Lorida Lawyers

JENNY LANCASTER is an associate attorney with Kitroser and Associates, joining the firm in October 2021. Ms. Lancaster was born in the Caribbean and lived in New York before transplanting to Florida twenty years ago. She is a proud graduate of the City College of New York and received her Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law. Ms. Lancaster began her law career as an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County in the practice areas of employment discrimination, health care, family law, landlord/tenant issues and government benefits. Ms. Lancaster quickly transitioned to criminal law, serving...

Mr. Halvorson is a Shareholder and Partner of the firm. He is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in the areas of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death and has successfully prosecuted numerous high profile cases. His practice is devoted 100% to litigation and he has specialized in the areas of motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, personal injury, products liability and wrongful death since 1977.

DAVID P. VITALE, JR. is an experienced trial attorney who has litigated cases throughout the state of Florida. Mr. Vitale was recently recognized for his achievements by The National Trial Lawyers, as a Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff attorney in Florida. In addition to pursing personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice claims on behalf of injured victims, Mr. Vitale also handles complex commercial and business litigation matters. As a result of his prior career as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York, Mr. Vitale has a unique business perspective in developing strategies that are efficient, effective,...

As a preeminent West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer at Perlet & Shiner, P.A., Marc Shiner has a reputation as a top-notch, tough, respected attorney with 28 years of experience and hundreds of trials, many of them high-profile which received national media attention. Over the course of his career, Mr. Shiner has achieved notable success. As a former major crimes prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office, he has had 250 jury and non-jury trials, including many high-profile sex crimes and murder cases. Mr. Shiner handles all criminal cases, including all white collar crimes, drug offenses, conspiracy, murder, DUI manslaughter, fraud, robbery,...

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...

Sara is a health care attorney for Chapman Law Group’s Sarasota Of?ce. She is dedicated to the defense of individual health care practitioners as well as health care entities.

Prior to joining the Firm, Sara worked for the Board of Governors of the State of Florida University System under the University of Florida J. Hillis Miller Health Center Self-Insurance Program defending participating health care providers. She worked on an array of topics related to trial preparation and alternative dispute resolution for malpractice defense cases.

Her passion for health care law brought her to work for the University of Florida Health System and...

Christopher D. Smith received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) and his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.). A long-time resident of Florida, Mr. Smith also graduated from Pine View School in Sarasota. He is a member of the bars of Florida, Virginia and Washington, D.C., and is admitted to practice in the Middle, Southern and Northern Districts of Florida. Christopher is also certified in consumer bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification.


Christopher started his career with the international law firm of Dechert LLP in 2001, working as an associate in the securities law...

Bradford M. Gucciardo is an experienced attorney whose work is devoted almost exclusively to the representation of stock market investors who have been victims of stockbroker and brokerage firm misconduct. Specifically, Mr. Gucciardo helps brokerage firm customers recover stock market losses, most often of retirement savings, that they sustained as the result of mishandling of their brokerage accounts. After he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in the study of English literature, creative writing and criminology from the University of South Florida, Mr. Gucciardo, a native New Yorker, returned to New York to attend St. John’s University School of...

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...

BORIS ZHADANOVSKIY brings to the Searcy Denney team not only a law degree, but an undergraduate degree in business administration and fluency in both English and Russian. He draws upon his experience in complex insurance litigation to make sure that insurance companies keep their promises to policyholders who have been harmed.

ELISE SHERR ALLISON joined Searcy Denney in 2019 after clerking for The Honorable Jose E. Martinez, United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of Florida, and then working with a complex commercial litigation and personal injury firm in Miami. At Searcy Denney, she represents clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases resulting from medical malpractice, defective products, motor vehicle accidents and unsafe premises.

Trial attorney focused on wrongful death, automobile negligence, medical malpractice, products liability, and premises liability.

Florida personal injury lawyer Christopher Speed joined Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA as a Shareholder in 1994 after representing plaintiffs in Virginia for 20 years. He has spent his entire career pursuing justice for victims of personal injury, medical and legal negligence, aviation accidents and defective products.

MATTHEW K. SCHWENCKE began his legal practice as a defense attorney, where he gained experience in all facets of civil litigation. Defending hospitals and healthcare providers against multi-million dollar claims has given him insight into defense strategies and tactics, especially in medical malpractice litigation. Mr. Schwencke earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law, where he was a member of Stetsons award-winning Moot Court Board. While in law school, he served as intern to a federal magistrate judge, and prosecuted misdemeanor criminal offenses as a Certified Legal Intern for the Pinellas County State Attorney’s office. As an undergraduate,...

