Okaloosa County Lawyers

Aaron Watson is a Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Lawyer. Before graduating law school, Attorney Aaron Watson was named a national champion in trial advocacy after he defeated 248 teams from 148 law schools in the American Association for Justice student trial competition. The competing teams were judged by other lawyers and judges on their trial advocacy skills, opening statements, examination of witnesses, use of facts, and closing arguments. During this time, Mr. Watson was also named Who's Who Among American Universities & Colleges.

Mr. Watson is involved in the following legal associations:

Escambia Santa Rosa Bar Association
American Bar Association, Member
Florida Bar...

Coy H. Browning graduated cum laude from Charleston Southern University in South Carolina, where he majored in criminal justice. A Pre-season All-American linebacker for the CSU Buccaneers, Coy was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.After college, Coy graduated second in his class from the Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy, where he also earned the school’s prestigious Director’s Award for leadership. During his years serving as a Florida State Trooper, he investigated over 1,000 motor vehicle crashes.

Building on his successful law enforcement career, Coy earned a law degree from Samford University’s Cumberland Law School in 2002. After...

| Board Certified Specialist in Real Estate Law (Florida) | 2020 "Rising Star" Rating by Super Lawyers | AV Preeminent & Client Champion Ratings by Martindale-Hubbell | 10.0/10.0 "Superb" & "Top Attorney" Ratings by Avvo | Cranford Law, PL | Phone: (850) 502-3353 | Email: jtcranford@cranford.law I have focused my practice on issues involving Real Estate Litigation, Transactions, and Government Relations since my career began and, as a result, each new year of practice pays dividends in the knowledge I gain to help future clients in those areas. In addition to that knowledge, I bring, to each project, (1) my extensive training in the law and business...

My name is Tim Flaherty. I am a Fort Walton Beach criminal defense attorney. Since I passed the Bar in 2001, I have dedicated 100% of my practice to criminal defense. No matter what you are accused of, Flaherty & Merrifield will not judge you. We will defend you. We will fight for the best possible result in your case, and we will also do everything we can to minimize your stress. If you entrust Flaherty & Merrifield with your case, you will be treated with compassion and respect as you go through this crisis. We are available 24 hours...

Stephen G. Cobb, author of Florida Criminal Law and a board certified expert in criminal trial law since 2002, is proud to announce our merger of Cobb Law Firm with the Law Firm of Sherry Ivey Jones. We are now known as Florida Criminal Defense Legal Group, PLLC.

Whether you or someone you love is charged with a misdemeanor, criminal traffic, felony or juvenile crime, Florida Criminal Defense Legal Group, PLLC, is ready, willing and able to help you and your loved ones in your time of need.

Shawn holds a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Florida State University, College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in History Education from the University of West Florida. Shawn has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996, a member of the United States District Court, Northern District of Florida since 1997, and Board Certified as an expert in Juvenile Law since 2017.

Jennifer H. Copus originally hails from Arab, Alabama, but has called the Emerald Coast home since moving to Fort Walton Beach, Florida in 2000 upon graduating from law school. Jennifer began her legal career as a criminal defense attorney with the Office of the Public Defender in Shalimar, Florida and later worked as a prosecutor with the Office of the State Attorney in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

Jennifer now focuses on serving clients in the areas of corporate and business litigation, commercial litigation, condominium law and litigation, real property litigation, landlord/tenant law, foreclosure litigation, employment law and personal injury....

Stephen “Steve” Joseph Ryan was born in the Bronx, where his mother worked as a nurse and his father was an officer with the New York Police Department. In the early ’90s, Steve moved to Tallahassee, Florida to continue his studies at Florida State University’s College of Law, where he met fellow law student and his future law partner, Shawn Risen. In 1995, Steve graduated with honors and received a Juris Doctorate, and one year later, Steve and Shawn Risen established Risen & Ryan, Attorneys at Law.

I have been practicing law for over 17 years and for the majority of that time have practiced in some area of family law. In the last three years, however, I have devoted my practice on a full time basis to areas of family law and probate document preparation. The technicalities and long term implications of handling family law matters are often less than obvious. The legal forms available for pro se individuals are sometimes insufficient to address all the long term effects of decisions made today. Though engaging an attorney in what seems to be...

