Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyers

Tampa Bay Criminal Defense and DUI Attorney Ajay Pallegar -
Former State Prosecutor with over 50 criminal jury trials, 50 bench trials, and extensive DUI training and experience.

Mr. Pallegar is a graduate from the University of South Florida and Stetson University College of Law. He is a Former Pinellas County Assistant State Attorney and has over tried over 100 criminal trials to verdict. As a prosecutor, he received specialized training in domestic violence cases by being appointed to the domestic violence division of the Pinellas County State Attorneys Office, specifically battery, assault and domestic violence injunctions. Mr. Pallegar has also...

I am a former prosecutor in both Sarasota, Florida and Maui, Hawaii. I have prosecuted and defended some of the most serious crimes.

My focus is provided the highest caliber legal representation to all of my clients in contested legal matters. Your right to a trial by jury is a fundamental right if you have been injured in an accident, accused of a crime or suffered a wrong at the result of someone else's behavior. I differentiate my practice in that I routinely try cases before juries and courts.

I am authorized to practice in all state and federal courts for...

While I have experience handling catastrophic injury cases of all types, I focus my practice on medical malpractice cases. I became the youngest partner at Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen, P.A., before starting McArdle Law, P.A.

Over my career, I have gone to trial in malpractice cases in Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte Counties. I have fought in deposition, mediation, and trial for clients robbed of their health by negligent healthcare providers, helping clients obtain million-dollar results multiple times through settlement and trial. I have dealt with cases involving amputations, blindness, brain damage, serious burns, misdiagnosed cancer, spinal-cord injury, and wrongful death.

In these...

An AV Rated Civil Trial attorney with more than 30 years of experience, Bernard F. Walsh first began his career protecting the rights of the public as an attorney for the State of Florida. As a trial attorney, Mr. Walsh handled numerous high profile trials concerning serious felony crimes.
Bernie has exclusively practiced personal injury law and helped accident victims in and beyond Sarasota and Manatee Counties in Florida.
Mr. Walsh has won the largest playground recovery (2008-$1,900,000.00), motorcycle recoveries (2006-$6,000,000.00), motor vehicle v commercial truck (2016-$4,700,000), auto accident recovery (2018-$1,050,000.00), and a daycare center recovery (2010-$1,000,000.00) in the State of...

Attorney M. David Shapiro is an AV-rated civil trial lawyer, the highest rating awarded to litigation attorneys. He is also board certified by the Florida Bar. Shapiro is an experienced trial lawyer who has earned the respect of his peers in the legal community. He has successfully litigated civil rights cases involving access to courts and rights under the Rehabilitation Act to the United States Supreme Court. He is admitted to practice in all of the Florida State Courts, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh...

David Goldman is an experienced and accomplished Personal Injury Attorney. He believes that everyone should be treated fairly and is dedicated to bringing justice to all areas of society. David has been fighting for the rights of injured Floridians for 30 years. He is committed to providing aggressive advocacy and pursuing the results that his clients deserve.

David has has been named among the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. He received a Preeminent Rating, the highest possible, from Martindale-Hubbell. He was also honored with the Legislative Leadership Award from The Academy of...

Carol Avard is a member of the Medical Malpractice, Social Security, Federal Torts, and Motor Vehicle Collision sections of the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). She is also a member of the Bad Faith, Disability Law, Employment Law, ERISA Litigation, Insurance Law, Medical Negligence, Nursing Home, PI/Wrongful Death, Products Liability, Professional Negligence, and Social Security Disability Law sections of The Florida Association for Justice. Additionally, she is an Accredited Veterans Disability Attorney. Carol is a member of the NOSSCR Board of Directors – a professional association of Social Security Disability practitioners.

With over 20 years of experience, Sarasota injury lawyer Damian Mallard has won several million dollar and multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for his clients and is Board Certified in civil trial law, an accomplishment achieved by less than 2% of attorneys in Florida. Along with his wife, Sara Mallard, and Michael Murphy, the team of personal injury attorneys at the Mallard Law Firm serves as advocates for injury victims throughout Florida and offers free case evaluations.

Carl E. Reynolds III was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. As a native Floridian, he was educated in the Orange County Public School System and was among the first 4-year graduating class from Dr. Phillips High School. Mr. Reynolds earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University and went on to obtain his Juris Doctorate, with Honors, from the University of Florida.

While at the University of Florida, Mr. Reynolds was a member of a Moot Trial Team which traveled to Austria and competed with law schools from across the globe. Mr. Reynolds graduated from UF with...

Originally from Buffalo, New York with an NY bar license still in effect, I have been living in Sarasota for the last 25 years. My Florida Bar license was obtained in 1978 and I have been practicing since then in the fields of personal injury and family law. I believe in settling cases with mediation when possible and saving clients both time and money whenever possible. I am a member of the Florida Justice Association and believe my motto of "Talk to a lawyer who cares " should be followed. My web page is www.divorcelawyersarasota.com where additional information including client...

