Lake Wales Lawyers

Stephen has practiced Personal Injury and Immigration Law for more than 25 years. He is a recipient of the Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Award for Legal Services, the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award, and 3 American Jurisprudence Awards-for the top grades in 3 of his Law School classes. He is a member of the State Bars of Florida and Texas, The Orange County Bar, The American Immigration Lawyers Association, The American Bar Association and the U.S District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts in Florida. All personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis which means you...

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LITIGATED / ARBITRATED / MEDIATED 1,000+ Contract Law Cases.

CONDUCTED several dozen business MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

COUNSELED DEALERSHIP and FRANCHISE clients from Florida to Hawaii and over half the states in between.

ADMITTED to practice law in FLORIDA and represents clients outside of the state through association with local attorneys.

MEMBER of the American Bar Association, the ABA Forum on Franchising, and the Florida Bar Association.

Fighting Tickets in Lake, Sumter, Hernando,& Marion County, Florida.

David Hill obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and all state courts of Florida. Mr. Hill has practiced exclusively in criminal defense in the state of Florida, primarily in the Central Florida community, since graduating from law school and represents clients in a far-ranging array of matters, including felony, misdemeanor and traffic allegations, in both State and Federal courts. He has twenty years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer having been admitted to practice in 1991,...

Andrew Peter Zesinger is a senior associate with NeJame Law, P.A. Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, Mr. Zesinger earned his Bachelor’s degree in Health Policy Administration from The Pennsylvania State University in 1999. He created a summer externship in the business administration department that emphasized and analyzed universal health care coverage. Mr. Zesinger earned his Juris Doctor from The University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Mr. Zesinger began his career as a judicial clerk for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.

Attorney Andrew Zesinger focuses his practice in civil litigation throughout the state of Florida. Mr. Zesinger also handles...

Michael LaFay Trial Attorney graduated from the American University Law School in Washington, D.C. in 1983. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1984 and the Florida Bar in 1985. Michael LaFay is board certified in Criminal Law by the Florida Bar and has achieved an "AV" rating overall, which is the highest ranking bestowed by Martindale-Hubbell, the national attorney ranking service. He has practiced in Central Florida as a trial attorney for the past 27 years and has litigated over 300 jury trials. During that time, he has served as a criminal defense attorney and also as...

Paige L. Carlos devotes the majority of her practice to Real Estate Law. She also has ample experience practicing Family Law and handling dissolutions of marriage, child support issues, child custody disputes and mediations. She takes her work very seriously and enjoys being able to help her clients through difficult times. Paige has a real passion for people and she strives to put forth her best effort to serve those who cannot serve themselves. Paige grew up in Southern Connecticut. In 2009 Paige received her Bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York where she majored in Africana...

Sekou Clarke was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica, where his discipline and athletic ability earned him a full athletic scholarship to the University of Florida (UF). While at UF he was Team Captain, ten-time All-American and helped the Gators to two national titles in Track and Field. Sekou graduated with a B.S. in Tourism and Hospitality Management and earned All SEC and Academic Honor Roll Honors.

After graduating from UF he competed professionally and represented Jamaica internationally competing in over 15 countries worldwide. During this time, he earned his MBA in Marketing from St. Leo University.

Sekou was urged and inspired at...

After graduating from Harvard, I chose to attend Stetson University, the number one law school for trial advocacy in the country. I was on Stetson’s Law Review, and I also earned a Master’s of Business Administration from Stetson’s School of Business. I worked as a teaching assistant for pretrial practice while in law school, and I began clerking at a prominent law firm in the Tampa area. After law school, I jumped right into trial practice and began handling employment law and personal injury cases. I tried my first jury trial within my first year of graduating law school...

Juliane practices in the areas of complex commercial litigation; business disputes; and adversarial matters involving bankruptcy, trusts, and estates.

Originally from a small suburb, Steubenville, Ohio, only forty-five minutes outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Juliane attended the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law at Duquesne University. She received a B.A. in biochemistry and a M.S. in Forensic Science.

