Edgewater Lawyers

Hailing from Long Island, New York, attorney Christopher Lassen came over to the beautiful area of South Florida in his childhood. He has since become a true Floridian, completing his undergraduate Bachelor's degree with a Legal Studies major and Business Administration minor from the University of Central Florida.
He completed his law degree in Barry University of Law in Orlando, Florida and went immediately on to obtain experience with various firms in the Orlando and Boca Raton areas, working on cases anywhere from motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall, medical malpractice to general plaintiff’s personal injury legal proceedings.
Having been with...

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...

Sekou Clarke was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica, where his discipline and athletic ability earned him a full athletic scholarship to the University of Florida (UF). While at UF he was Team Captain, ten-time All-American and helped the Gators to two national titles in Track and Field. Sekou graduated with a B.S. in Tourism and Hospitality Management and earned All SEC and Academic Honor Roll Honors.

After graduating from UF he competed professionally and represented Jamaica internationally competing in over 15 countries worldwide. During this time, he earned his MBA in Marketing from St. Leo University.

Sekou was urged and inspired at...

Jack T. Cook is a managing partner of Morgan & Morgan’s Birth Injury Trial Group. He received his undergraduate degree from University of North Carolina Wilmington, a graduate degree from University of Central Florida Orlando, and his Juris Doctorate from Florida A&M University College of Law. Mr. Cook began his career in the United States Marine Corps before turning to law. Prior to joining Morgan & Morgan, he earned acclaim and recognition as a skilled litigator and trial lawyer in both medical malpractice and birth injury litigation. Mr. Cook formerly represented the interests of physicians, physician groups, and hospitals, but...

Shannon McLin founded a boutique appellate law firm after serving as a staff attorney at Florida's Fifth District Court of Appeal. In 2019, she opened Florida Appeals, a statewide appellate firm with seven appellat lawyers practicing complex civil appellate litigation throughout Florida. A significant portion of her work is the family law arena. Ms. McLin is board-certified in appellate practice and is a certified circuit court and appellate mediator. She is AV Preiminant rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has consistently been selected as one of Florida Trend's Legal Elite and as a Florida Superlawyer in appellate practice. Ms....

Amanda Downing is a partner at The Dellutri Law Group, PA. She joined the firm in 2002 and was made a partner just six years later in 2008. Amanda is a native of Lee County, Florida; in fact, she holds a Florida Pioneer Descendant Certificate, meaning her family settled in Florida before it even became a state. Amanda brings her love for this area and its residents to her practice of personal injury law. She is committed to helping those in need right in her own community. At the firm, she assists clients with complex personal injury cases involving wrongful...

Zuhair D. Fanash Founding Partner Attorney Zuhair D. Fanash has been practicing law for more than 13 years. Attorney Fanash has focused his career in the area of Family Law exclusively. During law school, at the University of Denver School of Law, Attorney Fanash had internships with the Colorado Court of Appeals, the Denver district attorney’s office, and with two litigation firms. After graduating from the University of Denver law school, Attorney Fanash accepted a position as fellow with the Eighteenth Judicial District. The internships and fellowship experience allowed Attorney Fanash to see the judges’ perspective and how judges dealt with...

Mr. Persad has worked in the legal profession for over 20 years. He is licensed to practice law in Florida, the United States Virgin Islands, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He earned his Juris Doctor degree and his Masters in Public Administration degree from the University of Akron in 1993 and 1994, respectively. He also holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands and a diploma in paralegal studies from New York University. Mr. Persad's experience in the legal field...

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.

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...

Mr. Brownlee handles civil and criminal appeals in Florida and in federal courts of appeal across the country. He is licensed to practice in each of Florida's appellate courts and most of the federal circuit courts of appeal. In addition to Florida's district courts of appeal, Mr. Brownlee has performed oral argument at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta. He...

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...

The Messersmith Law Firm is a full-service law firm, concentrating on immigration law. We have special expertise in work visas, family based visas, visa waivers, green cards through family and employment and asylum. We are well known for our zealous and creative advocacy on behalf of our clients. The Messersmith Law Firm assists large and small companies and institutions nationwide in complying with the complex immigration requirements of the USCIS, DOL and DOS to retain highly skilled workers in such fields as information technology, medical research, computer software, engineering, hospitality, art, martial arts and medicine. Immigration law is federal law which means...

