Taylor County Lawyers

Paul M. McDermott, Esq., practices exclusively in the area of Marital and Family Law. He has experience in litigation, mediation, and collaboration. After practicing law in Virginia for many years as a trial lawyer, he relocated to Florida and founded McDermott Law Offices, PLLC and now practices exclusively in the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which includes Manatee County and Sarasota County.

Mr. McDermott is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator. He is also trained in Collaborative Divorce Law, an emerging field within the Alternative Dispute Resolution realm focused on resolving cases with a "team" approach...

Attorney M. David Shapiro is an AV-rated civil trial lawyer, the highest rating awarded to litigation attorneys. He is also board certified by the Florida Bar. Shapiro is an experienced trial lawyer who has earned the respect of his peers in the legal community. He has successfully litigated civil rights cases involving access to courts and rights under the Rehabilitation Act to the United States Supreme Court. He is admitted to practice in all of the Florida State Courts, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh...

I am a Southwest Florida attorney board certified in labor and employment law by the Florida Bar. My practice focuses on employment law, insurance claims, whistleblower representation, and civil litigation.

Much of my law practice involves the representation of current and former employees denied proper compensation; victimized by discrimination or retaliation in the workplace; or requiring legal assistance with non-compete agreements. I'm also heavily involved with the representation of families and businesses denied appropriate insurance coverage following Hurricane Irma. Additionally, I provide representation for Medicare fraud whistleblowers, sexual abuse victims, and most business litigation matters.

I have...

Anthony G. Ryan is one of a select group of criminal defense attorneys in Florida who are Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar. This certification recognizes his proven expertise in the courtroom and his thorough grasp of Florida’s criminal justice system. Mr. Ryan has a proven track record of success defending clients in high-stakes cases ranging from DUI and drug charges to serious felonies and complex allegations. He handles each case personally—never passing it off to an associate—so you always know who’s standing beside you in court. Clients value his direct approach, thorough preparation, and commitment to achieving...

Ms. Loftus offers a concierge approach to her clients. She begins with the assumption that each case calls for special handling, since no two family law cases are alike. After the initial consultation, she works with her clients closely, to provide them with a basic understanding of Florida family law proceedings. Ms. Loftus and the client are then able to work together to ensure that there are articulated, agreed-upon, legitimate and realistic goals. After the goals are established, Ms. Loftus provides her clients with a range of options designed to meet those objectives. She reviews the advantages and disadvantages of...

Aboubakr Maaroufi – Personal Injury Attorney Serving Kissimmee & St. Cloud Aboubakr Maaroufi advocates for injury victims in Central Florida, drawing on eight years of experience defending one of the nation’s largest insurers to anticipate and counter insurance tactics. A dual citizen born in Casablanca and fluent in multiple cultural perspectives, Aboubakr represents clients in auto, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, and slip-and-fall accidents, as well as premises liability and wrongful-death claims. He earned his J.D. from Barry University School of Law (2013) after completing a B.A. in Legal Studies at the University of Central Florida, and is admitted to practice in...

Carol Avard is a member of the Medical Malpractice, Social Security, Federal Torts, and Motor Vehicle Collision sections of the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). She is also a member of the Bad Faith, Disability Law, Employment Law, ERISA Litigation, Insurance Law, Medical Negligence, Nursing Home, PI/Wrongful Death, Products Liability, Professional Negligence, and Social Security Disability Law sections of The Florida Association for Justice. Additionally, she is an Accredited Veterans Disability Attorney. Carol is a member of the NOSSCR Board of Directors – a professional association of Social Security Disability practitioners.

Jeff Luhrsen is a personal injury attorney, with more than 15 years of proven success. Licensed in both Florida and Virginia, The Liquor Law Center operates in Sarasota, Florida, yet also consults clients in any of Florida's 67 counties. As an advocate for people who have experienced wrongful accidents, Florida attorney Jeffrey Luhrsen combines his understanding of the law with a strong desire to help his clients.A graduate of The University of Tampa, Jeffrey Luhrsen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Following his undergraduate work, Jeffrey Luhrsen received his Juris Doctor, graduating Cum Laude from Stetson...

Before founding my own law firm, I gained valuable experience working in-house for legal departments and at a boutique law firm concentrating on commercial litigation. During this time, I managed a variety of business disputes. This background in litigation equipped me with a thorough understanding of the critical components that agreements must include to withstand legal challenges and how to effectively safeguard my clients' rights. My background in business has been crucial in integrating legal counsel with business strategies. Being a small business owner myself, I am committed to assisting other entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses while reducing risks and addressing...

