Manatee County Lawyers

Melissa Karp Elsbree has lived in Sarasota since 1972. After graduating high school, she attended The American University in Washington, D.C., obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1983. Melissa subsequently earned her J.D. degree from Florida State University College of Law in December of 1990, immediately began her law practice in her hometown of Sarasota, and has practiced exclusively in Sarasota since that time. Formerly a partner of Karp & Karp, P.A., Melissa has longstanding experience in handling complex civil litigation matters, concentrated primarily in the areas of family law and divorce, foreclosure defense...

Matthew Emerson been a practicing attorney for more than 24 years. He has been trial counsel on a multitude of cases resulting in jury verdicts, settlements, or judgments amounting to more than $1,000,000.

Matt earned his juris doctorate degree at Stetson University College of Law in 1993 where he graduated cum laude. Throughout his time there, he was awarded many recognitions some of which include honors grants, Dean’s Lists, and book awards.

After a clerkship, Matthew worked as an associate attorney with Rwyant, Alvarez, Jones, Russo & Guyton, P.A., a well-respected law firm in Tampa, FL.

While with Rwyant law firm, he represented...

I practice law from my office in Venice, Florida. My practice areas include Divorce and Family Law, Business and Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, and Probate and Trust Litigation.

I am a registered patent attorney and member of the Florida Bar. I am licensed to practice law in the State of Florida.

I graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 2012 with my J.D., and I graduated from Tulane University with a B.S. in both Finance and Cellular Biology (2009).

I take a solution oriented approach to solving the legal problems of my clients. Whether that is a...

I was born in Rochester, New York and attended the State University of New York at Albany, where I acquired a BA in psychology. I obtained my law degree from the University of Houston in 1986. In 1994, I founded the firm Debt Relief Legal Centers, which became one of the nation’s largest filers of consumer bankruptcies. Although I have represented many large banks, financial institutions and insurance companies, my practice is now concentrated solely on representing the interests of consumers in bankruptcy and foreclosure defense. I am a member in good standing of the Florida...

William "Joe" Kopp is from Brecksville, Ohio. He graduated in 2005 from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration; and from Stetson University in 2008 with his Law Degree, a Concentration in Advocacy, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration.

Following law school he initially worked for a large, multi-state consumer bankruptcy firm in Tampa. Within one year of joining the firm, he was selected to train new attorneys and paralegals joining the firm. In 2011 he moved his practice to St. Petersburg, and in 2012 opened his own firm. In...

W. Chase Carpenter grew up in South Charleston, West Virginia. He is a graduate of West Virginia University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with degrees in English and Business Management with a minor in Entrepreneurship. At WVU, Chase earned the honor of becoming a member of Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Kappa Phi; Sigma Tau Delta; and Beta Gamma Sigma.

He went on to attend the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, where he graduated Cum Laude. Chase received a number of book awards for his outstanding work in Constitutional Law and Mediation. During law school, Chase served as President...

Christopher M. Sierra, Esq. is a trusted attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida, who has been helping clients with both criminal and civil cases since 1990. Mr. Sierra has represented a range clients dealing with a variety of legal disputes and accusations. From landlord and tenant issues to DUI and theft charges, our St. Petersburg legal professional is proud to put his eclectic legal experience to use assisting his clients with their most pressing issues.

Trust Christopher M. Sierra to work closely alongside you for the duration of the case and its associated courtroom proceedings. You can schedule a time for your...

Marshall C. Deason, Jr., has more than 25 years of experience in handling real estate, development, and construction transactions and in organizing and representing Tampa businesses as corporations, LLCs, and LLPs. He is board certified in real estate law by The Florida Bar and has earned an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Prior to joining the Gibbons Neuman in 2007, Mr. Deason has been a member of both Florida and multi-state law firms, has served as vice president and general counsel of a publicly held real estate development company, and worked as an attorney/advisor to the U.S. Department of...

Mr. Fuller has been practicing law for more than 26 years. During the course of his expansive career, he has been involved in all aspects of personal injury litigation. He has tried over 80 cases to verdict before a jury, as well as dozens of others before a judge. Prior to joining The Fran Haasch Law Group, he served as an attorney for a major, multibillion-dollar insurance company for more than 12 years. He knows how insurance companies and adjusters analyze cases. All of this experience, including experience on both sides of the aisle, is tremendously beneficial to the firm’s...

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.

Amir Ghaeenzadeh graduated from the University of South Florida, with honors, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Public Health in 2009. He then attended Florida Coastal School of Law, where he graduated Cum Laude, and is admitted to practice law in Florida and the District of Columbia. Mr. Ghaeenzadeh passionately represents injured clients, and has the knowledge as he formally worked as an insurance defense attorney. He also represents corporations. Mr. Amir Ghaeenzadeh has considerable experience dealing with automobile and trucking negligence, and premise liability (malls, hotels, restaurants, venues, etc.) resulting in catastrophic injuries...

Robert Hambrick is an excellent Criminal Law Attorney who has one field of practice - Criminal Law - with one goal, to protect the best interests of his client. Robert Hambrick is a recognized criminal law leader, an expert Strategist, Tactician & Trial Lawyer with a well deserved reputation as an aggressive attorney. With the insight gained from having tried hundreds of Federal & State Casees and from having been a Lead Trial Attorney while a prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office in Pinellas County, Florida, Robert Hambrick possesses a negotiating advantage to obtain favorable plea arrangements and will do...

