Lakeland Maritime Lawyers

David C. Rash is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans School of Law. Mr. Rash is a recognized trial lawyer who handles catastrophic injury and death cases involving medical negligence, corporate negligence, maritime disasters and mass torts. He is Rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®, which means he has earned the highest rating possible through rigorous peer reviews, and has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers, Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Trend's Legal Elite and Florida's Top Rated Lawyers. Mr. Rash has been practicing law for over 20+ years and has taken cases...

James Hannon is a native of Miami, Florida and a founding shareholder of the law firm, Hannon Legal Group. The firm began on Brickell Avenue in the heart of Miami's financial district and relocated to central downtown Dadeland. The Firm specializes in serious personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, negligent security, dialysis errors, pharmacy errors, premises liability, defective products, crime victim's rights, cruise line negligence and insurance claims.

Mr. Hannon holds an AV Preeminent Rating - the highest rating for legal skill and ethics - in the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory and has been repeatedly recognized as one of the "Best Lawyers...

Justin B. Shapiro is a partner at Leesfield & Partners, a renowned personal injury law firm located in Miami, Florida. Upon graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami School of Law, Mr. Shapiro joined the firm and immediately focused his practice on catastrophic injury cases and wrongful death cases. Upon being named Partner, Justin Shapiro obtained a record verdict of $36,960,000.00 in a wrongful death.

Brett Rivkind is a world renowned Maritime Personal Injury Lawyer. He has decades of experience handling maritime and admiralty cases. Mr. Rivkind represents individuals and families who have been the victims of accidents and crimes onboard all types of boats and ships, including incidents occurring aboard cruise ships. Well recognized for his dedication and excellence, Attorney Rivkind has testified before the United States Congress as a maritime expert, and has appeared on numerous television show including Larry King Live, MSNBC, Good Morning America, The Today Show, 20/20, Court T.V., Nancy Grace, Scarborough, Rita Cosby Show, The Early Show, Geraldo at...

Michael A. Winkleman is one of the nation’s top maritime lawyers. An active trial and appellate attorney, Mr. Winkleman is also a frequent contributing expert on maritime and cruise ship law. He has made more than 100 national television appearances regarding cruise ship law, including The Today Show, Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, 20/20, Inside Edition, OutFront with Erin Burnett, Fox News Channel’s ‘American’s Newsroom,’ ‘Fox & Friends,’ ‘America Live,’ ‘Happening Now,’ ‘Justice with Judge Jeanine’; and ‘Imus in the Morning.’ Mr. Winkleman has received numerous honors and accolades in recognition of his contributions to the field of maritime law

Wilnar Julmiste is a highly experienced Personal Injury and Maritime Law Attorney representing clients throughout the state of Florida. She is an experienced litigator and tough negotiator. She has been passionately representing personal injury clients since 2008. Prior to opening Julmiste Legal, Wilnar spent many years representing large companies that were defending themselves from claims. During that time, Wilnar gained valuable insight into the world of defense litigation strategy and understands what motivates insurance companies and large corporations to properly resolve claims. In addition to personal injury, Wilnar also concentrates her practice on maritime law, the body of law governing the...

Senior Partner at Guy Yudin & Foster, LLP. 20 years legal experience in the areas of real estate law, riparian rights, business law; business litigation, environmental law, marinas, boatyards, yacht brokers, boat builders, and other maritime matters. Routinely prosecutes administrative actions before the Division of Administrative Hearings. Also experienced with civil appeals, property damage claims, insurance coverage, small claims, collections, construction law and mechanics liens. Admitted to practice in 1994 in the State of Florida and the District of Columbia. Practicing in Stuart, Florida since 1995. J.D. Quinnipiac College School...

David Pollack is an AV rated attorney who specializes in complex business litigation and appeals. His practice focuses on maritime, labor and employment, defamation, and construction litigation. In 2006, Mr. Pollack obtained the largest verdict in an internet defamation case in the United States, which was later affirmed on appeal. Mr. Pollack regularly represents businesses in cases involving defamation, employment discrimination, wage and overtime claims, and other commercial matters. He also represents passengers and crew members in cases involving maritime personal injuries. Mr. Pollack has written and argued more than 50 appeals before the Third District Court of Appeal, the...

