Ruskin Lawyers

A Queens, New York native graduating from the State University of New York (SUNY) Albany in Political Science, History and a minor in Criminal Justice in 2010. Ms. Whitfield graduated Ave Maria School of Law, in Naples, FL in 2013 and became a member of the Florida Bar in 2015. She has established a practice in the Tampa Bay area where she lives and works. Having established several areas of practice including Estate Planning, Probate, Immigration, Criminal Defense, and Business Law matters. Her passion is to help those in her community through the court system with their legal issues and...

Steven C. Ruth is the managing- trial attorney of The Ruth Law Team. For over 35 years he has exclusively represented thousands of families in successfully obtaining compensation for their injuries or wrongful death due to the negligent conduct of individuals, corporations, and insurance companies. He conducts jury trials involving auto, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as defective products, elderly abuse, and medical malpractice. He is admitted to practice before all state courts in Florida and Minnesota, the Federal Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, the Federal Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of the United States...

Lesly Carmen Longa Vaillancourt litigated and defended claims on behalf of individuals against corporations for over 10 years. Today she focuses her practice on wills, estate planning and family mediation. Attorney Longa speaks Spanish, has represented foreign nationals in U.S. Courts, and also handles a variety of international matters for business and estate planning clients. She is a Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator who can help divorcing couples file for divorce and negotiate an agreement without attorneys, preserving the family's dignity and empowering folks to decide for themselves what is best for them and their children. ...

I am the managing attorney of Brick Business Law, P.A. My firm focuses primarily on litigating and resolving business disputes in and around the Tampa Bay Area. Our clients include business organizations of various sizes and in various industries such as manufacturing, services, technology, medical, food, real estate and others. I am an AV-rated attorney with significant trial and courtroom experience (over 100 trials). I have been honored by SuperLawyers as both a Rising Star and Super Lawyer since 2015, and among the Best Business Lawyers in Tampa and St. Petersburg by Expertise.com. I have...

Matt Erjavec is a native Floridian who graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Business Management and received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Upon graduation from law school, Matt returned home to Florida and began practicing as a personal injury attorney at a high volume law firm in Tampa, Florida. During this time, Matt gained invaluable experience handling all aspects of personal injury cases while representing thousands of injury victims. However, this experience also exposed Matt to the shortcomings of high volume law firms - namely, that many times...

Summer Goldman is an experienced criminal attorney representing individuals facing criminal charges. Ms. Goldman started her legal career as a prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office in Pinellas County. During her time there, she handled thousands of cases from the initial investigation with law enforcement through sentencing.

Attorney Goldman left her position as a prosecutor in 2004 and started working as a criminal defense attorney. In 2009, she co-founded Goldman Wetzel, a criminal defense law firm based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

As a criminal defense laywer, Ms. Goldman is skilled in Federal and State serious felony charges including sex offenses,...

John M. Hemenway is a founding partner of Bivins & Hemenway, P.A. John serves as a trusted legal advisor to business owners, real estate investors, and families seeking to preserve and pass down their wealth and values. His practice focuses on estate planning and probate, small and closely held businesses, and real estate, combining experience in each of these areas to provide a comprehensive approach to transactions and planning.

John earned his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Florida. John regularly presents at legal education seminars on both probate and estate planning topics, and is published on estate planning...

Yohan is the Attorney of Center for U.S. Services (CFUIS) Bradenton Office. With about 60 years of combined experience in Immigration law, CFUIS provides immigration services to families and businesses. Yohan’ s goal is to help clients realize their dream of living in the United States. Yohan speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French and Creole. His ability to speak various languages enables him to effectively assist immigrants from diverse background. Yohan is from the Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe and came to the U.S. as a student. He went through the immigration processes and personally knows how the immigration process can be very stressful,...

Terri Cromley is a managing partner of the firm. She was born and raised in Ohio. She is an avid sports fan and enjoys cheering on our hometown Bradenton Marauders. She also attends as many Lightning games as possible. She is active in the Bradenton community and actively supports and organizes charitable fundraisers.

O’Brien Hatfield, PA is a federal and state criminal defense law firm with offices in Tampa, Florida, Orlando, Florida, and Miami, Florida. Attorney Mark J. O’Brien is the firm’s managing partner and handles federal criminal cases throughout Florida and across the country. Attorney Victoria E. Hatfield is an equity partner who defends criminal cases in every county and circuit court in the State of Florida. Oliva M. Goodman is a partner and in charge of the firm’s criminal appellate division handling appeals and post-convictions motions. The United States Constitution guarantees every individual the right to a fair trial and the...

Caitlin Szematowicz is a Partner with the firm, practicing in the areas of Civil & Commercial Litigation, Appeals, and Employment Law. Caitlin joined the firm in August 2012.

