Ponte Vedra Business Lawyers

Cesar is an International Attorney specialized in business law, litigation, and cross-border investments. He assists start-ups and seasoned investors to structure their business efficiently, reducing risk and setting them up for success. His experience in dispute resolution and litigation allows him to provide comprehensive and top-notch advise zealously protecting the interest of his clients. He holds a J.D. and International Arbitration LL.M. from the University of Miami School of law, an LL.M. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers from Brooklyn Law School, and a Licenciatura en Derecho “Cum Laude” from the Universidad Tecnológica de Honduras. He is admitted to practice law in the states...

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...

Sergiu "Sergey" Gherman is a commercial attorney. Having had experience with all stages of lawsuits, including appeals, Sergiu has appeared before judges in state and federal courts. He has successfully represented clients in matters alleging fraud, securities fraud, fraudulent transfers, employment discrimination defense, trusts and estate defense, in prosecution of professional malpractice, products liability, statutory easement, insurance claims (group health, individual health, auto), as well as in appeals. Sergiu is the former Honorary Consul of the Republic of Moldova in the State of Florida.

Shari Wald Garrett is an experienced Business Law Attorney at Siegfried Rivera. Her practice includes representation of Condominium and Homeowners Associations in a broad array of legal matters. She provides general counsel, as well as representation for developer and owner disputes, contracts, Board and owner meetings, governing documents, election disputes, and day-to-day operations. Ms. Garrett is dedicated to providing outstanding advocacy for clients throughout the State of Florida.

Ms. Garrett received her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Florida. In 2001, she obtained her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law.

Gary M. Mars joined the firm in 1991, developing a specialty in community association representation. Since then, his practice has evolved into full-service community association representation, including transactional work, covenant enforcement, drafting of opinion letters regarding the management and operation of the association, drafting amendments to governing documents, performing contract review and preparing meeting packages for board meetings and annual meetings. His representation also includes assisting clients with matters pertaining to construction defect negotiations and litigation, and turnover issues Mr. Mars has over 25 years of experience in assisting community associations in the pursuit of Chapter 558 claims and has...

Aleksey Shtivelman is a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is a member of the International Dispute Resolution Practice Group.

Originally from Odessa, Ukraine, Aleksey moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1994 and received his law degree from Boston University in 2012. As a native Russian speaker and fluent in Spanish, Aleksey has successfully resolved high-stakes legal disputes representing foreign and domestic clients doing business in many jurisdictions, including Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Aleksey’s practice includes advising clients in connection with foreign and domestic disputes, including power generation, aviation, and energy industries. Aleksey has...

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...

University of Miami School Law, Miami, Florida J.D. - 2017 Honors: magna cum laude Honors: Litigation Skills I, Litigation Skills II, and Alternate Dispute Resolution Honors: Excellence Award in Professional Responsibility Honors: Charles C. Papy Moot Court Board, Member Honors: Presidential Advisory Board, Member Honors: Best Oralist. Mr. Braunstein Honors: Best Student Casenote Award Honors: Order of Barristers PRACTICE AREAS: Franchise Law Civil Litigation Complex Commercial Litigation GIVING BACK: • Coach/Mentor: University of Miami School of Law, Trial Team and Moot Court Board • Coach/Mentor: University of Miami, Mock Trial Team • Pro-Bono Cases, various confidential

Professional Associations: Miami-Dade County Bar Association American Bar Association (ABA), Franchise Forum International Franchise Association (IFA) American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) Classes & Seminars: ABA’s Annual Franchise Forum AAFD's Annual Conventions Pro-Bono Activities: Miami Dade County 'Put Something Back' Program Bar Admissions: Florida U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit

Lorenzo Arca is an associate with Fleitas & Arca, PLLC. Mr. Arca is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in Florida, and works in the Firm’s Immigration and Business Practice Areas. Mr. Arca represents clients in planning and executing both Family-based and Employment-based immigration strategies. Mr. Arca’s immigration practice focuses primarily on business immigration services representing clients and investors transitioning into the U.S. market. Additionally, Mr. Arca assists and advises clients on a wide-variety of business and corporate matters, ranging from entity formation to particularized contract drafting. Prior to joining Fleitas & Arca, PLLC, Mr. Arca attended Florida International University College...

David Podein is a partner with Haber Law and has been with the firm since 2009. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate and construction law, condominium and community association representation, commercial leasing, secured financing, and business and commercial litigation.
A substantial portion of Mr. Podein’s practice involves representation of community associations in the financing, approvals, and contract negotiation for multi-million dollar capital improvement, repair, and/or building upgrade projects. Additionally, Mr. Podein represents real estate developers, investors, joint venture, lenders/servicers, and landlords in connection with real estate related transactions, including commercial and shopping center leasing, landlord tenant negotiations,...

