Washington County Family Lawyers

I have been a member of the Family Law Committee of the Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association and have participated as a speaker on Family Law topics. I am a member of the Florida Bar (both in Family Law and Criminal Law Sections), Escambia/Santa Rosa Criminal Defense Society and The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I received my law degree from Florida State University College of Law (1994), and have been a member of the following Bar and Courts: Florida Bar since 1995; Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals for the Northern and Middle District of Florida since 1995. I am...

Our founding partner, Joshua D. Zelman, was born and raised in Miami-Dade County. The son of two small business owners, he learned the value of hard work and a good name at an early age. He attended high school at MAST Academy where he was heavily involved in the only Coast Guard Junior ROTC program in the country. After serving aboard the United States Coast Guard Barque Eagle, Josh left high school early to matriculate at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

Josh graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology in 2000. His last semester was spent...

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida and attended the University of Florida, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Minors in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. I went on to attend Florida International University College of Law, where I graduated with the Law Merit Scholarship, on the Dean’s List, and as a Certified Florida County Court Mediator.

During Law School, I interned for the Honorable Judge Abby Cynamon in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. I also gained crucial legal experience while clerking for Buckner, Shifrin, Etter, Dugan, Bradfute & Kohlman, P.A. and Leinoff &...

Max Factor is a seasoned trial attorney who provides top-notch legal and consulting services to a broad range of clients including large companies, small businesses, governmental entities, not-for-profit entities, and individuals. He provides personal and detailed attention to each client’s case. Mr. Factor is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts within the State of Florida, State of Georgia, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Factor attended LSU and graduated from Louisiana College in 1987. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law, at Samford University in 1991. He devoted the first nine years of...

Hubbell Law, P.A. is a small Florida law firm located in Tallahassee, FL. We focus on Immigration, Estate Planning, and Family law. ---------------------------------------------------- Hubbell Law, P.A. es un pequeño bufete de abogados ubicado en Tallahassee, FL. Nos enfocamos en inmigración, planificación patrimonial y derecho de familia.

I graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1978 and have been a member of the District of Columbia Bar since 1979 and of the Florida Bar since 1984. I am a sole practitioner and handle all family and marital matters, including divorce, modification of divorce decrees, child custody, paternity, relative adoptions, and appeals involving family law matters. As a former Navy Judge Advocate General, I am very experienced in military divorces and won a case of first impression before the Florida Supreme Court in regard to military retirement benefits.

Former General Magistrate, First Judicial Circuit, Assigned to Family Law Division and Dependency Division of the Circuit Court in Okaloosa County. Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator

Edward Horan has over 30 years of experience in the legal field. His practice focuses on all areas of family law, including divorces, paternity actions, adoptions (minor and adult), termination of parental rights, domestic violence actions and child support. He has an A/V rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the largest attorney rating service in the world. The A/V rating means that he has the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards and he has maintained that rating for more than 10 consecutive years. He handles cases on a sliding scale, depending on income and his initial...

Attended Georgetown University for undergraduate and graduated from Florida State University's College of law with Honors in 1994.

Worked as a prosecutor for approximately 6 years, then in private practice.

Started Karpinski Law Office in 2011.

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...

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...

Joe Gufford has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1991. The Gufford Law Firm commitment is to provide exceptional client services that remain focused on results. We bring together attorneys and staff with decades experience. At The Gufford Law Firm, we believe that both our attorneys and our staff must be knowledgeable about the specific areas of law that we practice in. That is why we ensure that each of our attorneys and staff members are constantly taking Continuing Legal Education courses so that we are up to date on the latest developments in the law. Joseph Gufford...

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...

Wendy A. Mara attended Stetson University and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1993
Ms. Mara taught language arts in high school for 13 years. While teaching full time, she earned her MBA degree from the University of Central Florida in 2006. Deciding to pursue a legal career, she entered law school at Florida Coastal School of Law where she graduated in the top 10 percent of her class. While in law school, she was a teaching and research assistant, earned the Dean’s Certificate for Pro Bono Work and became an award winning oralist for the Jessup International Moot Court Competition....

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....

Elaine M. Simon founded a private practice law office focusing primarily on domestic relations and family law. The law office is located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, on PGA Blvd. about one mile west of Downtown at the Gardens and with immediate access to 95 and the Florida Turnpike. Elaine is a family law attorney and has been practicing law in Florida since 2000. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Johnson & Wales University and received her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Syracuse University College of Law and received an Academic Excellence award. She received her Master of...