To advance her interest in law and science, Juliane moved to Florida to attend Stetson University College of Law in 2011. While in law school, Juliane was an active member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution team, and in...

I am an entrepreneur at heart and went to college to study business. While in college I began working at a law firm, where I discovered my passion for the law. While in law school, I focused my studies on business law, and wills, trusts and estates. I graduated from law school in May of 1996 and was admitted to the Florida Bar in September 1996.

My first job out of law school was working for a sole practitioner representing businesses in workers compensation cases. Soon thereafter I took a job with an international law firm managing a satellite office in...

William Vásquez is a native of Queens, NY. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 2000-2007. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and received the Joint Service Achievement Medal for his work as a Spanish linguist for the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2005. William graduated from Campbell University in 2007 with a degree in computer science. He earned his J.D. in 2011 from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. His practice areas include immigration law and criminal defense cases. He is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of North Carolina and...

Attorney Joshua Tejes is a member and managing attorney of Tejes Law, PLLC. Josh received his undergraduate degree from Pensacola Christian College and his law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law. He is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and the Central Florida Bankruptcy Bar Association. Before becoming a member of Tejes Law, PLLC, Josh worked as an associate attorney in several bankruptcy and civil litigation law firms. Josh focuses his practice on consumer advocacy, bankruptcy law, debt defense, debt harassment, foreclosure defense, estate planning, and probate.

Florida Trial Attorney Piercy Stakelum

Practice Areas: Airplane Accidents, Car Accidents, Catastrophic Injury, Construction Accidents, Cruise Ship Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Wrongful Death, Natural Disasters

Piercy Stakelum has always had a strong passion for justice-a zealous desire to stand up for those who have been mistreated, hurt, or injured due to the actions of others. That passion led him to a career as a prominent personal injury in Florida.
Background:

While born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Piercy pursued his BA from Florida State University. After, he went on to pursue his JD from the University of Florida College of Law. During his time in law...

Donna M. Chesteen, Esq., an attorney licensed in both Florida and Mississippi, is the owner of The Tech Law Firm, PLLC, a law firm whose services can best be characterized as the intersection of law and technology. She concentrates on those areas of the law that have a direct connection with technology—eDiscovery, information governance, IP, and transactional law for technology companies—to leverage her twenty years of experience as a professional software engineer and her formal education in Computer Science. She has more than two decades of software development experience and was a technical leader at Symantec prior to earning...

Mr. Jonathan K. Allen, Esquire, received his bachelor's degree in Legal Studies from University of California, Berkeley. He minored in philosophy. Having acquired a notable scholarship, he continued his education and earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law. While in law school, he served as Vice President of the law school chapter of Amnesty International and became a member of Phi Alpa Delta Law Fraternity. He also participated in mock trial and moot court competitions. After completing law school, Mr. Allen gained admission to practice law in New York, New Jersey and Florida. He...

A native Spanish speaker, Vanessa Cotto was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to Orlando, Florida when she was five years old. Ms. Cotto was born with a passion for helping others and a conviction to fight for justice. As a young lawyer, Ms. Cotto has demonstrated a rigorous work ethic, exceptional leadership skills, and an ability to motivate and mentor others. Before attending law school, Ms. Cotto gained valuable legal experience as a legal assistant in the Central Florida community for several years. While in law school, she was the recipient of a scholarship from the...

Tad Yates is admitted to practice law in the state courts of Florida, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, and the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Florida in 1991 and from the University of Florida College of Law in 1994.

Mr. Yates is a past President of both the Orange County Bar Association and the Board of Trustees of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. In 2004, Mr. Yates was awarded the Young Lawyer Professionalism Award by the Orange County Bar Association.

In 2011, Florida Governor...

I SUE debt collectors. I represent people in individual and class actions because they received : (1) robo calls from debt collectors, creditors and telemarketers who violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA"); and (2) debt collectors who violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA") when they attempt to collect a consumer debt.

Clients often hire me to represent them against debt collectors for many different violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other laws which govern debt collectors' conduct. My clients' problems have included :(1) collection letters which violate the FDCPA;...