Matthew J. Ausley and his team represent clients in Divorce, Custody, and Family Law. As Good Life Legal's founder, Matt brings nearly two decades of business experience to the team, and employs a common-sense, business-like attitude in his law practice. Matt has helped hundreds of clients to solve their legal issues and get back to living the Good Life. As an entrepreneur, Matt has owned and managed three businesses; a pressure washing company, a collection agency, and now the law firm. Matt’s career started as a manager of a finance company branch with a $10 million loan portfolio and over 800...

Paul Brannon was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in 1980. Paul was raised in Destin, Florida and attended school at Destin Elementary, Bruner Middle School, and Fort Walton Beach Highschool. Paul graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School in 1998. Paul played competitive golf for Fort Walton Beach High School and actively participated in Key Club. Paul was also part of Fort Walton Beach High School's first leadership class. Upon graduation from Fort Walton Beach High School, Paul attended the University of Florida. During his sophomore year at the University of Florida, Paul was one...

Jay Patel is a former prosecutor and a former law enforcement officer with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Jay joins ASG from the State Attorney’s Office where he spent almost four years prosecuting thousands of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to felonies punishable by life. Jay achieved success in criminal cases that were before a jury, a judge, and at the appellate level. Jay’s family moved to the area in 1990 when his family began a hospitality management venture in Destin. Growing up in the family business taught him many aspects of business and instilled what he believes...

Gillis E. (Gill) Powell, Jr.main focus is litigation and trial practice. He handles complex personal injury cases, medical malpractice cases, wrongful death cases, catastrophic injury cases, criminal defense cases, railroad cases, real estate litigation, and commercial litigation. Mr. Powell has tried and won numerous civil trials and he has obtained substantial jury awards for his clients. He is a member of the million dollar advocates club as a result of his jury verdicts. He has also successfully defended many clients in criminal cases, including clients charged with homicide, aggravated battery, sexual battery, drug offenses, driving under the...

I have been practicing for over 10 years and over 5000 court cases, ranging from DUIs and Domestic Violence charges–to the most serious and complex felony cases. I have had many jury trials and have represented those charged with capital offenses. I attended law school at the University of North Dakota. While there I focused on trial advocacy and litigation and worked some excellent attorneys at Zimney, Foster, P.C. I worked in the areas of Insurance Defense, Commercial Law, and Federal Criminal Law. After moving to Florida with my family, I started working as a prosecutor for child...

Joe Zarzaur is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney whose firm is dedicated to promoting community safety since 2007. Zarzaur Law, P.A. is focused on personal injury litigation has more than 20 years of experience in this niche. The firm’s lawyers meet with each client and carefully explain the steps they need to protect themselves and any loved ones who have personal injuries. Zarzaur Law offers free initial consultations to Florida personal injury victims. The firm has two offices in Pensacola and Destin to help serve Escambia, Santa Rosa and the surrounding areas.

Zarzaur Law has earned its reputation as one...

Clark H. Henderson, originally from Waynesboro, Mississippi, is a 2007 graduate of the University of South Alabama and a 2011 graduate of the Cumberland School of Law, Sam ford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. During law school Clark interned at the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and with the Honorable Laura Petro, 10th Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division. He practiced in Birmingham, Alabama before being admitted to the Florida Bar. Clark is licensed to practice in both Florida and Alabama.

My name is Brandy Merrifield. I am a criminal defense attorney and partner at Flaherty & Merrifield Criminal Defense. We serve Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Destin, and all of Northwest Florida. I devote 100% of my practice to criminal defense. With my background in psychology, I bring a unique perspective to the resolution of criminal cases. My objective in all of my cases is aggressive defense coupled with compassion and understanding. No matter what you are accused of, Flaherty & Merrifield will not judge you. We will defend you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help...

Attorney David Stevens is a third-generation resident of Okaloosa County. A proud Seminole, David graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University before earning his Juris Doctorate from the Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, VA. He currently resides in Niceville, FL with his wife and three-year-old daughter.

