Balm Lawyers

As a felony prosecutor for over a decade, Mr. Elsea saw how criminal cases are built from investigation through trial and sentencing on thousands of cases. Joel gained a greater understanding that people who are facing serious consequences against powerful forces in the courtroom need an experienced and effective voice.

Thomas A. Burns is a board-certified appellate specialist with extensive experience defending and prosecuting lawsuits at the trial and appellate levels, in both federal and state courts. Before returning to Florida, Mr. Burns practiced for five years in Washington, D.C., with the appellate departments of Sidley Austin LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. In Tampa, Mr. Burns practiced for three years in the appellate departments of Hill Ward Henderson and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. In those capacities, Mr. Burns represented leading companies from diverse industries in a wide variety of disputes. Mr. Burns has substantial experience with appellate...

STEPHEN J. LEAHU, is a registered patent attorney whose practice focuses on litigation, prosecution and transactional matters in all areas of intellectual property law, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, domain names, unfair competition, and trade secrets. He has represented clients in intellectual property litigation in various state and federal courts and before the ITC. Mr. Leahu has handled hundreds of applications for clients seeking patents and registration for trademarks and copyrights.

Michael Goetz was born in St. Petersburg, Florida on December 28, 1966. In 1989, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors in political science from Emory University. And In 1992, he earned his law degree with honors from the University of Florida. After graduating law school, Mr. Goetz joined the international law firm of Holland & Knight LLP where his practice focused on the defense of claims involving product liability, medical negligence, and general liability, as well as complex commercial litigation matters. He became a Partner in the firm on January 1, 2000. In 2002, Mr. Goetz joined Morgan...

I am a seasoned criminal defense attorney born and raised in Manatee County. I hold degrees from the University of Florida and Nova Southeastern University. My career began as an Assistant Public Defender in Broward and Hillsborough Counties, where I dedicated myself to defending the accused. I have served as the President of the Manatee County Bar Association and am a member of the Sarasota County Bar Association, roles in which I am recognized as a respected leader and relentless advocate within the regional legal community. Throughout my career, I have successfully defended clients charged with serious offenses, securing Not Guilty...

Ashley Rector earned her Juris Doctor with a Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy from Stetson University College of Law in May 2013, after obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Florida in May 2010. Ashley is an Associate at Todd Foster Law Group, where she focuses mainly on federal criminal defense. Ashley is an active member of the Herbert G. Goldburg-Ronald K. Cacciatore Criminal Law American Inn of Court, Hillsborough County Bar Leadership Institute class of 2015-2016, Florida Association of Women Lawyers, and Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers.

Christopher Borzell was born in Miami and moved with his family to the Tampa Bay area where he has lived for most of his life. In 2002, Chris received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida. From there, he followed his passion for law, to the University of Florida – Fredric G. Levin College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate in 2009.

Chris began his career as an attorney in civil litigation focusing on both first and third party insurance disputes. He devoted his first several years of practice to defending insurance companies and their interests including...

Daniel Greene is a partner at Swope, Rodante P.A. who works tirelessly to obtain justice on behalf of clients who have been catastrophically injured. Daniel Greene became an attorney at Swope, Rodante P. A. soon after graduating law school in 2017. Originally from Cooper City, FL, he attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Government and Legal Studies in 2014. He later moved back down to Florida where he earned his Juris Doctor graduating magna cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College Of Law. Mr. Greene was able to develop exceptional research and writing...

We are a full-service law firm servicing clients in Tampa and throughout the State of Florida.

Judge Michael J. Scionti is a Circuit Court Judge with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in the State of Florida, who has served our community and country for over two decades, upholding the rule of law in and out of the courtroom, on and off the battlefield, and throughout all branches of government.

Judge Scionti is a Tampa native and lifelong resident of Hillsborough County. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law. Judge Scionti has held various positions of public trust as a...

Dan Larson is an aggressive, highly skilled trial attorney who has limited his practice to representing Plaintiffs in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. During the last 29 years, Mr. Larson has had numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in cases throughout Florida, South Carolina, as well as other states. Mr. Larson is AV “Preeminent” Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, evidencing the highest rating for legal skills and professional ethics. Mr. Larson has been featured on the front cover of Florida Lawyer Magazine, and was recognized as one of Florida’s Legal...