Attorney Elayne M. Perez has been providing foreclosure and bankruptcy services for over a decade. After obtaining her Juris Doctor from Temple University, she opened her own practice. With a small boutique firm, Attorney Perez believes that she can more effectively provide high quality representation with personalized solutions. She wants to be directly involved with as many clients as possible, working hard to help them with both legal matters and personal finance. Attorney Perez is admitted to practice law in the state courts of Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, as well as the United States District Court for the Middle...

J. Kemp Brinson is a Partner at Bloodworth Law, PLLC, in Orlando, Florida, and Winter Haven, Florida. Kemp has practiced business litigation, trust litigation, probate litigation, and employment litigation since 2004.

Kemp is able to see legal issues as a plaintiff’s attorney and as a defendant’s attorney.

“I would describe it as perspective because I know what the other side is thinking,” Kemp said. And it’s most valuable in the settlement context because I know exactly what conversation is had if I’m on the plaintiff’s side or whether as the defendant’s attorney. I know what it’s going to take to...

Associate attorney Isaac Tilton handles bankruptcy, business and commercial litigation, trust litigation, estate litigation, and employment litigation for Bloodworth Law, PLLC, in Orlando, Florida.

Isaac has more than a decade of experience in commercial litigation and is licensed to practice law in Florida, New York, and California.

Isaac has experience in bankruptcy, commercial litigation including breach of contract, corporate disputes, partnership disputes, real estate disputes, fraud, and employment disputes.

Isaac received a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School in 2008. He was the Associate Managing Editor of the Journal of International Law. He was a member of the Moot Court Honor...

After obtaining his law degree with honors from the University of Florida, Mr. Alexander clerked under the Honorable Thomas D. Sawaya at Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal. Upon Judge Sawaya’s retirement, he continued clerking for the Fifth District under the Honorable James A. Edwards, rising to the level of Senior Law Clerk.

At the Fifth District Court of Appeal, Mr. Alexander was involved in the decision-making process for dozens of complex appellate cases, including multi-million dollar commercial disputes, intricate real estate transactions, life-altering personal injury cases, complicated divorce and family law litigation, convictions for capital offenses, and other sophisticated,...

Born and raised in Orlando, Florida, I attended the University of Florida for undergrad and the University of Miami School of Law. I moved back to Orlando after law school to be close to my family and started my career at the Public Defender's Office. After that, I opened a boutique law firm to focus on getting my clients the attention they deserve to solve the particular problems they have. Whether it's a DUI, a divorce, or a car accident injury, the focus is on the client, preserving their rights, and getting the best possible outcome for...

Attorney Neal T. McShane has been a resident of the Central Florida area since 1978. Neal earned his bachelor's degree from Kent State University, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law. As a U.S. Army Lieutenant, he served in Vietnam and later as a Captain in the U.S. Army, Ohio National Guard. Neal was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge and numerous other awards and decorations. In 1980, he graduated from the Investigation and Prosecution of Organized Crime and Fraud Program at Cornell Institute on Organized Crime, Cornell University Law School. Neal...

Phillip Gunthert is an experienced Estate Planning & Probate attorney based in Central Florida who handles matters throughout the state of Florida. After working for another firm, he founded his practice in 2011, with the guiding principles of wanting to provide accessible counsel to those seeking guidance & direction regarding both advance planning of estate matters and probate matters, in a down-to-earth and understandable manner. His testimonials endorse his commitment to his clients and his area of expertise. When Phillip is not practicing law, he can be found spending time with his wife & 2 young children, catching up with rugby...

Sherri K. DeWitt was born and grew up in Middletown, New York. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1982 and has been authorized to practice before the U.S District Court of the Middle District of Florida since 1983 and before the U.S. Court of Appeal since 1985. She received her B.A. Cum Laude in 1973 and Ph.D. in 1977 from State University of New York at Binghamton. Dr. DeWitt received her J.D. Degree from Cornell University in 1982. She was an editor of the Cornell Law Review and is the author of a book and numerous articles. Dr....

