South Bay Lawyers

EDUCATION Oakwood University BA, Theology Howard University School of Law Doctor in Jurisprudence AREAS OF EXPERIENCE Business M&A Contract Drafting & Review Breach of Contract Partnership Disputes Home Contractor Suits Small Claims Civil Theft Florida Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices ADMISSIONS Florida State Bar Southern District of Florida RELATED CONTENT I am the Owner and Chief Liber-Attorney™ (Attorney, Pastor, Multi-Preneur and bestselling Author) of Talented Tenth Law whose personal calling is to liberate society’s underdogs, socially, spiritually and financially. Here's how: SOCIALLY- I HELP PEOPLE MAXIMIZE THEIR PROTECTION AND PROSPERITY IN THE COURTROOM AND THE BOARDROOM: ?As a commercial and civil litigation attorney, I zealously represent the interests of individuals who have been wronged by a business or person and can only...

Our mission is to help people resolve their financial challenges. We do this by listening to our clients' issues and objectives, and developing a legal strategy to best meet those objectives. Legal services include debt-negotiations and restructuring, foreclosure defense, home loan modifications, short sales, deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, assignments for the benefit of creditors and of course bankruptcy. We utilize Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code and Chapter 727 of Florida Statutes. We represent debtors and creditors, individuals and businesses, and always offer free phone consultations to help people quickly understand their...

retired 1n 2012 Has represented secured and unsecured creditors including banks, major oil companies, steel companies, mineral companies, food companies and numerous other fortune 500 companies, major landlords, creditors' committees, debtors, equity holders and equity holders' committees and third parties including landlords, equipment lessors, purchasers of assets, funders of plans, lenders, shareholders and consignors in Chapter 11 cases, plaintiffs and defendants in actions for preferences and fraudulent conveyances. Has represented trustees and debtors in Chapter 7 cases. Has previously represented assignors and assignees in assignments for the benefits of creditors, and buyers and sellers in bulk sales. Has represented banks against...

As founder of the Law Offices of Samantha J. Fitzgerald, Ms. Fitzgerald understands the importance of providing clients with personal attention. She represents people in Plantation, Florida, who are dealing with probate and estate planning issues. Knowing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, she customizes plans for clients' individual situations in order to meet their specific goals. Having a solid background in the issues surrounding estate planning gives Ms. Fitzgerald the ability to develop a successful strategy for every case. Prior to earning a Master of Laws in taxation from the University of Miami School of Law in 2000, she...

Warren Q. Peebles is admitted to the Florida Bar. He practices in the areas of both personal injury and Social Security Disability. He earned his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla. where he received the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award. While in law school, he interned with the State Attorney’s Office of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Tampa, where he assisted senior attorneys in a state RICO prosecution.

My name is Larissa Salvador, I was born in Madureira and raised in Complexo do Alemao, Rio de Janeiro Brazil. At the age of 11, my family moved to the United States in search of a safer and better future for our family.
As many before me, I went through the immigration system, as uncertain and emotionally charged as it is. I completed both middle school and high school in Boca Raton, Florida. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Monroe College, in New York, in 2009 at the age of 19. Due to my immigration status it...

Nicole Hewitt specializes in Estate Planning and Administration, Elder Law, Special Needs Planning, Business Planning, and Real Estate Transactions, with a particular focus on tax implications. She provides expert legal guidance to individuals, business owners, young families, retirees, and the elderly, helping them achieve their estate, tax, and medical assistance planning goals. Additionally, Nicole has extensive experience working with individuals and families with special needs, including the establishment of trusts and adult guardianships. Before co-founding HWK Law Group, Nicole built a robust career that included roles as a senior tax associate with two Big 5 accounting firms, an associate at a...

Gary F. Celetti, Jr. spent two decades as a decorated law enforcement officer in Broward County, Florida and he has dedicated his entire career to the pursuit of justice. Gary earned his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. During law school, he received numerous accolades including highest grade, book awards, and earned the Dean's list on several occasions. Upon graduating from law school, he was accepted into the Florida Bar and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Gary was trained by and practiced alongside...

Our Firm concentrates its practice in Bankruptcy [7, 13 & 11,]Debtor and Creditor Representation, Bankruptcy Related Litigation, Corporate Reorganizations & Workouts & Creditor Rights, foreclosure defense, credit restoration, and we sue debt collectors under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Our firm also does a fair share of family law, wills, probate, commercial and civil litigation, personal injury, real estate transactions, refinancing and foreclosure defense, landlord-tenant issues.

Sean B. Linder is an Associate at Fenster & Cohen, P.A. and member of The Florida Bar whose current focus is primarily on general negligence and personal injury litigation.

In 2013, Mr. Linder graduated from the Florida State University where he majored in Political Science. He then went on to receive his Master’s degree in Applied American Politics and Policy from the Florida State University in 2014. While in graduate school, Mr. Linder spent time organizing lobbying efforts in the Florida Legislature.

