Port Saint Lucie Domestic Violence Lawyers

My name is Brandy Merrifield. I am a criminal defense attorney and partner at Flaherty & Merrifield Criminal Defense. We serve Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Destin, and all of Northwest Florida. I devote 100% of my practice to criminal defense. With my background in psychology, I bring a unique perspective to the resolution of criminal cases. My objective in all of my cases is aggressive defense coupled with compassion and understanding. No matter what you are accused of, Flaherty & Merrifield will not judge you. We will defend you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help...

Clark H. Henderson, originally from Waynesboro, Mississippi, is a 2007 graduate of the University of South Alabama and a 2011 graduate of the Cumberland School of Law, Sam ford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. During law school Clark interned at the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and with the Honorable Laura Petro, 10th Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division. He practiced in Birmingham, Alabama before being admitted to the Florida Bar. Clark is licensed to practice in both Florida and Alabama.

Stephen “Steve” Joseph Ryan was born in the Bronx, where his mother worked as a nurse and his father was an officer with the New York Police Department. In the early ’90s, Steve moved to Tallahassee, Florida to continue his studies at Florida State University’s College of Law, where he met fellow law student and his future law partner, Shawn Risen. In 1995, Steve graduated with honors and received a Juris Doctorate, and one year later, Steve and Shawn Risen established Risen & Ryan, Attorneys at Law.

Ryan M. Cardoso is the founder and principal attorney at Cardoso Law, PLLC, in Pensacola, Florida. He serves clients in a wide variety of practice areas, including criminal defense, personal injury, and civil litigation. Ryan is an experienced attorney who has helped countless clients seek justice and defend their rights. Ryan M. Cardoso is a graduate of the University of South Florida and obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Florida College of Law in 2002 where he graduated with honors. He has been a member of The Florida Bar since 2003 and is admitted to practice before the...

Daniel J. Fernandez defends individuals charged with misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses throughout the Tampa Bay area and the State of Florida. With more than 30 years experience as a criminal defense attorney and hundreds of jury trials, Daniel earned tremendous accolades from judges, other lawyers, defendants and even jurors. Daniel started his legal career as a state prosecutor and became the chief of the Narcotics division before opening his own law practice in 1985. Daniel and members of his staff are fluent in Spanish and are available to answer questions you may have regarding a recent injury or...

Carey D. Carmichael, Jr. is the owner and manager of Carmichael Law, PLLC in Lake City, Florida. As a former Assistant State Attorney, a former Assistant Attorney General, and a former Assistant Public Defender, Carey’s primary focus has been criminal law for the last 19 years. Carey became board-certified by the Florida Bar as an expert in Criminal Trial Law in 2019. Carey graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration. After college, Carey earned a Master of Business Administration and then graduated from law school in May 2006 and was admitted to the Florida...

I represent clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses throughout the Tampa Bay area. I am a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). I graduated with Honors from the University of Florida College of Law in Gainesville, Florida, in 1999, and served as Vice Chair on the Executive Board for the UF Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Board. I completed internships at the State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit prosecuting cases in the felony division, and the United States Attorney's...

Daniel R. Silver has been a member of the Florida Bar since October 2003. Daniel is the Senior Attorney at Nest Law. He is a skilled and experienced trial attorney. Daniel diligently prepares cases to advocate for his client’s rights by blending his investigative background from his criminal law experience with his knowledge of family and marital law. He was named to South Florida 2025 Best Lawyers and is AV-Rated. He is a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, rated 10/10 on Avvo.com and has earned Avvo’s Client’s Choice Award from 2014-2025 based...

If you find yourself arrested or under investigation for a crime in Florida, it's crucial to act swiftly. I am here to help you preserve evidence and formulate a strategic plan. Delaying action can be detrimental, but together, we can present a detailed and comprehensive case to the state, rather than passively accepting minimal offerings. While my usual practice area encompasses the Tampa Bay Area, I am fully prepared to defend clients across any jurisdiction in Florida. My practice regularly manages various types of criminal cases in both Clearwater and Pasco areas. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me; I am...

At the Law Office of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers, we are a dedicated family law firm serving Orlando, Florida. We understand that every case is unique, and we pride ourselves on taking a client-centered approach. While some cases may share similarities, each family’s situation is distinct. That’s why we don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all method when handling family law matters. Building strong, long-term relationships with our clients is a priority, and we tailor our legal strategies to meet each individual’s specific needs and goals. Our commitment to personalized service is backed by a drive to achieve the best possible outcomes...

