Walton County Lawyers

At the Wheeler Firm, you’ll find an experienced legal team that is aggressive, knowledgeable and honest; a team who is proud of our reputation for treating every client with the dignity, respect, and attentiveness they deserve. Fighting for the rights of our clients through every step of the process, we strive for a speedy, thorough, and ironclad results that suit the long-term needs of each individual.

The Firm was founded by attorney Andrew D. Wheeler. Andrew has built a reputation as being a strong representative for his clients. Relentlessly pursuing the best possible outcome for each of his clients, he works...

Andy Wayne Williamson is a life long resident of the Florida Panhandle. Wayne was born in Marianna, Florida. Wayne lived in Bonifay, Florida until 1981 when His Family moved to DeFuniak Springs. Wayne graduated from Walton Senior High School in 1987. Wayne attend Okaloosa Walton Community College (Now NW Florida State College) and graduated with two degrees. Wayne then attended Florida State University and graduated in 1993. Wayne attended Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia and graduated in 1997 with a Juris Doctorate degree. Wayne's primary office is located South...

Mark concentrates his practice on representing health care providers, insurers and suppliers/manufacturers in regulatory matters before the government. He specializes in Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement, state licensure and transactional compliance. Mark has 30 years of experience in hospital, physician and managed care regulation and compliance. As a litigator, Mark has tried 49 healthcare cases in administrative, state and federal courts. His transactional practice includes the creation of several of Florida's most complex and comprehensive joint ventures. Mark is one of only 190 attorneys in the country who is board-certified in health law. He has graduate degrees in healthcare...

Clay B. Adkinson is a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney at Adkinson Law Firm in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. The firm, which has more than 30 years of experience in the Florida Panhandle, represents clients facing criminal charges and others who are involved in family law issues. Adkinson earned his bachelor's degree in political science at Florida State University in Tallahassee in 2003. He then attended law school at Florida State University College of Law where he graduated with his juris doctor degree in 2005. After law school, he joined Adkinson Law Firm with...

Handle civil and criminal cases throughout Northwest Florida. My firm focuses on personal injury, criminal defense, bankruptcy, real estate closings, and general civil litigation.

I was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, where I practiced law from 1977. I was a municipal attorney for the first part of my legal career, and then switched to private practice. I conducted a general private law practice, with emphasis in civil litigation and bankruptcy. I also taught several college-level courses relating to various aspects of the law. In 2004, my family and I moved to Florida and have been here ever since. From 2011 to 2015 I worked for another lawyer in Walton County, assisting him in his office, especially with scheduling...

Dan O’Rourke has been practicing law in Florida for nearly 20 years and focuses on general civil and commercial litigation in the state and federal trial and appellate courts of northwest Florida. Dan has represented clients in matters ranging from Covenants Not to Compete in the trial court of Walton County to construction liens and contract disputes throughout northwest Florida. He has also represented clients in real estate fraud disputes in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida and claims pursuant to the federal Hyde Amendment (awarding attorney fees to victims of malicious, vexatious, frivolous and...

Alison Hand specializes in real estate closings and short sale negotiation.

Stephen G. Cobb, author of Florida Criminal Law and a board certified expert in criminal trial law since 2002. He was most recently published in “Defending People with Disabilities”, an August 2024 publication of the American Bar Association. Mr. Cobb’s contribution was titled “Neuroimaging”, and teaches other lawyers how to use brain imaging in criminal cases. Whether you or someone you love is charged with a misdemeanor, criminal traffic, felony or juvenile crime, we are ready, willing and able to help you and your loved ones in your time of need.

I started a Divorce law firm called Good Life Legal. If you can't tell from the name, we are a little bit different. Here's how: 1) We charge flat fees - this means you know exactly what representation will cost on day 1. Would you hire someone to build you a house and pay them by the hour? Neither would we. So, why would you hire an attorney that way? 2) We move quickly. We are motivated to finish just as quickly as you are. 3) We focus on Divorce - this means we spend time on basically one...

C. Paul Brannon joined Brannon & Brannon in 2005 as a Destin and Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyer. Mr. Brannon focuses on helping accident victims injured in car accidents, bicycle accidents, boating accidents, Uber & Lyft accidents, and workplace accidents. He also represents family members of accident victims in wrongful death cases, helping them to get compensation from the parties who caused their loved one’s death. Over his career, Mr. Brannon has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for his clients. Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys is among the highest-rated law firms in the panhandle, with AV-rating from Martindale-Hubbell...

| Board Certified Specialist in Real Estate Law (Florida) | "Rising Star" Rating by Super Lawyers | AV Preeminent & Client Champion Ratings by Martindale-Hubbell | 10.0/10.0 "Superb" & "Top Attorney" Ratings by Avvo | Florida Real Estate Litigation Attorney | Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator (Circuit & Appellate) & Qualified Arbitrator | Cranford Law, PL | Phone: (850) 502-3353 | Email: info@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...

