Gulf Hammock Criminal Lawyers

My Story I came to Jacksonville in October, 1978, after graduation from Duke University School of Law. My third-year roommate, Bob Parrish, prevailed upon legendary criminal defense and civil rights lawyer Bill Sheppard to grant me an interview and soon I began a clerkship with the firm of Sheppard, Carithers, and Weinbaum. All three partners became lifetime friends and mentors. Hugh Carithers went on to serve with distinction as a Circuit Judge for many years, retiring in December, 2019. Steve Weinbaum became recognized as one of the outstanding trial lawyers in Florida, winning several high profile cases while working with Bob...

Former Orlando City Prosecutor
Admitted to Florida Bar in 1972
Forty years experience as criminal defense attorney

Attorney Kendell K. Ali began his career as a Prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office in Orange County, Florida. As a prosecutor, Mr. Ali tried numerous cases in County, Circuit, and Juvenile courts.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Prior to his graduation from the University of Florida College of Law, Mr. Ali was a member of the University of Florida Trial Team and a teaching assistant for the Trial Practice Program. These experiences allowed Mr. Ali to master the intricacies of effectively litigating and trying a case.

ATTORNEY ALI'S APPROACH TO EACH CASE

Mr. Ali strongly believes that a person's inalienable rights to life, liberty,...

A native and life-long resident of Live Oak, Florida, Lucas Taylor graduated Magna Cum Laude from Valdosta State University, with a degree in Criminal Justice. Mr. Taylor went on to receive his J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2007, and he was admitted to the Florida Bar in September of that year. Mr. Taylor is a member of both the Florida Bar and American Bar Association. Mr. Taylor began his law career with the State Attorney’s Office in the Third Judicial Circuit as an Assistant State Attorney, where he handed cases ranging from Petite Theft to First Degree...

Mother, wife, family law attorney, business owner, woman rights advocate and philanthropist are one of the few hats that Rania Arwani wears on a daily basis. After gaining her B.B.A. in Finance from Texas, she planned to be a stock market analyst, and after working in that field for a short period of time, she felt that something was missing and that’s not where her passion was. Shortly thereafter she relocated to Florida and attended Barry University School of Law, where her commitment to family law took root.

Rania acted as a Research Assistant at Barry University School of Law and...

Mark Longwell was born in Silver Spring, Maryland (adjacent to Washington, D.C.), where he spent his youth. He moved to Grosse Pointe, Michigan in elementary school and graduated high school in 1983. He earned a multi-disciplinary Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Political Science and Psychology from Michigan State University in 1987. In 1990, Mark earned his Juris Doctor Law Degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. After completing an internship at the Office of the United States Attorney in Washington, D.C., Mr. Longwell moved to Orlando, Florida, where he accepted a position as an Assistant State Attorney,...

Chris Castillo is a renowned personal injury attorney in Tampa, Florida, known for recovering multi-million-dollar settlements for victims of serious car accidents and wrongful death cases. As a Million Dollar Advocate, his record speaks to his ability to secure top-tier compensation for injured clients. A former prosecutor with seven years of experience in Tampa’s 13th Judicial Circuit, Chris handled high-stakes cases, including homicides and vehicular manslaughter. This prosecutorial background equips him with sharp litigation skills that now fuel his success in civil court, especially in complex cases involving catastrophic injuries and trucking accidents. Chris’s legal excellence has earned him multiple accolades, including...