Santa Rosa County Lawyers

Shawn holds a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Florida State University, College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in History Education from the University of West Florida. Shawn has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1996, a member of the United States District Court, Northern District of Florida since 1997, and Board Certified as an expert in Juvenile Law since 2017.

Scott Critzer began working in the construction and real estate business more than 30 years ago, after graduating from Virginia Tech’s top ranked Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Scott worked first as an engineer for a commercial developer and later as a development project manager. Continuing his education, Scott graduated from Georgia State University College of Law in 1993, and has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since that time. The Critzer Law Firm opened in Atlanta where Scott worked litigating real estate cases and performed real...

Jay Patel is a Former Prosecutor and a Former Law Enforcement Officer with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. After Jay was admitted to the Florida Bar, he served as a prosecutor in Okaloosa and Walton Counties from 2013 to 2017. As an Assistant State Attorney, he spent years prosecuting thousands of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, some punishable by life in prison. Jay achieved success in prosecuting criminal cases that were before a jury, a judge, and the appellate court. Despite his success as a Florida Prosecutor, Jay decided it was time for a change. Thus, in 2017, Jay went...

James M. Burns, Attorney at Law, hails from Mobile, Alabama, where he was born in 1962. When he was five years old, he moved with his family to Pensacola, Florida. James has lived and worked in the Pensacola area, Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties in Florida, and Baldwin and Mobile Counties in Alabama his whole life. As a member of both the Florida Bar and the Alabama Bar, James is licensed to practice law in both states. James M Burns is a skilled, experienced and aggressive attorney admitted to practice in both Alabama and Florida. Attorney Burns has...

I handle Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases for debtors. I also handle probate and estate planning, wills, trusts and power of attorneys. I have practiced in Pensacola, Florida for over 30 years.

John Terrezza was born in Pensacola, Florida, educated at the University of Florida and the Florida State University College of Law, and now focuses his practice on criminal defense. From 2010 to 2015, John lived in Gainesville, Florida where he discovered his passion for criminal defense while working in the office of attorney Lloyd Vipperman Jr. John enjoys the opportunity to get in the courtroom, argue, and defend the rights of persons accused of crimes. John has won acquittals at trial as lead counsel on charges ranging from misdemeanors to those carrying mandatory life sentences. In 2015,...

I have been practicing for over 10 years and over 5000 court cases, ranging from DUIs and Domestic Violence charges–to the most serious and complex felony cases. I have had many jury trials and have represented those charged with capital offenses. I attended law school at the University of North Dakota. While there I focused on trial advocacy and litigation and worked some excellent attorneys at Zimney, Foster, P.C. I worked in the areas of Insurance Defense, Commercial Law, and Federal Criminal Law. After moving to Florida with my family, I started working as a prosecutor for child...

Joe Zarzaur is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney whose firm is dedicated to promoting community safety since 2007. Zarzaur Law, P.A. is focused on personal injury litigation has more than 20 years of experience in this niche. The firm’s lawyers meet with each client and carefully explain the steps they need to protect themselves and any loved ones who have personal injuries. Zarzaur Law offers free initial consultations to Florida personal injury victims. The firm has two offices in Pensacola and Destin to help serve Escambia, Santa Rosa and the surrounding areas.

Zarzaur Law has earned its reputation as one...

I am an aggressive trial lawyer who wants to tell my clients' stories and fight for them in the courtroom or out of the courtroom.

David Luther Woodward was educated in the public schools of Alabama, Georgia and Florida, earned his undergraduate and professional law degrees at The Florida State University at Tallahassee, and did post-professional studies at the London School of Economics. A lawyer admitted to practice in Florida, Oklahoma and Texas, he has practiced in each of those states.

A mature practitioner, the biographee, upon his admission to the practice of law, worked for not only the federal government, but also for the governments of two states, where he served not only in professional, but also management capacities. His further experience...

Stephen “Steve” Joseph Ryan was born in the Bronx, where his mother worked as a nurse and his father was an officer with the New York Police Department. In the early ’90s, Steve moved to Tallahassee, Florida to continue his studies at Florida State University’s College of Law, where he met fellow law student and his future law partner, Shawn Risen. In 1995, Steve graduated with honors and received a Juris Doctorate, and one year later, Steve and Shawn Risen established Risen & Ryan, Attorneys at Law.

Attorney David Stevens is a third-generation resident of Okaloosa County. A proud Seminole, David graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University before earning his Juris Doctorate from the Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, VA. He currently resides in Niceville, FL with his wife and three-year-old daughter.

