Altoona Lawyers

In 2001, Mr. Francis joined the law firm of Morgan and Morgan, P.A., as a partner. He focused his practice on medical malpractice, police misconduct, wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases. From 2004-2006, Morgan & Morgan, P.A., participated in a joint venture with famed trial lawyer Johnny Cochran and his national law firm to open an office in Miami, Florida. Mr. Francis served as the co-managing partner of the Miami office of The Cochran Firm. In 2006, Mr. Francis became a shareholder of Morgan & Morgan, P.A., where he strives to seek justice “for the least of these” EVERY...

Phillip Gunthert is an experienced Estate Planning & Probate attorney based in Central Florida who handles matters throughout the state of Florida. After working for another firm, he founded his practice in 2011, with the guiding principles of wanting to provide accessible counsel to those seeking guidance & direction regarding both advance planning of estate matters and probate matters, in a down-to-earth and understandable manner. His testimonials endorse his commitment to his clients and his area of expertise. When Phillip is not practicing law, he can be found spending time with his wife & 2 young children, catching up with rugby...

Sherri K. DeWitt was born and grew up in Middletown, New York. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1982 and has been authorized to practice before the U.S District Court of the Middle District of Florida since 1983 and before the U.S. Court of Appeal since 1985. She received her B.A. Cum Laude in 1973 and Ph.D. in 1977 from State University of New York at Binghamton. Dr. DeWitt received her J.D. Degree from Cornell University in 1982. She was an editor of the Cornell Law Review and is the author of a book and numerous articles. Dr....

Caroline Fischer Espi is an attorney that specializes in personal injury cases. She has worked in matters involving auto accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death, and civil rights violations.

Caroline was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil where she started her legal career. After earning her Bachelor of Law degree from Mackenzie University, she became an attorney in Brazil in 2011. After one year practicing Brazilian civil law, she decided to expand her education and experience. In 2012, she moved to the United States aiming to improve her legal studies. She earned her Master's degree from Boston University School of Law and...

William Vásquez is a native of Queens, NY. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 2000-2007. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and received the Joint Service Achievement Medal for his work as a Spanish linguist for the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2005. William graduated from Campbell University in 2007 with a degree in computer science. He earned his J.D. in 2011 from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. His practice areas include immigration law and criminal defense cases. He is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of North Carolina and...

Florida Trial Attorney Piercy Stakelum

Practice Areas: Airplane Accidents, Car Accidents, Catastrophic Injury, Construction Accidents, Cruise Ship Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Wrongful Death, Natural Disasters

Piercy Stakelum has always had a strong passion for justice-a zealous desire to stand up for those who have been mistreated, hurt, or injured due to the actions of others. That passion led him to a career as a prominent personal injury in Florida.
Background:

While born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Piercy pursued his BA from Florida State University. After, he went on to pursue his JD from the University of Florida College of Law. During his time in law...

A native Spanish speaker, Vanessa Cotto was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to Orlando, Florida when she was five years old. Ms. Cotto was born with a passion for helping others and a conviction to fight for justice. As a young lawyer, Ms. Cotto has demonstrated a rigorous work ethic, exceptional leadership skills, and an ability to motivate and mentor others. Before attending law school, Ms. Cotto gained valuable legal experience as a legal assistant in the Central Florida community for several years. While in law school, she was the recipient of a scholarship from the...

Donna M. Chesteen, Esq., an attorney licensed in both Florida and Mississippi, is the owner of The Tech Law Firm, PLLC, a law firm whose services can best be characterized as the intersection of law and technology. She concentrates on those areas of the law that have a direct connection with technology—eDiscovery, information governance, IP, and transactional law for technology companies—to leverage her twenty years of experience as a professional software engineer and her formal education in Computer Science. She has more than two decades of software development experience and was a technical leader at Symantec prior to earning...

Keersten Heskin Martinez has over 20 years experience and is one of the few attorneys that is board certified in Marital and Family Law. A partner at a civil litigation firm for many years, she recently started The Heskin Martinez Law Group to focus solely on family law. Keersten tries to resolve cases amicably if possible. However, if not possible, she has the experience necessary to aggressively represent her client's interests in Court.

James W. Nuebel has retired as of May 2022. James W. Nuebel is an experienced personal injury trial attorney and Social Security disability attorney who has zealously represented his clients since 1987.

I was born and raised in the farmlands of the Midwestern United States. I earned an Associate in Science degree from Lincoln Trail College, marking a significant milestone as the first person in my family to obtain a college degree. My educational journey continued at Southern Illinois University, where I achieved both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry. My legal education began at the University of Houston and concluded at Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, Indiana, where I graduated with a Juris Doctorate cum laude in 2008. During my time in law school,...

I SUE debt collectors. I represent people in individual and class actions because they received : (1) robo calls from debt collectors, creditors and telemarketers who violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA"); and (2) debt collectors who violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA") when they attempt to collect a consumer debt.

Clients often hire me to represent them against debt collectors for many different violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other laws which govern debt collectors' conduct. My clients' problems have included :(1) collection letters which violate the FDCPA;...