Joe focuses on business and commercial litigation, real property disputes, landlord representation, title insurance claims, trust and probate litigation, and corporate and business disputes, including shareholder derivative and dissolution actions. In addition, Joe represents community associations, such as homeowners’ associations and condominium associations. Joe’s diverse experience also includes general probate administration, drafting of wills and trusts and transactional matters. Licensed in 2003, Joe has been awarded the prestigious AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest such recognition possible for a lawyer, and one which reflects the opinions of members of the bar and judiciary. Joe has also been...

Alison is an associate at Johnson, Newlon & DeCort, P.A. She joined the Firm in August 2021 as a law clerk during her final year of law school. Alison focuses her practice in the areas of business and commercial litigation, concentrating primarily on contract and other general business disputes. Alison attended the Florida State University College of Law. While in law school, she was an Executive Editor for the Florida State University Law Review, Chair of the Law School Council, a Student Ambassador to the Admissions Office, and an extern for the Honorable Judge Mark W. Klingensmith of the Fourth District...

Pablo B. Morla is dedicated to serving the interests of his clients in a wide array of cases involving personal injury, wrongful death; divorce and family law; Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy; and civil litigation matters. Prior to establishing Morla Law Group, P.A., Pablo worked for a large defense litigation firm, representing insurance companies and large businesses. That experience gave Pablo the practical knowledge and drive to establish Morla Law Group, P.A. in order to prosecute and defend cases on behalf of his clients in a wide array of practice areas. Read more at www.MORLALAW.com.

Jeffrey Carl Hakanson graduated from Washington and Lee University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He attended the South Texas College of Law, from which he received his Juris Doctorate in 1995. Mr. Hakanson began his legal career at a Tampa real estate firm, where he developed expertise in representing secured lenders in mortgage foreclosure actions, lender liability actions, and bankruptcy cases. He then joined the law firm of Gibbons, Smith, Cohn & Arnett as an associate attorney, during which time he focused primarily on real estate litigation and the representation of creditors in bankruptcy court. In...

Christopher K. Leifer is the founding shareholder of the firm. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin and his Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School. Mr. Leifer is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts, as well as the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Mr. Leifer focuses his practice in the areas of labor and employment law; including unpaid wage issues, unpaid overtime, improper paycheck deductions, retaliatory discharge and non-compete...

Originally hailing from Maryland, Attorney William B. Wynne moved to Florida in 2001, and attended Valencia Community College and The University of Central Florida, earning an associate’s degree in general studies and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, respectively. Mr. Wynne then went on to earn a law degree from The Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, in Orlando, Florida. Additionally, Mr. Wynne holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from The University of Central Florida.

Mr. Wynne currently resides in Tampa, where he runs his own law practice. He has represented clients in nearly a thousand different cases, including...

Windy L. Wilkerson obtained her juris doctor with honors from Florida State University College of Law in 2001. Her professional legal services include the areas of personal injury, probate, family law, civil litigation, criminal defense, and workers' compensation. Her office, serving the Greater Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties, is located in Brandon, Florida 33511. There is easy parking and consultations are free!

Will Cantrell is an attorney who has spent his entire career representing businesses and individuals in matters relating to unfair competition, deceptive business practices, employment law and related business disputes. From jury trials and arbitrations, to dispositive motions and bench trials, he has an extraordinary track record. For five years in a row, he has been listed by Florida Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.” Will completed his undergraduate studies at Mercer University. He received a master’s degree, cum laude, in international economics from Florida State University. He received his law degree, magna cum laude, from Florida State University College of...

Elaine Thompson has been practicing law since 1989. She began her legal career working as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Appeals Division of the Florida Attorney General's Office in Tampa. Ms. Thompson work in private practice includes work on workers compensation matters, criminal appeals, civil appeals, civil litigation, family appeals, medical malpractice, and personal injury cases. As an Assistant Public Defender, she served as a supervisor of the Appellate Division, represented clients in Baker Act proceedings, and handled post-conviction matters.

Ms. Thompson decided to focus her practice on the most rewarding work she performs...

My practice has evolved over the years, based on changes in the Legislature, and other changes in the marketplace. I have always handled personal injury, and divorce matters, since 1994. I have been involved in automobile accidents as a victim, a litigant, and an attorney. Likewise, I have been a child of divorce, as well as a father of a child in a divorce. Due to these unique qualifications, I am able to navigate the waters with my clients, and understand most of what they are going through. I provide my clients an insight into...