Attorney John L. Calcagni, III from the Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III is a highly skilled, aggressive, and experienced criminal defense trial attorney. He is a former military prosecutor in the U.S. Army JAG Corps where he prosecuted hundreds of complex felony cases in the United States and abroad. Attorney John L. Calcagni, III also served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney with U.S. Attorney's Office in New York. As a prosecutor, attorney John L. Calcagni, III never lost a single case. He is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York,...

Attorney Cheryl Ward will meet your legal needs and exceed your expectations. Mrs. Ward is a Florida Bar licensed attorney practicing throughout the state of Florida. It is her mantra that client satisfaction comes first.

I’m a forward-thinking attorney with a passion for resolving complex legal matters and developing lasting strategies for clients. I love a challenge and I am known for being proactive, attentive, and responsive. I became a lawyer because I could never find an attorney who genuinely cared about me or my businesses. As an entrepreneur who has started, developed, managed, sold, and participated in just about every aspect of operating a business, I understand what an exceptional attorney should be. As your attorney, it’s my responsibility to be more than just a legal advocate or advisor of the law. I am a champion...

Ethan F. Kominsky is a veteran of over 65 trials in Florida and Illinois. Ethan has practiced insurance defense, representing the same side he now fights daily. His experience working for the other side has given Ethan valuable insight into their tactics and methods. He uses this knowledge to the advantage of his clients.

He began representing injured individuals and their families when he moved to Florida, having been recruited by a name partner at one of South Florida’s largest injury law firms. Ethan has a passion for representing the underserved and underrepresented members of society. He has seen firsthand how...

Juris Doctorate, 4 Clinical Service Practices, Seattle University School of Law
Judicial Externship
Bachelors of Science, cum laude, high honors, University of Oregon

Licensure
Washington State Bar Association:
WSBA.org License No. 31068
In good standing, no bar disciplinary sanctions
Former drafter for WSBA Special Disciplinary Counsel

John Abrams’ lifetime mentorship began early as the son of a public interest trial lawyer, Sol. A. Abrams, whose constitutional law precedents include the case that established the fourth amendment bedrock law of The Fruits of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine, and was portrayed by Christian Slater in the Hollywood movie Murder in the First (Warner Bros. 1995, starring Christian Slater and Kevin...

Erin K. Grall is a native to Vero Beach, Florida. She is a graduate of St. Helen School and John Carroll High School. After graduating from Wake Forest University with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication, she worked as a paralegal in Charlotte, North Carolina for an insurance defense firm handling asbestos cases. Ms. Grall attended Marquette University Law School where she served as the Student Bar Association President. She also held a national board position that assisted law students in finding public interest jobs and creating loan repayment programs for lawyers who serve the public interest.

Following law school, Ms....

Mr. Miklas practices all types of labor and employment law exclusively representing management (employers), including both private employers, as well as Florida municipalities and school districts. He has authored hundreds of articles, has co-authored a LexisNexis Expert Commentary in his field of work and, for the past seventeen years, he has been a contributing author and editor for two leading labor and employment law hornbooks. Mr. Miklas has been listed in Florida Super Lawyers for nine years and he is a frequent employment law presenter and is a nationally recognized speaker and an invited guest lecturer...

Matthew C. Shapiro is a seasoned attorney concentrating in wills, trusts, estates, and civil litigation. Mr. Shapiro graduated with honors from Florida International University, ranking in the top ten of his class. His distinguished academic background laid a strong foundation for his legal career, where he has consistently demonstrated expertise and excellence. During his career, Mr. Shapiro has provided comprehensive estate planning services to thousands of clients, expertly drafting crucial documents such as revocable living trusts of varying complexities, wills, powers of attorney, health care surrogates, living wills, enhanced life estate deeds, trust amendments, and codicils. Having served as the lead or...

Treasure Coast Law Firm handling all criminal law matters and serious accident cases in Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County, and Okeechobee County, Florida. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 772-220-4400 for a Free Consultation now!

Tonmiel Rodriguez is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Lawyer, a distinction few Florida attorneys achieve. He is an experienced litigator, having tried over 56 criminal trials, conducted hundreds of depositions, and litigated numerous motion and evidentiary hearings. Tonmiel was inducted into the National Trial Lawyers list of "Top 40 under 40" Florida Criminal Trial Lawyers. He has been published three times in The Defender, a publication of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL). In 2015, Attorney Tonmiel Rodriguez was awarded the FACDL's James T. Miller Scholar Award.

In 2005, Attorney Tonmiel Rodriguez received his Political Science Degree, with Honors,...

United States Immigration Attorney. Voted Elite Lawyer (2022) and Lawyers of Distinction (2022). Born in Whittier, California, Jerry took over the family business (a small construction company) at a young age and successfully ran it for years before relocating to the Gulf Coast. During that same period, he sold real estate in the Los Angeles market by day and went to law school at night, graduating with Moot Court honors (JD). After graduating from the University of Alabama with a Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), 2013, he launched a successful local boutique luxury real estate company to offer his expertise...

