Florida legal community. As one federal judge recently wrote, “he is unquestionably among the upper echelons of lawyers in our district.” Phil has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law since 1989 and recertified three times. Board certification recognizes lawyers’ special knowledge, skills,...

Bill is one of the only lawyers in the state of Michigan who is also a 15 year experienced leader in the non-profit community, with extensive counseling and public relations experience. His years of experience outside the courtroom and results inside of the courtroom give him respect and a skill set that many other defense attorneys do not possess. Furthermore, it makes him more relatable to clients, better at negotiating with prosecutors and city attorneys, and skilled in making an argument to a judge or jury. Bill is also a former academic, which translates to excellent written skills when...

Board Certified Trial Specialist Chris Limberopoulos is the Lead Trial Lawyer at the Florida Law Group. With more than three decades of legal experience, his primary focus is on helping clients with catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death claims.

Chris maintains membership in a variety of professional associations, including the American Association for Justice, the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocated Forum, among others. In addition, he has authored published works on personal injury and civil trial law.

Chris’s board certification by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification places him among the top...

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...

As a dedicated IRS Tax defense attorney Mary has been helping clients get tax debt relief by negotiating currently non-collectible status, offers in compromise, installment agreements, innocent spouse relief, audits, removing levies, releasing liens, and negotiating penalty abatement. Mary's career as a IRS tax attorney began in 1993 after graduating from Stetson University College of Law. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree in 1988 and a Master of Business Administration Degree in Finance from Wake Forest University, Babcock Graduate School of Management in 1990. Her career in tax law...

David I. Rickey was born in Independence, Missouri, August 24, 1963. He graduated from Harry Truman High School in 1981. He received his high school letter in Speech and Debate. In 1986 he received his bachelors in International Relations from the University of Central Florida. He joined the US Army Reserve in that same year and began attending University of Florida College of Law. After graduating in 1989 he joined the firm of Woolfolk, Estes, Keough & Jordan practicing primarily in Medical Malpractice. In 1990 his Army Reserve Unit was activated and he served in the first Gulf War as a...

Mr. Musca is a passionate, aggressive and nationally-renowned criminal defense attorney who represents clients on all criminal defense matters in the State of Florida. He completed his undergraduate studies at Boston College, and graduated cum laude in 1994. He then went on to earn his law degree from Case Western University School of Law in 1997. Mr. Musca began his career representing the indigent as an Assistant Public Defender. Then, in 2001, he began his own practice, Musca Law, P.A, a firm which focuses exclusively in the area of criminal defense. He also speaks fluent Spanish. Mr. Musca...

Preston J. Scheiner joined Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured as a trial attorney in 2007. Today, Preston Scheiner works side-by-side with his father Bruce L. Scheiner, where he aspires to continue the firm's legacy of compassionate and dedicated service to clients who have been injured by the carelessness or recklessness of others.

Preston Scheiner has been recognized for his trial and negotiating skills and has brought numerous cases to resolution through mediation and trial on behalf of the firm and its clients. He is licensed to practice law in all state courts in Florida, as well as...

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...

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...

Jason Recksiedler is FLORIDA BAR BOARD CERTIFIED IN CIVIL TRIAL LAW. He is recognized as a civil jury trial expert. Jason handles claims in county, circuit and federal courts throughout the state of Florida. He served as lead counsel on cases in 19 of Florida's 20 civil circuit divisions, obtaining jury verdicts in seven different circuits. He also presented oral arguments in Florida's Second and Fifth District Courts of Appeals. He has tried Plaintiff Auto Accident, slip and fall, Civil Rights and Medical Malpractice cases, ranging from moderate to catastrophic injury and death. As a founding partner with First Choice...

Mary Sherris was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida. She earned her Bachelors Degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at The University of Florida in Political Science and subsequently, her Masters Degree in Urban Planning from the College of Architecture at The University of Florida. Ms. Sherris studied law at the University of Akron where she earned her Juris Doctor and was published in the Akron Law Review. She also completed the Trial Advocacy program at the National District Attorneys Association National Advocacy Center in Colombia, SC and ATLA’s Advanced Trial Advocacy program...

As a former Assistant United States Attorney and U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney (Tax Division), Mr. Phillips has substantial experience, training, and resources for handling complex, high-impact civil tax controversy and criminal tax defense litigation cases. While serving as a United States Department of Justice Trial Attorney in the Tax Division (Honors Program) and as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida, Mr. Phillips handled numerous civil and criminal tax matters and served as the lead Asset Forfeiture attorney in the Orlando office of the United States Attorney where he also prosecuted a large...

Jordan R. Wagner is the co-founder of Kibbey Wagner, PLLC, a leading personal injury firm in Stuart, Florida. A Board Certified personal injury lawyer, Jordan has led the firm to recover over $30 million for accident victims in Southern Florida. Top legal organizations have taken note of his success; he’s been named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers and a Florida Super Lawyer by SuperLawyers Magazine. Jordan began his career as an insurance defense attorney. He now represents accident victims against the same insurers he used to defend. He uses his skills and expertise to maximize his...

For well over four decades, I have aggressively but reasonably represented men, women and business owners in Florida to protect their interests.

As a litigator, well-versed in family law and divorce issues, I have an extensive working knowledge of real estate, business and construction related issues.

Knowing my client, attention to detail, and thorough preparation is crucial to a great outcome.