Manatee County Lawyers

J. Kevin Hayslett is a law firm partner at Carlson, Meissner, Hart & Hayslett. He is a graduate of Clearwater High School. He and his wife, Melisa have three sons. They enjoy playing tennis, baseball and watching seasonal sports. Kevin is an avid tennis player and is currently nationally rated in singles and doubles.

Timothy W. Weber is Board Certified in Appellate Practice and practices in the areas of appellate law, civil and commercial litigation, business litigation, employment and labor, civil rights and education, land use and real estate, criminal, and family. He represents clients in state and federal courts at both the trial and appeal levels. Before co-founding the firm, Tim was a shareholder at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & Wein, P.A. in St. Petersburg for 16 years. He has been board certified in Appellate Practice since 2004 and has been selected as a SuperLawyer every year since 2014. He has also...

J. Armando Edmiston is an aggressive, knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer handling a broad range of complex cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death claims. He also handles cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect. If you or a loved one was injured due to another's negligence, don't wait to take legal action. Contact the Tampa office of Armando Personal Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation. ...

Sean Lopez founded Lopez Law Group Accident Injury Attorneys to provide client-centered legal representation to all accident victims. Mr. Lopez is an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer serving clients throughout South Florida. Mr. Lopez represents victims in all types of personal injury cases involving injuries resulting from the negligent or intentional actions of other parties. He handles claims involving car accidents, product liability, slip & fall accidents, and more. Over his career, he has secured millions of dollars in injury compensation for hundreds of accident victims. Mr. Lopez and Lopez Law Group often accept clients who get turned down by other...

Geoffrey Pfeiffer is a St. Petersburg personal injury attorney with Lopez Law Group. Specializing in personal injury, Geoff has helped injured clients recover life-changing compensation after accidents in Florida. He is known for putting his clients first and doing everything he can to maximize the value of their claims. Geoff has extensive experience in many types of personal injury cases and has practiced this area of law since the very start of his career. He takes great pride in helping his clients stand up to insurance giants and get the money they need to move forward after their accidents. Geoff has...

Alexander Knapp graduated cum laude from Florida State University in 2007, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Political Science and Marketing. During his time at Florida State, Alexander was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Following college, Alexander enrolled in the Boston University School of Law. While in law school, Alexander competed in Esdaile Moot Court during his first year in law school, and during his second year competed in Stone Moot Court and judged Esdaile Moot Court. Also, Alexander worked for a Tampa Criminal Defense firm and volunteered with the New England...

The Law Office of Ama N. Appiah currently represents those seeking assistance in state appeals, trademark & copyright registration, and entertainment & creative arts law. Ms. Appiah earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the State University of New York College at Buffalo, cum laude. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Appiah worked as a legal assistant and paralegal for the U.S. Small Business Admin. - Disaster Assistance Office in Niagara Falls, NY. The office provided federal loans and grants to those who suffered physical and/or economic damage to their homes and/or businesses as a result of natural...

Born in Providence, RI, grew up in Barrington ,RI and thereafter attended Eckerd College in St Petersburg,Fl, where he majored in Political Science and Economics. He also played varsity baseball and pitched on the 1977 team that reached the finals of the Division II College World Series. He attended Stetson College of Law and graduated in 1982. Upon graduation he accepted a position as an Assistant State Attorney in Pinellas County Florida, and continued in that position until 1997 when he entered private practice with the Clearwater, Florida firm Tew, Zinober,Barnes, Zimmet & Unice....

For almost a quarter-century, I have largely dedicated my professional life in service to such victims and, over time, have learned the real value of the hospitality service education and training I received. While providing a high-quality hospitality service experience to someone during their restaurant visit or hotel stay was professionally rewarding to me, I have found no greater professional fulfillment than providing high-quality legal service and achieving corrective results for individuals who have suffered unlawful treatment at the hands of their employers. I have counseled thousands of individuals. I have achieved multiple million-dollar recoveries for my clients. And, while...

Dennis Hernandez, Esq. is a fifth-generation native of Tampa, Florida, who started practicing law at 23 years old. Dennis graduated from Duke University at 20 with a bachelor’s in economics. He then graduated eighth in a class of 260 from Florida State College of Law and obtained his Master of Law from Harvard Law School at 24. Additionally, Dennis graduated from the prestigious Trial Lawyers College and is one of only 1,378 attorneys who claim this distinction. In 1996, he started the Florida personal injury firm Dennis Hernandez & Associates, P.A. he has grown to serve accident victims across the state...

