Myakka City Family Lawyers

I have 25 years experience in the legal field as a law clerk, judicial clerk, legal intern and attorney. Since 2000, I've had my own private law practice which has been a general law practice in the past. In the last several years, I have limited my practice areas to certain legal fields. Now approximately 95% of my practice is focused on divorce and family law.

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...

Paul M. McDermott, Esq., practices exclusively in the area of Marital and Family Law. He has experience in litigation, mediation, and collaboration. After practicing law in Virginia for many years as a trial lawyer, he relocated to Florida and founded McDermott Law Offices, PLLC and now practices exclusively in the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which includes Manatee County and Sarasota County.

Mr. McDermott is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator. He is also trained in Collaborative Divorce Law, an emerging field within the Alternative Dispute Resolution realm focused on resolving cases with a "team" approach...

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,...

Attorney Jason M. Melton, is a founding partner of Whittel & Melton. As a former state prosecutor, he continues fighting for victims bringing in some of the largest single event results in Central Florida. Jason is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million and Million Dollar Advocates Forum, AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and continues to be listed among SuperLawyers in Florida by Thomson Reuters. He is a Founding Member of the National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers, and in 2023 was named President. Attorney Melton is dedicated to providing clients with personalized, high-quality representation. We handle Auto Accidents, Slip and Fall, Injury, Nursing...

Brett Szematowicz is originally from Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Tampa when he was in 1991. He attended high school locally at Tampa Preparatory School and graduated in 1999. Mr. Szematowicz attended college at The American University in Washington, D.C. and graduated with a B.A. in Justice. While at The American University, Mr. Szematowicz was a member of the highly selective Leadership Program in the School of Public Affairs. Mr. Szematowicz attended South Texas College of Law, located in Houston, Texas. During law school, Mr. Szematowicz interned with the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office in...

Providing quality legal representation and mediations for family law clients and offers fair, flat fee pricing in addition to hourly billing options. Attorney Nicole P. Vette is a trial lawyer who focuses her work exclusively on family related legal issues including complex divorce litigation. Vette received her Juris Doctor (summa cum laude) from Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University, where she was ranked in the top three percent of her class. Vette is licensed to practice law in Colorado and Florida. Vette has represented numerous clients in dissolutions of marriage, custody disputes, paternity matters and domestic...

Shiobhan Olivero was born in Plant City, Florida, and as a native Floridian, has lived in the Tampa Bay area her entire life. She enjoys spending time with her family. She is an active scuba diver, and enjoys traveling to local and distant sites to dive. Shiobhan earned as Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from Hillsborough Community College. She worked for approximately ten years as a paralegal for criminal attorneys in the Tampa Bay area prior to, and during law school. She then earned her undergraduate degree from St. Leo University receiving a B.A. degree in Criminal...

Stann W. Givens is the founding partner of Givens Law Group. An accomplished family law attorney, he regularly assists clients throughout the Tampa area in all manner of complex divorce, child custody, and related matters. Stann Givens is Board Certified in Family Law by the Florida Bar, making him one of very few attorneys who can claim to be an expert in this area of law.
Stann Givens was awarded Lawyer of the Year for Tampa Family Law by The Best Lawyers in America® and has earned the highest possible peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell®: AV Preeminent®. Recently, the Family...

Jonathan May, Esq., M.A. studied communications at the University of Illinois, the University of Miami and Law at Nova Southeastern University. Attorney May developed skills in leadership, teaching, coaching and physical training as a collegiate football coach with the University of Miami, University of Illinois and Florida International University.
Attorney May then became a communications professor and has taught at over sixteen schools in the area. This is a unique background that has helped contribute to his success in the legal field. Most people are not aware that a communications background involves education and the development of...

Sarah is a trial-tested litigator Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by The Florida Bar who also is experienced in collaborative divorce. She is a Certified Family Law Mediator by The Florida Supreme Court and serves as a Guardian ad Litem. Sarah is passionate about supporting her community by helping families resolve, reduce and perhaps even prevent family conflicts in positive, effective, efficient, and dignified ways. Because Sarah is experienced in both private dispute resolution and litigation, her family law and special needs law clients can choose from options that are the most beneficial to their cases....

Gary Jodat enjoys living in Sarasota with his wife, 2 younger children and their dog Drake, a Yorkshire Terrier. During leisure time, his family enjoys swimming, boating and the beach. The 3 older children attended Manatee County schools and are no longer at home. Gary R. Jodat is the founding attorney of Jodat Law Group, P.A. started in 1994. He received his Juris Doctor Degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1993 and his undergraduate degree from Roger Williams University. Fresh out of law school he was an Assistant Public Defender trying criminal, Juvenile...

