Everglades City Lawyers

Juan Lucas focuses his legal practice to representing individuals that have been injured during the course of their employment. The South Florida native graduated in 1993 from the University of Miami with a B.A. degree in International Finance and Marketing. He received his law degree in 1996 from Syracuse University College of Law. While attending law school, he was acknowledged in the Dean's List Honors, he represented Syracuse Law in National Moot Court Trial competitions, and an active member of the Latin American Law Students Association. After graduating law school, he worked for a litigation firm primarily representing the interests...

Founded by Manuel Vazquez, a seasoned attorney with over 50 years of experience, Manuel Vazquez, PA, has deep roots in the South Florida legal community. Born in Havana, Cuba, Manny moved to the United States as a child refugee, sent to America by his parents to protect him from the Cuban Communist Revolution. Through hard work, honesty, and dedication, Manny developed a passion for the law, earning his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in 1970. Over the decades, he has built a reputation for providing exceptional legal representation across all branches of the law. With a commitment to...

Thomas R. Spencer is an experienced lawyer and arbitrator. Spencer practices business law, international private business law, formation of businesses, contracts, litigation, representation of entities and persons before governments, internal investigations, ethics issues, and election law. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London.

Eduardo J. Valdes has been practicing in the area of general litigation, including insurance defense and commercial litigation since 2003. His practice includes general association representation, as well as construction defect litigation and insurance defense. In his association representation, he has personally handled a wide range of litigation matters, including developer transition claims, contract disputes, enforcement of declaration/bylaws/rules by injunction actions, financial mismanagement claims, directors and officers liability defense, commercial lease disputes, employment grievances, constitutional issues, assessment collection, easement disputes, and mixed use development disputes. In addition, Mr. Valdes has prepared condominium documents for associations, negotiated and documented condominium loans...

Zachary T. Smith concentrates his practice in the areas of construction law and commercial litigation. He represents owners, design professionals, developers and other construction professionals on matters involving project development, construction defects, contract drafting and negotiation, as well as dispute avoidance and resolution.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Smith worked as a law clerk at a South Florida commercial litigation firm assisting partners with tasks such as drafting and composing motions, demand letters, notice letters and complaints. He also has extensive experience in conducting legal research and providing case law analysis.

During law school, Mr. Smith was a member of the...

Marc A. Smiley concentrates his practice in the areas of community association representation, community association litigation and construction defect litigation. He provides a full range of legal services to the firm’s community association clients including, but not limited to, providing advice and guidance on general matters relating to associations, assisting with the transition of developer to unit owner control, amendment drafting and administering association elections as well as counseling associations’ boards of directors on contracts, corporate governance, covenant enforcement, resolution of disputes and issues with unit owners, developers, contractors, service providers, and other vendors. Mr. Smiley enjoys advising clients on...

Jeffrey S. Respler has been practicing in the area of commercial litigation since 1998 and has been with the firm since 2004. He is a member of the firm’s Construction Litigation Practice Group and Construction Defect Trial Practice Group. Mr. Respler practices in the areas of complex construction defect litigation and commercial litigation, and primarily includes the representation of condominium and homeowners associations and developers in the negotiation, mediation, and litigation of construction and design defect claims and related matters. His practice also includes appellate work. As lead counsel for construction defect cases, Mr. Respler has prosecuted and defended numerous...

Austin D. Murray joined the firm in 2017 and concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, community association law and construction law. In the construction sector, Mr. Murray represents construction professionals such as owners, developers and design professionals on all facets of a construction project. He assists clients with the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts, and litigates construction defect disputes and other related issues. Mr. Murray also represents condominium and homeowners associations in the general representation of their communities, counseling boards of directors and property managers on the day-to-day operation of their association.

Prior to joining the firm...

Lindsey is a skilled and knowledgeable Real Estate, Construction and Business Law Attorney. Her practice areas include construction litigation, community association disputes and general commercial litigation matters. Lindsey represents clients such as general contractors, architects, community associations, subcontractors, real estate developers, investors, landlords and lenders in both business and real estate litigation. She is passionate about law and dedicated to diligent advocacy for her clients, both in and out of court. Lindsey earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Florida, Illinois, the U.S....

Mr. Ketelhohn is a shareholder of the firm who concentrates his practice in construction litigation. His experience includes representation of condominium associations, homeowner associations, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and design professionals on matters involving construction defects, construction liens, delay claims and other litigation and dispute resolution. He has successfully resolved numerous complex construction cases, obtaining multi-million dollar settlements in many of these cases on behalf of his clients.

Alton C. Hale, Jr. has focused his practice on helping victims and organizations with legal disputes of the upmost consequences involving insurance claims, business litigation, construction defects, catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.