Rick is a firm partner. He and his wife Patricia enjoy sailing and spending time at the beach. He is an Angel Tree sponsor and a former police officer. He joined the firm in 2007.

Caitlin Szematowicz is a Partner with the firm, practicing in the areas of Civil & Commercial Litigation, Appeals, and Employment Law. Caitlin joined the firm in August 2012.

Caitlin graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in May 2012. She graduated cum laude from the University of Tampa, Honors Program, in December 2008, where she majored in Writing and received the “Outstanding Graduate in Writing” Award upon graduation.

While in law school, Caitlin worked as an appellate law clerk for a Washington D.C. law firm, extern at the United States Attorney’s Office, and a Certified Legal...

Timothy C. Martin is licensed to practice law in the state of Florida. As the owner/attorney of Martin Law Office, P.A., he serves the Tampa Bay and Central Florida areas and beyond in matters relating to animal law, estate planning and probate, real estate/real property including landlord/tenant matters, corporate law, business organizations and transactions, LGBT issues, and limited family law matters.

We are O’Brien Hatfield, PA, a criminal defense law firm with offices in Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. I am an equity partner. I am a statewide recognized criminal defense attorney with over fifteen years of experience in state criminal courts. I head the state criminal defense division. I am a licensed member of the Bar of the State of Florida (2009). My law firm consists of five lawyers, four legal assistants, two private investigators, one sentencing mitigation specialist, and numerous third party experts who assist on a case by case basis. We have three divisions in our firm: federal criminal...

I have maintained a private law practice for 35 years in the areas of criminal defense, juvenile, dependency, bankruptcy, real estate, corporate, contracts, estate planning, and probate administration. I served the public sector as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Coumbus, Ohio; Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Juvenile Division for Jefferson County, Ohio; Special Agent and Assistant Ohio Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Division; and Service/Safety Director for Reynoldsburg, Ohio. I was also a registered lobbyist and in-house legal counsel for the Ohio Municipal League. I am focusing my practice now on estate planning, business, and probate administration.

Kristin Kirkner has focused her practice on family law and military family law since 2004. By limiting her practice to family law, including divorce, paternity, custody, child support, alimony and military divorces, Kristin has been able to focus on the one area that best utilizes her negotiation and litigation skills. Kristin is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law in the State of Florida, and has been accepted in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit for the State of Florida as an expert in military divorces and division of military pensions. Kristin is the Immediate Past Chair of the Marital...

Laura Anne Olson is the founder and principal attorney at The Law Office of Laura A. Olson, P.A., a Tampa law practice focused on marital and family law and civil litigation in South Tampa and the greater Tampa area.

Laura received her undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida in Tampa and earned her Juris Doctorate law degree from Stetson University College of Law, across the bay in Gulfport. During her time in law school, Laura clerked for the Honorable Judge Dennis Alvarez (Chief judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit, retired) and the Honorable Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich (U.S....

John Richert is a Managing Attorney at Richert Quarles, P.A. He received his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida and a Master’s in Business Administration from Stetson University in Deland, Florida in May 2013. While at Stetson, John participated in Stetson’s pro bono program and was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Before attending Stetson, John attended the College of William and Mary located in Williamsburg, Virginia and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration majoring in Finance. John was admitted to the Florida Bar in September 2013. John’s practice is focused...

I am a Trial Attorney licensed to practice in all Florida State Courts and the Unites States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Concentrating on Criminal Defense including all Traffic Court Cases, DUIs, Misdemeanors, and Felonies.

As a former prosecutor, I have the experience and insight to give an honest assessment of your criminal case. I strive to provide the highest standard of legal representation to achieve the best results for my clients.

Specialties: All Felonies, Misdemeanors, Traffic Cases, including Drug Offenses, DUIs, Weapons Offenses, Batteries, Thefts, Violations of Probations, Sealing and Expungments.

Anita McNulty Parker is a St. Petersburg criminal defense and personal injury attorney helping clients throughout Pinellas County. A Tampa Bay native, Anita received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a law degree at the University of Florida before working as an Assistant Public Defender. In this role, she tried over 55 cases in front of a jury, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
Her educational and professional achievements include winning a national championship at the NACDL Trial Advocacy Competition, being named UF Trial Team’s Outstanding Graduate, receiving the “America’s Most Honored Professionals Top 1% in 2019” award by American Registry...

