Melrose Criminal Lawyers

I am a lifelong resident of Florida licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in Florida.

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...

Michelle Kalil Taylor is a native and lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida. Michelle continued her education at University of Florida where she also attended law school and obtained her Juris Doctorate degree. While in law school, Michelle was a highly active and recognized member of the nationally competitive Moot Court team. For the past 13 years, Michelle has dedicated her practice defending those accused of crimes. Michelle began her criminal defense practice by immediately serving as an assistant public defender in...

Corey Cohen is a former public defender and state prosecutor for the 18th and 5th judicial circuit of Florida. He received his law degree from Barry University School of Law and his Masters of Law in Intercultural Human Rights from St. Thomas University School of Law.

After graduating from Barry, Corey was employed by the Public Defender's Office where he represented criminal defendants in hundreds of cases. Later in this career, Corey accepted an appointment with the State Attorney's Office where he prosecuted criminal cases. In his experience with both the Public Defender's office and as a State Attorney he has...

David Haas is a state and federal criminal defense attorney and represents clients throughout Florida and in federal courts around the country. He is a former state and federal prosecutor with extensive jury trial experience, including handling more than 65 jury trials. A fifth-generation Floridian, he graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2001 and began his career as a state prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. After three years of handling felony and misdemeanor offenses, attorney David Haas was promoted to Chief of the Economic/Environmental Crimes Division where he was...

MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA & NORTH CAROLINA BAR With almost 20 years of experience, George Trovato has acquired the knowledge and the skills to provide effective and aggressive representation. GRADUATE OF BARRY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW He also earned The Masters of Law from Regent University School of Law. Honored by the cities of Deltona, Orange City and Port Orange. HONORED BY FLORIDA SUPREME COURT 10 YEARS IN A ROW FOR PRO-BONO WORK FOR HIS COMMUNITY Champion for hands-on classroom training & apprenticeships. SUPPORTS THE COUNCIL ON AGING George is a leader in his community and always...

John S. Hager, Esq., a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founding partner of Hager & Schwartz, P.A., offers unparalleled legal representation across Miami, Broward, and Volusia Counties. With a legal career that began in prosecution, Hager brings a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system to his defense strategies. His experience encompasses thousands of cases, including high-stakes felonies, securing his reputation for excellence in the courtroom. A University of Florida alumnus with a Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, Hager is deeply committed to defending the rights of those accused of crimes. His memberships in prestigious legal associations, alongside multiple...

Attorney Rahul Parikh is an award-winning criminal and civil trial attorney located in Orlando, Florida with an extensive track record of success both in and out of the courtroom. Due to his unrelenting commitment to excellence, Mr. Parikh possesses a 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating was selected as Florida Trend Magazine’s Up and Comer in 2019, Expertise’s Best DUI Lawyers in Orlando in 2020, and was included in The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40.

He is best known for his trial skills, diligent and pragmatic approach to solving problems for his clients and aggressive posture toward litigating cases.

Mr....

I was named 2018 DUI Gladiator of the Year by the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

I was one of 6 people in the State of Florida and the only DUI defense lawyer in the State of Florida that was asked by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to assist in writing the FDLE DUI curriculum.

I was named a Special Prosecutor by the State of Florida to argue DUI cases in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Hernando, Marion, Alachua, Broward, Lee, Collier and Monroe counties.

I was named a Lead DUI Prosecutor by the Orange/Osceola County State Attorney’s Office (9th...

Richard Hornsby is a third generation Central Floridian and a second generation criminal defense lawyer. In addition to his law degree from the University of Florida, he also holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida and a master's degree in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, with a concentration in Forensic Science, from the University of Florida. He is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar and Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He serves as the Legal Analyst for the Central Florida...

John Tolley is a former Prosecutor & Insurance Defense lawyer licensed in the States of New York, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mr. Tolley has tried over 45 criminal and civil jury trials. He is the co-owner and a partner in JT Law Firm where he represents clients in disputes regarding homeowner's insurance claims and criminal defense. Mr. Tolley attended Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor in 2014. While in law school, Mr. Tolley was an active member of the Nova Trial Association and the Moot Court Society, representing his law school in...