Mr. Hale served as an assistant state attorney in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties in Florida’s Treasure Coast. He honed his trial skills as the lead attorney in more than 60 jury trials while serving as a prosecutor in the state’s Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Hale served as an Assistant State Attorney in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties in Florida’s Treasure Coast. He honed...

Mr. Mahendran is licensed by The Florida Bar to practice law in the State of Florida and he is authorized to engage in a multi-jurisdictional federal immigration practice. He is a member of the bars of the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Mr. Mahendran is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Mr. Mahendran was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and is an immigrant of the United States who is a naturalized citizen. His immigrant background makes Mr. Mahendran sensitive to the personal...

Roberto C. Blanch has been a member of Siegfried Rivera since 2001 and concentrates his practice in community association law. He represents condominium and homeowners associations throughout Florida, handling a broad range of legal issues pertaining to the operation and management of community associations. Mr. Blanch handles all aspects of community association law including, but not limited to, covenant enforcement, interpretation of governing documents, vendor contract negotiation and drafting, amending governing documents, preparing for and attending board and membership meetings, elections and recalls, collections, fair housing issues, and insurance claims. He also assists associations who are undertaking the turnover process,...

Ms. Berkey's practice focuses primarily on zoning, real estate and environmental issues related to the development of land.

I am a multilingual Swiss-native attorney in South Florida, representing clients from around the world for various matters from transnational disputes to local business litigation in Miami. I speak English / Je parle Français / Biraz türkçe Konu?uyorum / Hablamos Español I grew up in Switzerland, have lived in several nations, and am now settled in beautiful South Florida. I have studied in Hague, Netherlands under the academic programs of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. I have clerked for various international law firms, and I have certifications from the International Chamber of Commerce. My learning never stops!...

Mr. Fineman was born and raised in Southwest Florida and is a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University (B.S. Legal Studies and Criminal Justice). In 2007, Mr. Fineman obtained his Juris Doctorate from Barry University School of Law. While in law school, Mr. Fineman served as a Certified Legal Intern for the State Attorney’s Office of the Ninth Judicial Circuit which allowed him to prosecute several criminal cases for the State of Florida. Mr. Fineman was a Senior Note and Comment Editor on Barry University’s Law Review and graduated second in his class. Mr. Fineman was invited to be...

I graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with bachelors degrees in Finance and Economics. Following undergrad, I attended law school at Barry University's Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in Orlando, Florida where I graduated cum laude.

I began my legal career primary representing consumers in bankruptcy and debt collection matters. However, my business background took hold and I have extended my practice to include business transactions.

I live in the Fort Myers area with my wife and two children.

Matthew Trail has represented hundreds of children and parents across the state of Florida in IEP meetings, discipline referrals and due process complaints. As a former legal aid attorney, judicial clerk and Peace Corps volunteer, Matthew had dedicated his career to ensuring justice for those most in need. Matthew grew up in Tennessee and received his undergraduate degree in 1999 in communications-journalism from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He worked for two years as a journalist in Texas and North Carolina before returning to Tennessee for law school. After graduating law school from the University of Tennessee College of Law in...

Bruce L. Scheiner moved to Fort Myers, Florida after graduating from the University of Miami School of Law in 1970. After almost 40 years representing the injured, Bruce L. Scheiner is one of the most experienced and longest-serving personal injury lawyers in South Florida. Today, with his wife Cheryl, who runs the office, and son Preston, who is an associate attorney, Bruce L. Scheiner hand selects each case the firm represents and partners with one or more of his associate attorneys to provide each client with tough, experienced and aggressive representation, both in the negotiating room ... and in the courtroom.

"Our client's lives have been irreparably changed due to the negligence of another person. As an attorney with Associates & Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, it is my honor and privilege to ensure all of our clients receive the utmost respect and admiration for the hardships they endure. When I think I have done enough for my clients, I will do more." – Diana Dawn Maselli Diana Dawn graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies Magna Cum Laude in 2009. In 2012, Diana Dawn graduated Ave Maria School...

Jeremiah graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology, minoring in Biological Anthropology. While studying at UNM, Jeremiah enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and also coached his former high school’s Speech and Debate Team.

Jeremiah enrolled at California Western School of Law in San Diego, California in June of 2013. As a student at CWSL, he became a member of the school’s Appellate Moot Court Competition Team, participating in three national-level competitions and receiving recognition as an outstanding speaker while continuing to develop his oral and written advocacy skills. Jeremiah was...

I have been practicing law in the Fort Myers area for over 30 years (licensed since 1982). My practice focuses in the areas of real estate, association law, construction, business, probate and civil litigation. I have been Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Real Estate since 1996 and in August 2013 I became Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Business Litigation. In addition, in January 2014 I received the AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale Hubbell. I am highly experienced in both bench and jury trials, however, my preference is to settle the case whenever possible....

Brandon Stein is a Florida based trial attorney born in Queens, New York, and was raised in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Being the son of an accountant that owns a large firm in New Jersey, owning and operating a business is something that was engrained within Brandon Stein from a very young age.