I am Timothy J. Sierra, a bankruptcy attorney with more than 24 years of legal experience. I specialize 100% of my practice in bankruptcy and work with clients in the Tampa Bay, Riverview, and Brandon areas. Visit our website at www.timsierra.com or give me a call today at (813)258-3455 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Paul Knudsen was born in New Port Richey, Florida and resided there until eight years old. He then moved to Orlando where he attended Dr. Phillips High School. At 18, he went to The Florida State University on an academic scholarship. While at FSU, Paul received numerous Dean’s List Honors and is still an avid Florida State football fan. After his graduation from Florida State, Paul moved to Jacksonville and began attending Florida Coastal School of Law. In the Spring of his first year, Paul was invited to join the Moot Court Honor Board for his appellate advocacy skills....

Mr. Zoecklein currently focuses his practice on Plaintiff's Civil Litigation. His team is currently litigating cases throughout the State of Florida in the practice areas of probate administration, estate litigation, insurance claims, family law and business law. Brice Zoecklein grew up in Blacksburg Virginia and attended Virginia Tech where he graduated cum laude and obtained a degree in business management. While at Virginia Tech Mr. Zoecklein ran several successful franchises throughout Virginia and North Carolina. Mr. Zoecklein then obtained his juris doctorate degree cum luade and a Masters in Business Administration from Stetson University College of Law....

Steven C. Ruth is the managing- trial attorney of The Ruth Law Team. For over 35 years he has exclusively represented thousands of families in successfully obtaining compensation for their injuries or wrongful death due to the negligent conduct of individuals, corporations, and insurance companies. He conducts jury trials involving auto, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as defective products, elderly abuse, and medical malpractice. He is admitted to practice before all state courts in Florida and Minnesota, the Federal Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, the Federal Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of the United States...

Larry Sandefer has handled well over 5,000 criminal cases. Over 250 of these have resulted in jury trials of from one day to several weeks in length. These trials have included numerous first degree murder cases, multi-jurisdictional drug and homicide conspiracies, drug trafficking, sales and possessions, sexual battery, lewdness and exposure charges, arson, white collar crimes including trade secrets and fraud, robbery, theft, assault and battery, domestic violence, traffic deaths, DUI, resisting arrest, shoplifting, abuse allegations of children and the elderly, embezzlement, insurance fraud, burglary, kidnaping, and many other criminal charges. Mr. Sandefer has been honored with the...

As a Partner of the Law Offices of Russo Pelletier & Sullivan, I limit my practice of law to represent only those clients charged with criminal offenses and DUIs. Both I and my partner Tim Sullivan are former state prosecutors. My experience as an Assistant State Attorney with the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida has given me invaluable legal knowledge and insight into the strategies and tactics often used by prosecutors in trying criminal cases. This experience allows myself and Mr. Sullivan to develop unique, creative strategies in an effort to obtain the best possible outcome in each and every...

David S. Toback is a Tampa-area lawyer with offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg who concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning and probate, with an emphasis on tax planning, asset protection and business succession planning. Mr. Toback also helps his clients with business entity formation and commercial transactions, tax preparation matters and the resolution of tax controversies. His entire legal career has been focused on estate planning and tax matters for individuals and businesses. David Toback obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida in 1994, graduating magna cum laude. He then earned his...

Charis Campbell was born and raised in New Providence, Bahamas. In 2002, she moved to South Florida with her family to pursue an education that ultimately led to her career in the legal profession. Charis obtained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, with a major in Criminology and a minor in African Studies.

Charis obtained her Juris Doctor Degree from Stetson University College of Law. While at Stetson, She worked at a full-service real estate firm gaining experience in foreclosure and title curative work assisting with the representation of major lending...

For over two decades, the Law Offices of Frank D. Butler, P.A./Fighting For Families has helped accident victims and their families in Tampa Bay, in Pinellas County, and throughout Florida take the necessary steps to get their lives back on track. The firm’s founder and lead Florida personal injury attorney Frank Butler is a tireless advocate for those who were injured due to the negligence of others. He and his team also understand how the personal injury claim process works and can effectively present your harms and losses to the at-fault party’s insurance company or attorney.