As the founder of The Virga Law Firm, P.A., Florida attorney Gerard Virga provides legal representation in the area of divorce and family law. Since the year 2004, he has been working in the legal field in Florida. Prior to the decision to found his own firm, Attorney Virga spent time as an Assistant Attorney General and associate at another firm. Mr. Virga received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor degree from the Samford University Cumberland School of Law. Learn more by contacting his firm today.

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....

The Bruner Law Firm works solely as Plaintiff’s Personal Injury lawyers, dedicated to assisting accident victims in Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Niceville and throughout the entire Florida Panhandle.

The Bruner Law Firm works solely as Plaintiff’s personal injury lawyers, dedicated to assisting accident victims in Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Niceville and throughout the entire Florida Panhandle.

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...

Dennis Brannon is a Destin and Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyer. He founded the law firm Brannon & Brannon over 30 years ago. During that time, he has focused his practice on helping accident victims recover compensation for their injuries. Mr. Brannon ensures that no client feels like they are lost in the shuffle. Mr. Brannon has represented clients injured in all types of accidents, including car accidents, bicycle accidents, boating accidents, Uber & Lyft accidents, and workplace accidents. He has also helped family members of accident victims recover compensation from the people or businesses who are responsible for their...

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...

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.

As the founder of the firm Albert J. Sauline, III Attorney at Law, Panama City attorney Albert J. Sauline, III devotes his practice to the area of criminal defense. Attorney Sauline has been licensed to practice law in 2004, and he has been licensed to practice in multiple jurisdictions. Before founding his current practice, Mr. Sauline was an associate at another firm and a state prosecutor. Attorney Sauline received his Juris Doctor from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He practices multiple kinds of criminal defense cases, such as DUI, drug crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes and many...

Jay Patel is a Former Prosecutor and a Former Law Enforcement Officer with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. After Jay was admitted to the Florida Bar, he served as a prosecutor in Okaloosa and Walton Counties from 2013 to 2017. As an Assistant State Attorney, he spent years prosecuting thousands of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, some punishable by life in prison. Jay achieved success in prosecuting criminal cases that were before a jury, a judge, and the appellate court. Despite his success as a Florida Prosecutor, Jay decided it was time for a change. Thus, in 2017, Jay went...

Scott Critzer began working in the construction and real estate business more than 30 years ago, after graduating from Virginia Tech’s top ranked Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Scott worked first as an engineer for a commercial developer and later as a development project manager. Continuing his education, Scott graduated from Georgia State University College of Law in 1993, and has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since that time. The Critzer Law Firm opened in Atlanta where Scott worked litigating real estate cases and performed real...

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...

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...

Our firm focuses on lemon law cases. Even if your car isn't covered under your lemon law, there are other state and federal laws that may allow you to recover money or get a buyback. If we can take your matter there's no upfront retainer and You don't pay any costs or expenses if we can't settle your claim. Ben holds a JD from Mississippi College in Jackson, Mississippi and a BS in Marine Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He is admitted in various Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, and Michigan courts. His career includes experience with diverse...

After graduating from Florida State University College of Law in the year 2000, Attorney Rusty Shepard became the Assistant State Attorney in Chipley for four years. As a former prosecutor, Mr. Shepard is well-versed in the legal system, judicial processes and how to best anticipate choices on the part of the prosecution in his current cases. Coming up with aggressive and intuitive defense tactics, Attorney Shepard is devoted to obtaining the best possible verdict for his clients, doing everything in his power to have their charges reduced or dismissed altogether. He is the President of the Bay County Chapter at...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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....

To put it simply, I am an attorney that loves helping people. My practice includes estate planning (Wills, Trusts, and everything in between), business (formation, operation, and purchase and sale), real estate (buying, selling, insuring, and litigating), and litigation (civil and criminal).

Lynchard & Seely serves clients from Pensacola to Jacksonville in numerous areas of law. Some of our services include estate planning, probate, trust administration, business formations and transactions, and commercial and residential real property transactions. Additionally, we handle general civil litigation personal injury, wrongful death, criminal law, and family law.

If you have any questions, please feel free to...