Cocoa Lawyers

I represent small business owners and real estate investors. We help people plan ahead to protect their assets, and we help those in distress protect what they can and address their debts so that they can move forward.

Matthew is a native of Florida and Brevard County and was raised locally in Merritt Island. Matthew has an extensive and diverse education which includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a master’s degree in taxation, and a law degree. Prior to practicing law Matthew acquired his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and worked in public and private accounting for several years before entering law school. Matthew’s unique background in law, accounting, and taxation provide a unique perspective that is unmatched by most attorneys. Matthew has been located in the same office in Cocoa for the past 15 years practicing...

Brigitta Hawkins is an Of Counsel attorney with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. Her primary areas of practice are Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation. She received her B.A. from University of Central Florida (2002) and her J.D. from the Florida A&M College of Law (2006).

Ms. Hawkins is the recipient of Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award 2017 for the 18th Judicial Circuit and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers Leader in Law Award, along with several awards for her pro bono work.

Jay is a native Floridian, graduated from the University of Florida in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He continued his studies at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, earning his Juris Doctor in 2010. During his tenure at the University of Florida, Jay was the co-founder of the Mock Trial Team affiliated with Florida Pre-Legal Honor Society. While in law school, Jay clerked for Florida Student Legal Services where he advised students on a variety of legal issues and became a teaching assistant for Trial Practice. He is an experienced trial lawyer, and represents lenders and...

Handles cases involving Divorce, Child Support, Time-Sharing, Modifications, Alimony and Relocation in the Family Law field, since 1995. Also counsel with clients for Estate Planning, including Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Documents, since 1996. Handles Probate of Estates since 1996. Handle both Chapter 7 and 13 Bankruptcy cases, and other debt assistance. Am admitted to Florida Bar as required of all Florida attorneys, Orange County Bar Association, Brevard County Bar Association, US District Court for Middle District of Florida and since 2012 United State Supreme Court. Represent children in dependency court in...

Mr. West practices in the areas of business and corporate law including business formation, structure and opportunity development planning and real estate. He has extensive experience in representing businesses and families in dealing with the creation and protection of their businesses and assets including intellectual property.

Mr. West has represented a broad range of companies and partnerships in formation and securities matters, both private and public including both stock and debt transactions. He has represented companies and their owners from initial startup situations through mergers and business sale and or break up and dissolution.

Mr. West has had extensive legal and business...

Barbara Helm Peters is Board Certified in Marital and Family law, and handles all family law related matters, including but not limited to divorce, paternity, custody, modification and temporary custody by extended family member. She is very experienced with over 25 years of family law experience. Ms. Peters provides zealous representation with compassion and understanding. She is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, and often serves as a Guardian Ad Litem in family cases.

Criminal defense: 30%
Sex crimes, homicide, drug related, driving and white collar charges in State and Federal Court

28 years

DUI and DWI: 30%
I have been representing citizens charged with DUI for over the last 20 years and before that was a prosecutor in the State Attorneys Office.

28 years

Family: 30%
In the era of "blended" families I have many clients who are married and going through a divorce and many who are not married and litigating custody issues under the heading of a paternity case.

20 years

Personal injury: 10%
Over the years clients have asked me to handle their personal injury cases and I have won...

Stephen has been a resident of Brevard County for over 20 years. He has seen this county change from an orange grove field to the booming cities we see now. Stephen attended most of his schooling here in Brevard, including Tropical Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Junior High and Merritt Island High School. Stephen is also a graduate of Stetson University and Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville. Through out his career, Stephen has dedicated himself to helping those who are lost in the legal system. From his time spent working in Legal Aid, working at the Public Defenders office in...

Attorney Rodney M. Kernan, Esq. earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1993 from Barry University, and his Juris Doctorate degree from Touro Law School in New York. After graduating from law school, Attorney Kernan returned to Florida, where he worked with the Brevard County State Attorney’s Office. In 2002, Mr. Kernan opened his own practice, Kernan & Austin, LLC, where he serves clients of the surrounding six counties. In addition, he is a member of the Florida Bar, the Brevard County Bar Association, and the U.S. Middle District Court of Florida. Attorney Richard W. Austin received his Bachelor of Arts degree...

John Hubbard is an Attorney with The Mays Law Firm. John handles all types of cases involving family issues, custody, child support from start to finish. He has been practicing law in Brevard County for 20 years. John graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with a Bachelors of Science degree and from the University of Florida School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1992.

Neil J. Buchalter, J.D., Attorney at Law, is the founder of Neil Buchalter, P.A. and Buchalter & Pelphrey Attorneys At Law. These law firms have represented individuals and businesses in Brevard County for over 45 years. Mr. Buchalter was raised in Brevard County, attended public and high school in Brevard County and attended college and law school in Florida. His ties with Florida have been throughout his entire life.