Mr. Golden earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maine and his Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Upon moving to Florida, he began his career working for a small law firm in the Brandon area and focused on representing debtors in consumer bankruptcy cases under both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. He also represented clients in front of the Social Security Administration in Disability cases. Next, he accepted a position as the chief litigation associate with the law firm of Feinberg, Isaak and Smith, d/b/a Debt Relief Legal Centers. In this position he...

Marc A. Joseph, P.A. has defended thousands of clients and prosecuted none. Unlike former prosecutors, I have never worked one day to put someone in jail or prison. I will provide the level of uncompromising legal representation that makes a difference in my ability to help my clients avoid criminal convictions and maximum penalties for the offenses they have been accused of committing. Marc A. Joseph is passionate about protecting the rights of the accused in Florida criminal cases! Many defendants are wrongly accused, others know they have made mistakes, but look for an attorney who will...

William Gearhart has extensive experience representing a wide range of clients in nearly all aspects of immigration law. His practice focuses on assisting employers and employees with nonimmigrant and immigrant visa petitions, labor certifications, and I-9 compliance issues. William also assists individuals in obtaining nonimmigrant status, asylum, waivers, permanent legal residency, citizenship, and petitions for family members. William has been repeatedly selected by Super Lawyers® as a Rising Star in the field of immigration law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and is licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana, and the United States District...

For 20 years, I have has practiced law in the Tampa Bay area. In 1993. I graduated from USF, and majored in History and a minor in Psychology. Subsequently, I was accepted to the Mercer School of Law and received my law degree in 1996.

In 1997, as an Assistant State Attorney; my office ran the gamut of daily deadlines under stressful, complicated and pressure-filled situations. During my tenure, I prosecuted approximately 90 trials, not including hundreds of misdemeanor and felony motions and evidentiary hearings. I have prepared the testimony of thousands of witnesses, victims, and law...

Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, I attended West Virginia Wesleyan College studying both business administration and political science. After three semesters at West Virginia Wesleyan College, I transferred to West Virginia University, where I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies. While attending West Virginia University, I worked with my father as a surface miner in the coal fields of West Virginia. Of all the lessons learned during those summers, I learned to appreciate the value of a hard work and the importance of taking pride in whatever you do. At Blumenauer Hackworth, we take pride in our...

Attorney Kevin A. Fuller has been representing injured victims and defending the accused since 1992. If you have been injured or accused of committing a crime, please call the office to ask questions and get answers. Benefit from more than 25 years of courtroom experience.

An aggressive litigator, Karina Perez Ilic has diverse expertise in civil litigation including motor vehicle accidents, catastrophic workplace accidents, contracts, commercial disputes, premises liability, and motor vehicle accidents. She is not afraid to be a fierce advocate for clients who have been wronged or injured.

A Florida native, she ventured to New Orleans to receive her bachelor’s degree in business law with a minor in French language at Tulane University. She continued her legal education in New Orleans, graduating from Loyola University in 2010 cum laude.

Karina is a member of the Florida State Bar and is admitted to practice in both...

Marc Anidjar is the managing partner of the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, P.A. and has been since its inception in 2006. Mr. Anidjar oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm and has settled 1000’s of cases for his clients in his nearly 15 years of experience handling every type of injury matter for his clients.

Christina Anton Garcia graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in criminology and cum laude with a B.A. in psychology from the University of Florida in 2003. She earned her J.D. from the University of Florida's Levin College of Law in 2006. After graduation from law school, Christina Anton Garcia worked for nearly four years as an attorney at the law firm of Older & Lundy, where she practiced marital and family law. In 2010, Christina joined with attorney John S. Castro to form Anton Castro Law. Her expertise in marriage dissolution, paternity, domestic violence, and other areas of family law...

I was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area and earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Tampa in 2010. Before pursuing a career in law, I worked as a Copy Editor for the Tampa Tribune. I was awarded a scholarship to attend Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where I graduated Cum Laude in 2016. During my time in law school, I received Book Awards in Legal Writing, Scholarly Writing, and Pre-Trial Skills. I served as Senior Articles Editor for the Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law, and...

TAMPA CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND DUI ATTORNEY Jason Sammis is a shareholder with the Sammis Law Firm, P.A., who represents individuals charged with felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL. Jason Sammis is actively involved as an attorney on the NORML Legal Committee, which fights for the reform of marijuana laws. He is also a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. EXCLUSIVELY FOCUSED ON CRIMINAL AND DUI DEFENSE By focusing exclusively on criminal and DUI defense in Tampa, FL, Jason Sammis is able to stay...