Stephen M. Fernandez received his law degree, with honors, from the University of Florida College of Law. While in law school he focused on courses relevant to the field of personal injury and trial practice. Mr. Fernandez was also an active member of the University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy. Mr. Fernandez has focused his career on representing accident victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death claims. He also represents the victims of wrongful insurance denials. Mr. Fernandez is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Georgia. He is also admitted to practice before...

Jim Dodson spent many years of his long legal career as a partner in a large personal injury law firm, but he had some different ideas about how to practice law. He envisioned a practice centered on the clients’ needs, where he could get to know his clients and be personally involved in their cases. He wanted to create an environment where any client would feel comfortable about calling, where every client with a question about their case could easily get an answer, and where all clients could expect to have their phone calls returned. Jim turned this vision into...

Born in Kentucky and raised in Ohio, Matt graduated Magna Cum Laude and with University Honors from the University of Central Florida with a B.S. in Business Administration (Marketing). He received his law degree, Cum Laude, and his Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Stetson University. While in law school, Matt completed internships with the Chief Judge for the US District Court, Middle District of Florida, the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, and the 12th Judicial Circuit's Office of the State Attorney in Florida. Matt also earned Book Awards in Evidence, Criminal Procedure II,...

If you have been injured by no fault of your own, LeavenLaw Injury Lawyers can help. With several litigators experienced in both state and federal court, LeavenLaw’s trial litigators have the experience needed to appropriately represent your interests and maximize your recovery. Sometimes that representation involves trial, sometimes that involves maximizing recovery faster through strategic settlement. LeavenLaw is well versed and experienced at both. If injured and you need counsel, contact our firm today! 800-526-1949

As the founder at the Law Offices of Rick Arcaro, Sarasota lawyer Rick Arcaro offers legal counsel to injury victims. He has more than four decades of personal legal experience, and he has been in solo practice since 1990. In 2012, Sarasota Magazine named him as a Top Lawyer. His peers have recognized Mr. Arcaro with the distinction of the AV Preeminent® recognition from Martindale-Hubbell®. He is a lifetime member of the multi million dollar advocates forum.Attorney Arcaro is a member of the Florida Justice Association and Sarasota County Bar Association. Mr. Arcaro has extensive litigation and trial experience...

David is an experienced personal injury lawyer specializing in major injury and wrongful death matters. David serves injured persons who have suffered serious harms and losses as the result of negligence in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, boating accidents, and other serious injury and damages matters throughout Southwest Florida. At David Harris Law, every client is valued. This is a client-responsive law practice. Every client's questions are answered, thoughts and inputs sought, phone calls taken or returned. Clients come first.

Christina focuses her practice primarily upon plaintiff’s Personal Injury, which encompasses, but is not limited to, car crashes, slip/trip-and-fall accidents, motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, homeowner negligence, and other negligent injury claims. Christina also handles Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Litigation on behalf of doctors who have been unfairly denied payment by insurance carriers, and has also represented those who are disabled in Social Security Disability cases.

Her heart is in plaintiff's work, and she is dedicated to representing the injured who have been the victims of other's negligence. As a former insurance defense lawyer, Christina saw how "big...

Tampa Insurance Law Attorney

As the founder and managing partner of Germain Law Group, Michael Germain continues to represent insurance policyholders, personal injury victims, consumers, and businesses across Florida.

He is a dedicated advocate for his clients' causes, even if their case takes them against large insurance corporations. His resolve stems from nearly a decade of legal experience, which allows him to confidently fight for his clients' futures inside and outside of the courtroom.

Michael Germain founded Germain Law Group on the foundation of open-communication and a drive to help people gain the justice that they deserve.

With insurance-related matters, individuals, families,...

Jonathan S. Corchnoy has been practicing law for over 40 years in the Philadelphia metropolitan area and now has opened an office in Sarasota, Florida. He is licensed to practice law in Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, is a member of The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). Prior to coming to the Philadelphia area after graduating from law school, he clerked with the United States Department of Justice, Tax division. He is a 1981 graduate of American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., and Allegheny College, in Meadville, PA. He spent his youth growing up...

Dedicated to helping those injured due to the carelessness or even recklessness of others fight for their rights and a fair and just recovery.

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...

Marc Falco has 27 years of experience practicing personal injury trial law on the west coast of Florida. He practices in all State Courts, Middle District of Florida Federal Court and the State Supreme Court. He has collected multiple million dollar awards for his clients. He is also a motorcycle enthusiast who is regarded as one of the premier motorcycle accident lawyers on the west coast of Florida.

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...

I have been a resident of the Sarasota area for most of my life, attended Pine View School, and am fluent in Spanish. Upon obtaining my law degree, I knew I wanted to return to the Sarasota County area and started work immediately as an Assistant State Attorney in Sarasota County, where I worked as a misdemeanor and juvenile prosecutor for several years. Since leaving the prosecutor’s office, I have practiced in the areas of civil litigation, insurance defense, family law, domestic violence and criminal defense. My practice is focused on all aspects of the firm’s...

