DeSoto County Lawyers

Leland Eric Garvin, a Florida native and second generation trial attorney, began his legal career working as a Prosecutor. While at the State Attorney’s office, he gained invaluable trial experience representing the State of Florida in countless jury trials at both the misdemeanor and felony levels. Prior to taking the job with the State, and throughout law school; Mr. Garvin worked for one of the larger personal injury law firms in South Florida. When he wasn’t handling injury and auto accident cases; he made time for the Moot Court Honor Society. It was during his time with Moot Court that he...

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.

Rob Andretz is passionate about helping his clients. Rob has had the honor and privilege of being licensed to practice law since 2003, and he is happy to put his education and experience in the fields of law, biology, and psychology to work for health professionals in need of his help. Rob enjoys being able to be a light in the darkness for those who are facing some of the toughest challenges of their lives.

Rob primarily devotes his time to helping health professionals accused of violating state and federal laws in criminal cases in state and federal courts throughout the...

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...

Marc L. Shapiro is the founder of The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. With over 30 years of experience, Marc L. Shapiro P.A. has served SWFL with integrity, passion, and a commitment to his clients. Have you been injured in a car accident? Trust the Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro to represent you and your family. Marc L. Shapiro is a Personal Injury Attorney that cares about representing his community and clients with integrity. Marc practices primarily in the areas of Plaintiff’s personal injury and wrongful death cases, complex commercial real estate litigation, title insurance disputes, foreclosure...

I give families peace of mind by helping them create estate plans that make sure their family is protected upon their death of incapacity. I also help families in difficult times when their elder is no longer to safely stay home due to the aging or disease process by helping protect assets and apply for Medicaid and VA benefits.

I was fortunate to grow up in Pinellas County with my father being a well-known and respected attorney. With my father’s encouragement and my own passion for helping others, I knew that estate planning and elder law was the career path for...

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...

Tampa Bay Criminal Defense and DUI Attorney Ajay Pallegar -
Former State Prosecutor with over 50 criminal jury trials, 50 bench trials, and extensive DUI training and experience.

Mr. Pallegar is a graduate from the University of South Florida and Stetson University College of Law. He is a Former Pinellas County Assistant State Attorney and has over tried over 100 criminal trials to verdict. As a prosecutor, he received specialized training in domestic violence cases by being appointed to the domestic violence division of the Pinellas County State Attorneys Office, specifically battery, assault and domestic violence injunctions. Mr. Pallegar has also...

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...

Jonah Wolfson, Esq. was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He attended high school locally and graduated from Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, majoring in English. To earn money in college, Mr. Wolfson worked on a commercial fishing boat in Gloucester, Massachusetts. After graduating from Boston College, he spent time hiking on the Appalachian Trail for roughly five months. After this, he enrolled in law school at Chicago-Kent College of Law. In law school, Mr. Wolfson was an intern at the Cook County Office of the Public Defender where he tried a number of cases to verdict. He also...

Helping people is what I enjoy most about being a lawyer. I began practicing law after earning a Juris Doctorate, with honors, from Stetson University College of Law in 1994. I received my bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida. I am a native of Long Island, New York.

I am the firm's trial attorney. I represent clients who have been injured, and the families of those who have been killed, due to the fault of another. I have had the privilege of representing thousands of clients throughout Florida since 1994. I never represent insurance companies.

Anthony G. Ryan provides aggressive criminal defese in State and Federal Courts throughout the state of Florida. He is a board certified criminal trial attorney with over twelve years of experience. Call him today: 941-954-7132

Anne grew up in Manatee County, Florida and has always served those in her community. She has witnessed the devastation caused by failure of families to plan for long term care, disabilities and end of life. Her goal is to make these life challenges easier to negotiate for the Senior as well as for the Senior’s family. Having practiced law here since 1977, she practices Elder Law which includes probate and estates, estate planning, guardianships, wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, advance directives, Medicaid planning and Special Needs Trusts. In addition to her professional associations, Anne...

I have been a Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer for 39 continuous years, and practice in both state and federal courts. I have represented clients in Lee, Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach counties, throughout Florida, and in other states. I graduated with honors from college and graduated from The Ohio State University Law School in 1972. While at Ohio State, I won the Nathan Burkan Award and placed first in the Moot Court competition. I have appeared on local TV and national talk shows, such as Voice of America. I have provided professional information and advice to the public in the areas...