Attorney Jason Chalik is a renowned personal injury lawyer covering the Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton areas. He dedicated his practice to helping people who have suffered due to the negligence of another. If you or a loved one were the victims of a personal injury or vehicle accident, Jason Chalik will relentlessly fight for justice on your behalf. Mr. Chalik attended the American University, where he studied justice and political science. After graduating from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law, he became the managing partner of a personal injury firm, which later became Rosen & Chalik. It was...

ROBERT L. GARDANA is a graduate of the University of Florida (B.A. 1975) . He obtained his Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University of San Antonio Law School in 1979. He is admitted to the Florida Bar, the Supreme Court of the United States, the Fifth and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, United States District Court, Southern, Middle and Northern District of Florida. He is a member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, Southeast Admiralty Law Institute, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, American Bar Association, Florida Bar Admiralty Law Committee. His practice...

"Committed to changing the way the public thinks about lawyers."

Alisa Wilkes is an AV-rated preeminent attorney based in Jacksonville, Florida. She specializes in personal injury, railroad injury (FELA), and real estate cases and is licensed in Florida and Georgia. She has an extensive history of success in trials, appeals, mediations, and settlement negotiations in multiple areas of the law, including personal injuries, railroad (FELA) injuries, maritime injuries, construction accidents/fatalities, wrongful death, real estate, and contract disputes.

Jacqueline Garcell is a senior partner and active trial attorney in maritime law for Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. She routinely handles passengers’ personal injury, sexual assault and wrongful death claims, as well as non-maritime personal injury claims. Ms. Garcell is the fastest attorney to ever make partner at the firm, having been promoted to the partner position after being with us for a decade. Ms. Garcell has helped settle hundreds of cases on behalf of both cruise ship passengers and crew members. She achieved one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in Florida in 2017 — this rare and...

Edward S. Schwartz has practiced law in Miami, Florida since 1982. He graduated magna cum laude from Williams College and cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law, where he served as Articles and Comments Editor of the Law Review. He is admitted to practice in all Florida courts. He is a member of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and of its Appellate Practice Section. He has also served on the Amicus Committee of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, in which capacity he has prepared and submitted amicus briefs on behalf of that organization. His practice...

Michael K. Grife, Esq., is an experienced injury lawyer and a zealous advocate for those who have been seriously injured or killed due to the wrongdoing of others.

Ben Murphey is an attorney with the Fort Lauderdale law firm of Lawlor Winston. Mr. Murphey was born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1971. Before entering college, he served in the U. S. Army Infantry where he earned his airborne wings, and had the honor of serving as a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He has been admitted to practice before all Florida Courts, the United States District Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Mr. Murphey's practice areas include general and...

I have been representing people who need help ever since I graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 1997. I am a member of good standing of the Florida Bar, the Washington DC Bar, the Federal Southern District of Florida Bar, the Rhode Island Bar, the Dade County Bar Association, a board member of the Miami-Dade Justice Association, and a member of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce in Miami. I handle cases all over Florida in both the Federal and State Court.

David Markel is a personal injury attorney whose practice consists of representing plaintiffs in serious, catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Mr. Markel focuses on auto, truck, and motor vehicle accidents, cruise ship accidents, maritime and marine related injuries, negligent security, premises liability, victims of crime, and other complex litigation.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Mr. Markel graduated from Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove where he was an All Dade County football player and AP Scholar. Mr. Markel attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he continued his football career and graduated with a degree in History...

Manny Arce is a civil trial lawyer whose practice focuses on personal injury claims including medical malpractice, wrongful death, auto accidents, premise liability, and defective products. He prides himself in his aggressive negotiation skills and impassioned advocacy on behalf of his clients.

Manny is a second generation Cuban-American who received his undergraduate degree at the Florida International University where he majored in Political Science. While attending F.I.U., he was nominated to the Honor Society of Pi Sigma Alpha.

He received his law degree from the University Of Miami School Of Law. While attending U.M., Manny was an active participant in multiple organizations....

Michael W. Wallace is a trusted personal injury attorney who represents injured clients throughout the State of Florida, including injuries arising from Auto Accidents, Premise Liability (Slip & Fall and Trip & Fall), and Wrongful Death cases.

Mr. Wallace is a south Florida native. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida (located in Orlando) in 2009. He then returned to south Florida where he attended and graduated from St. Thomas University, School of Law, in December 2012. While at St. Thomas, Mr. Wallace held the position of Articles Editor...