Attorney Elayne M. Perez has been providing foreclosure and bankruptcy services for over a decade. After obtaining her Juris Doctor from Temple University, she opened her own practice. With a small boutique firm, Attorney Perez believes that she can more effectively provide high quality representation with personalized solutions. She wants to be directly involved with as many clients as possible, working hard to help them with both legal matters and personal finance. Attorney Perez is admitted to practice law in the state courts of Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, as well as the United States District Court for the Middle...

Associate attorney Isaac Tilton handles bankruptcy, business and commercial litigation, trust litigation, estate litigation, and employment litigation for Bloodworth Law, PLLC, in Orlando, Florida.

Isaac has more than a decade of experience in commercial litigation and is licensed to practice law in Florida, New York, and California.

Isaac has experience in bankruptcy, commercial litigation including breach of contract, corporate disputes, partnership disputes, real estate disputes, fraud, and employment disputes.

Isaac received a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School in 2008. He was the Associate Managing Editor of the Journal of International Law. He was a member of the Moot Court Honor...

An arrest or accident, can have a far-reaching impact on your future. Misdemeanors and felony convictions can stay on your record indefinitely, casting a shadow on your future. Additionally, you may suffer from your car accident for many years to come.
I can advise you on the best course of action for your situation. I was admitted to the bar in 2004 and my law firm concentrates on criminal defense. My experienced, aggressive representation comes from 13 years of courtroom experience, including 6 years as a felony prosecutor.
I am tough in the courtroom, but I always put the needs of my...

Vivien is a partner in Watson Sloane’s Finance, Government Relations, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate groups. Her real estate practice focuses on serving clients in areas related to land use, zoning, growth management law, environmental and local government issues. This focus includes assisting clients with matters relating to development permitting and other approvals, impact fees, entitlement issues, bid protests, and alcoholic beverage licensing. In matters related to public finance, Vivien’s practice includes representation of issuers, financial institutions, underwriters, and investors in connection with the public and private offering of municipal and corporate securities.

Vivien is Board-Certified by the Florida...

I practiced immigration law for ten years as an Assistant Chief Counsel for the United States Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agency in Dallas, Texas. I represented the government as a Federal Prosecutor in Federal Immigration Court. I am now in private practice of immigration law in Central Florida. My practice serves anyone in the country or world who desires immigration help.

Elizabeth (Beth) Aires practices law in the Personal Injury Division of NeJame Law. She handles claims in the areas of Auto Accidents, Slip and Falls, Wrongful Death, Premise Liability, Dog Bites, Medical Malpractice, False Arrest, Excessive Police Force cases and all Personal Injuries. Beth graduated from Florida A&M University College of Law. She demonstrated academic excellence earning the Book Award (highest grade) in Advanced Florida and Federal Rules of Evidence. Always caring for and protecting the underdog, Beth devoted over one hundred hours advocating for the indigent at the Orange County Legal Aid Society while still a student....

Flavia Marcus has been representing injured accident victims in Central Florida since 1997. During her experience as an Orlando personal injury attorney, she has negotiated millions of dollars for clients. Born in Brazil, Orlando attorney Flavia Marcus is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.

Attorney Neal T. McShane has been a resident of the Central Florida area since 1978. Neal earned his bachelor's degree from Kent State University, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law. As a U.S. Army Lieutenant, he served in Vietnam and later as a Captain in the U.S. Army, Ohio National Guard. Neal was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge and numerous other awards and decorations. In 1980, he graduated from the Investigation and Prosecution of Organized Crime and Fraud Program at Cornell Institute on Organized Crime, Cornell University Law School. Neal...

As an attorney I understand the confusion people face when contemplating the probate process. There can be far more questions than answers, especially given the intricacies of Florida probate law.

In our initial consultation my goal is to gather enough information to determine whether probate is even necessary. Whenever possible the first objective is to avoid probate altogether.

Second, if probate is required, my goal is to provide information and answers to your questions, help you evaluate the types of probate available to the estate, and to provide a flat-fee quote for the related attorney’s fees and costs.

I practice probate...

• I am the owner of the Law Office of Judith B. Paul, LC in Inverness, Florida, and a second career attorney practicing law since 2005 after graduating from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2005.
After nearly three years as a staff attorney in the probate and guardianship division for the family and civil courts of the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Gainesville, Florida and traveling to all six counties within the Circuit, including Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union I went into private practice.
We lived in Gainesville for nearly 15 years and recently my husband and I ...

Mark Lee is an attorney with Lee Injury Law Firm, PLLC. He currently practices in the areas of workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and personal injury. Mr. Lee received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Florida with a major in Public Health. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law. He also earned a Health Law Certificate from the University of Tulsa, which is a certificate program focused on areas of the law germane to the delivery of health care services, administrative law, and alternative dispute resolution. During law school, he was a...

Immigration Attorney with over 10 years experience. Practice focused on investor visas, family-based visas, removal defense, citizenship and naturalization, appeals, and Federal litigation.