Aggressive, dynamic, innovative, and compassionate, Mr. Buchalter brings a skill set that is unique to Brevard County. His knowledge and experience enables him the ability to provide sound solutions and maximum protection...

Ms. Hattaway began her career in litigation representing large publicly held corporations in complex business disputes. She has experience in both federal and state courts. Her practice has included civil rights litigation, employment law, real property litigation, franchise negotiations, as well as business litigation. Most recently, Ms. Hattaway has focused on assisting clients with strategic business planning: drafting operating agreements, drafting and editing sales contracts, negotiating contracts and advising businesses, including multi-specialty medical group, individual physicians, pharmacology research specialists, new franchisees, expanding family-owned enterprises, and design startups. Ms. Hattaway served as a Commissioner of the Canaveral Port Authority....

Paul graduated with Honors from the University of Florida iin 1997, and then graduated with Honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, School of Law in May 2000. Paul has since been practicing law in State and Federal Court throughout Florida. Paul has tried cases involvng personal injury, civil rights, contract disputes and criminal cases.

Brian Wiklendt's skill as a Defense Base Act attorney is driven by the urgency with which he works for injured and ill men and women who have been denied medical care and benefits. Brian is an integral part and the lead practicing attorney for the Garfinkel Schwartz Defense Base Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers Act law firm in Maitland, Florida, and Titusville, Florida. Fortunately, the Defense Base Act and the Longshore Act give injured longshoremen and civilian contractors employee rights that includes: The right to: Choose their own doctor Attorney fees Medical care Compensation Insurance companies, however, don’t...

Carole Bess has been practicing law in Brevard County, Florida, in the area of Bankruptcy since 1990. She is the founding member of Bess & Freyberg, P.A. While Carole practiced in many areas of law until 1999, and appeared many times in the Fifth District Court of Appeals, she has concentrated her practice in Consumer Bankruptcy for the last thirteen years, and has been a Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney for twenty-two years. Carole was interviewed by Scott Pelley of 60 Minutes, in January 2012, and was featured in an episode of 60 Minutes,...

Mrs. Harris is no stranger to the courtroom, having spent thirteen years as an Assistant State Attorney specializing in sex crimes and child abuse cases. This experience taught her the importance of communication. She strongly believes in keeping her clients informed of every step of the legal process. The law can be very confusing and overwhelming when faced with a legal issue. Communication helps guide the client through this process. Passionate about the law and its possibilities, Mrs. Harris provides her clients with the knowledge and experience that help them to succeed.

Terry L. Locy possesses an energetic, articulate, innovative, but most importantly, an intensely aggressive style of litigation that often leaves his opponents fuming and courtroom onlookers entertained and wanting more. In just three short years after graduation from law school, this attorney has built a thriving law practice in Central Florida with ambitions for further expansion. Terry L. Locy hails from a scholarly background, having been educated in some of New England's finest public and private institutions of higher learning before this native Floridian returned to the sunshine state to attend the University of Miami School of Law. ...

The Enrique Law Firm has been representing its clients’ legal needs since 2001. With over 20 years of legal experience, we are committed to providing excellent legal representation to our clients. The dedicated staff at the Enrique Law Firm has experience covering a broad range of issues often encountered by our local residents. For those with specialized needs, we have also developed a network of trusted attorneys experienced in other fields of law. It’s our privilege to refer clients to other specialists when appropriate for their needs.

My practice is family focused, handling all matters related to divorce, children, marital law, and dependency. I realize the decision to hire an attorney is difficult. Most often the hardest part in finding an attorney is making the initial call. Hire an attorney that will work hard to protect your rights and the rights of your children! Let me help put your mind at ease as we discuss your needs and goals during our first consultation. You can learn more about my practice by visiting my website at www.watsonlawfl.com and here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michel-watson-esq/ https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32953-fl-michel-watson-4985166.html

Robin Petersen is the Founder and Managing Partner of the Estate Planning & Elder Law Center of Brevard, which has been serving Brevard County since 1991. The practice focuses exclusively in the areas of Estate Planning and Elder Law, Wills and Trusts, Probate and Trust Administration (representing the executor or trustee, as well as serving as the executor or trustee of the estate), Guardianship, planning for long term care costs through asset protection, the use of VA Aid & Attendance, and Medicaid benefit options. Because he has dedicated over 25 years of practice to these types of law, Robin understands...

Cassidy V. Petersen initially joined the firm in 2011 and has held various positions over the years – beginning as a receptionist, next as an estate planning paralegal, then as our firm administrator, and now as an attorney. Ms. Petersen focuses her practice in estate planning, business succession planning, probate, trust administration, Medicaid planning, VA planning, guardianship, and special needs planning.

Ms. Petersen, a Melbourne native, graduated from Melbourne High School in 2011. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Management, graduating cum laude, from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2014. Ms. Petersen received her Juris Doctor (J.D.), cum...