Ocklawaha Lawyers

The Messersmith Law Firm is a full-service law firm, concentrating on immigration law. We have special expertise in work visas, family based visas, visa waivers, green cards through family and employment and asylum. We are well known for our zealous and creative advocacy on behalf of our clients. The Messersmith Law Firm assists large and small companies and institutions nationwide in complying with the complex immigration requirements of the USCIS, DOL and DOS to retain highly skilled workers in such fields as information technology, medical research, computer software, engineering, hospitality, art, martial arts and medicine. Immigration law is federal law which means...

As an attorney for almost 20 years, I have learned the ins-and-outs of the criminal justice process, defending hundreds of clients against misdemeanor and felony criminal charges. I have experience defending individuals charged with civil crimes and representation in higher courts for the appellant, as well. I have been a member of the Florida community for over 15 years, attending the University of Florida Law School and admitted to the State Bar of Florida in 1992. As such, I gained significant knowledge and agility in the Florida legal system. I was a former attorney for...

With over 15 years experience as a family law attorney, I have represented individuals challenged with the complicated, often times heavily sensitive, territory of domestic relations matters. I am skilled in creating constructive environments focused on bringing about the most beneficial results for my clients. I am a partner at the Gainesville-based Galigani Law Firm and represent clients in the Gainesville, Alachua, Ocala, Lake City and the surrounding communities. I have worked on all types of family law matters, including contested divorce, uncontested divorce and pre-marital agreements. I also provide experienced counsel during the related difficult decisions that parents...

Mr. Brownlee handles civil and criminal appeals in Florida and in federal courts of appeal across the country. He is licensed to practice in each of Florida's appellate courts and most of the federal circuit courts of appeal. In addition to Florida's district courts of appeal, Mr. Brownlee has performed oral argument at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta. He...

James D. Payer was born in Nashua, NH. In 1976 his parents moved their family to South Florida, where he attended Elementary School and then High School at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale. After completing High School Mr. Payer attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida and majored in accounting. Upon graduating from Stetson University Mr. Payer returned to South Florida and pursued post graduate studies necessary to become a Certified Public Accountant. In 1992 Mr. Payer passed the CPA exam and became a Certified Public Accountant. After working briefly as an accountant for a multinational hospital supply company Mr. Payer...

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...

Rick Fabiani brings over ten years of experience practicing law to Fabiani Law PA. His first focus is always on understanding the client’s goals and helping find the most effective way to reach those goals, whether representing individuals or corporate clients. Rick helps clients with real estate and business transactions, including closing and title services, and litigation in a wide range of civil matters. He has developed a reputation of being able to solve problems in difficult situations. From creative professionals to musicians to programmers to engineers and others, Rick has helped negotiate and litigate contracts for hundreds of contractors,...

Magdalena Cuprys received her Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law in 2002. She was admitted to the practice of law in California in 2003 and in Florida in 2006. Before law school, she completed two bachelor’s degrees, one in Political Science and one in Latin American Studies, at the University of Chicago in 1999 (AB Degrees Political Science & Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago in 1999). Ms. Cuprys is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and was the Panhellenic President at the University of Chicago. – She is a Member of...

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...

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...

As the founder of the firm David F. Vedder, P.A., Volusia County lawyer David Vedder devotes his practice to the area of immigration law. Since 1978, he has been practicing in the legal field. Mr. Vedder is among the small group of Florida attorneys who a Board Certification for Immigration and Nationality Law. Attorney Vedder is a member of the Volusia County Bar Association and American Immigration Association. For nine years in a row, he has been selected for inclusion in the list of Florida Super Lawyers®. Additionally, he is the recipient of a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Peer Rating. For...

Mr. Persad has worked in the legal profession for over 20 years. He is licensed to practice law in Florida, the United States Virgin Islands, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He earned his Juris Doctor degree and his Masters in Public Administration degree from the University of Akron in 1993 and 1994, respectively. He also holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands and a diploma in paralegal studies from New York University. Mr. Persad's experience in the legal field...

Matt DeBoard is a Senior Partner with Barrister Law Firm. Raised in the Orlando area, Mr. DeBoard earned his high school degree from Oak Ridge High School and later went on to American University in Washington, D.C. where he completed a double-major curriculum in both Physics and Communications. Mr. DeBoard earned his law degree from Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, where he achieved the highest grade of anyone in his class in both his Constitutional Law II and Trademark Seminar law classes.

Mr. DeBoard has decades of experience in both the real estate and mortgage businesses. Prior to...