Founder of boutique law firm practicing in the areas of commercial litigation, shareholders and partnership disputes, trade secrets, non-competes, temporary restraining orders and injunctions, deceptive practices, real estate disputes, criminal defense, family law (including, divorces, domestic violence injunctions, child support, alimony, and paternity), professional malpractice, international litigation and arbitration, administrative and regulatory proceedings, and appeals.

Counselor to corporate clients and individuals in a wide range of transactional, administrative and regulatory matters, including governmental audits, purchase and sale of businesses, real estate closings, corporate governance, personnel and labor issues, employment matters, international trade and business transactions, statutory and regulatory compliance, contract drafting...

With a knack for the creative and an entrepreneurial attitude, Christopher DiSchino specializes in business, securities and intellectual property law. Assisting both individuals and corporate entities, Christopher focuses his practices on complex business transactions, intellectual property registration and enforcement and corporate counsel services. His diverse experience allows him to create value for his clients by using resourceful techniques to minimize unnecessary costs and risks.

Prior to founding DiSchino & Schamy, PLLC, Christopher served as General Counsel in both the hospitality and fashion industries. Exposure to a fast-paced, international environment provided him with an intimate understanding of the business climate in which...

I bring a unique combination of legal, business, and executive experience to my role at Prego Law Group, PLLC. With over 25 years in the banking and financial services industry, including time spent as a C-suite executive and compliance leader, I offer deep insight into the complexities of regulatory compliance, risk management, and strategic business growth. My career includes leadership roles at Merrill Lynch, Espírito Santo Bank, Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust, and Brickell Bank. In these roles, I led compliance programs, addressed complex regulatory issues, and managed high-stakes mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions. My hands-on experience in banking operations and...

Mr. Bachman is a key member of Chepenik Trushin LLP’s probate and trust litigation department. Mr. Bachman is particularly experienced in the areas of probate and trust litigation, complex commercial litigation and insurance defense. He is familiar with the latest developments in Florida law relevant to challenging and defending wills and trusts, and is a key player in the firm’s many complex probate litigation cases, including those involving claims of lack of capacity, undue influence, insane delusion and tortious interference with expected inheritance.

In his free time, he likes to travel and play with his dog, Stink, and cat, The Babadook.

David A. Beale is a graduate of Cornell University (B.S. 1971) and Fordham Law School (J.D. 1974, Law Review 1972-74). He is a member of the New York Bar (1975) and Florida Bar (1990). David Beale is a member of The American Bar Association, The Florida Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Association of the Bar of City of New York, and Palm Beach County Bar Association. He belongs to the Business Law Section and its Computer Law Committee of the Florida Bar, as well as its Entertainment Arts and Sports Law Section, where he served...

Former Assistant State Attorney in Broward County, FL; Former Assistant Public Defender in Bay County, FL; Former Assistant State Attorney, Bay County, FL; Presently in Private Practice of Law in Panama City, FL representing clients throughout the State of Florida; admitted to practice in all State of Florida Courts & US Federal District Court, Northern District of Florida, and Federal Bankruptcy Court. Licensed to practice law in Florida since May 27, 1983.

Nikie Popovich, Esquire is dedicated to providing affordable and outstanding legal services. To that end, Ms. Popovich always endeavors to provide each client with the best representation and necessary personal attention for his or her legal matter. Ms. Popovich is the managing attorney of Popovich Law Firm, P.A., which concentrates its practice in the following areas: * Civil Appeals * Criminal Appeals * Administrative Appeals * Petitions for Writ * Petitions to Seal or Expunge Record * Post-Conviction Relief Proceedings * Business Law (articles, bylaws, operating agreements, etc.) * Education Law (student disciplinary actions) *...

Thomas C. Saunders is one of only a small handful of lawyers in Polk County, Florida that hold themselves out as double Board Certified. Tom is certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in both Civil Trial and Business Litigation.

Jacquelyn M. Codd, Esq., has been a Polk County native since she was 5 years old. She started working in local law firms in 2010 and worked as a paralegal and law clerk throughout her time in undergrad and law school. She consistently focused on clerking in areas which could give her valuable contracts, collections, and construction law experience. She also ensured that she spent at least one year working in the area of consumer and collection defense so that she could learn the tricks of the trade and protect her future clients from falling into regulatory compliance traps during...

I believe it is important to identify a clients goals and build a strategy to best meet those goals. Growing up in a small town taught me to stand behind my work and to only provide services that people really need.

Chris grew up in Basehor, Kansas on the outskirts of Kansas City where he learned to “pay it forward.” He lives and works by the ideal that the work you do and the promises you make to individuals carries forward. With that in mind, Chris attended Kansas State University where he earned his B.S. in Speech Communications. Chris also spent...

Attorney Stephen Lacey is a Estate Planning and Probate Attorney in Melbourne, Florida. His practice areas focus on Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate, Wills, Trust Administration and Wealth & Asset Protection. With over 20 years of experience, Attorney Lacey has handled various Estate Planning cases in the State of Florida.

