Okeechobee Personal Injury Lawyers

My career journey began with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in Photography from Florida International University. I then decided to pursue a legal career and found no better place than the College of Law at my alma mater, returning to Florida International University, where I obtained my Juris Doctor degree. As an attorney at Attorneys Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, I focus on the Defense Base Act, advocating ardently for the rights of injured workers. With a multicultural background, I was drawn to this area of law to fight for injured workers in international employment, whether...

I bring a unique insight to my role as an attorney at Attorneys Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, where I focus on Defense Base Act cases. I am deeply committed to advocating for the rights of injured workers and am passionate about assisting those who serve and support the United States on military bases abroad in obtaining the compensation they rightfully deserve. At Attorneys Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, I dedicate my practice to representing injured workers under the Defense Base Act. My clients benefit not only from my legal knowledge but also from my deep personal drive to protect the...

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...

Attorney Joseph Maus, a Florida native, has been practicing law in South Florida since 1993. He currently limits his practice to insurance-related claims involving personal injury cases as well as homeowner property damage and commercial litigation. Mr. Maus is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating awarded for professional ability, conduct and ethics. He has also been honored as one of Florida's "Legal Elite" by Florida Trend Magazine annually since 2011.

Stephanie Koether is the founder and principal attorney at Koether Law, P.A., a Brandon family law firm helping families in the Bay Area with divorce, child custody and related matters as well as other important legal needs such as personal injury and estate planning. Ms. Koether completed her undergraduate studies at Fordham University in the Bronx, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. These studies have helped Ms. Koether understand the emotional and mental health challenges her clients are going through as they deal with a contested divorce or child custody dispute and other difficult matters. Upon completing her undergraduate degree,...

Edna Pierre is the Founding & Managing Attorney at Pierre Legal, P.A., where she focuses her practice on Personal Injury and Family Law. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Criminology and Minor in Child Development, as well as her joint Master's degrees in Social Work and Public Administration from Florida State University, she completed her education by obtaining her Juris Doctor at Stetson University College of Law. Prior to becoming an attorney, Edna served for several years as a Guardian Ad Litem, and subsequently as a Case Manager for the Department of Children and Families, advocating for and protecting Florida's children...

Hilda R. Ramirez-Gainza, Esq. graduated cum laude from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and received her Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law. Fluent in both English and Spanish, her excellent research and writing skills enable her to analyze and articulate complex legal issues clearly, concisely and decisively.

Mrs. Gainza specializes in the areas of Personal Injury, Family Law and Immigration. She is a current member of the Florida Bar and past member of the American Bar Association.

Call Hilda at (954) 463-1210 or email her at gainzalaw@aol.com to discuss your legal concerns. You...

Joshua is the Founding Owner of The Law Offices of Joshua . J. Hertz, PA. He began his legal career clerking for his brother law firm Eric Hertz P.C., in Atlanta in the late 90s. He helped with many trials in which some have reached record-breaking verdicts in the State of Georgia. After graduating from law school he knew he wanted to open up his own law firm fighting for the inured persons and fighting against insurance companies.

Joshua is also a graduate from the Florida Bar Leadership Academy in which only 40 lawyers are selected per year...

Alan is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, and is an expert in personal injury matters, including slip and falls, automobile accidents, product liability and defamation. Alan writes extensively about Florida personal injury law on his blog, southfloridainjuryaccidentblog.com, including issues related to slip and falls at grocery stores and in hotels, hotel negligence, rear-end car accidents and defamation. Since 2002, Alan has been an AV rated attorney by Martindale Hubbell. Alan is married to a Board Certified Family Law Attorney and has two children. Representing clients in the cities of Hallandale Beach, Hollywood Florida, Aventura, Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, and all other cities...

With over 30 years of experience helping my clients after they have been injured in a car accident, slip and fall or any accident caused by another, I will personally handle your case and work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.

First and foremost, I’m a regular Joe, just like anybody else.
I know what it’s like to deal with insurance companies when a loved one is suffering through expensive medical treatments. When I was growing up, my sister battled a serious illness, and my family had to fight constantly to get her the treatment and benefits she deserved.

No stranger to hard work, standing up for those in need, and giving back to the community, I spent over a decade working in and operating group homes for developmentally disabled adults and children before law school.

While attending Florida A & M University College...

Grant Schwarz is a Civil Trial Attorney and 4th Amendment Lawyer headquartered in sunny Florida. Grant focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury including premises liability and products liability. Over the years, it became apparent that bed bugs were becoming a troublesome problem across the United States. Grant was approached by a young family who had been injured at a local hotel. The family was awarded a large settlement after months of negotiations. After that, Grant started learning as much as he could about bed bugs. Grant read many books about bed bugs, attended pest management seminars and cultivated...