Mr. Hancock is the Managing Partner at Hancock & Associates, P.A. He graduated from undergraduate school at the University of Central Florida in 2003, where he received his Bachelors of Science in Psychology. He attended and graduated from Florida A&M College of Law, in Orlando, FL, and received his Juris Doctor in 2010. He has been a member of the Florida Bar and a practicing attorney since September, 2010. During law school, he was a summer associate at McCreary & Hancock, P.A., in Orlando, Florida, and later was a clerk for the Judge of Compensation Claims in Orlando, FL....

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,...

Practice specializing in complex business and immigration law issues as well as strategic immigration planning for businesses, employers and individuals. Principal attorney in the Orlando-based law firm SilzerLaw Chartered that focuses on immigration, business and employment law. Extensive experience as counsel for universities and colleges in issues relating to human resources, labor relations and immigration. Legal advisor to community and business organizations.

Michael Sechrest is a civil trial attorney in Gainesville FL. He was recently selected by SuperLawyers as a civil litigation super lawyer, which is a designation reserved for only 5% of attorneys in the State of Florida. He is also board certified by the Florida Bar, which is a recognition as an expert in his field. He has handled hundreds of cases, trials and arbitrations throughout Florida and many other states in both state and federal courts. Mr. Sechrest’s practice areas include personal injury, business/construction litigation, and products liability. He has also handled a variety of...

I have been practicing Personal Injury and Immigration Law for over 25 years. Throughout my career, I have been honored with several awards including the Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Award for Legal Services, the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award, and three American Jurisprudence Awards for achieving the top grades in three of my Law School classes. I am 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. In my personal injury practice, I operate...

Attorney Christina M. Miner is an associate attorney at Bloodworth Law, PLLC, in Winter Haven, and Orlando, Florida.

Christina handles Personal Injury Protection (PIP) litigation, commercial litigation, and estate and probate litigation.

Christina joined the team in April 2019 and has a range of legal experience in Central Florida law that began in 2009. Her focus is on client goals and providing options to best resolve legal issues.

“In estate litigation, I get to look at what clients have, what their goals are, and their wishes,” Christina said. “It’s my job to solve the financial puzzles and legal problems. Then I...

I grew up in the Dr. Phillips area of Orlando, Florida from age seven until I left for college. After graduating law school, I have worked in both the public and private sectors, as a criminal prosecutor for five years and in-house counsel for a private equity group, respectively, culminating in my opening my own practice. For most of my services I can serve all Florida counties and have experience in all stages of litigation, from negotiation to jury trial. I will give it all I have for my clients, so contact me today!

This Florida native attended University of Florida Law School after graduating from Duke University. She is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell peer review rating system. This is their highest rating. Avvo national ratings gave her an excellent rating. The office practice includes bankruptcy, landlord tenant, foreclosure, family law, estate planning including wills and trusts, and probate and guardianship matters.

A native of Venezuela, Attorney Daniela Alvarado immigrated to the United States with her family at a young age. While she was not aware of it at the time, this move would shape her life and put her on the path to assisting future immigrants with their own journeys. As she grew, she displayed increasing interest in all things international, attending an international magnet program at a local high school and obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Rollins College, where she graduated summa cum laude and as a member of the school’s Honors Program.

Daniela then went on...

Jack A. Kaleita graduated from Stetson University College of Law, was admitted to the Bar in 1986 and began his legal career as a state prosecutor on Florida's west coast. He then returned to Central Florida after 5 years, serving as an Assistant State Attorney in Seminole County for an additional 12 years. As a prosecutor, Mr. Kaleita tried numerous cases involving virtually every type of criminal charge. In addition to taking dozens of criminal cases to trial himself, he taught and supervised other attorneys, first as a Lead Trial Attorney, and later as the Misdemeanor/Traffic Division Chief and as the...

I am Daniesha Solomon, born in Kingston, Jamaica, and I have built a solid foundation in the field of law. I completed my Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, and later earned my Legal Education Certificate (L.E.C.) from Norman Manley Law School. In 2018, I was admitted to the Jamaican Bar as an Attorney-at-Law. During my studies at Norman Manley Law School, I worked as a Judicial Law Clerk at the Supreme Court of Jamaica, where I gained invaluable experience. After graduating, I took on the role of Legal Officer at a financial institution....

Anton J. Nace, Esq. has served the Central Florida community as a criminal defense attorney for 22 years. Mr. Nace was born and raised in Florida and is well known throughout the legal community, possessing a strong reputation amongst attorneys and judges in the Orlando area and throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Nace began his career as an Assistant State Attorney in Orlando, Florida. He handled misdemeanor and felony cases before accepting a position in a specialized unit that dealt with Sex Crimes and Child Abuse. He furthered his career as a partner in several law firms, distributing his...