Shortly after, Mr. Linder was admitted to Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law where he received his Juris...

A partner at the Law Offices of Bilu Law, Ron S. Bilu represents clients in the state of Florida in matters of real estate law, foreclosure defense, insurance, bankruptcy, state and local taxation, investment and securities litigation, family law, personal injury, intellectual property, corporate law and commercial litigation. He is also authorized as an agent to write for the Old Republic National Title Insurance Company and is a member of the Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund.

Mr. Bilu earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida, graduating summa cum laude with an advertising major and a criminal justice minor. At...

Jensen Grant is a partner in Kanner & Pintaluga’s Personal Injury Practice and is the managing attorney of the Firm’s Florida Pre-Litigation Team. Jensen joined Kanner & Pintaluga in 2009. Since then, he has supervised or directly settled $150 million dollars in settlements for firm clients. Jensen is a member of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which recognizes lawyers for the resolution of a single case in excess of $1 million. He has also been recognized as one of the “Top 10 Under 40” by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys and a “Top 10 Attorney” for client satisfaction...

Levi Lawrence Wilkes is known as a well-reasoned advocate, protecting his client’s interests as though they were his own. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Mr. Wilkes spent most of his childhood between Texas, Utah, Kentucky and Idaho. Before pursuing a law career, Mr. Wilkes worked in a variety of industrial construction settings around the country, performing various roles, including: pipefitting, rigging, land surveying, boiler-making and commercial diving. After saying goodbye to the construction industry, Mr. Wilkes obtained his undergraduate degrees from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where he majored in Political Science and obtained a minor in Criminal Justice....

At the Strategic Legal Group, I am part of a team that excels in providing comprehensive and strategic counsel to businesses, ensuring the protection of legal interests for both domestic and international enterprises. My role primarily involves guiding corporate entities toward legal compliance and resolution in various areas. I handle the drafting, evaluation, and advisory services related to contracts covering essential aspects such as commercial transactions, commercial property, and business acquisitions. My responsibilities also include scrutinizing and negotiating commercial leases, marketing agreements, vendor agreements, technology and software licensing (including SaaS agreements), employment contracts, termination agreements, confidentiality and non-compete agreements, adherence...

William E. Johnson is a highly successful civil trial lawyer who began practicing in his native West Palm Beach in 1983. He is the third generation of his family to practice law in West Palm Beach. Mr. Johnson's grandfather was one of the early pioneers of West Palm Beach. His father, Thomas H. Johnson, was a long time circuit court judge in Palm Beach County, who also served in the Florida Senate and as the State Attorney for Palm Beach County. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Florida State University, where he received his B.A. degree in 1980. He...

Stratton A. Smiley was born in Ohio, but has been a south Florida resident for the past fourteen years. Mr. Smiley received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Florida Atlantic University. While at FAU, Mr. Smiley continuously made the Dean’s List, President’s List, and was a Scholar Athlete.

Upon graduating, Mr. Smiley passed the Florida Bar Exam with one of the highest scores in the state and was the speaker on behalf of the newly admitted attorneys at the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal’s induction ceremony.

Mr. Leiby has practiced construction law in Florida since 1973. He is board certified by the Florida Bar in construction law. He was the founder and first chairman of the Florida Bar Construction Law Committee. In 2008 he was awarded the lifetime achievement award by the Florida Bar Construction Law Committee. He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell in construction law. He wrote the Florida Br Construction Law Manual published by Thompson Reuters West, which is also on-line in Westlaw.

The Law Offices of Richard J. Kaplan, P.A., offer many legal services to our clients. Practicing primarily in the areas of Wills/Trusts, Estate Planning, Probate, Real Estate and Mortgage Closings, and Business Formation and Agreements. With the main office in Coral Springs (1999 University Drive, Suite 402), serving Broward and Palm Beach Counties; the firm also provides an office in Hollywood (4310 Sheridan Street, 2nd Floor), serving southern Broward and Miami-Dade County; and Delray Beach, serving Palm Beach County. Additionally, our firm is prepared to be available for matters on a variety of other subjects...

Florida personal injury and commercial litigation attorney Mariano Garcia has been practicing in West Palm Beach since 1994. AV-rated from Martindale-Hubbell and a member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Mr. Garcia has been with Searcy Denney since 2011 as a bilingual lawyer with long-standing commitment to representing the Latino community.

LINDSAY M. REINHART has concentrated her practice on tobacco litigation, first as a law clerk in Searcy Denney’s tobacco litigation department and then as an Associate attorney with the firm since 2018. She is admitted to practice in the State of Florida in all jurisdictions and is a member of the Florida Justice Association, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the American Association for Justice.

MATTHEW K. SCHWENCKE began his legal practice as a defense attorney, where he gained experience in all facets of civil litigation. Defending hospitals and healthcare providers against multi-million dollar claims has given him insight into defense strategies and tactics, especially in medical malpractice litigation. Mr. Schwencke earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law, where he was a member of Stetsons award-winning Moot Court Board. While in law school, he served as intern to a federal magistrate judge, and prosecuted misdemeanor criminal offenses as a Certified Legal Intern for the Pinellas County State Attorney’s office. As an undergraduate,...

