Polk City Lawyers

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Larry L. Doan, an immigrant originally from Vietnam, sought refuge from the communist regime and arrived in the United States at the age of 10. Growing up in California, he identified himself as a devoted "math and science nerd." Despite initially pursuing a career as an engineer in the defense industry, Larry found it lacking in fulfillment. Opting for a career change, he transitioned to law and discovered the profound satisfaction of practicing immigration law. Drawing from his personal journey, Larry now positively impacts the lives of numerous immigrants. During his leisure time, Larry relishes moments with his partner and their...

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...

Ms. Wasylik's practice focuses on Intellectual property and appellate litigation. She has been certified as an expert in both intellectual property law and appellate practice by the Florida Bar. Within intellectual property law, Ms. Wasylik maintains a particular focus on internet, technology and photography copyright issues, and trademark and trade dress negotiation, counseling, and litigation. She also represents clients in civil appeals in both Federal and Florida state courts.

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,...

Derek Brett is a trial attorney who has been actively practicing since 1996. He maintains two offices, one in Orlando and another in Pensacola.

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...

Growing up in Central Florida, Mr. Bailey decided to stay local when pursuing a higher education. Attending the University of Central Florida, Mr. Bailey obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2012. While completing this degree and afterwards, Mr. Bailey worked for a large firm handling Bankruptcy cases for those who had fallen on hard times, especially those caused by the mortgage crisis. Mr. Bailey was inspired to go to law school by the work and dedication of the attorneys he worked with for years. Mr. Bailey obtained his Juris Doctorate in December 2016.
Mr. Bailey focuses his...

Former State Prosecutor Serving Tampa Bay and Pasco County areas

Experience: • More than 30 years experience • Former Prosceutor for Orange and Osceola County • Handled Capitol Cases involving the Death Penalty • Handled Thousands of Criminal Cases • Handled Thousands of DUI and Traffic Cases Licensed To Practice: • United States Supreme Court • United States District Court Middle District Florida • All Florida State Courts

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...

Roddy B. Lanigan, a partner at Winter Park law firm Lanigan & Lanigan, P.L., counsels businesses and high net worth individuals on legal issues including appeals, white collar crime, real estate, civil and business, bankruptcy, securities and investment losses. Roddy Lanigan has a unique perspective on, and approach to, the delivery of legal services given the breadth of transactions in which he has participated for clients. Prior to starting Lanigan & Lanigan with his father, Roddy worked within the Financial Services Practice Group of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLC in Washington, D.C. At Skadden, he...

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...

Brent C. Miller is an experienced trial lawyer who dedicates his practice to personal injury and litigation. With more than 25 years of experience, Mr. Miller has helped thousands of clients pursue compensation through personal injury claims. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, joining a limited group of trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional excellence, skill and experience by obtaining a settlement, award or verdict of $1 million or more. Mr. Miller attended DePaul University in Chicago, Ill., and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree. He then pursued his juris doctor degree from Indiana...

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...

For more than 12 years, civil trial attorney Michael A. Serrano, Esquire has handled personal injury, employment law, insurance claim disputes and wrongful death cases in Wesley Chapel, Tampa, and throughout Florida. He brings big firm experience right to your neighborhood.

I have nine years of experience as an Immigration Attorney. Additionally, I have a very strong knowledge of employment law and the connection between immigration and Federal and State employment regulations. While I have not counted exactly how many immigration cases I have handled, reviewed, consulted with or been associated with, I estimate that the number is easily in the thousands. Based on this experience there is rarely a situation that I have not seen before. I am AV rated perfect “5.0”, Avvo rated “Superb”, Avvo Client choice awards 2011, 2012, 2013, “Rising Star” Orlando Style Magazine, Lead Counsel Rated...

Anna Garcia is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Garcia Immigration Law, LLC. Originally from Ukraine, she earned her Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees from the Institute of International Relations of National T. Shevchenko University of Ukraine, the country’s most prestigious university. ​Anna pursued her U.S. legal education at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she earned her LL.M. degree in Comparative Law. Anna Garcia is licensed to practice in the state of Missouri and is a member of the Central Florida Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), as well as...

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.

The Alvarez Law Firm a Professional Association is a private firm owned by Rachel M. Alvarez. Her practice focuses on financial matters. Rachel’s vision is to aggressively represent her clients in any financial stage for individuals of any walk of life. She is committed to building ongoing relationships with her clients to facilitate their success. Rachel attended the University Of Central Florida where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration. Upon graduating she pursued her dream to be an attorney at Regent University School of Law. At the tender age of five Rachel decided to be...

Richard F. Cipriano, III, Esquire was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. He graduated from Jesuit High School in nded the University of South Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Richard attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan and has been practicing law since 2004. He gained a tremendous amount of trial experience as a prosecutor with the Twelfth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State Attorney in both Sarasota County and Manatee County. While there, he successfully prosecuted cases, ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies such as Driving Under the Influence, Burglary,...

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.

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,...

Sarah hails from Upstate New York and is a Yankee at heart, though she relocated to Florida over a decade ago. After high school, she moved to New York City to attend Fordham University. While living in the Big Apple, she gained experience through several jobs, including interning for The Fresh Air Fund, tutoring disadvantaged children in the Bronx through the America Reads Challenge program, and working on a congressional campaign, to name a few. During her junior year, she traveled to Ireland for a six month study abroad program and studied Celtic History and International Economics at University...

Tiffani K. Thornton is a solo practitioner in Tampa, Florida. Her primary areas of practice and expertise are estate planning, business transactions, real estate and real property. Ms. Thornton is a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida, where she managed cases from intake through trial preparation, including making regular court appearances and arguments on behalf of a state agency. While a student at USF St. Petersburg she launched her mother’s senior care business, worked as a Legal Assistant for an attorney representing Homeowners and Condominium Associations, and interned for local and state-level political campaigns. During law school,...

Criminal Defense Lawyer Rajan Joshi received his Bachelors degree from the University of Central Florida in 1996, and earned his law degree with Honors from the University of Florida College of Law in 2000. While in law school, Rajan Joshi demonstrated academic excellence, earning the highly coveted Book Award in Criminal Procedure (highest grade). Mr. Joshi was also selected and employed by the Dean of Student Affairs to tutor first-year contract students and conducted his own class to prepare the students for their final exam. Mr. Joshi also worked as a legal intern at the Seminole County State Attorney's Office...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Brian Arrighi is a attorney in Tampa and founding partner of the North Tampa Law Group. His firm is dedicated to guiding Floridians through family law, real estate, estate planning and other civil law concerns. He holds memberships with the Florida Bar and Hillsborough County Bar Association. To receive more information, contact his team today and get a free consultation.

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...