Santa Rosa County Lawyers

Jay Patel is a Former Prosecutor and a Former Law Enforcement Officer with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. After Jay was admitted to the Florida Bar, he served as a prosecutor in Okaloosa and Walton Counties from 2013 to 2017. As an Assistant State Attorney, he spent years prosecuting thousands of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, some punishable by life in prison. Jay achieved success in prosecuting criminal cases that were before a jury, a judge, and the appellate court. Despite his success as a Florida Prosecutor, Jay decided it was time for a change. Thus, in 2017, Jay went...

I have been practicing for over 10 years and over 5000 court cases, ranging from DUIs and Domestic Violence charges–to the most serious and complex felony cases. I have had many jury trials and have represented those charged with capital offenses. I attended law school at the University of North Dakota. While there I focused on trial advocacy and litigation and worked some excellent attorneys at Zimney, Foster, P.C. I worked in the areas of Insurance Defense, Commercial Law, and Federal Criminal Law. After moving to Florida with my family, I started working as a prosecutor for child...

Gillis E. (Gill) Powell, Jr.main focus is litigation and trial practice. He handles complex personal injury cases, medical malpractice cases, wrongful death cases, catastrophic injury cases, criminal defense cases, railroad cases, real estate litigation, and commercial litigation. Mr. Powell has tried and won numerous civil trials and he has obtained substantial jury awards for his clients. He is a member of the million dollar advocates club as a result of his jury verdicts. He has also successfully defended many clients in criminal cases, including clients charged with homicide, aggravated battery, sexual battery, drug offenses, driving under the...

Scott Critzer began working in the construction and real estate business more than 30 years ago, after graduating from Virginia Tech’s top ranked Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Scott worked first as an engineer for a commercial developer and later as a development project manager. Continuing his education, Scott graduated from Georgia State University College of Law in 1993, and has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since that time. The Critzer Law Firm opened in Atlanta where Scott worked litigating real estate cases and performed real...

James M. Burns, Attorney at Law, hails from Mobile, Alabama, where he was born in 1962. When he was five years old, he moved with his family to Pensacola, Florida. James has lived and worked in the Pensacola area, Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties in Florida, and Baldwin and Mobile Counties in Alabama his whole life. As a member of both the Florida Bar and the Alabama Bar, James is licensed to practice law in both states. James M Burns is a skilled, experienced and aggressive attorney admitted to practice in both Alabama and Florida. Attorney Burns has...

Kristen Marks, founder of My Pink Lawyer®, has worked with women & families for over 20 years helping them with their Wills, Trusts, Estates & Guardianship needs. Kristen understands that many women often feel intimidated or overwhelmed when it comes to legal matters. Never intimidating nor stuffy, Kristen prides herself on being a lawyer for “wise women.” You don't have to be rich to benefit from practical and effective estate planning, including Wills, Trusts and naming guardians for your kids. EVERYONE has an estate plan whether you know it or not. A written estate plan custom designed for your...

Phone: 850-432-3333, I have managed my Law Practice in Pensacola and the Florida Panhandle for over 25 years. I enjoy the challenge of complex cases, designing strategies for success and then fighting through to a great result. I help clients with their legal matters from complex family issuers, and divorce to HURRICANE claims, automobile accidents, and probate issues. I will fight DCF. If you have been turned down by others, don't give up until you give me a call. I help with all family litigation like: divorce, custody, custody by a relative, child support, alimony, military retirement and the...

Joe Zarzaur is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney whose firm is dedicated to promoting community safety since 2007. Zarzaur Law, P.A. is focused on personal injury litigation has more than 20 years of experience in this niche. The firm’s lawyers meet with each client and carefully explain the steps they need to protect themselves and any loved ones who have personal injuries. Zarzaur Law offers free initial consultations to Florida personal injury victims. The firm has two offices in Pensacola and Destin to help serve Escambia, Santa Rosa and the surrounding areas.

Zarzaur Law has earned its reputation as one...

I handle Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases for debtors. I also handle probate and estate planning, wills, trusts and power of attorneys. I have practiced in Pensacola, Florida for over 30 years.

John Terrezza was born in Pensacola, Florida, educated at the University of Florida and the Florida State University College of Law, and now focuses his practice on criminal defense. From 2010 to 2015, John lived in Gainesville, Florida where he discovered his passion for criminal defense while working in the office of attorney Lloyd Vipperman Jr. John enjoys the opportunity to get in the courtroom, argue, and defend the rights of persons accused of crimes. John has won acquittals at trial as lead counsel on charges ranging from misdemeanors to those carrying mandatory life sentences. In 2015,...

