Otter Creek Lawyers

Jeff Thomas is a Tampa criminal defense lawyer at Thomas & Paulk, P.A. He is a Florida native and graduate of Stetson College of Law. Throughout his career, he has handled more than 3,500 criminal cases. He is experienced with non-jury cases, jury trials, and traffic cases.

Bryan Gowdy is a Florida Bar board-certified appellate specialist who has briefed and argued numerous appeals in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Florida. AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Bryan is listed as a Legal Elite by Florida Trend magazine and as a Super Lawyer in the top 5% of Florida lawyers by Law and Politics magazine. Raised in Tampa, Bryan Gowdy received his undergraduate degree in international economics from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, where he played NCAA Division I soccer and was a scholarship Naval ROTC student. After graduation, Bryan...

Samantha Dammer is an attorney licensed in Florida and Illinois, concentrating her practice in general business law, bankruptcy law, real estate litigation, foreclosure solutions, family law, as well as comprehensive asset protection and debt restructuring. A tenacious, compassionate and experienced attorney in Tampa Bay, Ms. Dammer provides a holistic approach to clients who are seeking relief from real estate related financial distress, foreclosure or pre-foreclosure issues.

Areas of practice Medical negligence Products liability Premises liability Personal injury Civil litigation Nursing home abuse Education South Texas College of Law, J.D., 2001 Stetson University College of Law, 2000-2001 Loyola University, B.A. Psychology, 1997 Memberships Florida Bar Association Hillsborough County Bar Association American Bar Association Florida Justice Association (formerly Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers) American Association for Justice (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America)—Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association

Susan M. Charles, J.D., LL.M. (Elder Law) Attorney Susan Marie Charles is a Martindale-Hubbell "AV Preeminent" peer review rated elder law attorney practicing in Clearwater, Largo, St. Petersburg, and Tampa, Florida. She provides comprehensive legal services to people in the Tampa Bay area who need assistance with estate planning, Medicaid planning, guardianship, and trust and estate administration. A native of Rockville, Maryland, Susan enjoyed a 10-year career as an international travel consultant in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Tampa. A King-O'Neal Scholar, she graduated first in her undergraduate class, receiving her Bachelor's Degree Summa Cum Laude from the University of South...

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...

Attorney Zachary D. Herman is passionate about defending the rights of his client. Call or email today to schedule a consultation.

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...

Leslie has dedicated her career to championing consumers – whether they were harmed by big corporations, dangerous products, medical mistakes or an unsafe environment — no issue is too big for her to tackle. She successfully prevented an incinerator from being built at University Hospital (now UF-Jacksonville), which would have polluted the air with toxic chemicals and obtained significant restrictions of other Jacksonville hospital incinerators resulting in cleaner air.
An attorney at Terrell Hogan for 19 years, Leslie is a graduate of Duke University and received her J.D. from Washington & Lee University. While in law school, she did an internship...

Veronica Anderson, Esq. is the founding shareholder of Anderson and Associates, P.A.. She started the firm in 2000, after serving 12 years in the government at the local and state levels. Schedule your consultation with Mrs. Anderson today!

Reid received his Juris Doctorate in 2009 from Stetson University College of Law, where he graduated cum laude and in the top 10% of his class. Following his admission to the Florida Bar later that year, Reid practiced in the St. Petersburg/Tampa area for several years before moving back to Jacksonville to further his law career. Since becoming a licensed attorney, Reid has exclusively practiced criminal defense, handling cases from the pre-arrest investigative phase through jury trial. He has always believed in taking a personal approach to the practice of law by establishing a relationship with each and every client...

Attorney Jackson Hilliard has lived in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area for the past ten years. Mr. Hilliard received his Bachelor’s degree in 1988 from the University of Central Florida. He earned his law degree in 2006 from Stetson College of Law. He is a member of multiple associations, including the Florida Bar, Clearwater Bar, St. Petersburg Bar, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer. Mr. Hilliard is the leading attorney at his Clearwater law firm, Hilliard Law, P.L. At the firm, he provides Florida residents with criminal and DUI...

Born and raised in Tampa, Drew attended Tampa Preparatory High School and then graduated from New College of Florida, The State’s Honors College, in Sarasota. During Law School at the University of Florida, Drew interned as a student law clerk for both State and Federal Judges in Tampa and worked as a certified legal intern at the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.

