Sarasota County Lawyers

I am a former prosecutor and have been practicing criminal law for over 15 years. I have practiced in both State and Federal courts. I have an engineering degree from University of Florida, and received my law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California. I worked for a California Court of Appeal Judge in Los Angeles, for the United States Attorney's Office in Las Vegas, and as a prosecutor in Sarasota. I opened my office in downtown Sarasota in 2002, and practice exclusively criminal defense.

As a partner at Band, Gates & Dramis, P.L., Chad Gates is proud to represent clients throughout the Sarasota area. He brings more than 20 years of impressive legal experience to the table, taking on a wide range of cases in that time. Attorney Gates handles matters involving estate planning, probate, personal injury, real estate law, corporate law, and various other issues. He boasts unwavering dedication to his clients, always striving to secure the best possible outcome on their behalves. From tenacious advocacy to skillful negotiations, he knows how to deliver it all. Attorney Gates is currently a member of...

Keith was born and raised in Sarasota, a rarity these days, but that's not the only thing that makes him rare. Keith received a football scholarship to play at Duke University and was a member of the 1989 ACC Championship team. After receiving his degree from Duke, Keith attended the University of Florida College of Law where he received a degree he knew would help transform lives. Keith was offered an opportunity to work at a local law firm back home in Sarasota, and without hesitation, Keith jumped at the offer that would allow him to be close to family...

Steven W. Ledbetter works from his Venice, Florida, office on matters involving estate planning and administration, business transactions and corporate law, real estate, construction law, contract, and title insurance matters. Steven W. Ledbetter has been practicing law since 2002. His practice has included work in a wide range of subject areas while representing a wide range of clients including the federal government, corporations, financial institutions, and individuals. His practice has taken him from the mountains and rain of Portland, OR, to the shops and great restaurants of Dallas, TX, and finally back to his home state of Florida...

Melissa Karp Elsbree has lived in Sarasota since 1972. After graduating high school, she attended The American University in Washington, D.C., obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1983. Melissa subsequently earned her J.D. degree from Florida State University College of Law in December of 1990, immediately began her law practice in her hometown of Sarasota, and has practiced exclusively in Sarasota since that time. Formerly a partner of Karp & Karp, P.A., Melissa has longstanding experience in handling complex civil litigation matters, concentrated primarily in the areas of family law and divorce, foreclosure defense...

We are a workers compensation specialist law firm. I have been practicing workers compensation for 27 years and managed the legal department for a major workers compensation insurance Carrier for 17 years. As such, I have extensive experience representing both injured workers and employers. Let me put that unique experience to help you with your claim,

We handle almost all aspects of Retirement and Estate Planning. We assist you with planning for Medicaid qualification so that you can obtain payment for assisted living or long-term nursing care without depleting your assets. We create all types of trusts depending on the nature of your property and your plans for it. We draft documents that provide for end-of-life care to be exactly according to your wishes. Florida law is complex and there are specific rules and regulations we carefully follow to be sure your documents are all in legal compliance.

I have guided and advised clients through their personal and commercial transactions in business and real estate, through their simple and complex estate planning situations and also through all forms of estate administration and probate.

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.

Managing Attorney of Bates-Buchanan & Savtisky Law Group since 2011 when the private law firm Bates-Buchanan Law Group, which is now Bates-Buchanan & Savitsky Law Group added Susannah Savitsky as a partner in October 2012. Specializes in Probate, Estate Planning, Trust Managment, Collaborative non- litigation family law cases, as well as animal trust planning, real estate and collections law, foreclosure defense, landlord/tenant law and bankruptcy. Dawn Marie is a graduate of Venice High School, Venice, FL and University of South Florida in Tampa. She graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1998 and worked for Community Legal Services of...

For over a decade, Michael Murphy has enjoyed representing Florida accident victims and their families. After graduating from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, Mr. Murphy started his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit in Sarasota. He joined the Mallard Law Firm in 2011, and because of his invaluable trial knowledge, he is better able to prepare the firm’s clients for trial and provide them with exceptional personal injury litigation.

My mission is to work with my clients and limit their legal costs and liability while I zealously represent them on employment law and health law matters. As a solo practitioner, my clients have direct, unfettered access to me as your attorney. This is a different concept than what you will find in larger law firms or even some solo practitioners. I believe that this type of access is something my clients should expect from their lawyer.

Stephen Higgins is a lawyer who advocates for his clients and works tirelessly on their behalf. For almost 20 years, he has devoted his practice to represent people charged with traffic and criminal traffic violations, as well as personal injury cases. As a member of The Law Place, Stephen and the team of lawyers work to achieve the best possible result for every client.

Patrick Hale is the managing partner of Hale Law, P.A. Patrick is a 5th generation Floridian who cares about the people of this great state. His experiences have positioned him to be an advocate for you in your time of need.

After graduating law school, Patrick proceeded to work as an Assistant State Attorney where he prosecuted both misdemeanor and felony cases, learning to feel at home in the courtroom in the process. In his prosecutorial career, he completed over thirty trials to verdict on behalf of the people of the State of Florida.

In the spirit of representing the people of...