Clark H. Henderson, originally from Waynesboro, Mississippi, is a 2007 graduate of the University of South Alabama and a 2011 graduate of the Cumberland School of Law, Sam ford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. During law school Clark interned at the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and with the Honorable Laura Petro, 10th Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division. He practiced in Birmingham, Alabama before being admitted to the Florida Bar. Clark is licensed to practice in both Florida and Alabama.

Handle civil and criminal cases throughout Northwest Florida. My firm focuses on personal injury, criminal defense, bankruptcy, real estate closings, and general civil litigation.

Attorney David Stevens is a third-generation resident of Okaloosa County. A proud Seminole, David graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University before earning his Juris Doctorate from the Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, VA. He currently resides in Niceville, FL with his wife and three-year-old daughter.

David was sworn in to practice law in Florida in 2010, and soon joined a civil litigation law firm in Santa Rosa Beach as an associate attorney. He went on to become a prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office in Shalimar, FL, and served in that capacity for...

David Luther Woodward was educated in the public schools of Alabama, Georgia and Florida, earned his undergraduate and professional law degrees at The Florida State University at Tallahassee, and did post-professional studies at the London School of Economics. A lawyer admitted to practice in Florida, Oklahoma and Texas, he has practiced in each of those states.

A mature practitioner, the biographee, upon his admission to the practice of law, worked for not only the federal government, but also for the governments of two states, where he served not only in professional, but also management capacities. His further experience...

My name is Brandy Merrifield. I am a criminal defense attorney and partner at Flaherty & Merrifield Criminal Defense. We serve Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Destin, and all of Northwest Florida. I devote 100% of my practice to criminal defense. With my background in psychology, I bring a unique perspective to the resolution of criminal cases. My objective in all of my cases is aggressive defense coupled with compassion and understanding. No matter what you are accused of, Flaherty & Merrifield will not judge you. We will defend you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help...

Stephen “Steve” Joseph Ryan was born in the Bronx, where his mother worked as a nurse and his father was an officer with the New York Police Department. In the early ’90s, Steve moved to Tallahassee, Florida to continue his studies at Florida State University’s College of Law, where he met fellow law student and his future law partner, Shawn Risen. In 1995, Steve graduated with honors and received a Juris Doctorate, and one year later, Steve and Shawn Risen established Risen & Ryan, Attorneys at Law.

Nick A. Ortiz is a Pensacola Florida attorney who represents accident victims in car, truck and motorcycle accidents. He also represents disabled claimants in Social Security Disability, SSI, and Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance claims.

I am an aggressive trial lawyer who wants to tell my clients' stories and fight for them in the courtroom or out of the courtroom.

Dan O’Rourke has been practicing law in Florida for nearly 20 years and focuses on general civil and commercial litigation in the state and federal trial and appellate courts of northwest Florida. Dan has represented clients in matters ranging from Covenants Not to Compete in the trial court of Walton County to construction liens and contract disputes throughout northwest Florida. He has also represented clients in real estate fraud disputes in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida and claims pursuant to the federal Hyde Amendment (awarding attorney fees to victims of malicious, vexatious, frivolous and...

I have been practicing law for over 17 years and for the majority of that time have practiced in some area of family law. In the last three years, however, I have devoted my practice on a full time basis to areas of family law and probate document preparation. The technicalities and long term implications of handling family law matters are often less than obvious. The legal forms available for pro se individuals are sometimes insufficient to address all the long term effects of decisions made today. Though engaging an attorney in what seems to be...

Jeff founded Burns Firm in 2021 to serve hard-working individuals and small businesses needing legal services to start, grow, and protect their livelihoods and nest eggs. Jeff has experienced thousands of lawsuits as a former commercial litigator and former Circuit Court judge, and he can draw on this wealth of experience to assist his clients with their needs. Jeff concentrates his law practice on business law, real estate law, property law, water law, asset-protection law, and simple estate planning. Before he took the bench as a Circuit Court judge, Jeff concentrated on complex commercial litigation, local government representation, and appellate law....

Caryn A. Van Matre, Attorney at Law, has been representing families in Northwest Florida in a variety of family law matters since 1993. Our practice first opened in the downtown Pensacola historic district, which is where our office remains. We represent clients involved in family law disputes in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Our focus areas include divorce and modification actions involving alimony, child custody, time-sharing and support and asset protection. We also assist clients in establishing paternity rights and support obligations for children. Associated with these matters are issues of enforcement and contempt...

As a Pensacola native, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of West Florida and with my Juris Doctorate degree from Faulkner Law in Montgomery, Alabama. I have been practicing law in Pensacola for 8 years, focusing exclusively in the area of marital and family law. I am admitted to practice in both the State of Florida and the State of Alabama. I am also a member of the Florida Bar Association, the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association, the Alabama Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar. I am also a member of the Pensacola...