Keith was born and raised in Sarasota, a rarity these days, but that's not the only thing that makes him rare. Keith received a football scholarship to play at Duke University and was a member of the 1989 ACC Championship team. After receiving his degree from Duke, Keith attended the University of Florida College of Law where he received a degree he knew would help transform lives. Keith was offered an opportunity to work at a local law firm back home in Sarasota, and without hesitation, Keith jumped at the offer that would allow him to be close to family...

As a partner at Band, Gates & Dramis, P.L., Chad Gates is proud to represent clients throughout the Sarasota area. He brings more than 20 years of impressive legal experience to the table, taking on a wide range of cases in that time. Attorney Gates handles matters involving estate planning, probate, personal injury, real estate law, corporate law, and various other issues. He boasts unwavering dedication to his clients, always striving to secure the best possible outcome on their behalves. From tenacious advocacy to skillful negotiations, he knows how to deliver it all. Attorney Gates is currently a member of...

Over the years many of my clients have asked why I became a lawyer. My choice was sparked by an injustice suffered by a family member. I was in grade school when my dad was hit by a drunk driver who was from a wealthy family. It appeared that she received preferential treatment because of her wealth.

From that day my passion for justice was ignited. Over the years it was fueled by meeting individuals who were not treated fairly in the civil or criminal justice system. Before going to law school I listened to people who had been wronged in...

Richard Weldon is an experienced civil trial attorney based in Southwest Florida, and the managing member of Weldon & Rothman, PL. Mr. Weldon focuses his practice on personal injury and civil litigation.

In the area of personal injury, Mr. Weldon provides aggressive representation for matters involving auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, boating accidents, slip and falls, catastrophic personal injury, and wrongful death. Over the past decade, Mr. Weldon has successfully represented hundreds of individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida in personal injury cases. Additionally, Mr. Weldon maintains a general civil litigation practice, handling diverse matters including complex property disputes,...

For over a decade, Michael Murphy has enjoyed representing Florida accident victims and their families. After graduating from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, Mr. Murphy started his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit in Sarasota. He joined the Mallard Law Firm in 2011, and because of his invaluable trial knowledge, he is better able to prepare the firm’s clients for trial and provide them with exceptional personal injury litigation.

I practice civil litigation and criminal defense. I began my legal career in the Washington, D.C. office of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, a New York-based international law firm, where I was a member of the business fraud litigation group. In 2010, I returned to Sarasota, where I was born a raised, to practice law with my father, a board certified civil trial lawyer with over 40 years of experience, and his law partner, Elliott Metcalfe, an AV rated former public defender with over 30 years and thousands of trials worth of experience. I have experience representing commercial...

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.

Daniel A. Murphy received his Bachelors’ Degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida December, 2009. Mr. Murphy attained his law degree, Cum Laude, from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School – Tampa Bay Campus, April of 2015.

Mr. Murphy is a member of the Florida Bar since October, 2015. Daniel is also a member of the Manatee County Bar Association and Sarasota County Bar Association which advances professionalism, promotes practice development, encourages public service, fosters fellowship and supports access to legal services for all.

Daniel is an EAGLE member and is on the Board of Directors,...

Frank F. Fernandez, III, was born in Tampa, Florida. After obtaining his degree in Finance from the University of Florida in 1989, Mr. Fernandez attended Stetson University, College of Law, in St. Petersburg, Florida, receiving his Juris Doctorate law degree in 1992. Following an internship with the U.S. District Court, for the Middle District of Florida, Mr. Fernandez began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney prosecuting criminal cases in Tampa, Florida.


In 1994, Mr. Fernandez joined the Orlando-based law firm of Meyers, Mooney and Meyers specializing in plaintiffs’ personal injury law and worker’s compensation disputes. In 1996,...

Maria Gerber is an attorney devoted to the practice of personal injury law in Sarasota, Florida. As a Florida native with two decades of legal experience, Attorney Gerber knows exactly what it takes to help a client get the amount of compensation they deserve. In addition, Ms. Gerber’s firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means that her clients do not owe anything unless she is able to help them win. To find out more about working with Attorney Gerber, be sure to contact her firm, The Gerber Law, PA, today.

Chris Lancaster graduated the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, concentrating in Litigation. At the end of his educational career he completed a 14-week externship at the Clearwater Public Defender's office. He then began his legal career in Clearwater, Florida at Public Defender's Office for the 6th Judicial Circuit as an Assistant Public Defender, and in 2010 had the most first-chair jury trials in his office. Since then he has had experience as a defense attorney specializing in litigation of nursing home actions, professional liability and general liability cases.

Alexis Rosenberg’s practice areas include health care law, insurance disputes, business litigation, personal injury and PIP. She has extensive experience with Federal litigation including in the areas of Racketeering, Insurance Fraud, Healthcare Fraud, Illegal Fee Splitting, Illegal Kickbacks, Treatment Protocols/billing and Business Protocols defense. Alexis Rosenberg has successfully advocated for major businesses and corporate clients against claims of fraud and contractual disputes. She also represents individuals who have been wrongfully denied payment by their insurance carriers.

Ms. Rosenberg started her career representing insurance companies which has provided her with insight into the tactics and strategies used by insurance companies against personal...