Dale Swope is managing partner of Swope, Rodante P.A. Mr. Swope is a Tampa native, and a graduate of Hillsborough High School, the University of South Florida, and the University of Florida Law School. The firm’s most senior lawyer, Mr. Swope has received virtually every professional recognition available to lawyers who practice in his field. He has an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the oldest reviewing agency in the country. He has a ‘Superb’ rating (the highest possible) by AVVO.com. He has been designated as a ‘Super Lawyer’ by Super Lawyers Magazine. He is also listed in ‘Best Lawyers in America,’ ‘Who’s...

Mr. Haas was raised in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. He attended Florida Southern College and graduated with a BS degree. He then attended the University of Florida Law School where he was distinguished as a member of the award-winning Moot Court Team, receiving the William C. Gaither Recognition for Best Oral Argument in the Moot Court Competition. He was also honored with seven book awards during his law school career, which recognize the highest course grade in the class. Prior to completion of his law school studies, Mr. Haas was commissioned as an Army Infantry Officer and rose to the...

Over 25 years of fighting for injured workers; helping people injured on the job get the compensation and medical care they need.

Loren Rhoton P.A. is exclusively a criminal appeals and post conviction relief law firm. Our office focuses only on post conviction relief and criminal appeals for state and federal cases arising in the state of Florida. With over twenty years of combined experience in post conviction and criminal appeals cases, we strive to vigorously pursue post conviction relief for our clients throughout the state of Florida and in all phases of federal collateral proceedings

Julia Weber has been serving as an associate attorney at Southron Firm, P.A. since May 2023, following her admission to the Florida Bar. A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2021, Julia brings a solid academic foundation and extensive professional experience to her legal practice. She focuses on delivering personalized legal counsel, with a special emphasis on intellectual property. Julia chose to join a smaller firm to ensure that she could prioritize individualized client care and devote focused attention to each case. Her career in intellectual property law has been marked by a deep...

I recently opened my own practice in 2009. I practice in the ares of Criminal Defense, DUI, Traffic Law and Personal Injury

Mr. Siegel is board certified in civil trial law by the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial advocacy. He is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a circuit court mediator (1990)and serves as an arbitrator. He serves as the attorney for the Charlotte County Construction Licencing Board and as Special Magistrate for Charlotte County Code Enforcement.

At Julie Beth Jouben, P.A. we utilize our knowledge and experience to solve legal problems for our clients. We recognize that your case is unique and will treat it as such. A key element to providing personalized service is understanding our clients’ needs. We listen to our clients and provide compassionate representation. Open and honest communication is a necessary element of the attorney/client relationship.

David Fulleborn is the Senior Employment Counsel at Hoyer Law Group, PLLC. He works closely with partner Dave Scher on employment and whistleblower cases. David comes to Hoyer Law Group after working with Dave Scher at James Hoyer, P.A. where he was an Of Counsel attorney. Prior to joining James Hoyer, P.A., David spent more than seven years working for a prominent national firm where he investigated and prosecuted employment and whistleblower claims on behalf of individuals. His experience varies widely, and includes fighting discrimination under Title VII, the ADA, and FMLA, as well as battling retaliation under state and federal...

Jesse Hoyer is a founding member of Hoyer Law Group, PLLC. Jesse works in the firm's Tampa, Florida office where she oversees the False Claims Act qui tam division, with a focus on education fraud. Jesse comes to Hoyer Law Group after nearly a decade at James Hoyer, P.A., where she also prosecuted numerous qui tam cases in the education fraud arena, earning herself a reputation as one of the leading authorities in for-profit college whistleblower cases. She has successfully guided clients in their battles against these entities, including EDMC, one of the largest for-profit college systems in the country, Corinthian Colleges,...

I am the founding shareholder of Yoak Law, P.A., and personally handle all client matters. To ensure that my clients get the individualized attention they deserve, I am selective when accepting new clients and focus on taxation, business law, and related matters. Prior to founding the firm, I spent several years advising large corporations on complex state and local tax matters. During that time, I developed a keen understanding of the business environment and gained extensive experience in various industries. I believe these experiences make me uniquely qualified to advise my clients on most business and tax matters. ...

Wendy began practicing law in 1997 and opened the lawfirm of Cohen & DePaul, PA along with her business partner in 2004. Wendy has also been a Certified Public Accountant since 1995. Her main areas of practice at Bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, elder law, and family law. Wendy also currently serves on the board of directors of Bay Area Legal Services and on the Hillsborough County Animal Advisory Committee

Ryan has been involved in real estate in various capacities for nearly 20 years. In addition to being a practicing attorney, Ryan has real world insight into real estate investment, valuation, and management. He has an extensive real estate background with prior experience in residential and commercial sales, land development, property rehabilitation, and large scale commercial property management. He has managed properties ranging from mobile homes to regional shopping centers and understands the issues landlords and tenants face. He is also a licensed Florida real estate broker.

Through his experiences as a real estate professional, Ryan found his love for the...