Ms. Hattaway began her career in litigation representing large publicly held corporations in complex business disputes. She has experience in both federal and state courts. Her practice has included civil rights litigation, employment law, real property litigation, franchise negotiations, as well as business litigation. Most recently, Ms. Hattaway has focused on assisting clients with strategic business planning: drafting operating agreements, drafting and editing sales contracts, negotiating contracts and advising businesses, including multi-specialty medical group, individual physicians, pharmacology research specialists, new franchisees, expanding family-owned enterprises, and design startups. Ms. Hattaway served as a Commissioner of the Canaveral Port Authority....

Attorney Billy Brown specializes in the areas of commercial, business, corporate, real estate, timeshare, bankruptcy, and elder law. As a previous owner and consultant of businesses such as restaurants, medical offices, and internet companies, Attorney Brown understands the various needs of business entrepreneurs. Through his years of experience, he has witnessed many individuals face financial hardships due to numerous causes. Passionate about helping others, Attorney Brown committed his life to help those in need of legal representation. Prior to employment as a skilled lawyer, Attorney Brown began his pursuit when he attended the University of Central Florida. It...

We specialize in providing legal solutions to business owners. Having handled these cases from both sides, we know the ins and outs of the legal problems facing you and your business. An ounce of prevention can be worth a point of cure, so please call us at (407)906-5529 now and sit down with on of our helpful and experienced attorneys and see how we can better protect your business and your employees.

Michele Diglio-Benkiran is the founder of Legal Counsel, P.A. Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran has been practicing law for over 24 years with a special emphasis on Real Estate and Business Law. Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran earned her Juris Doctor Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 1999 where she was the Business Manager of Journal of Medicine and Law, Justice of Phi Alpha Delta, a scholarship recipient, and published in Who’s Who: American Law Students 1998. She graduated from law school and immediately began working at the Office of the State Attorney – 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County,...

Joseph M. Sternberg is a highly accomplished third-generation entrepreneur with a rich history of establishing and managing a range of businesses. Inspired by his grandfather and father's wholesale produce business, he imbibed the core values of hard work and perseverance from a young age. Being the first attorney in his family, Joseph's decision to pursue a legal career was deeply influenced by his older sister's life-altering car accident and the ensuing lawsuit against U-Haul, which ignited his passion for providing innovative solutions to his clients. During his time at the University of Miami School of Law, Joseph interned with the respected...

I am a board certified lawyer representing businesses, individuals, general contractors and other construction industry parties in litigation, arbitration and mediation for 25 years. I am an expert on the lien law in Florida and I forgot more about construction law, than most attorneys will ever know. I work hard for my clients and they appreciate my efforts. I have drafted and negotiated hundreds of contracts and understand all aspects of business and construction litigation. I have handled many jury trials, bench trials and countless successful summary judgments. I have significant and successful experience handling appeals...

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,...

In 2010, after litigating at a downtown Orlando firm, Cynthia Conlin founded her own law firm with a desire to serve clients on a more personal and direct level. One of the things that drew Cynthia to practicing law was the desire to serve people. The practice of law, stripped to its core, means helping people. In practice, Cynthia spends her days helping clients. Before law school, Cynthia wore several hats, including journalist, graphic designer, publisher, and entrepreneur. From her diverse creative and business background, she was quickly drawn to areas of copyright law, defamation, Internet law, and business...

Mr. Curry is a civil trial lawyer and has had his own firm for most of his career. He has been recognized by Judges and his colleagues as one of the preeminent lawyers in his field receiving an “AV’ rating from Martindale Hubbell. He has an active Civil Trial Practice participating in civil trials involving Commercial, Personal Injury, Family Issues and General Business Litigation. In addition to his successful Law Practice he served as a Founding Director and General Counsel of Platinum Bank from 1997 through 2012.

Mr. Curry has served as President of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. He was...

Nancy Brandt is an Of counsel attorney with the Central Florida law firm Bogin, Munns & Munns. She specializes in Civil Litigation and Business Law, including Real Property Development, Commercial Contract Disputes, Commercial Litigation, Real Property Disputes, and Insurance Defense. She received her B.A. in 1992 and her J.D. in 1995 from the University of Florida. Ms. Brandt teaches Civil Litigation I as an adjunct professor at Valencia College.

Karen Harkness Houser is an attorney with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns, operating out of the firm's Melbourne office. She specializes in Commercial & Residential Real Estate, Corporate Law, Estate Planning, and Elder Law.

She graduated from Virginia Tech with her B.S. in 1981 and received her J.D. from the St. Thomas University School of Law in 1991. In 1992, Ms. Houser earned her LL.M in Taxation from the esteemed College of William and Mary.

She has handled numerous cases including Office, Warehouse, Shopping Center & Hotel Projects, Acquisition & Disposition of Raw Land, Construction...