Dennis Chen is a Central Florida attorney practicing in the areas of Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Real Estate Litigation, Landlord-Tenant Law, Foreclosure Defense, General Civil Litigation and Lemon Law Claims. He was born in Jamaica and lived there until he completed high school. He migrated to Florida and attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He then joined the US Army and was stationed in Bamberg, Germany. He returned to the US and attended the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and later a law degree, Juris Doctor. Dennis worked for State Farm as an insurance adjuster...

Mr. Russo is a personal injury, car accident, and medical malpractice attorney located in Lakeland, Florida. Mr. Russo's office is located across from Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center on Lakeland Hills Boulevard.

He handles lawsuits involving car accidents, motorcycle accidents, semi-truck accidents, slip and fall, product liability, and medical malpractice. A consultation with Mr. Russo is free. Accident and injury cases are free unless you win.

Mr. Russo is originally from Lakeland, Florida and attended Lake Gibson High School. He went to the United State Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, the University of Central Florida in...

Rusten C. Hurd is a founding partner at the law firm of Colombo and Hurd, PL. In over sixteen years of legal practice, Mr. Hurd has garnered experience with a wide variety of immigration matters including family petitions, deportation litigation, investor visas, as well as naturalization and citizenship matters. Mr. Hurd devotes a substantial portion of his time to assist clients successfully obtain fiancé and marriage visas. As the husband of an immigrant, Mr. Hurd is fully cognizant of the importance of this process to his clients. Mr. Hurd also has successfully appeared before immigration judges throughout...

I was born and raised in Polk County. I was a prosecutor in Bartow for three years before I went into private practice. I have tried over 75 jury trials. I am a married father of three and I live in Winter Haven. I also serve on the Lake Region Lakes Management District.

Beginning with his practice focused on real estate, commercial litigation, banking, and international law, Attorney Brian N. Mark expanded his practice to business and personal injury law as well. Attorney Mark is dedicated to serving his clients with upfront and honest representation and takes the time to guide his clients through every step of the case, detail by detail. Due to his passion for law, he has received bar admission from Florida, the U.S. Districts Court Southern District of Florida, and the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida. Prior to his career as an attorney, Attorney Mark attended...

I am a native Floridian and Cuban-American, born and raised in the vibrant state of Florida. In 2015, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration at the University of Central Florida. Before stepping into the legal field, I was deeply involved in coordinating healthcare services for injured workers within Florida’s workers’ compensation system. This role provided me with invaluable experience in navigating complex regulations and advocating for those who were injured. In 2017, I moved to Saint Petersburg to pursue my legal studies at Stetson University College of Law. During my time in law school, I sharpened my skills as...

Attorney Andrew John Manie was born in Queens, New York, to a family with roots in Trinidad and Tobago. Raised in the Virgin Islands and later settling in North Lauderdale, Florida, Mr. Manie’s diverse upbringing has provided him with a unique perspective on life and the law. He graduated from Boyd Anderson High School, and soon after, he answered the call to serve his country. The day after his 18th birthday, Mr. Manie enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a communications repairman with an infantry battalion. His military service included a deployment to Iraq, where he...

A native of Florida, Timothy H. David earned his J.D. from Nova Law School in 1985 and his B.S. from the University of Central Florida in 1981. He is admitted to practice law in Florida bar and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Mr. David started his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in Orange County, Florida. Mr. David worked as a Felony Prosecutor where he gained considerable trial experience. He then joined a large insurance defense firm. At this firm he continued his trial practice defending various insurance companies and governmental agencies against...

Pete was raised in Hardee County and graduated from Hardee Senior High School in 2003. He then went on to get his bachelor's degree in International Affairs from Florida State University with a focus on Middle Eastern Studies. He received his law degree with honors from Tulane University Law School in New Orleans in 2010 and was a Notes and Comments Editor for the Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law. After law school, Pete worked as a prosecutor mostly in Hardee and Highlands Counties, and briefly in Polk County in the Economic Crimes Division. Pete then worked for William Fletcher...

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...