Caitlin graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in May 2012. She graduated cum laude from the University of Tampa, Honors Program, in December 2008, where she majored in Writing and received the “Outstanding Graduate in Writing” Award upon graduation.

While in law school, Caitlin worked as an appellate law clerk for a Washington D.C. law firm, extern at the United States Attorney’s Office, and a Certified Legal...

R. Michael Pierro, Jr. ("Mike") is a Florida Bar Board Certified labor and employment attorney based in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is one of only 5 lawyers in St. Petersburg holding the distinction of Board certification in the area of labor and employment law. He represents both employers and employees. Mike is also a certified Florida circuit civil and federal court mediator. With over 20 years of litigation experience, Mike is well-suited to effectively mediate employment-related disputes. Mike welcomes the opportunity to discuss your employment matter.

Don Cahall prides himself on being extremely passionate about every one of his clients’ cases no matter whether the damages involved are small or large. Don’s clients are victims who have been harmed by others’ negligent or intentional wrongdoing. To obtain justice for his clients, Don’s objective is to attempt to recover his clients’ financial damages as quickly as possible. It has been said that the wheels of justice turn slowly. The culpable parties often seek to obstruct and delay justice and courts are regularly inundated with heavy caseloads. Thus, to meet his objective, Don utilizes an aggressive approach to...

Ms. Mitchell graduated from Florida State University with a major in History and Economics. Upon graduation, Ms. Mitchell was hired by the premier South Florida personal injury law firm of Bogani & Robes, PLLC. Witnessing quality legal service promoting justice, and bettering the lives of their clients, she decided to attend law school at St. Thomas University School of Law.

As a merit scholarship recipient, Ms. Mitchell excelled academically earning placement on the Dean’s List every semester, named Articles Editor of Law Review, and participated in Moot Court as both a competitor and coach. Ms. Mitchell was site coordinator for the...

I represent clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses throughout the Tampa Bay area. I am a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). I graduated with Honors from the University of Florida College of Law in Gainesville, Florida, in 1999, and served as Vice Chair on the Executive Board for the UF Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Board. I completed internships at the State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit prosecuting cases in the felony division, and the United States Attorney's...

Michael Perenich is a third-generation personal injury lawyer. Guy Perenich, his grandfather, founded a personal injury law firm in Clearwater, Florida, in 1955, and Michael's father Mark Perenich is a personal injury lawyer as well. Born in Clearwater and raised in Tarpon Springs, Michael currently resides in Palm Harbor. He went on to complete his philosophy degree at the University of South Florida. Following his graduation from USF, Michael, like his father, enrolled in Loyola University's New Orleans College of Law. Michael interned as a law student for Honorable Judge Robert Morris of the Second District Court of Appeals. In addition, he participated in...

I have maintained a private law practice for 35 years in the areas of criminal defense, juvenile, dependency, bankruptcy, real estate, corporate, contracts, estate planning, and probate administration. I served the public sector as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Coumbus, Ohio; Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Juvenile Division for Jefferson County, Ohio; Special Agent and Assistant Ohio Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Division; and Service/Safety Director for Reynoldsburg, Ohio. I was also a registered lobbyist and in-house legal counsel for the Ohio Municipal League. I am focusing my practice now on estate planning, business, and probate administration.

Daniel Rosefelt has been a dual licensed tax attorney for over 25 years and a Certified Public Accountant for over 30 years. He is the principal of the tax law firm of Daniel Rosefelt & Associates, LLC. The firm represents individuals and businesses with serious tax issues in the Washington D.C. Metro area, in Florida, throughout the United States and internationally. Mr. Rosefelt's practice focuses on representing individuals and small businesses with serious tax problems such as un-filed tax returns, audits, criminal tax investigations, administrative appeals, tax court litigation, unpaid payroll taxes and resolution of large tax debts...

Dominic J. Baccarella is a divorce and family law attorney and criminal defense lawyer. He has earned an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating available for attorneys for legal ability and ethical standards. Prior to opening Baccarella & Baccarella, P.A., Mr. Baccarella worked as an assistant professor for the Legal Assistance program at Hillsborough Community college and as the Assistant State Attorney for the State of Florida. In 1989–1990, he was a certified contract advisor to National Football League (NFL) players. In addition to providing clients with zealous and thorough representation in divorce, family law and...

Richard's practice is focused on mediation. As an attorney, Richard worked at three of the country's largest and most prestigious national law firms, representing America's most well-known companies. Richard later established his own law firm, where his practice focused on business litigation and family law. In mediations, Richard uses his broad understanding of the law, ability to listen, aptitude for numbers, and sense of human empathy to help resolve disputes.