We are Trial Lawyers. Whether it be civil litigation, commercial litigation, federal or state criminal litigation, medical malpractice litigation, or personal injury litigation, my partners and I have over 60 years combined of experience trying cases in Florida and throughout the country. Let us protect your valuable rights.

Jed was born in Newton, Iowa, but he grew up in Central Florida.

He went to Lake Mary High School, graduating Summa Cum Laude (over 4.0 GPA), while playing varsity baseball and volleyball. He attended Florida State University and obtained degrees, with honors, in both Finance and Insurance/Risk Management. Jed stayed at Florida State for law school where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree with honors.

While at Florida State College of Law, Jed clerked at the Department of Highway Safety where he specialized in appellate issues for DUI cases. He later clerked at a civil insurance-defense law firm, Henry, Buchanan,...

Michael D. Cerasa was born and raised in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. He relocated to Central Florida following his graduation from The Florida State University College of Law. Recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer and member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Michael is sought out by clients nationwide for his expertise in handling a wide range of Plaintiffs injury, product liability and insurance claims. Michael’s approach to the representation of his clients is aggressive, but measured. He takes his role as both attorney, and as counselor, seriously. “My duty to my clients is to diligently fight for their best interests above all...

Attorney Richard Troutman was raised in Orlando and has lived in the area his entire life. He has been practicing law for over 30 years, establishing himself as one of the leading personal injury attorneys in Florida. He personally handles every aspect of his cases and offers his clients rare accessibility and availability at all times.

Christopher D. Smith received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) and his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.). A long-time resident of Florida, Mr. Smith also graduated from Pine View School in Sarasota. He is a member of the bars of Florida, Virginia and Washington, D.C., and is admitted to practice in the Middle, Southern and Northern Districts of Florida. Christopher is also certified in consumer bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification.


Christopher started his career with the international law firm of Dechert LLP in 2001, working as an associate in the securities law...

Jared Newman is a veteran car accident and personal injury lawyer and managing partner at South Florida Law, PLLC. Over a decade of personal injury experienced has allowed Jared Newman to familiarize himself with many different types of personal injury cases including car accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, slip and falls, wrongful death, workers compensation, and more. No case is too big or too small. If you or a loved one was hurt due to the negligence of another party, you can call today for a free legal consultation and learn more about what Jared Newman can do for you.

Matt DeBoard is a Senior Partner with Barrister Law Firm. Raised in the Orlando area, Mr. DeBoard earned his high school degree from Oak Ridge High School and later went on to American University in Washington, D.C. where he completed a double-major curriculum in both Physics and Communications. Mr. DeBoard earned his law degree from Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, where he achieved the highest grade of anyone in his class in both his Constitutional Law II and Trademark Seminar law classes.

Mr. DeBoard has decades of experience in both the real estate and mortgage businesses. Prior to...

Attorney Lakeena “Keena” Gillion is a skilled family law attorney specializing in divorce, child custody, timesharing, modifications, injunctions, and other family law matters. With a deep commitment to helping families navigate challenging legal situations, she offers a compassionate yet assertive approach to securing her clients’ best interests. Attorney Gillion brings a comprehensive understanding of family dynamics and legal complexities, combining her legal expertise with a genuine passion for helping individuals and families in need of resolution and closure during emotional and difficult times. Having practiced in various areas of law, Attorney Gillion has developed a strong reputation for her work in...

David Haenel protects the rights of the accused. His firm,The Law Place, has offices in Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, and Clearwater but they represent people throughout the State of Florida. David is the former 2004 State of Florida DUI Prosecutor of the Year and has spent his entire legal career representing individuals charged with traffic and criminal traffic violations. David and his team of lawyers are relentless in their legal representation and are not satisfied until they have exhausted all possible defenses.

Attorney Hillary Johnson is a former prosecutor who brings experience and exceptional legal knowledge to each case she tries. She holds a degree in communication from Florida State University and Juris Doctor from the Jones School of Law at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. While she was in law school, Ms. Johnson completed an internship with the State Attorney’s Office in Panama City. After graduation, she worked as an attorney with Florida’s Department of Children and Families before accepting a position at the State Attorney’s Office in Manatee County and Sarasota. It was while she was at the...

Attorney Dana Brooks has a diverse background in the legal and mental health fields, as she works as both a paralegal, certified family law mediator, and mental health counselor, among other professions. The day she was sworn in to the State Bar in 2008, she was named a partner at the law firm of Fasig | Brooks. She is well-known throughout Florida for her knowledge and dedication, having appeared on radio and in print as well as being honored by many of the country’s most prestigious legal honors. She is a skilled advocate and a proud member of her local...