Michael LaFay Trial Attorney graduated from the American University Law School in Washington, D.C. in 1983. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1984 and the Florida Bar in 1985. Michael LaFay is board certified in Criminal Law by the Florida Bar and has achieved an "AV" rating overall, which is the highest ranking bestowed by Martindale-Hubbell, the national attorney ranking service. He has practiced in Central Florida as a trial attorney for the past 27 years and has litigated over 300 jury trials. During that time, he has served as a criminal defense attorney and also as...

Melissa Sherman earned her Juris Doctor from the Barry University School of Law in Orlando, where she graduated magna cum laude, and when she’s not defending clients, she’s volunteering in the Fort Myers community. She opened the Sherman Defense Law Firm in May 2021. Defense attorney Melissa Sherman has successfully represented misdemeanor and felony defendants in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and throughout central and south Florida. As an Assistant Public Defender, Melissa Sherman has represented defendants charged with crimes that include robbery, arson, aggravated battery, drug crimes, sex crimes, theft, burglary, and driving under the influence (DUI).

Eric Barker earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 1989 and went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law in 1992. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1992 and is currently admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Eric has been rated as a preeminent lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell and has earned an AV rating, the highest rating given by the organization, which is a nationally recognized attorney rating service. As a former Assistant Public Defender, Mr. Barker took several dozen...

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...

Anton J. Nace, Esq. has served the Central Florida community as a criminal defense attorney for 22 years. Mr. Nace was born and raised in Florida and is well known throughout the legal community, possessing a strong reputation amongst attorneys and judges in the Orlando area and throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Nace began his career as an Assistant State Attorney in Orlando, Florida. He handled misdemeanor and felony cases before accepting a position in a specialized unit that dealt with Sex Crimes and Child Abuse. He furthered his career as a partner in several law firms, distributing his...

Thomas B. Luka, Esq. is a native Central Floridian who has provided clients with exceptional courtroom representation and guidance for over 16 years. As a partner at the law firm of Adams, Luka, & Benton, P.A., Mr. Luka has an extensive background in litigation, and has been lead counsel on more than 150 criminal and civil trials. Mr. Luka has appeared as a legal analyst on local and national talk shows such as CNN, CNBC, Fox News, Nancy Grace, Geraldo Rivera, Jane Velez Mitchell and Court TV. Thomas Luka began his law career as an Assistant State Attorney in...

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...

Seltzer Mayberg, LLC is a Criminal Defense Law Firm, focusing on all areas of Criminal Defense, including but not limited to DUI, Burglary, Theft, Drugs, White Collar Crime, Cyber Crime (Hacking, Unauthorized Access, Online Solicitation, Possession of Child Pornography...), Tax Evasion, and more. As a Criminal Defense Attorney, David Seltzer represents clients both in State and Federal Courts throughout the United States. As a former Miami Dade State Attorney, David Seltzer, now a Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer, is dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of those accused by the Government. Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney offers...

Criminal Defense Lawyer Rajan Joshi received his Bachelors degree from the University of Central Florida in 1996, and earned his law degree with Honors from the University of Florida College of Law in 2000. While in law school, Rajan Joshi demonstrated academic excellence, earning the highly coveted Book Award in Criminal Procedure (highest grade). Mr. Joshi was also selected and employed by the Dean of Student Affairs to tutor first-year contract students and conducted his own class to prepare the students for their final exam. Mr. Joshi also worked as a legal intern at the Seminole County State Attorney's Office...

Attorney Ivette Gonzalez Petkovich is a seasoned Miami criminal defense attorney, serving clients throughout the state of Florida who are indicted or charged in federal and state criminal offenses or under investigation by law enforcement or other government agencies. Born and raised in Miami, Attorney Petkovich attended the University of Miami where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from the St. Thomas University School of Law, also in Miami. She is now a married mother of two with a private law practice in Miami-Dade. Having spent her life in South Florida, she...

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.

Jack A. Kaleita graduated from Stetson University College of Law, was admitted to the Bar in 1986 and began his legal career as a state prosecutor on Florida's west coast. He then returned to Central Florida after 5 years, serving as an Assistant State Attorney in Seminole County for an additional 12 years. As a prosecutor, Mr. Kaleita tried numerous cases involving virtually every type of criminal charge. In addition to taking dozens of criminal cases to trial himself, he taught and supervised other attorneys, first as a Lead Trial Attorney, and later as the Misdemeanor/Traffic Division Chief and as the...