David was sworn in to practice law in Florida in 2010, and soon joined a civil litigation law firm in Santa Rosa Beach as an associate attorney. He went on to become a prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office in Shalimar, FL, and served in that capacity for...

Jeff founded Burns Firm in 2021 to serve hard-working individuals and small businesses needing legal services to start, grow, and protect their livelihoods and nest eggs. Jeff has experienced thousands of lawsuits as a former commercial litigator and former Circuit Court judge, and he can draw on this wealth of experience to assist his clients with their needs. Jeff concentrates his law practice on business law, real estate law, property law, water law, asset-protection law, and simple estate planning. Before he took the bench as a Circuit Court judge, Jeff concentrated on complex commercial litigation, local government representation, and appellate law....

Experienced Attorney representing Social Security Disability and SSI claimants in Alabama and Florida for over 20 years.


Military Service: United States Air Force

Practicing personal injury and divorce law litigation in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties for over 40 years. Also, Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Circuit Civil Mediator since 1992.

The Rubin Law Firm dedicates its practice exclusively to areas of marital and family law. Mark S. Rubin is an experienced trial attorney who has been practicing and litigating cases in Okaloosa County, Walton County, Santa Rosa County, Escambia County, and surrounding counties for over 18 years. The Rubin Law Firm offers skilled representation and advice in all family law and divorce matters.

Shiraz practices primarily in the areas of bankruptcy (debtor and creditor), estates, trusts, wills, probate litigation, landlord/tenant, business law, and general civil law. For over 35 years, Shiraz has made Lower Alabama his home. After graduating from Niceville Senior High School, Shiraz graduated with distinction from Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Roll Tide) and earned his law degree with honors from Miami (The U). Shiraz has been with ASG since 2001 and is an active member of the All Sports Association, is a participant in the voluntary legal clinic for the Veterans' Stand Down and is a proud uncle of many...

18 Years experience in Family, Dependency, Consumer Defense and Disability Law. Our practice gives you the attention you deserve!

Attorney and Founder of Compass Immigration P.A., Caroline Larochelle Nadeau is originally from Quebec, Canada. In 2015 she immigrated to the United States on a K-1 Fiance Visa to be with her husband, a member of the U.S. Military. As an immigrant herself, she has first-hand knowledge of the stress that can be caused by navigating the immigration process. As a military spouse, she has had the privilege of assisting many military members and their families with their immigration needs. Her experiences, both professional and personal, allow her to better prepare and assist her clients through...

Joshua A. Woolsey was the former top Florida Prosecutor who has worked for Florida’s Governor in Tallahassee and the United States Congress in Washington, D.C. Josh has successfully handled thousands of criminal and civil matters, resulting in the recovery of millions of dollars for his clients. He has successfully tried over 100 civil and criminal trials, with a success rate of over 95%, including trial success in a $40 million dollar wrongful death claim. Mr. Woolsey has never lost a criminal defense, personal injury or wrongful death trial. Over the last few years alone, Mr. Woolsey has received in excess of...

Attorney Information Meet Michael Leininger Attorney Michael R. Leininger began his legal career in real estate law and commercial law serving small businesses in a variety of ways. Since founding Leininger Law Firm, P.A., in Destin, Florida, he has become increasing involved with family law, criminal defense and estate planning/probate for individuals. Litigation has always been an important portion of his legal practice and he has extended that into the area of personal injury, contract law, contract disputes and commercial litigation. Known for his rigorous attention to detail and his commitment to being overly-accessible at all times, he is a lawyer with unwavering honesty,...

Robert A. “Trey” Goodwin III earned his bachelor’s degree in Building Construction from the University of Florida in 2001, and his Juris Doctor degree from the Florida State University School of Law in 2005.

Trey founded the law firm of Robert A. Goodwin III, P.A., and represents clients in the areas of real estate, construction, estate planning, and probate law. Trey also gained significant experience in public service leadership as a member of the Fort Walton Beach City Council (2011 – 2014); and as Okaloosa County Commissioner for District 4 since November 2014.

Trey lives in Fort Walton Beach with his wife,...