I am a personal injury attorney with Farah and Farah.

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...

In January 1997, I founded the law firm of Lynette Silon-Laguna, P.A., now known as All Family Law Group, P.A. We are experienced and responsive attorneys concentrating in the areas of divorce, child custody/visitation/child support, stepparent and relative adoptions and name changes, as well as criminal defense, and consumer, personal bankruptcy.

Our objective is to provide professional and informed representation in the most expeditious and economical manner possible in consideration of each client's circumstances. Amicable settlement is the ultimate goal, if it is possible, to avoid the financial and emotional cost of litigation. Although we strive for an amicable resolution...

Your family and your financial security are two of the most important areas of your life. At Quinn & Lynch, our attorneys have over 40 years of experience in the area of Marital & Family Law. Mary Quinn is a Florida Bar Board Certified Lawyer in the area of Marital & Family Law. Board Certification recognizes attorneys’ special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism in ethics in practice. Mrs. Quinn is also rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell. AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell reflects an attorney’s skill, experience, integrity, and overall...

Attorney John DeGirolamo has experience handling high-profile cases, and the focus of his practice is in the areas of Divorce and Family Law For Men and Personal Injury. For 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Attorney John DeGirolamo was selected by The National Trial Lawyers of America as a Top 40 under 40 in Florida! According to the National Trial Lawyers of America, “membership into the Top 40 under 40 association is by invitation only and is extended exclusively to those individuals who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership as a young trial lawyer.”

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...

Family Diplomacy is dedicated to helping clients restructure their families privately and respectfully. We practice exclusively in out-of-court dispute resolution, with a focus on collaborative divorce and family law, mediation, direct negotiations, and unbundled legal services. We maintain this out-of-court practice because we strongly believe that family disputes should be resolved in a private conference room, not in a hostile and public courtroom environment. This unique perspective on family law stems back to Adam B. Cordover’s experience studying International Affairs in Washington, D.C., and abroad. Adam had the rare opportunity to work closely with...

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.

I am a former prosecutor in both Sarasota, Florida and Maui, Hawaii. I have prosecuted and defended some of the most serious crimes.

My focus is provided the highest caliber legal representation to all of my clients in contested legal matters. Your right to a trial by jury is a fundamental right if you have been injured in an accident, accused of a crime or suffered a wrong at the result of someone else's behavior. I differentiate my practice in that I routinely try cases before juries and courts.

I am authorized to practice in all state and federal courts for...

Christopher G. Frey is an accomplished lawyer with vast experience in representing clients in a wide range of cases. He has interned with State Attorney Mark Ober and clerked for the U.S. Supreme court. Chris was media consultant for numerous national media outlets and lectured on the law. He is a former Vice President of the Hernando County Bar Association and is actively involved in the community. Chris has tried over 250 jury trials to verdict and is currently practicing at Frey Law, P.A. in Tampa, Florida.

Attorney Darla K. Snead is a Polk County Florida native and focuses her family law and personal injury practice in the Central Florida area. Ms. Snead is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator and a Florida Arbitrator. She has been practicing law for over 25 years and has experience representing clients in many different areas of the law including family law, divorce, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and personal injury. Ms. Snead started Darla K. Snead, P.L. in 2009 after leaving a law firm in Lakeland, Florida where she was a partner in a firm practicing on the defense...

Attorney Brian Monk has lived in the Central Florida area nearly his entire life. In 2000, he graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Business Management and a B.A. in Political Science. Thereafter, Brian earned a Law degree, a Master’s of Education degree and Specialist degree in counseling from the University of Florida. While in law school, Brian earned a Certificate in Family Law and was named a Fellow of the UF Law Center on Children and Families. Following law school, Brian worked as an Assistant State Attorney in Ocala, Florida, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases...

Prior to joining Whittel & Melton, Mr. Sheslow served as an Assistant Public Defender in Manatee County, Florida. Mr. Sheslow accumulated an impressive trial record while with the Public Defender’s Office. He was quickly promoted from a Misdemeanor to Felony case load in less than 10 months. Mr. Sheslow has tried over 20 cases ranging from DUIs and Domestic Batteries to life felonies. He has earned acquittals in serious cases such as firearms offenses and sex offenses. Additionally, Mr. Sheslow completed the National Criminal Defense Lawyers College held at Mercer College of Law in Macon, Georgia, where he learned from...

Ms. Loftus offers a concierge approach to her clients. She begins with the assumption that each case calls for special handling, since no two family law cases are alike. After the initial consultation, she works with her clients closely, to provide them with a basic understanding of Florida family law proceedings. Ms. Loftus and the client are then able to work together to ensure that there are articulated, agreed-upon, legitimate and realistic goals. After the goals are established, Ms. Loftus provides her clients with a range of options designed to meet those objectives. She reviews the advantages and disadvantages of...