At the State, Drew was able to conduct voir dire (jury selection) and prosecute criminal jury trials before he graduated from law school. It was during this later experience that he came to understand the invaluable...

St. Petersburg/ Clearwater DUI, CRIMINAL AND PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY I have more than 24 years of courtroom experience and I have tried more than 80 cases. I am a former 6 year Pinellas County Prosecutor. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, contact me today for a free initial consultation at 727-538-4155 or visit my website www.montronelaw.com.

Glorian Maziarka, Esquire, is an attorney practicing in Jacksonville, Florida. Originally from Puerto Rico, Ms. Maziarka graduated with honors from the University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Prior to entering the legal profession, Ms. Maziarka was a mental health counselor and an activist in the rights of the homeless and ex-offenders. Ms. Maziarka graduated with honors from St. Thomas University Law School. Ms. Maziarka has practiced business and international law with a Miami-based law firm, and most recently has practiced family law, foreclosure defense, criminal law, personal injury and civil litigation in North Florida. Ms. Maziarka’s...

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...

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

The Alvarez Law Firm a Professional Association is a private firm owned by Rachel M. Alvarez. Her practice focuses on financial matters. Rachel’s vision is to aggressively represent her clients in any financial stage for individuals of any walk of life. She is committed to building ongoing relationships with her clients to facilitate their success. Rachel attended the University Of Central Florida where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration. Upon graduating she pursued her dream to be an attorney at Regent University School of Law. At the tender age of five Rachel decided to be...

Michael D. Cerasa was born and raised in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. He relocated to Central Florida following his graduation from The Florida State University College of Law. Recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer and member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Michael is sought out by clients nationwide for his expertise in handling a wide range of Plaintiffs injury, product liability and insurance claims. Michael’s approach to the representation of his clients is aggressive, but measured. He takes his role as both attorney, and as counselor, seriously. “My duty to my clients is to diligently fight for their best interests above all...

Roddy B. Lanigan, a partner at Winter Park law firm Lanigan & Lanigan, P.L., counsels businesses and high net worth individuals on legal issues including appeals, white collar crime, real estate, civil and business, bankruptcy, securities and investment losses. Roddy Lanigan has a unique perspective on, and approach to, the delivery of legal services given the breadth of transactions in which he has participated for clients. Prior to starting Lanigan & Lanigan with his father, Roddy worked within the Financial Services Practice Group of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLC in Washington, D.C. At Skadden, he...

Winter Park, Florida attorney Eric A. Lanigan has provided clients aggressive and experienced legal representation in real estate, business and civil, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and securities and investment losses law in Central Florida since 1976. Eric Lanigan has a strong history in securities law and the financial industry. He provides clients with the complex legal advice and counsel that family, individual and businesses need to get through legal issues. There’s not much I haven’t litigated from basic employment contract disputes to suits for defending for non-performance, to collecting damages in class-action suits,” Lanigan said. He has...

Attorney Richard Troutman was raised in Orlando and has lived in the area his entire life. He has been practicing law for over 30 years, establishing himself as one of the leading personal injury attorneys in Florida. He personally handles every aspect of his cases and offers his clients rare accessibility and availability at all times.

This Florida native attended University of Florida Law School after graduating from Duke University. She is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell peer review rating system. This is their highest rating. Avvo national ratings gave her an excellent rating. The office practice includes bankruptcy, landlord tenant, foreclosure, family law, estate planning including wills and trusts, and probate and guardianship matters.

Stephanie Koether is the founder and principal attorney at Koether Law, P.A., a Brandon family law firm helping families in the Bay Area with divorce, child custody and related matters as well as other important legal needs such as personal injury and estate planning. Ms. Koether completed her undergraduate studies at Fordham University in the Bronx, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. These studies have helped Ms. Koether understand the emotional and mental health challenges her clients are going through as they deal with a contested divorce or child custody dispute and other difficult matters. Upon completing her undergraduate degree,...

I have been practicing Criminal Defense since 2005. I began as a paid legal intern for the Public Defender's Office in Orlando while still in Law School and remained working there after passing the Florida Bar and becoming an attorney. With over 60 Jury Trials under my belt, I have established a reputation as a fearless attorney - ready, willing, and eager to take any case to trial. Whether a case goes to Trial is a decision entirely up to the defendant, but it is important to know that you have an attorney ready to do so, should...