LINDSAY M. REINHART has concentrated her practice on tobacco litigation, first as a law clerk in Searcy Denney’s tobacco litigation department and then as an Associate attorney with the firm since 2018. She is admitted to practice in the State of Florida in all jurisdictions and is a member of the Florida Justice Association, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the American Association for Justice.

Florida personal injury and commercial litigation attorney Mariano Garcia has been practicing in West Palm Beach since 1994. AV-rated from Martindale-Hubbell and a member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Mr. Garcia has been with Searcy Denney since 2011 as a bilingual lawyer with long-standing commitment to representing the Latino community.

JORDAN A. DULCIE began his legal career in medical malpractice defense at a boutique firm in Palm Beach Gardens, followed by broader civil litigation practice at a larger civil defense firm in Florida. His practice areas include not only medical malpractice, but automotive accidents and nursing home and assisted living cases. In 2019, 2020 and 2021 he was selected by Palm Beach Illustrated magazine as a top lawyer in the area of medical malpractice, and Florida Super Lawyers Magazine lists him as a 2021 “Rising Star.” As an attorney with Searcy Denney, Mr. Dulcie shares the firm’s...

T. HARDEE BASS III earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law and his undergraduate degree from The Florida State University. Prior to joining Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA, Mr. Bass served as a felony prosecutor in the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. During his tenure, he handled nearly 50 jury trials to verdict, prosecuting crimes ranging from Driving Under the Influence to first degree felonies punishable by life in prison. Currently, Mr. Bass works with C. Calvin Warriner and David J. Sales. He is a member of The Florida Bar and the Palm...

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Justin earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville in 2019 before moving to Orlando to pursue his legal education. He attended Barry University School of Law, where he was an active member of the school’s prestigious Trial Team. Today, Justin gives back to that same program as a coach, helping train and mentor the next generation of trial advocates. Justin joined Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A. in 2024, bringing with him a strong commitment to client advocacy and community engagement. He is a member of the Orange County Bar Association, including its...

Thomas M. Prestia began his legal career serving as a prosecutor at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. During his tenure as a prosecutor, Mr. Prestia gained the knowledge and experience necessary to manage and litigate cases from the government’s perspective. This knowledge and experience has been critical in defending individuals facing criminal charges, as well as in his general trial practice. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Mr. Prestia further developed his trial practice by working at a leading medical malpractice firm. There he gained valuable insight into the operation of medical practices, experience in evaluating and litigating serious...

I have been practicing business litigation and appellate practice in West Palm Beach since 1997. Prior to going in to private practice, I was a law clerk at the Third District Court of Appeal in Miami. From 1997 to 2014, I was a shareholder in a business litigation boutique handling all manner of complex civil and business related disputes, including matters in arbitration, state court, federal court, and on appeal. In 2014, I joined this firm as a shareholder, adding my business litigation cases and appellate work to the firm's thriving probate litigation practice. I routinely...

I have had strong focus on helping people plan for life's events since law school, where I volunteered in our elder law clinic drafting wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for low-income seniors. I also have over seven years of experience as an attorney for the United States Government working for the Social Security Administration and administrative law judges. I have extensive experience in working with administrative judges and appellate judges. As an attorney, my role in estate planning is to help you achieve your goals for your property. Your goals may include things like ensuring...

Alain Rivas’ desire to focus exclusively on criminal and traffic defense led him to join forces with Robert Skubiak in 1999 to form Skubiak & Rivas, P.A. Since then, the firm has evolved into Central Florida’s most recognizable one of its type, gaining the majority of its clients from referrals by former clients—the highest form of flattery.

Before forming Skubiak & Rivas, he served as legal counsel for Joelo Inc. in Orlando. Rivas also worked in various capacities for the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office.

Rivas graduated from Rollins College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. He then earned...

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...

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...

Tony DiTocco earned his Juris Doctorate and his Master's Degree in Accounting in 1988 from the University of Florida. In addition to his Bankruptcy practice, he has served as CEO of a $30 million Construction / Development firm and as lead consultant in the closeout of 500+ distressed condominium units.

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 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...

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...

Attorney Dana Brooks has a diverse background in the legal and mental health fields, as she works as both a paralegal, certified family law mediator, and mental health counselor, among other professions. The day she was sworn in to the State Bar in 2008, she was named a partner at the law firm of Fasig | Brooks. She is well-known throughout Florida for her knowledge and dedication, having appeared on radio and in print as well as being honored by many of the country’s most prestigious legal honors. She is a skilled advocate and a proud member of her local...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...