Florida personal injury lawyer Christopher Speed joined Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA as a Shareholder in 1994 after representing plaintiffs in Virginia for 20 years. He has spent his entire career pursuing justice for victims of personal injury, medical and legal negligence, aviation accidents and defective products.

DAVID P. VITALE, JR. is an experienced trial attorney who has litigated cases throughout the state of Florida. Mr. Vitale was recently recognized for his achievements by The National Trial Lawyers, as a Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff attorney in Florida. In addition to pursing personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice claims on behalf of injured victims, Mr. Vitale also handles complex commercial and business litigation matters. As a result of his prior career as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York, Mr. Vitale has a unique business perspective in developing strategies that are efficient, effective,...

Trial attorney focused on wrongful death, automobile negligence, medical malpractice, products liability, and premises liability.

BORIS ZHADANOVSKIY brings to the Searcy Denney team not only a law degree, but an undergraduate degree in business administration and fluency in both English and Russian. He draws upon his experience in complex insurance litigation to make sure that insurance companies keep their promises to policyholders who have been harmed.

Hailey L. Wilson was born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida. She moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University where she obtained a B.S. in Criminology. Hailey then went on to attend Stetson University College of Law where she graduated with a concentration in Advocacy. Hailey’s practice focuses on first and third party property damage insurance claims with a specialization in Assignment of Benefits matters. She works zealously to provide positive results to all of her clients and prides herself on her accessibility.

Susan Winston has been practicing law since October 2004 when she was admitted to the Florida Bar. She came to Florida from Virginia after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the College of William and Mary in 2001. Susan then went to the University of Miami School of Law and received her Juris Doctor in 2004. Susan began her legal career at the Office of the Public Defender for the 15th Judicial Circuit in 2004. In over six years at the Office of the Public Defender, Susan represented the indigent accused in...

T. HARDEE BASS III earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law and his undergraduate degree from The Florida State University. Prior to joining Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA, Mr. Bass served as a felony prosecutor in the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. During his tenure, he handled nearly 50 jury trials to verdict, prosecuting crimes ranging from Driving Under the Influence to first degree felonies punishable by life in prison. Currently, Mr. Bass works with C. Calvin Warriner and David J. Sales. He is a member of The Florida Bar and the Palm...

Mark Bohning, Esq. is a licensed Florida attorney who represents injured clients throughout the litigation process. Mr. Bohning graduated from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and Florida State University. Before joining the firm, Mr. Bohning worked for a legal clinic representing injured Spanish-speaking employees who suffered workplace accidents.

Attorney Mark Bohning is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish.

Thomas M. Prestia began his legal career serving as a prosecutor at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. During his tenure as a prosecutor, Mr. Prestia gained the knowledge and experience necessary to manage and litigate cases from the government’s perspective. This knowledge and experience has been critical in defending individuals facing criminal charges, as well as in his general trial practice. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Mr. Prestia further developed his trial practice by working at a leading medical malpractice firm. There he gained valuable insight into the operation of medical practices, experience in evaluating and litigating serious...

I have been a licensed attorney in Florida since April 2007 and have represented hundreds if not thousands of people. As a former Assistant Public Defender, I represented hundreds of people in criminal cases ranging from misdemeanor traffic cases to serious felonies. I created the Law Office of Mario R. Theodore in 2008 and strengthened my criminal defense experience while broadening my legal knowledge and representing people in administrative cases before agencies such as the Social Security Administration and Agency for Persons with Disabilities. In that same year I began expanding my knowledge and committing firm resources to Family Law. I...

Ron is an appellate attorney who, over the course of his 30 plus year legal career, has handled client appeals in both the state and federal appellate courts, which includes matters before the United States Supreme Court. As a long-time Florida resident, growing up in Sunrise, Florida, Ron began his career after graduating from Stetson University College of Law in 1992. He practiced law for four years in South Florida before forming a partnership with attorney Wendy Wallberg in 1996. During their 25-year law practice, Wallberg & Renzy, P.A., offered appellate, civil, and commercial litigation services to clients in the state...

Peter R. Ulanowicz has been a practicing member of the Florida Bar since 2005. He has specialized in employee-side labor and employment law since 2007. As an employment attorney, Peter has experience in all phases of representation, including pre-litigation, litigation, arbitration, and appellate work. Over the past decade, he has recovered nearly $7 million on behalf of his clients. Peter has extensive experience in wrongful termination, sexual harassment, racial/ethnic/religious/age/disability/sexual orientation discrimination and harassment, breach of contract, non-compete defense, unpaid wages, and other areas of labor and employment law. In 2011, his two-part article Taking the Fight to the Bullies was published...

A Florida Native, I worked as a social worker for the State of Florida before finally fulfilling my dreams of becoming an attorney.