David was sworn in to practice law in Florida in 2010, and soon joined a civil litigation law firm in Santa Rosa Beach as an associate attorney. He went on to become a prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office in Shalimar, FL, and served in that capacity for...

Handle civil and criminal cases throughout Northwest Florida. My firm focuses on personal injury, criminal defense, bankruptcy, real estate closings, and general civil litigation.

Clark H. Henderson, originally from Waynesboro, Mississippi, is a 2007 graduate of the University of South Alabama and a 2011 graduate of the Cumberland School of Law, Sam ford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. During law school Clark interned at the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and with the Honorable Laura Petro, 10th Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division. He practiced in Birmingham, Alabama before being admitted to the Florida Bar. Clark is licensed to practice in both Florida and Alabama.

Jeff founded Burns Firm in 2021 to serve hard-working individuals and small businesses needing legal services to start, grow, and protect their livelihoods and nest eggs. Jeff has experienced thousands of lawsuits as a former commercial litigator and former Circuit Court judge, and he can draw on this wealth of experience to assist his clients with their needs. Jeff concentrates his law practice on business law, real estate law, property law, water law, asset-protection law, and simple estate planning. Before he took the bench as a Circuit Court judge, Jeff concentrated on complex commercial litigation, local government representation, and appellate law....

Karim received his law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Karim is experienced in civil litigation, personal injury, insurance litigation, property disputes, landlord/tenant, criminal, and appellate practice. Karim has seen cases through to verdict in civil and criminal contexts. This exposure gives Karim a unique multi-disciplinary perspective on the law that can lead to a successful and favorable result for his clients.

Dan O’Rourke has been practicing law in Florida for nearly 20 years and focuses on general civil and commercial litigation in the state and federal trial and appellate courts of northwest Florida. Dan has represented clients in matters ranging from Covenants Not to Compete in the trial court of Walton County to construction liens and contract disputes throughout northwest Florida. He has also represented clients in real estate fraud disputes in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida and claims pursuant to the federal Hyde Amendment (awarding attorney fees to victims of malicious, vexatious, frivolous and...

Attorney Erich M. Niederlehner, founder and owner of Trusted Elder Law & Asset Protection practices in the state of Florida and Alabama. Erich provides Elder Law services to seniors throughout Florida and Alabama. What is Elder Law? Elder law includes Medicaid ICP planning. It also includes asset protection for the Medicaid waiver program, for home healthcare benefits and financial help for assisted living facilities (ALF). We also provide all age groups with estate planning (i.e. wills, trusts, durable power of attorney geared towards Medicaid planning, living wills, pre-need guardians, and other legal documents). We also...

Attorney and Founder of Compass Immigration P.A., Caroline Larochelle Nadeau is originally from Quebec, Canada. In 2015 she immigrated to the United States on a K-1 Fiance Visa to be with her husband, a member of the U.S. Military. As an immigrant herself, she has first-hand knowledge of the stress that can be caused by navigating the immigration process. As a military spouse, she has had the privilege of assisting many military members and their families with their immigration needs. Her experiences, both professional and personal, allow her to better prepare and assist her clients through...

Florida State University College of Law graduate, Air Force Veteran, and Floridian. My priorities are your priorities. Let's work together to accomplish your goals. At Coast 2 Coast Legal we limit our client representation to 15 and we are now accepting new clients. With a limited client book, you get the attention you should expect from any law firm. No more waiting for return calls. Call us now and speak with an attorney.

Shane Dean has recovered millions of dollars representing victims in personal injury and wrongful death claims resulting from the negligence of others.

Mr. Dean has been selected to the Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for three years in a row. Each year, no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in Florida are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made...

Stephen “Steve” Moorhead is the founder and managing partner of Moorhead Real Estate Law Group. He is board-certified in real estate law by The Florida Bar Committee on Education and Legal Specialization. His practice includes real estate litigation, closings, contract negotiation, financing, leasing, sales, title insurance, and development. He is a member of the Escambia?Santa Rosa Bar Association, is serving his 21st year as general counsel for The Home Builders Association of West Florida, is a member of the Leadership Council of Achieve Escambia, and is past chairman of the board of directors for The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce....

20+ Years experience in Family, Dependency, Consumer Defense and Disability Law. Our practice gives you the attention you deserve!

Kramer Litvak is a board certified tax attorney practicing with the firm of Litvak Beasley Wilson & Ball, LLP. Kramer holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in taxation from the University of Florida College of Law. He received his law degree from Mercer University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Washington & Lee University. Prior to attending law school, Kramer worked as a Legislative Assistant to United States Representative Earl Hutto. Kramer was admitted to the Georgia Bar and the Florida Bar in 1992. He concentrates in the areas of...