I have nine years of experience as an Immigration Attorney. Additionally, I have a very strong knowledge of employment law and the connection between immigration and Federal and State employment regulations. While I have not counted exactly how many immigration cases I have handled, reviewed, consulted with or been associated with, I estimate that the number is easily in the thousands. Based on this experience there is rarely a situation that I have not seen before. I am AV rated perfect “5.0”, Avvo rated “Superb”, Avvo Client choice awards 2011, 2012, 2013, “Rising Star” Orlando Style Magazine, Lead Counsel Rated...

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...

A native of Venezuela, Attorney Daniela Alvarado immigrated to the United States with her family at a young age. While she was not aware of it at the time, this move would shape her life and put her on the path to assisting future immigrants with their own journeys. As she grew, she displayed increasing interest in all things international, attending an international magnet program at a local high school and obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Rollins College, where she graduated summa cum laude and as a member of the school’s Honors Program.

Daniela then went on...

Paige L. Carlos devotes the majority of her practice to Real Estate Law. She also has ample experience practicing Family Law and handling dissolutions of marriage, child support issues, child custody disputes and mediations. She takes her work very seriously and enjoys being able to help her clients through difficult times. Paige has a real passion for people and she strives to put forth her best effort to serve those who cannot serve themselves. Paige grew up in Southern Connecticut. In 2009 Paige received her Bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York where she majored in Africana...

A consumer protection practice, the Law Office of Cynthia O'Donnell helps student loan borrowers and identity theft victims as well as other consumers manage their debt and credit issues.

Cynthia Fussell O'Donnell was born and raised in the panhandle of Florida and graduated from Florida State University with a B.A. in Music. Coming from a long line of military veterans, she joined the U.S. Navy and attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in February 2001. While in the Navy, she served onboard USS Mahan (DDG-72) as the Strike Warfare Office and USS Hue City (CG-66) as the Damage Control Assistant...

Andrew Peter Zesinger is a senior associate with NeJame Law, P.A. Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, Mr. Zesinger earned his Bachelor’s degree in Health Policy Administration from The Pennsylvania State University in 1999. He created a summer externship in the business administration department that emphasized and analyzed universal health care coverage. Mr. Zesinger earned his Juris Doctor from The University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Mr. Zesinger began his career as a judicial clerk for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.

Attorney Andrew Zesinger focuses his practice in civil litigation throughout the state of Florida. Mr. Zesinger also handles...

I have worked for Finra, a financial regulator; LeClairRyan; and the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia. I have been recognized as a Technology Litigation Fellow by the Center for Legal and Court Technology, in Williamsburg, Virginia and was selected to participate in the Center’s annual lab trial. I focus on corporate law and estate planning for the small business owner. During my time at Finra, I worked in Registration and Disclosure, developing policies relating to past criminal sanctions, as well as assisting in decisions regarding expungment of customer complaints against registered brokers. While at LeClairRyan, I...

Jeffrey S. Kaufman was born in Miami, Florida and he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 1991 from Florida State University. He also obtained a second Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications from the University of Florida in 1993. Mr. Kaufman went on to attend law school at The University of Tulsa where he completed his Juris Doctorate in 1996. He is currently licensed to practice law in Florida and seventeen other states including: Oklahoma, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Texas, Michigan, Maryland, New York, Washington, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, Connecticut, Ohio, West Virginia, Arizona, and Minnesota.

I have been practicing as a criminal defense attorney since 2006 and currently manage my own firm, Jordan H. Kramer, P.A. Prior to opening my firm, I worked as a partner with Howze, Monaghan, Theriac & Kramer, PLC and before that I worked as an Assistant Public Defender in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit (Brevard County) where I quickly earned the reputation as a zealous advocate of my clients constitutional rights. I have successfully defended hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases in both the Circuit and County Court. During law school, I worked as an extern with the Wayne County...

With over 30 years of experience helping my clients after they have been injured in a car accident, slip and fall or any accident caused by another, I will personally handle your case and work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.

Jason Hicks is a trial attorney in Cocoa Beach who offers high quality and personal representation in the areas of Criminal Defense, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Suspended Licenses, Traffic Tickets, and Auto Accident cases. Our firm, located in Cocoa Beach, takes pride in highly personalized and effective legal representation in the Central Florida area. Jason Hicks is a former prosecutor who represents clients in all of Central Florida including Brevard, Indian River, Orange, and Seminole Counties. Jason was raised in Brevard County, Florida. He attended Titusville High School and graduated in 1996. Jason graduated from the University of Central...