Ziegler Diamond Law provides legal representation for consumers facing debt-related legal issues, including foreclosure, bankruptcy, credit card lawsuit, debt negotiation, and creditor harassment claims. Prior to opening his own law firm, Attorney Michael “Mike” Ziegler was in private practice with the Law Office of Robert Eckard & Associates, P.A. where he handled numerous cases in foreclosure, bankruptcy, and other civil litigation issues. Before joining The Law Office of Robert Eckard and Associates, P.A., Attorney Ziegler served a financially sensitive client base as an advocate at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. Attorney Ziegler implementing legal strategies based on TILA, RESPA, FCCPA,...

Tampa Insurance Law Attorney

As the founder and managing partner of Germain Law Group, Michael Germain continues to represent insurance policyholders, personal injury victims, consumers, and businesses across Florida.

He is a dedicated advocate for his clients' causes, even if their case takes them against large insurance corporations. His resolve stems from nearly a decade of legal experience, which allows him to confidently fight for his clients' futures inside and outside of the courtroom.

Michael Germain founded Germain Law Group on the foundation of open-communication and a drive to help people gain the justice that they deserve.

With insurance-related matters, individuals, families,...

Practice Areas: Business Law; Construction Law; Real Estate
Admitted: 2005, Florida and U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Law School: Florida State University, J.D.

Member: Hillsborough County Bar Association; The Florida Bar.

Biography: Board of Directors, Tampa Interbay Rotary Club. Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator. Lifetime Member Veterans of Foreign Wars. AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Named “Rising Star” in Business Litigation by Super Lawyers. Consistently named to “Tampa’s Top Rated Lawyers” by Legal Leaders Magazine.

Born: Charlotte, North Carolina, April 1, 1974

MilitaryService: U.S. Navy, 1993-1999

Cases: Scherer v. Villas Del Verde Homeowners Ass'n, Inc., 55 So.3d 602 (Fla....

The overwhelming majority of my immigration law practice derives from repeat business and a very strong referral base of “happy customers” and a large supporting professional network. As such, it is important to me that my clients report back to me frequently with feedback. To me, there is no substitute for a happy referral by my clients and contacts to others who may need my services or advice. I welcome all referrals. While there is no substitute for a face-to-face meeting with me, in order for you to decide if I am the right lawyer for you,...

Ryan began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, where he tried over 50 jury trials (and over 200 non-jury trials) at both the felony and misdemeanor levels. He then went on to practice law for a prominent insurance defense firm until the fall of 2007, when he joined the Plaintiff’s side and began helping Injury victims. He now represents plaintiffs’ rights in personal injury and wrongful death claims. In the past Ryan has defended insurance companies and their insureds, which provides him with a unique insight into the inner workings of...

Patrick W. Harland, Jr. is a seasoned litigator and personal injury attorney having tried cases in both Florida State and Federal Court.

Upon graduating from Stetson University College of Law in 1999, Mr. Harland focused his law practice on defending insurance companies as well as some of the nation’s largest nursing home chains in liability suits relating to patient care. Mr. Harland also defended physicians in correctional healthcare cases brought by inmates alleging civil rights violations due to inadequate healthcare.

Today, Mr. Harland uses that defense background to the advantage of St. Petersburg clients who have been injured by the negligence of...

I am Timothy J. Sierra, a bankruptcy attorney with more than 24 years of legal experience. I specialize 100% of my practice in bankruptcy and work with clients in the Tampa Bay, Riverview, and Brandon areas. Visit our website at www.timsierra.com or give me a call today at (813)258-3455 to schedule a free initial consultation.

For over 20 years, our team has been representing property and business owners in eminent domain and property rights litigation throughout the State of Florida. My practice concentrates on problem-solving from strategy and negotiation thorough trial. I serve as lead counsel in jury and non-jury trials, mediations, and other dispute resolution procedures. Our firm guides an owner through the condemnation process, protects an owner's property rights, and fights for an owner to receive full compensation. Practice areas: Eminent domain and property rights legal representation in trial and appellate court proceedings and administrative hearings. Founded in 1970, Trenam...

Vincent R. Pawlowski, Esq. is an exceptional client advocate with more than 20 years experience in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death litigation, automobile accidents and injuries, workers compensation, criminal defense, DUI / DWI, and drug charges. He founded the Pawlowski // Mastrilli Law Group in 1995 in the heart of Tampa's Ybor City, with satellite offices in Westchase, New Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Lakeland. As managing partner of the firm, Vincent ensures that every member of his legal team holds the same core values and vigor to defend and fight for our clients case...

Maj: pronounced like the first syllable of "Magic" Vasigh: pronounced "Va-sigh" Most people go through life thinking they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. And many of them never will. But sometimes, a regular, decent, professional person - a teacher, college student, nurse, or fellow lawyer - will find themselves in a situation they never thought they'd be in. That's when they call Maj Vasigh, a criminal defense attorney in Tampa who is an expert in criminal defense litigation. Though he represents people from all walks of life the majority of his clientele aren't the type of "hard criminals"...