Naji has represented thousands of injury victims and recovered millions of dollars for his clients since 2003. He has dedicated his legal career to seeking justice by fighting insurance companies and big corporations to protect the rights of individuals and their families across the State of Florida. Naji has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his legal career and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator.

Over 20 years ago, Naji was involved in a serious car accident that left him with permanent injuries, and thousands of dollars in medical expenses. He relied on advertising and hired a big...

Erin E. Morse, Esquire is an exclusive Divorce and Family Law Attorney. She and her competent staff handle all Family Law issues including child custody, child support, divorce, military divorce, modifications, paternity, time-sharing & visitation. Her innate business acumen, natural talent of providing creative legal strategies, and prowess as a litigator, combine to offer unparalleled legal protection to her clients.

It was while working under the tutelage of a distinguished Winter Park Divorce attorney that Erin honed her skills and developed the passion for helping families through their most difficult of times. Her passion continues throughout her practice today in...

The overwhelming majority of my immigration law practice derives from repeat business and a very strong referral base of “happy customers” and a large supporting professional network. As such, it is important to me that my clients report back to me frequently with feedback. To me, there is no substitute for a happy referral by my clients and contacts to others who may need my services or advice. I welcome all referrals. While there is no substitute for a face-to-face meeting with me, in order for you to decide if I am the right lawyer for you,...

Bill's practice is focused on providing his clients with the "second chance" they deserve. As a personal injury and criminal defense attorney, Bill has dedicated his practice to helping his clients begin their journey towards a new and better life - a life they can begin as masters of their own destiny, not merely as victims of circumstance.

Bill has helped numerous people, who have been caught making mistakes and found themselves entrenched in the Criminal Justice system, get a second chance by getting their charges dropped, reduced, or potential sentences mitigated. In many cases, he also has given them the...

Mr. Bonamo received his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of law in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1995. While in law school, Mr. Bonamo was extensively involved in Stetson’s trial practice and clinic programs. Prior to attending Stetson University, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from the University of Florida in 1992. Due to Mr. Bonamo’s academic achievement while at the University of Florida he was selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa national academic honor society. He has been selected as an "Advisor" for the Florida Bar's Lawyers Advising Lawyers Program (LAL).
Prior to joining...

Melinda Morris has been practicing law since 1999 and is the managing attorney of the Morris Law Firm. As a former Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida, Ms. Morris has handled thousands of cases from investigation through sentencing. Her experience as a former prosecutor along with her years of experience as a private criminal defense attorney allows her to effectively represent her clients charged with a wide range of criminal offenses. Extensive Criminal Law Experience While a felony prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office in Clearwater, Pinellas County, Ms. Morris prosecuted thousands of criminal...

R. Michael Pierro, Jr. ("Mike") is a Florida Bar Board Certified labor and employment attorney based in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is one of only 5 lawyers in St. Petersburg holding the distinction of Board certification in the area of labor and employment law. He represents both employers and employees. Mike is also a certified Florida circuit civil and federal court mediator. With over 20 years of litigation experience, Mike is well-suited to effectively mediate employment-related disputes. Mike welcomes the opportunity to discuss your employment matter.

Orlando immigration lawyer Henry Lim was born in Managua, Nicaragua and came to the United States as an immigrant with his family. During the fourteen-year immigration process, he learned first hand the value of an aggressive immigration attorney.

Attorney Lim graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1998. While in law school, Attorney Lim involved himself in immigration issues with Haitian refugees at the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center and at Krome Detention Center. Since obtaining his license, Attorney Lim has focused almost exclusively on immigration matters, advocating for the legal interests of businesses, families, and individuals throughout Central...

Attorney Michael Throneberry has been pursuing cases on behalf of mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer victims for nearly two decades. He is involved in every case the Firm takes on and is involved preparing clients for depositions, directing discovery, and negotiating the best outcome for the clients. Attorney Throneberry began practicing law at a large firm in St. Louis where he focused on commercial litigation litigating cases on behalf of individuals, small businesses and multi-national companies. After losing his father-in-law to mesothelioma, Attorney Throneberry began to focus exclusively on helping the victims of asbestos exposure, which primarily...

Brett M. Schwartz, Esq., a leading Miami criminal defense lawyer, is well-known for his expertise and dedication in court. Influenced by his father's work as a defense attorney, Brett has a strong understanding of the legal system. He has worked both as a prosecutor and a defense lawyer, giving him a broad view of criminal cases. His education includes a degree from the University of Miami and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. Brett is highly recognized in his field, with awards like The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 in 2022, Top Attorneys in Florida in 2019,...