For the past four (4) decades I have been providing legal services to individuals in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, Asset Protection, Probate & Trust Administration and Litigation, and Probate Avoidance. I have also represented Florida corporate entities, shareholders, LLC members, and partners in business transactions, contract drafting, succession planning, mergers & acquisitions, and business disputes. My clients include opposite-sex and same-sex couples, business owners, individuals looking to protect their assets from creditor claims, retirees, family members needing guidance in the administration of a Florida probate estate or an inheritance dispute, and relatives of individuals who need to...

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...

Christopher Mossallati concentrates his practice representing clients in Workers’ Compensation cases and other related Labor and Employment Law matters. Mr. Mossallati received his Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2011 and his law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2015. He is a member of the Florida and West Virginia state bars. Mr. Mossallati has lectured at various workers’ compensation seminars. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Lee County Bar Association, and the Florida Bar (Workers’ Compensation and Labor Section). Prior to joining Morgan & Morgan, Mr. Mossallati worked in...

Lee Viacava has successfully resolved thousands of cases for his clients during his 15+ years of practice. Having resided in Southwest Florida since childhood Lee Viacava has developed extensive community ties. Lee Viacava has been recognized as one of the top 100 DUI attorneys in Southern Florida by The National Advocacy for DUI Defense. The American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys awarded Lee Viacava as one of the “10 Best” DUI/DWI Law Attorneys for client satisfaction in Florida. Lee Viacava also focuses his practice on individuals who are injured at work. We are here to help with your legal issues.

Born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, Richard Ellis graduated with honors from the University of Florida in 1976 and received his law degree from Loyola University New Orleans in 1979. Mr. Ellis has served on the City of Sarasota Planning Board, City of Sarasota Board of Adjustment, and currently serves as Special Magistrate for the City of Sarasota, a position he has held since 1999.

Mr. Ellis has filed in excess of 5,000 Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases over the past three decades and has handled hundreds of family law matters since beginning practice in 1979.

Mr. Ellis spends his...

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...

Don Cahall prides himself on being extremely passionate about every one of his clients’ cases no matter whether the damages involved are small or large. Don’s clients are victims who have been harmed by others’ negligent or intentional wrongdoing. To obtain justice for his clients, Don’s objective is to attempt to recover his clients’ financial damages as quickly as possible. It has been said that the wheels of justice turn slowly. The culpable parties often seek to obstruct and delay justice and courts are regularly inundated with heavy caseloads. Thus, to meet his objective, Don utilizes an aggressive approach to...

James "Jay" Horne, Jr., is an AV Preeminent Rated trial attorney. He focuses his practice on medical malpractice, personal injury and wrongful death matters. He has successfully represented clients from intake through trial in state and federal court.

Jay and his team of medical professionals can handle any complex medical malpractice case. He has handled cases involving Sudden Unexpected Postnatal Collapse (SUPC), misdiagnosis and misreading of MRIs and other diagnostic methods, which resulted in catastrophic injuries to the patient. A new study published by John Hopkins Professor of Surgery, Martin Makary, indicated that Medical errors,...

Experience matters. For well over two decades, Frank W. Piazza has been helping injured workers in Southwest Florida receive the benefits they deserve. Mr. Piazza received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of South Florida in 1987, followed by his law degree from the University of Florida in 1990. Since May of 1992, he has represented literally thousands of injured workers in Southwest Florida, and has handled all types of cases. “My approach to representing people is perhaps different than others. I actually enjoy meeting with and getting to know each of my clients. In...

JEFFREY S. GOETHE is a partner with Barnes Walker, Goethe, Perron, Shea, & Robinson, PLLC. The firm's main office is in Bradenton, with appointments available in the firm's Anna Maria Island, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish offices. Mr. Goethe is a graduate of Maryville College and the University of Tennessee College of Law and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1990. He is board certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in wills, trusts and estates law and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Mr. Goethe is a member of the Florida Bar’s Real...