As owner and founder of SteinLaw, Brandon Stein focuses his practice on personal injury, wrongful death, car accident and slip and fall litigation, as well as a variety of other civil litigation areas. While SteinLaw is based out of Florida, Attorney Stein handles cases all around the country.

Being...

I came from a family of doctors. My grandfather was an OB-GYN, my father was an OB-GYN and my brother is a pediatric radiologist. My father was a rare breed of doctor who made house calls and cared deeply about his patient's welfare and instilled in me compassion for my fellow man. Although I began my college career as a pre-med major, I found that I was more interested in logic courses and philosophy. I graduated from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida with a major in philosophy and went to law school at Cumberland School of Law of Samford University...

Matthew Sean Tucker is a Registered Patent Attorney holding a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Central Florida. Furthermore, Matthew received his J.D. at the University Of Baltimore School Of Law with a dual concentration in intellectual property law and business law. He is also a member of the Florida Bar, and an inventor of several patent pending inventions.

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.

Carol L. Finklehoffe is a partner at Lipcon, Margulies and Winkleman, P.A. who has been practicing for 30 years in both the state and federal courts throughout Florida, California and Massachusetts. Ms. Finklehoffe is an “AV” rated trial attorney who is a certified specialist in Maritime and Admiralty law. The main concentration of her practice relates to complex personal injury, resort law, wrongful death, sexual assault and medical malpractice. Ms. Finklehoffe is also a skilled maritime lawyer who has developed an expertise in cases involving cruise ship passengers and maritime crew members on various types of commercial and private vessels. Ms....

Over a span of fifteen years, Jennifer Newton has served as a trusted advisor to clients and businesses of all types, ranging from burgeoning startups to established multinational corporations. Her expertise in navigating the complex regulatory landscapes of various industries has made her an invaluable asset to those seeking to enhance their legal, compliance, governance, and risk management strategies. Jennifer's ability to tailor her advice to the unique needs of each business, coupled with her deep understanding of both domestic and international regulatory environments, underscores her role as a pivotal figure in the field of regulatory compliance and risk management. But...

Leslie W. Langbein, Esq. is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in the area of Labor & Employment Law. She represents busineses and individuals in all areas of employment law. She is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts of the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Additional areas of practice include housing discrimination defense, contracts and business torts. Ms. Langbein is a Florida Circuit/Civil Mediator and listed on the American Arbitration Association's national panels of Labor, Employment and Commercial arbitrators.

Raised in Miami by working class immigrant parents from Cuba, Arianna’s parents instilled in her a profound respect for the rule of law. Her parents may not have had much in material possessions, but they taught Arianna to strive for more, to treat others with honesty and respect, and to confront challenges head-on without fear of failure. Over the years, these lessons guided Arianna through college, graduate school, law school, and now the practice of law. These lessons eventually morphed into the founding principles of her firm: Excellence, Integrity, and Perseverance. Before starting her firm, Arianna worked at a civil litigation...

I am an attorney licensed in the State of Florida. I have been an attorney for two decades and graduated with honors from St. Thomas University School of Law where I was a member of the International Moot Court Team and a Judge in the Honor Council. I was an Associate Editor of the St. Thomas Law Review and an active member of the Hispanic American Law Society (HALS). I received the Book Award for best student in a subject in Constitutional Law, International Law, Comparative Law and Torts.

Leysi Jimenez practices in the areas of Immigration, Family Law, Foreclosure, and Criminal Justice. Ms. Jimenez obtained a Bachelor of Science Magna Cum Laude in Criminal Justice at the Florida International University, and also a Juris Doctor Cum Laude at the Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center. She has been representing clients at mediation, temporary hearings, and trials. Ms. Jimenez has also managed and prepared cases, attended court hearings, and drafted motions to reopen cases. She speaks fluent Spanish.

Attorney Ivette Gonzalez Petkovich is a seasoned Miami criminal defense attorney, serving clients throughout the state of Florida who are indicted or charged in federal and state criminal offenses or under investigation by law enforcement or other government agencies. Born and raised in Miami, Attorney Petkovich attended the University of Miami where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from the St. Thomas University School of Law, also in Miami. She is now a married mother of two with a private law practice in Miami-Dade. Having spent her life in South Florida, she...

Licensed to practice in Florida and Colorado, Heather A. Patchen is an attorney with an M.B.A. who devotes her efforts to ensure that her clients’ property investments are well protected. Her law practice, Patchen Law, P.A., focuses on issues involving property with a special emphasis in the areas of eminent domain, real estate, and title closings. Heather has experience working on both partial and complete takings against the Florida Department of Transportation and Miami-Dade County. She has also handled landlord/tenant disputes, drafted and negotiated real estate leases and various other contracts. Additionally, she has conducted...