Mark Proctor is the chairman of Levin Papantonio. He completed his undergraduate work at Emory University and the University of Florida, receiving his degree from the University of Florida in 1972, and his law degree from the University of Florida in 1975. While at law school, he was an editor of the Water Law Journal at University of Florida and was a member of the honorary fraternity, Phi Delta Phi. He is licensed to practice law before all state courts in Florida, before the United States District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida, and before the United States...

Peter Mougey is a Senior Partner and Chair of the Levin Papantonio law firm’s Securities and Business Litigation department. Mr. Mougey is currently recognized as one of the nation’s leading litigators and has been recognized as one of Florida’s top 100 trial lawyers and a Florida Super Lawyer and has dedicated his career to championing individuals’ rights against the world’s largest companies. He concentrates his practice in the areas of complex litigation, financial services, securities litigation, and whistleblower or qui tam litigation. Mr. Mougey has represented over 1,500 state, municipal, and institutional entities, as well as tribal sovereign nations, in litigation...

Edward G. Seitz, Attorney at Law, concentrates his practice of law in the area of Bankruptcy and Family Law (divorce, custody, child support, Paternity, etc.) in Pensacola, Milton, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, and surrounding areas. Edward G. Seitz, P.L. has been practicing law in private practice since January of 2002 and is admitted to all Florida State Courts and the Federal Court's in the Northern District of Florida. At the law office of Edward G. Seitz, Esq. every client is treated with courtesy and is guaranteed effective representation. With an experienced staff and knowledge of the law your case...

Practice includes, among other things: Civil Litigation, Civil Trial, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Consumer Law, Contracts, Debtor and Creditor issues, Dispute Resolution, Insurance, Litigation/Trial Advocacy/Advocacy, Mediation, Product Liability.

Attorney Information Meet Michael Leininger Attorney Michael R. Leininger began his legal career in real estate law and commercial law serving small businesses in a variety of ways. Since founding Leininger Law Firm, P.A., in Destin, Florida, he has become increasing involved with family law, criminal defense and estate planning/probate for individuals. Litigation has always been an important portion of his legal practice and he has extended that into the area of personal injury, contract law, contract disputes and commercial litigation. Known for his rigorous attention to detail and his commitment to being overly-accessible at all times, he is a lawyer with unwavering honesty,...

Shiraz practices primarily in the areas of bankruptcy (debtor and creditor), estates, trusts, wills, probate litigation, landlord/tenant, business law, and general civil law. For over 35 years, Shiraz has made Lower Alabama his home. After graduating from Niceville Senior High School, Shiraz graduated with distinction from Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Roll Tide) and earned his law degree with honors from Miami (The U). Shiraz has been with ASG since 2001 and is an active member of the All Sports Association, is a participant in the voluntary legal clinic for the Veterans' Stand Down and is a proud uncle of many...

Robert A. “Trey” Goodwin III earned his bachelor’s degree in Building Construction from the University of Florida in 2001, and his Juris Doctor degree from the Florida State University School of Law in 2005. Trey founded the law firm of Robert A. Goodwin III, P.A., and represents clients in the areas of real estate, construction, estate planning, and probate law. Trey also gained significant experience in public service leadership as a member of the Fort Walton Beach City Council (2011 – 2014); and as Okaloosa County Commissioner for District 4 since November 2014. Trey lives in Fort Walton Beach with his wife,...

Brian Barr is a shareholder at Levin Papantonio Rafferty. He litigates pharmaceutical, environmental, mass tort and personal injury cases throughout the country. Mr. Barr has been appointed to leadership in many of the largest mass tort cases in the country. Mr. Barr is presently serving as co-liaison counsel and a member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Litigation (MDL 2885) presently pending in the Northern District of Florida before the Honorable Casey Rodgers. The 3M Combat Arms Earplug MDL is the largest MDL in history with over 240,000 pending claims. Mr. Barr recently served as trial...

I graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1978 and have been a member of the District of Columbia Bar since 1979 and of the Florida Bar since 1984. I am a sole practitioner and handle all family and marital matters, including divorce, modification of divorce decrees, child custody, paternity, relative adoptions, and appeals involving family law matters. As a former Navy Judge Advocate General, I am very experienced in military divorces and won a case of first impression before the Florida Supreme Court in regard to military retirement benefits.