Frank F. Fernandez, III, was born in Tampa, Florida. After obtaining his degree in Finance from the University of Florida in 1989, Mr. Fernandez attended Stetson University, College of Law, in St. Petersburg, Florida, receiving his Juris Doctorate law degree in 1992. Following an internship with the U.S. District Court, for the Middle District of Florida, Mr. Fernandez began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney prosecuting criminal cases in Tampa, Florida.


In 1994, Mr. Fernandez joined the Orlando-based law firm of Meyers, Mooney and Meyers specializing in plaintiffs’ personal injury law and worker’s compensation disputes. In 1996,...

Robert is passionate about family law. Divorce and custody cases are just different from other types of litigation. Robert’s practice attempts to resolve divorce cases using collaborative divorce, mediation, uncontested divorces, and resolving divorce cases before any paperwork is filed with the court. Robert believes most divorce cases can be resolved using these non-litigation methods.

I am Board Certified by the Florida Bar in both Condominium and Planned Development Law and Business Litigation. I represent condo and HOA Boards and assist them in their day-to-day governance issues, amending governing documents, and enforcing the restrictive covenants. Additionally, I represent the association in court in a wide variety of matters, such as disputes with owners, enforcement issues, or collecting past due assessments.

Allan is an Attorney and CPA whose practice focuses on legal and business management services for passionate clients in the entertainment/media and fashion/apparel industries. His unique background allows him to service clients with all aspects of transactional entertainment matters, copyright and trademark matters, licensing, and financial and tax consulting. Allan serves as counsel to musicians, records producers, managers, record labels, music publishers, actors, film and photography production companies, designers and apparel companies. His past professional experience includes EMI Music, Woods & Middleton, LLP, Deloitte (tax, licensing, royalty audits), and Tommy Hilfiger. He also has experience...

LET US HELP YOU THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME. YOUR RIGHTS WILL BE PROTECTED AND YOU WILL HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE ARE ON YOUR SIDE.
Benson Trial Group is a locally owned and operated law office that's located in Sarasota, FL. Serving from Bradenton to Venice, FL.
 
If you need assistance with a family law matter, contact us to set up a FREE initial consultation. 941-960-2610

A native from Northern Virginia, he grew up in Arlington, Virginia. Joe attended undergraduate college at Mount Saint Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland on a tennis scholarship. The youngest of five children...

Mr. Gil was born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ, prior to entering the United States Navy in 2003 as Master at Arms/Military Police Office. Mr. Gil served two deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom attached to Joint Task Force Guantanamo from 2005 until 2007. Following his service, Mr. Gil relocated to Cape Coral, Florida to be closer to family. Mr. Gil attended Southwest Florida College to pursue his BS in Criminal Justice to further his career in Public Service. Mr. Gil was inspired to become an attorney during his internship with the Office of the State Attorney 20th Judicial...

I practice law from my office in Venice, Florida. My practice areas include Divorce and Family Law, Business and Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, and Probate and Trust Litigation.

I am a registered patent attorney and member of the Florida Bar. I am licensed to practice law in the State of Florida.

I graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 2012 with my J.D., and I graduated from Tulane University with a B.S. in both Finance and Cellular Biology (2009).

I take a solution oriented approach to solving the legal problems of my clients. Whether that is a...

Bart Scovill was admitted to the practice of law in the State of Florida in 1993. Prior to Law School, he served four years in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1985. Since admission to the bar, he has handled a wide variety of legal issues including business law, transactional law, construction law, and guardianships. His primary focus is on Estate Planning, Probate Administration, and Business Law. He is married and has two beautiful daughters. Outside of the office, he enjoys snow skiing with his family, both teaching and training in Karate, and playing and coaching volleyball.

Daniel A. Murphy received his Bachelors’ Degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida December, 2009. Mr. Murphy attained his law degree, Cum Laude, from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School – Tampa Bay Campus, April of 2015.

Mr. Murphy is a member of the Florida Bar since October, 2015. Daniel is also a member of the Manatee County Bar Association and Sarasota County Bar Association which advances professionalism, promotes practice development, encourages public service, fosters fellowship and supports access to legal services for all.

Daniel is an EAGLE member and is on the Board of Directors,...

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Mrs. Patel is a local resident of North Port, Florida where she lives with her husband and their 2 small children. She graduated from Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida in 2022 and is passionate about family law. Mrs. Patel is a firm believer in helping clients set their financial and family goals before a divorce is filed, and planning the process out to ensure a mutual resolution is achieved. If a divorce has already been filed, Mrs. Patel will work with her clients to understand what the other side is requesting, and zealously advocating for her client's...

With more than a decade of experience protecting the rights of clients during criminal proceedings, Attorney Brian Lail has earned a reputation for dependable advocacy when his clients need a Sarasota criminal defense attorney. As the founder of Lail Law Firm, PLLC, he has handled thousands of cases and helped his clients obtain favorable outcomes when their rights are on the line. Whether you were charged with a violent felony or dealing with your first DUI, call Lail Law Firm, PLLC to schedule a free case consultation and get started on planning your defense. You don’t have to fight your...