Matthew Wheeley was born in Haines City, FL and grew up in Clearwater. He and his wife, Dianna, have two grown children who were recently married and live in Tampa. They have two spoiled dogs still living at home. Matt has completed a marathon, half-marathon, and numerous triathlons.

A true Florida native, Jonathon Douglas graduated from Northeast High School in St. Petersburg before attending the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, both with honors. From there, Mr. Douglas attended Stetson University College of Law where he learned and practiced the art of trial advocacy. Before graduating, Jonathon clerked for the Honorable Shawn Crane and interned at the State Attorney’s Office and Public Defender’s Office. After graduation, he began his work as an Assistant Public Defender for the Sixth Judicial Circuit and then moved on to defending the rights of...

Attorney Hardy attended Suffolk University Law School's Evening Division. He graduated Magna Cum Laude (with high honors) in the top four percent of his class. From 2005 until 2010, Attorney Hardy served as a State Prosecutor in Tampa Florida. Since 2010 he has been in private practice. In Florida State Courts, he has handled thousands of cases ranging from DUI to first degree felonies. In Federal Court, he has handled international extradition cases, bank fraud, drug trafficking, firearms cases, and immigration offenses. Attorney Hardy is Board Certified by the Florida Bar as an...

Suffering a personal injury, whether from a car or motorcycle accident, negligence, faulty workmanship, or any other cause can have a profound impact on your life. That's where Marsalisi Law comes in. While we can't undo the harm caused by the injury, we can provide you with honest and high-quality legal representation. We will work tirelessly to recover the compensation and justice you deserve. At Marsalisi Law, our personal injury lawyers in St. Petersburg will vigorously fight for your rights and ensure that you are compensated for your financial and personal losses. We understand that every personal injury case is unique,...

William Gearhart has extensive experience representing a wide range of clients in nearly all aspects of immigration law. His practice focuses on assisting employers and employees with nonimmigrant and immigrant visa petitions, labor certifications, and I-9 compliance issues. William also assists individuals in obtaining nonimmigrant status, asylum, waivers, permanent legal residency, citizenship, and petitions for family members. William has been repeatedly selected by Super Lawyers® as a Rising Star in the field of immigration law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and is licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana, and the United States District...

The founding lawyer at Gardiner Immigration P.A., Attorney Grace Gardiner proudly serves clients throughout South Florida, including Tampa, Plantation, and Fort Lauderdale. She is an immigrant herself and understands the potential challenges that many of her clients face. Because of this knowledge and experience, Grace is able to handle a number of complex legal matters, helping clients live and work in the United States. He focus is to always provide compassionate legal care, especially in the face of emotionally trying matters, such as deportation and family visas. To learn more about Attorney Gardiner’s practice and how she may be able...

I am an experienced commercial real estate transactions attorney with a practice focused on negotiating and documenting commercial leases (anchor tenant, shopping center, retail store, office, and industrial) and commercial real estate transactions. Throughout my career, I have been committed to applying creative win-win negotiation skills, developing and implementing practical legal and business solutions, and building professional relationships, as you can see on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencesilvestri/) and at www.LarryTheLeasingLawyer.com.

Mr. Wells has been a member of the Florida Bar for over 30 years and has represented both insurers and their insureds over the course of his career. Mr. Wells handles bodily injury cases and insurance coverage claims, including first party property matters (fire, sinkhole, hurricane, windstorm, and water damage claims), other insurance claims (life, disability and other direct actions against insurers), bad faith claims (claims against an insurer for improper claim handling), and insurance agent negligence cases, in both the state and federal courts. Mr. Wells is an experienced litigator, having litigated matters statewide, including the...

Attorney Bryan D. Caulfield is a partner with Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers. Bryan has handled over 3000 cases in his exceptional 32-year career; he practices exclusively personal injury and wrongful death law. Bryan has experience working with car accidents, workplace accidents, motorcycle accident, and pedestrian accident cases, to name but a few. Bryan has received numerous accolades and has many exceptional achievements as part of his legal career. Attorney Bryan Caulfield has achieved Board Certification as a Civil Trial Lawyer from the Florida Bar. Less than 2% of attorneys in the State of Florida have received this...

The Law Office of Ama N. Appiah currently represents those seeking assistance in state appeals, trademark & copyright registration, and entertainment & creative arts law. Ms. Appiah earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the State University of New York College at Buffalo, cum laude. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Appiah worked as a legal assistant and paralegal for the U.S. Small Business Admin. - Disaster Assistance Office in Niagara Falls, NY. The office provided federal loans and grants to those who suffered physical and/or economic damage to their homes and/or businesses as a result of natural...