Passionate, Knowledgeable and Aggressive, Michael brings his methodology and attention to detail to every case at Titan Law Firm. Michael has devoted his entire career to criminal defense work, focusing his practice in DUI in SWFL. Attorney Camadeco understands the latest DUI science, law, and procedures, allowing him to defend his clients properly. At Titan Law Firm, Michael also focuses on personal injury cases and acknowledges the unforeseen turns that life may take, and how personal injuries can suddenly disrupt your life, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. During these challenging times, we are here to provide support and guidance. Drawing...

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...

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...

Jim Dodson spent many years of his long legal career as a partner in a large personal injury law firm, but he had some different ideas about how to practice law. He envisioned a practice centered on the clients’ needs, where he could get to know his clients and be personally involved in their cases. He wanted to create an environment where any client would feel comfortable about calling, where every client with a question about their case could easily get an answer, and where all clients could expect to have their phone calls returned. Jim turned this vision into...

As a trial lawyer, I see people at a time when they are in their greatest need. Unfortunately, it's not easy to choose the right lawyer for your case. If you choose a lawyer who will never go to court, you are destined to settle your case for too little. Lawyers who never go to court by definition always take the last best offer to settle. Insurance companies know which lawyers will always talk their clients into a settlement.

I am Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Civil Trial. I'm proud to go to trial when necessary to...

Carl Rothrock is an immigration attorney with thirty-four years of experience. He has represented thousands of people from over 100 countries. He has offices in Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Boca Raton, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Martindale Hubbell rated him as “AV Preeminent,” which is the highest peer rating standard given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards. Legal directory Avvo gave him a “10 out of 10” rating, which is their highest legal rating. Lawyers of Distinction named him “2021 Power...

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...

Dedicated to helping those injured due to the carelessness or even recklessness of others fight for their rights and a fair and just recovery.

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...

Attorney Kevin Humphries attended Stetson University College of Law before he started off his legal career serving as a felony prosecutor for the state attorney’s office of the 10th Judicial Circuit. His history includes a widely diverse track record at both county and circuit court and in the state courts of the following counties: Dade, Hardee, Hillsborough, Highlands, Osceola, Pinellas, and Polk. Mr. Humphries has also litigated cases in federal court in the United States Middle District Court for Florida in Tampa. Kevin Humphries has served as a partner in private practice for more than a decade. He opened Lopez &...

I am a Florida criminal defense lawyer passionate about helping those charged with serious misdemeanor and felony offenses. My legal background includes several years as an assistant state attorney. Working throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties, I bring forth a client-focused legal representation.

I am a Partner in the Law Office of Ayo & Iken PLC, focused on all facets of Family Law. My practice areas include Uncontested and Contested Divorces (Equitable Distribution, Alimony, Time Sharing, Child Support), Paternity (time sharing and child support), Adoptions (Step-parent and relative), Dependency (DCF), and Domestic Violence (DVI).

I received my B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Florida in 2005. My J.D. was completed at Florida Coastal School of Law in 2008. For over 10 years, I have been practicing Family Law in Florida.

Confidence in my abilities and a fearlessness in the courtroom set...

David Goldman is an experienced and accomplished Personal Injury Attorney. He believes that everyone should be treated fairly and is dedicated to bringing justice to all areas of society. David has been fighting for the rights of injured Floridians for 30 years. He is committed to providing aggressive advocacy and pursuing the results that his clients deserve.

David has has been named among the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. He received a Preeminent Rating, the highest possible, from Martindale-Hubbell. He was also honored with the Legislative Leadership Award from The Academy of...

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...

James A. Fowler Jr. is the co-founder and managing partner of Fowler Law Group. James draws upon his diverse criminal law experiences to defend adults and juveniles involved in all types of criminal law matters, including federal and state crimes, DUI offenses, driver’s license suspensions and traffic cases. He is a native of Sarasota County and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida.

Ronald W. Chapman is the owner of Chapman Law Group and has been practicing law for over 25 years in Michigan and Florida. He is AV® Rated. Ron is a recognized leader in the legal community and a frequent speaker in the area of medical malpractice and risk management. In 1997 Ron was ranked as one of the top ten speakers for Skillpath, Inc. Ron graduated from California State University, Sacramento (BA, Cum Laude 1979), University of Southern California School of Administration (MPA 1980) and Wayne State Law School (JD 1984). After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the United States Air...