Don DeCort entered private practice in 1994 after an illustrious career in the U.S. Army, which culminated with his retirement as a colonel. He practiced with the firm of Anderson & Artigliere, PA from 1994 to 1995 and spent eight years as a partner in Holcomb & DeCort, P.A., from 1995 to 2003. He opened the Law Office of Donald P. DeCort, P.A. in 2003 and, along with Kristin R. H. Kirkner, Esquire, opened DeCort & Kirkner, P.L. July 1, 2010, and continues to concentrate his practice in the areas of family law, including military aspects of divorce and small...

Marc Yonker is a founding partner at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, a well-known personal injury law firm serving clients throughout Florida with offices in New Port Richey, Lakeland, Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg. His father’s best friend was a personal injury lawyer. Marc admired his work ethic and the way he helped people in need. This admiration stuck with Marc, and he attended law school after graduating from the University of South Florida. He earned his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1993. Subsequently, Marc was admitted to both the Florida and Pennsylvania State Bars. Marc...

Françoise (Fran) M. Haasch has over two decades of experience representing victims of personal injury, as well as the surviving family members and loved ones of individuals who were wrongfully killed. With 100 percent of her practice focusing on plaintiffs’ personal injury and an emphasis on car and motorcycle accidents, Ms. Haasch provides devoted legal support for individuals and families throughout the Greater Tampa Bay Region and beyond. Her firm, The Fran Haasch Law Group, represents clients in Clearwater, Tampa, Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and the surrounding areas.

Kevin L. Sullivan II was raised in Tampa, Florida. He attended First Baptist Christian High School and graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors. He then attended Saint Leo University for his undergraduate education, where he graduated cum laude from the Honors Program with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. While at Saint Leo University, Kevin was a Resident Assistant, Vice President of Finance for the Student Government Union, and a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Due to his superior involvement and dedication to the Fraternity, Kevin was the first undergraduate in the fraternity’s history, out of over 275,000 men,...

BIOGRAPHY Jim Purdy is a highly accomplished attorney with over 30 years of experience, a master negotiator, and an expert in the art of conflict resolution. His robust legal background equips him to work on any case from beginning to end while keeping his clients informed throughout the lifecycle of their case. Mr. Purdy received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts in 1989. He remained at his alma mater to pursue his law degree at the University of Minnesota Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctorate with...

While attending law school at the University of Florida, Ghada served as a research assistant for a professor of law, a Law Clerk at the Clerk of Circuit Court in Hillsborough County and as a Summer Associate at Gray Robinson. After graduating, cum laude, she returned to her native Tampa to serve as the general counsel of a family-owned manufacturing and export corporation. Since co-founding Lieser Skaff Alexander, Ghada has concentrated her practice in the area of business law. Ghada assists Tampa businesses on a wide range of complex transactions, such as: purchase and sale agreements, franchise agreements,...

Board Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney serving Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk County, Florida for over 25 years! Michael Barnett is a bankruptcy lawyer representing consumers and small businesses in Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases in west central Florida. Mr. Barnett is board certified by the American Board of Certification in consumer bankruptcy law, and has been board certified since January 1993. While the main office is in Tampa, appointments are also available in Dade City. Mr. Barnett has achieved the AV Preeminent rating by the premier lawyer rating organization, Martindale-Hubbell. Only about 10% of attorneys achieve this rating. AV®...

Weller Legal Group PA has been on of the premier Bankruptcy Law Firms, in the greater Tampa Bay region, since 1993. Weller Legal Group PA has offices in Tampa, Lakeland, Clearwater, and Port Richey, Florida.

We primarily represent debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. We also provide aid and representation in matters of Foreclosure and Lawsuit Defense, Settlements, Mortgage Modification, Credit Counseling and Credit Repair. Since 1993, Weller Legal Group PA and Jay Weller have represented many thousands of clients in such matters, relating to debt.

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, moved to Tampa in 1956. Attended Plant High School. Graduated from the University of Florida in 1963 with a degree in Pharmacy. Practiced pharmacy for 2 years then went to Stetson University, College of Law. Graduated in 1969 from Stetson with a Juris Doctor degree. 1970 went to work with the State Attorney's Office as an assistant State Attorney in Hillsborough County. In 1973 was made Chief Assistant State Attorney pursuing drug importation into the State of Florida and presented same to the First State wide Grand Jury for prosecution. In 1975 entered the...