Thomas P. Schmitt is an Expert Personal Injury Trial Specialist Attorney who obtained, among many other tremendous jury verdicts, the second largest motorcycle verdict ever in the state of Florida.

Below, are just a few honorable mentions of Mr. Schmitt’s superior achievements:

National Law Journal’s Top 50 Verdicts of 2014.

National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts of 2014.

Lifetime Membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Lifetime Membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, “The Top Trial Lawyers in America”.

Lifetime Induction into the National Order of Barristers, “for Excellence and High Honors in the Art of Courtroom

Advocacy,” evidences recognition of Mr. Schmitt’s superiority as...

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...

After graduating from Harvard, I chose to attend Stetson University, the number one law school for trial advocacy in the country. I was on Stetson’s Law Review, and I also earned a Master’s of Business Administration from Stetson’s School of Business. I worked as a teaching assistant for pretrial practice while in law school, and I began clerking at a prominent law firm in the Tampa area. After law school, I jumped right into trial practice and began handling employment law and personal injury cases. I tried my first jury trial within my first year of graduating law school...

Stephen has practiced Personal Injury and Immigration Law for more than 25 years. He is a recipient of the Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Award for Legal Services, the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award, and 3 American Jurisprudence Awards-for the top grades in 3 of his Law School classes. He is a member of the State Bars of Florida and Texas, The Orange County Bar, The American Immigration Lawyers Association, The American Bar Association and the U.S District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts in Florida. All personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis which means you...

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LITIGATED / ARBITRATED / MEDIATED 1,000+ Contract Law Cases.

CONDUCTED several dozen business MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

COUNSELED DEALERSHIP and FRANCHISE clients from Florida to Hawaii and over half the states in between.

ADMITTED to practice law in FLORIDA and represents clients outside of the state through association with local attorneys.

MEMBER of the American Bar Association, the ABA Forum on Franchising, and the Florida Bar Association.

Larry L. Doan, an immigrant originally from Vietnam, sought refuge from the communist regime and arrived in the United States at the age of 10. Growing up in California, he identified himself as a devoted "math and science nerd." Despite initially pursuing a career as an engineer in the defense industry, Larry found it lacking in fulfillment. Opting for a career change, he transitioned to law and discovered the profound satisfaction of practicing immigration law. Drawing from his personal journey, Larry now positively impacts the lives of numerous immigrants. During his leisure time, Larry relishes moments with his partner and their...

David Hill obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and all state courts of Florida. Mr. Hill has practiced exclusively in criminal defense in the state of Florida, primarily in the Central Florida community, since graduating from law school and represents clients in a far-ranging array of matters, including felony, misdemeanor and traffic allegations, in both State and Federal courts. He has twenty years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer having been admitted to practice in 1991,...

Derek Brett is a trial attorney who has been actively practicing since 1996. He maintains two offices, one in Orlando and another in Pensacola.

Scott R. McMillen has been successfully handling medical malpractice cases for many years. He started his legal career as a hospital attorney, but for over 30 years, he has been exclusively representing patients and their families. He received his Doctor of Law degree from Emory University and his B.S. in Government from Florida State University. He is licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia. He has been recognized in "Best Lawyers in America" in the area of medical malpractice, rated a "Super Lawyer" by Thomson Reuters, received a "Preeminent Rating" by Martindale-Hubbell, and rated "Superb- 10...

David has been in Orlando since 2012. He was born and raised in New York City, and developed a desire to attend law school after spending two years as a guardian ad litem to foster children in Austin, Texas. In 2009, David moved to Tallahassee, Florida, to attend law school at Florida State University, where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 2012. While attending law school, he participated in a Criminal Law Externship in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, reinforcing his decision to enter the field of criminal defense work after graduation. David moved to Orlando in...

Juliane practices in the areas of complex commercial litigation; business disputes; and adversarial matters involving bankruptcy, trusts, and estates.

Originally from a small suburb, Steubenville, Ohio, only forty-five minutes outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Juliane attended the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law at Duquesne University. She received a B.A. in biochemistry and a M.S. in Forensic Science.

To advance her interest in law and science, Juliane moved to Florida to attend Stetson University College of Law in 2011. While in law school, Juliane was an active member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution team, and in...