Laura Anne Olson is the founder and principal attorney at The Law Office of Laura A. Olson, P.A., a Tampa law practice focused on marital and family law and civil litigation in South Tampa and the greater Tampa area.

Laura received her undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida in Tampa and earned her Juris Doctorate law degree from Stetson University College of Law, across the bay in Gulfport. During her time in law school, Laura clerked for the Honorable Judge Dennis Alvarez (Chief judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit, retired) and the Honorable Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich (U.S....

After law school I was a prosecuting attorney for the State of Florida. This provided invaluable preparation for my future career in litigation. While working as a prosecutor, I recognized a need for attorneys with real litigation experience in Family Law.

I often represent clients that are having their first legal experience through a divorce. I am dedicated to client education as the first step towards achieving a successful outcome. By providing information and legal knowledge, our clients can then be active participants in their cases.

I have represented hundreds of clients with divorce and family law needs. Clients benefit from clear...

Moses DeWitt is a native Floridian and has lived in Central Florida since 1985. After graduating from Winter Park High School, he went on to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia to receive his undergraduate degree in Political Science and to Florida State University College of Law to receive his Juris Doctor. Mr. DeWitt is a regular commentator for the News Junkie on Real Radio 104.1. Although Mr. DeWitt has a wide array of legal experience, today he limits his practice primarily to domestic, commercial, personal injury, and real estate litigation. Additionally, Mr. DeWitt handles appellate matters and has prevailed for...

Attorney Kevin A. Fuller has been representing injured victims and defending the accused since 1992. If you have been injured or accused of committing a crime, please call the office to ask questions and get answers. Benefit from more than 25 years of courtroom experience.

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 one of the co-founders of the Family Law Advocates and Plog & Stein P.C., Stephen J. Plog is a highly skilled divorce lawyer who truly cares about helping his clients successfully resolve family law issues. The Chicago native has handled cases in all the district courts of the Denver metropolitan area, which has allowed him to gain unique and invaluable experience in regards to how judges tend to rule on certain matters. If you need help with a family law case, he is the kind of lawyer you want advocating on your behalf. He is admitted to practice in...

Principal Neilsen Law Group, P.A. www.NeilsenLawGroup.com We are a general practice law firm, with specialties in bankruptcy, family law, immigration, and general civil litigation. Often, more than one area of expertise is required to address a particular matter. With us, there's no need to hire a multitude of attorneys. We can provide you with comprehensive legal support allowing us to advocate for you in many areas of law. We are dedicated legal professionals well-versed in many specialized areas of law, bringing a diverse background to the table. This gives us an edge when dealing with complex legal matters.

Jacob “Jake” Pillsbury attended the University of Florida and Stetson University College of Law. He graduated with a Juris Doctor in 2012 and immediately began serving the Tampa Bay Community handling plaintiff’s personal injury actions. A year into his career, Mr. Pillsbury transitioned into criminal defense, by joining the Public Defender's office. In each of his four years as an assistant public defender, he represented more than 200 indigent citizens of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas County. During those years he handled thousands of criminal cases ranging from minor traffic infractions to first degree life felonies. Through more...

Dominic J. Baccarella is a divorce and family law attorney and criminal defense lawyer. He has earned an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating available for attorneys for legal ability and ethical standards. Prior to opening Baccarella & Baccarella, P.A., Mr. Baccarella worked as an assistant professor for the Legal Assistance program at Hillsborough Community college and as the Assistant State Attorney for the State of Florida. In 1989–1990, he was a certified contract advisor to National Football League (NFL) players. In addition to providing clients with zealous and thorough representation in divorce, family law and...

Mindi Lasley is a Tampa divorce attorney and focuses her practice in the areas of paternity, modification, child custody, child support and all aspects of family law. Ms. Lasley also handles estate planning and elder law cases and volunteers to assists non-profits assisting animals. Please contact family attorney Mindi Lasley for an experienced attorney to handle your case. Ms. Lasley has an office in both Tampa and St. Petersburg for your convenience.

Sarah T. McCain is a senior associate at Plog & Stein P.C. who has devoted most of her legal career to the practice of family law. As a compassionate Denver divorce attorney, she believes that cementing a solid attorney-client relationship is essential in order to obtain the judgments and orders her clients need to move on with their lives. She derives great satisfaction from being able to help her clients transition into the next chapter or their lives after divorce with the tools and resources they need to be better prepared. She has handled family law matters of varying complexity,...