Hastings Lawyers

Shawn DeVries’ professional accomplishments represent the diverse knowledge, skills and abilities he has acquired on his professional journey. DeVries attended and graduated from Valencia Community College (AS), University of Central Florida (BS), NOVA Southeastern University (MBA) and Florida Coastal School of Law (Juris Doctor). In the hospitality industry, he worked for Hawthorne Suites, Walt Disney World, Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, and Hyatt Corporation. Shawn DeVries transition into the law industry began as a Certified Legal Intern with Florida Coastal School of Law Housing Rights Clinic followed by a second internship at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. Armed with...

I am a native Floridian raised in Daytona Beach, Florida. Since I first learned about the U.S. Constitution and the civil rights cases of the 1950s and '60s when I was a young boy, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer: to help and serve people when liberty, freedom, or property are on the line; to ensure justice is served. I am a fervent defender of the Constitution and its guarantees enumerated in the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments. Nothing is more integral to my practice of law than helping others, serving my community, and ensuring the protection...

Michelle Kalil Taylor is a native and lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida. Michelle continued her education at University of Florida where she also attended law school and obtained her Juris Doctorate degree. While in law school, Michelle was a highly active and recognized member of the nationally competitive Moot Court team. For the past 13 years, Michelle has dedicated her practice defending those accused of crimes. Michelle began her criminal defense practice by immediately serving as an assistant public defender in...

Clay Smith has a very diverse background, having grown up in Florida, California, and Iran. Clay attended high school in Stockton, California (Benjamin Franklin) and in Jacksonville, Florida (Ed White and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts). After high school he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served honorably for 5+ years until his humanitarian discharge to provide living assistance for his younger brother, also a Marine, who broke his neck and was rendered quadriplegic. During the period shortly after his discharge, Clay performed a variety of jobs, including ditch digging. Along the way, he...