At the Law Office of Gale Moore, we are dedicated to helping clients restructure their families privately and respectfully. We practice both litigation and out-of-court dispute resolution though over the course of time we have expanded our out-of-court practice focusing on collaborative divorce and family law, mediation and direct negotiations. 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. As a result we bring a more peacemaking approach to family law.

Prior to opening her private law...

Grant J. Gisondo, Esquire, is the founder of Grant J. Gisondo, P.A., located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Mr. Gisondo’s practice focuses exclusively on marital and family law. Mr. Gisondo is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center in Davie, Florida. Mr. Gisondo also holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. Mr. Gisondo was admitted into The Florida Bar in 2011, the Washington D.C. Bar in 2012, and the New York State Bar in 2018. Mr. Gisondo’s extensive knowledge in business and finance makes...

Michael is a life long Florida native, born in a solid blue-collar suburb. From a young age Michael understood the value of hard work, learning with his father in the construction industry. His sense of service and commitment to helping others inspired him to join the military shortly after 9/11. Michael supported combat search-and-rescue and counter-terrorism operations as a United States Air Force airborne radio operator aboard H/C-130/p aircraft, where he learned many life lessons and values that he takes with him throughout his law practice. Michael is a fighter who voluntarily deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, North Africa,...

WITH MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF AWARD-WINNING FAMILY LAW/DIVORCE ATTORNEY EXPERIENCE, Ms. Tracht offers a complete “full-service”, tri-lingual (English/Spanish/French) family law firm you can count on for guidance. She is a Certified Supreme Court Mediator, has over 25 years’ experience within the Guardian Ad Litem program, and is well-established as an advocate for children and when necessary, the practice of Collaborative Law. Depending on case need, other available resources may include a variety of highly trained experts, ie: Forensic Accountants, Business Valuators, Real Estate Professionals, Forensic Computer Technicians, Psychologists & Therapists. Read more than 25 client review/testimonials on our...

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...

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...

Attorney Laura Arcaro is a seasoned litigator and compassionate advocate in the area of family law. As the founder of Arcaro Law Group in Fort Lauderdale, she has helped countless clients settle family disputes, including divorce, child support, domestic violence cases, and more, and has extensive knowledge of and experience with international child abduction law. Attorney Arcaro graduated from Duke University after completing undergraduate studies in public policy and environmental science and policy. She has a Master of Health Administration from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and earned her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of...

Julio C. Marrero, is an experienced Florida Attorney, licensed since 1988. He received his Juris Doctor degree Cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. He has since dedicated his entire professional career to providing legal services to the South Florida community. As a solo practitioner, Julio dedicated his general practice to Civil, Family, & Real Estate Law. He became well known for successfully completing a large volume of Real Estate Transactions as closing and title insurance agent.

Julio C. Marrero is presently the Senior Managing Partner & Founder of MARRERO, CHAMIZO, MARCER LAW, a Miami law...

I am a trial lawyer with a boutique practice that helps people. My Firm concentrates in family law – Divorce, Paternity, Custody, and Prenuptial Agreements – consumer bankruptcy and real estate law, Foreclosure Defense and other real estate litigation - we have a title agency, engage in short sale negotiations --- I have highly skilled attorneys in each area --- we work together as a team. We help our Clients navigate a difficult, challenging, often uncertain process and assist them in achieving the best possible results. What’s unique about my practice is that I can assist people in...

Antonio Jimenez is a seasoned attorney specializing in divorce and family law, recognized for his depth of legal knowledge and commitment to his clients. His approach combines detailed legal understanding, meticulous preparation, and skilled negotiation to achieve optimal outcomes. With a background as a former prosecutor and experience in dozens of jury trials, Antonio brings a robust litigation skill set to his practice. His expertise is further enhanced by a Master of Laws in Trial Advocacy, equipping him with the ability to represent clients in court when necessary effectively. Antonio's dedication to professionalism and client service has been acknowledged by his peers,...

Paul Rice was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Mr. Rice is board certified in divorce and family law and has been helping spouses and parents through challenging situations for almost 35 years. Mr. Rice has been married for over 25 years and raised three children with his wife, Kristi. If you want the best divorce attorney in East Central Florida, then you'd "better call Paul."