Lee Karina Dani received her B.A. in psychology from Florida State University in 2000 and is a 2003 graduate of the University Of Florida College Of Law. Ms. Dani was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2004 and has been an associate with Korshak & Associates, P.A., since her admittance. Since joining the firm, Ms. Dani has handled hundreds of cases including civil litigation, probate, guardianships, divorces, child support, child custody, stepparent adoption, landlord/tenant, disputes with homeowners' associations, personal injury, and commercial and residential closings. Ms. Dani is the managing attorney for the probate, family law and guardianship sections of...

Jennifer started her law practice 17 years ago, with a primary practice areas in real estate, foreclosure & collections and wills & probate. Jennifer desires to educate and empower her clients.

A veteran of the United States Army and Texas National Guard, and a native Floridian, John Russo has a passion for helping his neighbors. Born and raised in Central Florida, John chose to serve his country in the United States Army. After his service, he attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development. Pursuing his interest in the law, John earned his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Wyoming. This background provided John with the foundation that developed his commitment to professional excellence, client service, and providing the best possible legal...

Attorney Kristen M. Jackson is the founding partner at Jackson Montoya Law Firm. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in 1974, and then another from the University of South Florida in 1981. Ms. Jackson then earned a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University in 1983, and an LLM in Taxation from Washington School of Law in 1983. Attorney Jackson established Jackson Montoya Law firm in 1996, after working for various other firms for 12 years. At the firm, Ms. Jackson focuses her practice on estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, business...

Charles R. Maxwell II is a Florida native. He attended the University of Florida from 1991 through 1999 where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance with Honors, a Masters in Business Administration, and a Juris Doctorate degree. Upon completion of his studies, Mr. Maxwell was admitted into the Florida Bar and immediately began practicing law in 1999. He started his career working with the law firm of Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A, where his practice primarily focused in the areas of debtor in possession financing in Chapter 11 corporate bankruptcies, affordable housing, and municipal bond law. Next,...

After attending the United States Coast Guard Academy, I transferred to the University of Florida. There, I worked my way through college and law school as a full-time police officer and police Sgt. On graduation, I was appointed the first attorney for the Gainesville Police Department. Later, I was appointed General Counsel for the Orange County Sheriff's Office and Legal Advisor to the 10 city police agencies in Orange County, Florida. I attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and did a post-doctoral program at Case Western Reserve University in Public Safety Law. I'm a Past President of the...

Melissa K. Hancock was born and raised in Panama City, Florida. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University in 1997. Ms. Hancock taught fourth grade for two years and assisted with writing the curriculum for a conflict resolution program for grades K-5.

Ms. Hancock returned to Florida State University in 2000 where she obtained her Juris Doctor in 2003. She was employed at a prestigious local law firm in Ocala as an associate attorney from 2003 until 2015. Ms. Hancock established Melissa K. Hancock, P.A. in 2015. She obtained her board...

Don Harvey was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended high school in Winter Park at Trinity Preparatory School. After graduating, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a double minor in Russian and Political Science from Louisiana State University in 1991. Upon graduating, he was named a Regents Scholar by the Louisiana Board of Regents for his academic and non-academic achievements while at LSU, including walking on to the LSU football team. While at LSU, he was also a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

He then...

Grozinger Law is a law firm focused on criminal defense in the heart of downtown Orlando, Florida. Patrick Grozinger is the founder of Grozinger Law, and is an experienced criminal trial attorney dedicated to protecting his client's Constitutional rights while providing them with the courtesy, respect and professionalism they deserve. Mr. Grozinger is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, the State of Texas, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and the Northern, Middle and Southern District Courts of Florida. He is proficient in French, and he is also a member...

Attorney Joshua Tejes is a member and managing attorney of Tejes Law, PLLC. Josh received his undergraduate degree from Pensacola Christian College and his law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law. He is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and the Central Florida Bankruptcy Bar Association. Before becoming a member of Tejes Law, PLLC, Josh worked as an associate attorney in several bankruptcy and civil litigation law firms. Josh focuses his practice on consumer advocacy, bankruptcy law, debt defense, debt harassment, foreclosure defense, estate planning, and probate.

Rusten C. Hurd is a founding partner at the law firm of Colombo and Hurd, PL. In over sixteen years of legal practice, Mr. Hurd has garnered experience with a wide variety of immigration matters including family petitions, deportation litigation, investor visas, as well as naturalization and citizenship matters. Mr. Hurd devotes a substantial portion of his time to assist clients successfully obtain fiancé and marriage visas. As the husband of an immigrant, Mr. Hurd is fully cognizant of the importance of this process to his clients. Mr. Hurd also has successfully appeared before immigration judges throughout...

J. Kemp Brinson is a Partner at Bloodworth Law, PLLC, in Orlando, Florida, and Winter Haven, Florida. Kemp has practiced business litigation, trust litigation, probate litigation, and employment litigation since 2004.

Kemp is able to see legal issues as a plaintiff’s attorney and as a defendant’s attorney.

“I would describe it as perspective because I know what the other side is thinking,” Kemp said. And it’s most valuable in the settlement context because I know exactly what conversation is had if I’m on the plaintiff’s side or whether as the defendant’s attorney. I know what it’s going to take to...