Thomas Adam was born and raised in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD. He performed his undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland at College Park and Florida State University; where he excelled in business and investments, and earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Finance. During his time as an undergraduate at Florida State University, Mr. Adam interned for Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith in Tallahassee, Florida. After graduation, Mr. Adam joined Merrill Lynch’s Jacksonville, Florida office, where he acquired the FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Mr. Adam earned his Juris...

Lauren Osa, P.A. is a Tampa area law firm specializing in consumer bankruptcy and foreclosure matters. Before opening her own law practice, Lauren managed the consumer bankruptcy divisions of multiple law firms in both Florida and New York. She is a University of Florida Levin College of Law graduate and has been working exclusively in consumer bankruptcy since receiving her degree. Lauren's main office is located at 100 S. Ashley Dr., Ste 1750, Tampa FL 33602. Visit her website at www.OsaLegal.com or e-mail her at Lauren@OsaLegal.com to set up your free, confidential consultation today.

I am a Jacksonville, Florida native looking to help local families with their estate planning and elder care needs so that the financial aspect of death and incapacity is one less worry for your family.

Robert Pollick was raised in Palm Harbor, Florida and graduated from East Lake High School. Robert continued his education at the University of Florida and graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. While at the University of Florida, Robert was actively involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters where he was president of Students for Big Brothers Big Sisters and served on the Executive Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters Mid-Florida as the Student Liaison. Robert also was an active member of Theta Chi Fraternity. Upon graduation, Robert attended University of Florida’s Levin College of Law where he graduated with...

I am The Consumer Protection Attorney, PA. I currently focus my practice on foreclosure defense (including loss mitigation - short sales and loan modifications), bankruptcy representation (chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy), real estate/property law, consumer credit collection violations, and criminal law. A consultation with me or my firm may result in seeking relief under Title 11 of the US Code (Bankruptcy). We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

Since 1991, I have been assisting people get out of debt and helping them rebuild their credit. This is a very enjoyable way of practicing law. I am proud to say we have helped over 8,000 families get out of debt, save their homes and cars and start over. I became Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy about 10 or so years ago to make sure I learned what I needed to properly assist my clients. Our firm has a total of 4 lawyers and 20 assistants who are all great and...

I practice land use and zoning, environmental and natural resources, and real property law, with a focus on litigation. I assist developers and property owners in negotiating the myriad of local, state and federal laws and regulations governing the development of property. Additionally, I assist clients in conducting environmental due diligence, and in securing incentives for redevelopment of contaminated property.

Robert M. Harris Born Jacksonville, Florida, August 9, 1951; admitted to bar, 1975, Florida and U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; Division Chief, State Attorney’s Office, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Florida, 1977–1979; Certified Florida Supreme Court, Circuit Civil Mediator 2003.

Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney, Ben Stechschulte, is a board-certified expert in criminal trial law. He has been practicing in the Tampa Bay area for nearly 15 years and has tried over 60 cases to verdict.  His experience is both varied and comprehensive, which makes him uniquely qualified to aggressively and effectively defend his clients who are facing criminal charges or have been injured in an accident. Ben attended Stetson University College of Law, which is recognized as one of the top law schools in the country for trial advocacy.  After graduating in 2005, Ben served as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County.  Ben...

My practice centers around commercial and residential real estate. I represent property owners in all matters pertaining to real property including transactional representation, landlord/tenant matters, real estate litigation, and condo and HOA representation. Additionally, I also maintain an active lender representation practice representing private and institutional lenders in secured financing transactions.

Carol grew up in New York and currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated Magna cum laude from Pace University in New York City in 1983 (B.S.) She then earned her Masters degree in Counseling and Personnel Services from Fordham University in New York City in 1984. Carol later attended Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida, and earned her J.D. While in law school, she served as a staff editor on Law Review.

Carol began practicing consumer bankruptcy law soon after leaving law school. She concentrated her efforts on consumer issues related to student loan dischargeability in bankruptcy, Fair...

Dear Friends: I have been practicing in the complex and interesting legal fields of family, criminal and personal injury law for over 25 years. In that time, I have learned what it takes to provide competent, aggressive representation to my clients, and at affordable rates. I believe that dedication, preparation and hard work are the cornerstones of a successful attorney and law firm. Our office has handled hundreds of complex cases over the years and we are willing to take on the challenging legal matters! If you, or someone you know needs help, call or email...