Joshua A. Woolsey was the former top Florida Prosecutor who has worked for Florida’s Governor in Tallahassee and the United States Congress in Washington, D.C. Josh has successfully handled thousands of criminal and civil matters, resulting in the recovery of millions of dollars for his clients. He has successfully tried over 100 civil and criminal trials, with a success rate of over 95%, including trial success in a $40 million dollar wrongful death claim. Mr. Woolsey has never lost a criminal defense, personal injury or wrongful death trial. Over the last few years alone, Mr. Woolsey has received in excess of...

The Rubin Law Firm dedicates its practice exclusively to areas of marital and family law. Mark S. Rubin is an experienced trial attorney who has been practicing and litigating cases in Okaloosa County, Walton County, Santa Rosa County, Escambia County, and surrounding counties for over 18 years. The Rubin Law Firm offers skilled representation and advice in all family law and divorce matters.

Attorney and Founder of Compass Immigration P.A., Caroline Larochelle Nadeau is originally from Quebec, Canada. In 2015 she immigrated to the United States on a K-1 Fiance Visa to be with her husband, a member of the U.S. Military. As an immigrant herself, she has first-hand knowledge of the stress that can be caused by navigating the immigration process. As a military spouse, she has had the privilege of assisting many military members and their families with their immigration needs. Her experiences, both professional and personal, allow her to better prepare and assist her clients through...

Florida State University College of Law graduate, Air Force Veteran, and Floridian. My priorities are your priorities. Let's work together to accomplish your goals. At Coast 2 Coast Legal we limit our client representation to 15 and we are now accepting new clients. With a limited client book, you get the attention you should expect from any law firm. No more waiting for return calls. Call us now and speak with an attorney.

Attorney Erich M. Niederlehner, founder and owner of Trusted Elder Law & Asset Protection practices in the state of Florida and Alabama. Erich provides Elder Law services to seniors throughout Florida and Alabama. What is Elder Law? Elder law includes Medicaid ICP planning. It also includes asset protection for the Medicaid waiver program, for home healthcare benefits and financial help for assisted living facilities (ALF). We also provide all age groups with estate planning (i.e. wills, trusts, durable power of attorney geared towards Medicaid planning, living wills, pre-need guardians, and other legal documents). We also...

I was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida. With the exception of the three years I spent in Gainesville, Florida for law school, I have lived in the Pensacola area my whole life.

Growing up, both of my parents worked in the medical field. I had plans to become a doctor from a young age. My medical school intentions changed in college when my experience helping an injured friend helped me realize I would be better-suited to help others in a different field. My mom had always told me I could “argue with a brick wall,” so I decided to take...

Stephen “Steve” Moorhead is the founder and managing partner of Moorhead Real Estate Law Group. He is board-certified in real estate law by The Florida Bar Committee on Education and Legal Specialization. His practice includes real estate litigation, closings, contract negotiation, financing, leasing, sales, title insurance, and development. He is a member of the Escambia?Santa Rosa Bar Association, is serving his 21st year as general counsel for The Home Builders Association of West Florida, is a member of the Leadership Council of Achieve Escambia, and is past chairman of the board of directors for The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce....

Shane Dean has recovered millions of dollars representing victims in personal injury and wrongful death claims resulting from the negligence of others.

Mr. Dean has been selected to the Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for three years in a row. Each year, no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in Florida are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made...

Kramer Litvak is a board certified tax attorney practicing with the firm of Litvak Beasley Wilson & Ball, LLP. Kramer holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in taxation from the University of Florida College of Law. He received his law degree from Mercer University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Washington & Lee University. Prior to attending law school, Kramer worked as a Legislative Assistant to United States Representative Earl Hutto. Kramer was admitted to the Georgia Bar and the Florida Bar in 1992. He concentrates in the areas of...

20+ Years experience in Family, Dependency, Consumer Defense and Disability Law. Our practice gives you the attention you deserve!

Experienced Attorney representing Social Security Disability and SSI claimants and fellow veterans in Florida and Alabama for over 25 years.

Edward G. Seitz, Attorney at Law, concentrates his practice of law in the area of Bankruptcy and Family Law (divorce, custody, child support, Paternity, etc.) in Pensacola, Milton, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, and surrounding areas. Edward G. Seitz, P.L. has been practicing law in private practice since January of 2002 and is admitted to all Florida State Courts and the Federal Court's in the Northern District of Florida. At the law office of Edward G. Seitz, Esq. every client is treated with courtesy and is guaranteed effective representation. With an experienced staff and knowledge of the law your case...