Michelle has concentrated in the area of plaintiffs’ civil trial practice since the beginning of her legal career. Her experience includes land-based and admiralty/maritime personal injury, wrongful death, and class action litigation. Michelle works closely with her clients and will always take the time to address their concerns and provide an honest assessment of their cases.

Michelle was co-lead counsel in a jury trial in Broward County resulting in one of the top 100 personal injury verdicts in Florida in the year 2017. She is fluent in Spanish.

Mr. Mermell has been the senior partner for the past twenty years in a firm that specializes in the representation of injured workers; Mr. Mermell has handled the claims of over 2,000 injured workers during the past 27 years; Mr. Mermell has tried numerous cases before the Office of Administrative Law Judges and has successfully handled appeals to the Benefits Review Board and the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit; Mr. Mermell was trained by Donald D. Gillis, Esquire, who had over 35 years of experience in handling DBA/Longshoremen’s claims; Mr. Mermell has been Florida Bar Board...

“Achieving substantial compensation for our seriously injured clients in a way that dramatically improves the quality of their lives is the most satisfying thing about the work that we do.” Robert B. Boyers

Originally from Boston, Mr. Lawlor received his B.A. from Barry University in Miami and his law degree from Nova Southeastern University in 1994. After several years of trying cases at local litigation firms in South Florida, Mr. Lawlor opened his own practice in 1996, and, in 1998, eventually began what is now the Law Firm of Lawlor, White & Murphey. Mr. Lawlor has a wide and varied legal background, including personal injury litigation, business litigation, criminal defense trial work and matrimonial law. His areas of focus are complex personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. John...

Native to Miami, in Jacksonville for 20 + years, avid sailor and dedicated to taking proper care of my clients. I practice maritime law in large part because I love boats. I handle appeals because I enjoy research, writing, and working with other attorneys.

I always liked a good fight, and that is one thing I will guaranty. I enjoy what I do, and I enjoy being in the courtroom. However, simple gratitude from my clients is my greatest satisfaction. Outside of the courtroom, I enjoy the outdoors, surfing, hunting, fishing (when I can), and spending time with my family. If you have any issues, just give me a call.

Geoffrey Probst is a new and prized addition to Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. While only recently joining LM&W, attorney Probst brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the firm, having specialized in admiralty and maritime law for over 17 years. Attorney Probst has extensive experience in representing both plaintiffs and defendants in legal actions involving injured or deceased passengers and crew members in cruise ship accidents. In his earlier career, he was the senior in-house litigator for a major cruise line. Having worked on both sides of these claims gives attorney Probst a unique advantage when representing accident...

Elizabeth Estrada is a Partner at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A. she represents clients in the areas of Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice Claims, Products Liability, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Insurance Coverage Disputes, Negligent Security, Wrongful Death, Catastrophic Injuries, Nurse Home Negligence, Workers' Compensation Claims, Long-shore, and Harbor Act Based Claims. She has litigated, arbitrated, and mediated cases throughout the State of Florida.

Ms. Estrada has obtained several million-dollar settlements, judgments, and jury verdicts on behalf of her clients during her career. She is a member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a membership for trial lawyers who have won million-dollar settlements and...

Karen Grossman has over 35 years’ experience as a maritime attorney, and as a trial attorney handles cruise passengers’ and crewmembers’ personal injury claims, including shipboard medical malpractice, slip and falls, and serious injuries. She is particularly skilled at representing victims of sexual assault with sensitivity and discretion. Ms. Grossman worked for many years representing all major cruise lines and has a unique understanding of the challenges associated with living and vacationing on a cruise ship. She now focuses her career on representing persons injured on cruise ships and devotes her time to getting top results for passengers and crew...

Alex Perez is an active litigator licensed to practice law in all Florida Federal and State Courts, including Appellate Courts. Mr. Perez also routinely handles International Arbitrations pending in countries all over the world. Mr. Perez has secured millions of dollars for his clients. Mr. Perez primarily represents passengers injured on cruise ships, crewmembers injured on cruise ships, cargo vessels, oil tankers and other commercial sea going vessels, and handles a variety of recreational marine cases involving yachts, pleasure boats and jet skis. Before starting his practice, Mr. Perez attended Tulane University Law School where he pursued a course of study in...