Maria Isabel Amaro was born in Colombia, South America in 1970. Ms. Amaro relocated to Miami, FL in 1985 and has lived in Miami for the last 24 years.

Ms. Amaro graduated from Nova Southeastern University with her Bachelors in Business Administration and a minor in Professional Management in 2005. Ms. Amaro attended Saint Thomas University School of Law receiving her Juris Doctor in 2008.

She was also a certified legal intern for Legal Aid of Greater Miami in the Family Law department for two semesters.

Upon being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008, Ms. Amaro joined the law firm of Friedman,...

Carrying on a family tradition, Carolyn Friedman Frank has followed in her father's footsteps. Carolyn is partner in Friedman, Rodman & Frank that has roots in the Miami Beach firm of Harvey D. Friedman, P. A., the firm started by her father in 1976.

Her work in personal injury includes, workers' compensation, medical malpractice, products liability and nursing home negligence.

Carolyn Friedman Frank was admitted to the Florida State Bar in 1996, after earning her Juris Doctorate at the University of Miami. She did her undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree.

Carolyn is married...

Jeffrey S. Kaufman was born in Miami, Florida and he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 1991 from Florida State University. He also obtained a second Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications from the University of Florida in 1993. Mr. Kaufman went on to attend law school at The University of Tulsa where he completed his Juris Doctorate in 1996. He is currently licensed to practice law in Florida and seventeen other states including: Oklahoma, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Texas, Michigan, Maryland, New York, Washington, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, Connecticut, Ohio, West Virginia, Arizona, and Minnesota.

Jack T. Cook is a managing partner of Morgan & Morgan’s Birth Injury Trial Group. He received his undergraduate degree from University of North Carolina Wilmington, a graduate degree from University of Central Florida Orlando, and his Juris Doctorate from Florida A&M University College of Law. Mr. Cook began his career in the United States Marine Corps before turning to law. Prior to joining Morgan & Morgan, he earned acclaim and recognition as a skilled litigator and trial lawyer in both medical malpractice and birth injury litigation. Mr. Cook formerly represented the interests of physicians, physician groups, and hospitals, but...

Scott R. McMillen has been successfully handling medical malpractice cases for many years. He started his legal career as a hospital attorney, but for over 30 years, he has been exclusively representing patients and their families. He received his Doctor of Law degree from Emory University and his B.S. in Government from Florida State University. He is licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia. He has been recognized in "Best Lawyers in America" in the area of medical malpractice, rated a "Super Lawyer" by Thomson Reuters, received a "Preeminent Rating" by Martindale-Hubbell, and rated "Superb- 10...

After graduating from Harvard, I chose to attend Stetson University, the number one law school for trial advocacy in the country. I was on Stetson’s Law Review, and I also earned a Master’s of Business Administration from Stetson’s School of Business. I worked as a teaching assistant for pretrial practice while in law school, and I began clerking at a prominent law firm in the Tampa area. After law school, I jumped right into trial practice and began handling employment law and personal injury cases. I tried my first jury trial within my first year of graduating law school...

Sekou Clarke was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica, where his discipline and athletic ability earned him a full athletic scholarship to the University of Florida (UF). While at UF he was Team Captain, ten-time All-American and helped the Gators to two national titles in Track and Field. Sekou graduated with a B.S. in Tourism and Hospitality Management and earned All SEC and Academic Honor Roll Honors.

After graduating from UF he competed professionally and represented Jamaica internationally competing in over 15 countries worldwide. During this time, he earned his MBA in Marketing from St. Leo University.

Sekou was urged and inspired at...

Juan Gainza, Esq. graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, and received his Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University School of Law. Fluent in both English and Spanish, his excellent research and writing skills enable him to analyze and articulate complex legal issues clearly, concisely and decisively.

Mr. Gainza specializes in the areas of Personal Injury, Family Law and Immigration. He is a current member of the Florida Bar and past member of the American Immigration Lawyers’s Association and the American Bar Association.

Call Juan at (954) 463-1210 to discuss your legal concerns. You have...

Born in Miami, James L. O'Leary ("Jim") is a native Floridian. Jim attended the University of Florida and studied Political Science. While at the University, Jim served in numerous leadership positions and was ultimately awarded the coveted membership in the Florida Blue Key. He then went on to attend Stetson University College of Law and graduated Cum Laude earning his Juris Doctorate degree. While at Stetson he was also awarded first place in Stetson's nationally ranked #1 Trial Team by winning the statewide mock trial competition sponsored by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. After working at a large personal...

Mr. Halvorson is a Shareholder and Partner of the firm. He is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in the areas of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death and has successfully prosecuted numerous high profile cases. His practice is devoted 100% to litigation and he has specialized in the areas of motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, personal injury, products liability and wrongful death since 1977.