With over 29 years of trial experience, attorney Michael Herring has zealously represented those that have been accused of all crimes, the injured and small business interests in all state courts of Central Florida. Herring and Herring P.A., a third generation Sanford Fl Law Firm, is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, conveniently located in the County Seat of Sanford, Seminole County, Florida. As a criminal defense lawyer, Michael Herring has been representing the accused for more than two decades in Central Florida. He handles a wide variety of cases ranging from high profile felonies to simple misdemeanors. Mr. Herring...

Attorney Ronald J. Manto provides legal representation to his clients in Miami-Dade County and throughout the State of Florida. As a criminal defense trial lawyer with more than 20 years experience, Ronald J. Manto has successfully defended people charged with serious criminal offenses in both State and Federal Courts. If you are charged with a crime, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to seek and experienced criminal defense lawyer.

Attorney Jackson Hilliard has lived in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area for the past ten years. Mr. Hilliard received his Bachelor’s degree in 1988 from the University of Central Florida. He earned his law degree in 2006 from Stetson College of Law. He is a member of multiple associations, including the Florida Bar, Clearwater Bar, St. Petersburg Bar, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer. Mr. Hilliard is the leading attorney at his Clearwater law firm, Hilliard Law, P.L. At the firm, he provides Florida residents with criminal and DUI...

I am a native of central Georgia until I moved to Florida in 2011. While in Georgia, I attended Georgia Institute of Technology for Aerospace Engineering and obtained my degree in Business Administration and Business Economics from Georgia State University. After graduating from Georgia State in 2010, I moved to central Florida to attend Barry University School of Law, starting August 2011. In summer of 2012, I began an internship for a criminal defense attorney in Orlando, focusing on white collar defense. By late 2012, I was gaining experience family law matters and made the decision to shift...

As a former prosecutor, I understand the complexities of working a case inside and outside a courtroom. Having experience working in cases involving investigators, law enforcement, civilian witnesses, evidence departments, parenting coordinators, guardian ad litem coordinators and attorneys, Department of Children and Families’ case managers and attorneys, as well as counsel for other parties, I have been able to understand and have the ability to work towards the resolution of any situation, in my covered areas of law. As a current Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator, as well as, an attorney for children (Attorney ad...

Originally from the great State of Texas, Mr. Archer has sought the practice of law as his second career. After graduating high school in 1992, Mr. Archer enlisted in the US Air Force and served as a Munitions Systems Specialist and a Training Manager/Instructor until he discharged in 2000. Upon completion of his bachelors degrees at McMurry University (Science) and University of Central Oklahoma (Business Admin.), he attended Barry University School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate in 2005. Mr. Archer began his practice in 2006 and has continued in the areas of Family Law and...

*AV Rated Preeminent® from Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ *Highest Rating of 5.0/5.0 from Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Ratings™ *Highest Rating of 10.0/10.0 "Superb" on Avvo.Com *Rated Excellent on LawyerRatingz.com *Rated 5 out of 5 stars on Lawlink - The Attorney Network *Rated 5 out of 5 stars on Merchantcircle.com *A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau

Criminal Defense, Family Law, Business Litigation DUI/DWI Defense/ Divorce / Domestic Violence Injunctions / Contract Litigation

Grant Dwyer is a Notre Dame-trained Miami criminal defense attorney. He is a fighter and he knows how to beat your case. If you need to get your loved one out of a Miami jail, call Grant Dwyer Law. He is in court every day and he knows the judges and prosecutors. He knows how to handle your case from the arrest all the way through clearing your name. He is undefeated in front of juries. If you need a Miami criminal lawyer, call for a free consultation. Se habla Español.

Shayna K. Cavanaugh is dedicated to the practice of issues involving families, including divorce, guardianship, children’s issues, child support and alimony, and domestic violence. Recognizing that every case is unique, we focus on the individual client and provide the personalized attention that each client deserves. We strive to listen to each client’s needs, to educate them regarding their options, and to advocate for their goals and desired outcomes.

Leysi Jimenez practices in the areas of Immigration, Family Law, Foreclosure, and Criminal Justice. Ms. Jimenez obtained a Bachelor of Science Magna Cum Laude in Criminal Justice at the Florida International University, and also a Juris Doctor Cum Laude at the Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center. She has been representing clients at mediation, temporary hearings, and trials. Ms. Jimenez has also managed and prepared cases, attended court hearings, and drafted motions to reopen cases. She speaks fluent Spanish.