L. William Porter III, or "Bill" as he is better known, is an attorney in Central Florida. His areas of expertise are Bankruptcy, Commercial Litigation and Civil Litigation. Bill Porter received his undergraduate degree and his law degree from Florida State University, receiving his B.S. with honors and his J.D. with high honors. He served as a Trial Attorney for three years for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the U.S. Trustee in Orlando, Florida. Since 2011, Bill Porter has taught Introduction to Bankruptcy and Creditor Rights at Valencia College as an adjunct professor.

John M. Hemenway is a founding partner of Bivins & Hemenway, P.A. John serves as a trusted legal advisor to business owners, real estate investors, and families seeking to preserve and pass down their wealth and values. His practice focuses on estate planning and probate, small and closely held businesses, and real estate, combining experience in each of these areas to provide a comprehensive approach to transactions and planning.

John earned his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Florida. John regularly presents at legal education seminars on both probate and estate planning topics, and is published on estate planning...

Attorney Jeremiah E. Jaspon is a leading advocate for those injured in auto accidents and other personal injury cases, offering unwavering support to clients as they seek justice and fair compensation. With a focus on auto accidents—including car, truck, and motorcycle collisions—Jeremiah has earned a reputation for his in-depth knowledge, strategic approach, and dedication to his clients. He understands the unique challenges faced by accident victims, from physical pain and emotional distress to financial hardship, and tirelessly fights to secure the compensation his clients need to rebuild their lives. Jeremiah brings compassion and commitment to every case, guiding injured victims...

Immigration Attorney Suzanne E. Vazquez has been practicing U.S. Immigration law exclusively more than 10 years. Suzanne is board certified as an expert in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Florida. She is one of only a handful of board certified Immigration lawyers in Central Florida. Subsequent to her designation as an expert in Immigration law by the Florida Bar, Suzanne Vazquez was invited to serve on the Board Certification Committee for the Florida Bar from 2005 to 2008. Suzanne Vazquez has vast experience in addressing immigration matters and has successfully represented many U.S. employers, foreign national investors,...

I'm a criminal defense attorney advocating for the rights of those accused of crimes throughout Central Florida. My law firm is exclusively devoted to criminal law so I am able to focus all of my attention on this complex area of practice. My prior experience as an Assistant State Attorney in Orange County has given me insight into how the prosecution will view the case and relationships to facilitate the negotiation of plea agreements that are beneficial to my clients. When negotiation isn't getting anywhere, I know when it's time to go to trial!

Conti Moore Smith is an Orlando divorce lawyer with Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC. She founded the firm in 2012 to provide family law services to clients across Florida. Ms. Moore’s practice includes all types of family law cases, including divorce, child custody, child support, property division, spousal support, LGBT divorce, judgment modification, move-away orders and relocation, paternity, and domestic violence. Ms. Moore graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor’s degree in 2004. She then graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 2007. Ms. Moore was admitted to the State Bar of Nevada in 2007 and...

Dennis Brannon is a Destin and Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyer. He founded the law firm Brannon & Brannon over 30 years ago. During that time, he has focused his practice on helping accident victims recover compensation for their injuries. Mr. Brannon ensures that no client feels like they are lost in the shuffle. Mr. Brannon has represented clients injured in all types of accidents, including car accidents, bicycle accidents, boating accidents, Uber & Lyft accidents, and workplace accidents. He has also helped family members of accident victims recover compensation from the people or businesses who are responsible for their...

As an entrepreneurial lawyer, I understand the challenges that small business owners face each day. We deal with vendors, customers, employees, taxes, and regulations all the time. Each one of these relationships creates legal risks that you must address in a cost-effective manner, before trouble strikes. Relying on my experience in trying business law cases, I have developed a three-step legal strategy that every small business owner should implement. In its most basic form, this strategy employs contracts, insurance coverage, and an operating company-management company-holding company format for the organization, to help control the common risks that can tank...

Mr. Wells has been a member of the Florida Bar for over 30 years and has represented both insurers and their insureds over the course of his career. Mr. Wells handles bodily injury cases and insurance coverage claims, including first party property matters (fire, sinkhole, hurricane, windstorm, and water damage claims), other insurance claims (life, disability and other direct actions against insurers), bad faith claims (claims against an insurer for improper claim handling), and insurance agent negligence cases, in both the state and federal courts. Mr. Wells is an experienced litigator, having litigated matters statewide, including the...

Michael E. Zmijewski is an attorney in Morgan & Morgan's Orlando office. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Michael graduated Magna Cum Laude from Temple University's Fox School of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Following his undergraduate studies, Michael went on to attend Oklahoma City University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor with high honors. While in law school, he was honored by being inducted into Phi Delata Phi International Honor Society for his commitment to scholastic achievement. In 2002, following his graduation from law school, Michael moved to Orlando, Florida to...