Thomas B. Luka, Esq. is a native Central Floridian who has provided clients with exceptional courtroom representation and guidance for over 16 years. As a partner at the law firm of Adams, Luka, & Benton, P.A., Mr. Luka has an extensive background in litigation, and has been lead counsel on more than 150 criminal and civil trials. Mr. Luka has appeared as a legal analyst on local and national talk shows such as CNN, CNBC, Fox News, Nancy Grace, Geraldo Rivera, Jane Velez Mitchell and Court TV. Thomas Luka began his law career as an Assistant State Attorney in...

Jed was born in Newton, Iowa, but he grew up in Central Florida.

He went to Lake Mary High School, graduating Summa Cum Laude (over 4.0 GPA), while playing varsity baseball and volleyball. He attended Florida State University and obtained degrees, with honors, in both Finance and Insurance/Risk Management. Jed stayed at Florida State for law school where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree with honors.

While at Florida State College of Law, Jed clerked at the Department of Highway Safety where he specialized in appellate issues for DUI cases. He later clerked at a civil insurance-defense law firm, Henry, Buchanan,...

A consumer protection practice, the Law Office of Cynthia O'Donnell helps student loan borrowers and identity theft victims as well as other consumers manage their debt and credit issues.

Cynthia Fussell O'Donnell was born and raised in the panhandle of Florida and graduated from Florida State University with a B.A. in Music. Coming from a long line of military veterans, she joined the U.S. Navy and attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in February 2001. While in the Navy, she served onboard USS Mahan (DDG-72) as the Strike Warfare Office and USS Hue City (CG-66) as the Damage Control Assistant...

Tracee L. Ivins graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. After graduation she worked for the State of Florida as a certified investigator, before deciding to pursue a law degree. As an attorney Ms. Ivins has handled files from inception all the way to a jury verdict. Her experience has included claims involving serious bodily injury, product liability injury and wrongful death arising from auto accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, negligent security, motorcycle and tractor trailer accidents.

Lawsuits including Negligence, Breach of Contract, Negligent Entrustment, Uninsured Motorist Insurance Claims, Under-Insured Motorists Insurance disputes, Wrongful Death, Bad...

Originally from the great State of Texas, Mr. Archer has sought the practice of law as his second career. After graduating high school in 1992, Mr. Archer enlisted in the US Air Force and served as a Munitions Systems Specialist and a Training Manager/Instructor until he discharged in 2000. Upon completion of his bachelors degrees at McMurry University (Science) and University of Central Oklahoma (Business Admin.), he attended Barry University School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate in 2005. Mr. Archer began his practice in 2006 and has continued in the areas of Family Law and...

Andrea Anderson is a seasoned attorney representing clients in bankruptcy and homeowners’ and condominium association (HOA) law across Central Florida, including Orlando, Clermont, Kissimmee, Leesburg, Melbourne, Ocala, Orange City, St. Cloud, The Villages, and Titusville. With over two decades of legal experience, she provides trusted counsel to individuals, corporations, and homeowners navigating complex financial and property-related matters. Andrea began her career as a court attorney for the New York Appellate Division and later ran a multi-state law firm focused on bankruptcy, criminal defense, and personal injury. She joined Bogin, Munns & Munns in 2018, bringing with her a client-centered, empathetic...

Attorney Petrochko was born in Pennsylvania. After earning a bachelors of science degree from Penn State University he decided to trade his snow shovel in for beach blankets and jurisprudence. Keith was awarded a Juris Doctor degree from Florida A&M University College of Law. While pursuing this degree, he was involved in several academic and civil organizations including leading the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. It was during this time that Keith developed a passion for civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Keith primarily focuses his efforts on labor and employment law and personal injury cases. He enjoys being...

With over 29 years of trial experience, attorney Michael Herring has zealously represented those that have been accused of all crimes, the injured and small business interests in all state courts of Central Florida. Herring and Herring P.A., a third generation Sanford Fl Law Firm, is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, conveniently located in the County Seat of Sanford, Seminole County, Florida. As a criminal defense lawyer, Michael Herring has been representing the accused for more than two decades in Central Florida. He handles a wide variety of cases ranging from high profile felonies to simple misdemeanors. Mr. Herring...

First and foremost, I’m a regular Joe, just like anybody else.
I know what it’s like to deal with insurance companies when a loved one is suffering through expensive medical treatments. When I was growing up, my sister battled a serious illness, and my family had to fight constantly to get her the treatment and benefits she deserved.

No stranger to hard work, standing up for those in need, and giving back to the community, I spent over a decade working in and operating group homes for developmentally disabled adults and children before law school.

While attending Florida A & M University College...