Valparaiso Lawyers

The Bruner Law Firm works solely as Plaintiff’s personal injury lawyers, dedicated to assisting accident victims in Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Niceville and throughout the entire Florida Panhandle.

Stephen G. Cobb, author of Florida Criminal Law and a board certified expert in criminal trial law since 2002. He was most recently published in “Defending People with Disabilities”, an August 2024 publication of the American Bar Association. Mr. Cobb’s contribution was titled “Neuroimaging”, and teaches other lawyers how to use brain imaging in criminal cases. Whether you or someone you love is charged with a misdemeanor, criminal traffic, felony or juvenile crime, we are ready, willing and able to help you and your loved ones in your time of need.

Jennifer H. Copus originally hails from Arab, Alabama, but has called the Emerald Coast home since moving to Fort Walton Beach, Florida in 2000 upon graduating from law school. Jennifer began her legal career as a criminal defense attorney with the Office of the Public Defender in Shalimar, Florida and later worked as a prosecutor with the Office of the State Attorney in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

Jennifer now focuses on serving clients in the areas of corporate and business litigation, commercial litigation, condominium law and litigation, real property litigation, landlord/tenant law, foreclosure litigation, employment law and personal injury....

| Board Certified Specialist in Real Estate Law (Florida) | "Rising Star" Rating by Super Lawyers | AV Preeminent & Client Champion Ratings by Martindale-Hubbell | 10.0/10.0 "Superb" & "Top Attorney" Ratings by Avvo | Florida Real Estate Litigation Attorney | Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator (Circuit & Appellate) & Qualified Arbitrator | Cranford Law, PL | Phone: (850) 502-3353 | Email: info@cranford.law I have focused my practice on issues involving Real Estate Litigation, Transactions, and Government Relations since my career began and, as a result, each new year of practice pays dividends in the knowledge I gain to help future clients in those areas. In addition to that...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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....

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...

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,...

Specializing in patent applications and patent searches in the mechanical, electro-mechanical, electrical and electronic, software, Internet and business method arts as well as providing related services including licensing agreements and prototype referrals. Helping clients obtain federal trademark protection.

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...

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...

Andy Wayne Williamson is a life long resident of the Florida Panhandle. Wayne was born in Marianna, Florida. Wayne lived in Bonifay, Florida until 1981 when His Family moved to DeFuniak Springs. Wayne graduated from Walton Senior High School in 1987. Wayne attend Okaloosa Walton Community College (Now NW Florida State College) and graduated with two degrees. Wayne then attended Florida State University and graduated in 1993. Wayne attended Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia and graduated in 1997 with a Juris Doctorate degree. Wayne's primary office is located South...

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

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...

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.

Alison Hand specializes in real estate closings and short sale negotiation.

George F. Indest III is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, based in Orlando. Mr. Indest is board certified by the Florida Bar in the legal specialty of Health Law. He is also board certified as a health care risk manager by the American Board of Risk Management, Inc. His practice encompasses all aspects of business, corporate, transactional, regulatory and administrative health law practice, and he represents physicians, nurses, hospitals, home health agencies, long term care facilities and other health care providers. His practice also includes the litigation of professional licensing cases and business litigation, defense...

Mr. Farrar is active in the legal community an is serving on the board for: Florida Bar Association, Escarosa Bar Association, Northwest Florida Legal Services, Hearing Officer for the Escambia County School Board. He has served as Special Magistrate in both Escambia and Santa Rosa County. He brings his experience and knowledge to work for all his clients.

Virginia Buchanan is a shareholder at Levin, Papantonio, Proctor, Buchanan, O'Brien, Barr & Mougey, P.A., having joined the firm in 1989. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida in 1985, and received her Juris Doctorate Degree, with honors, from the University of Florida in 1989. She has served as lead/co-lead counsel in more than 50 jury trials, with results exceeding $500 million. She has a national practice and works extensively in her local Pensacola and surrounding community. She is a member of Florida Super Lawyers and Florida Legal Elite, and listed by Martindale-Hubbell as a Top Rated Lawyer...

Gary Leuchtman has over 40 years of legal experience. He helps clients with Estate Planning and Probate Law in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre and throughout Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties. Mr. Leuchtman has helped clients with Asset Protection, Business Planning, Charitable Planning, Estate Administration, Exempt Organization Representation, Taxes, Trust Litigation and Wills.

The Holman Law Firm has over three decades of experience providing legal advice to clients in a broad range of family law matters, including fathers’ rights, prenuptial agreements, divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, alimony (spousal support), modification of support and custody, domestic violence, and paternity. We will help guide you through this difficult time. We understand that each client is unique. Therefore, we tailor our representation to meet your specific needs. We provide straightforward advice and are committed to helping you obtain solutions to your problems and just compensation for your injuries. Motor Vehicle Accident and Personal Injury Representation: Our personal injury...

United States Immigration Attorney. Voted Elite Lawyer (2022) and Lawyers of Distinction (2022). Born in Whittier, California, Jerry took over the family business (a small construction company) at a young age and successfully ran it for years before relocating to the Gulf Coast. During that same period, he sold real estate in the Los Angeles market by day and went to law school at night, graduating with Moot Court honors (JD). After graduating from the University of Alabama with a Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), 2013, he launched a successful local boutique luxury real estate company to offer his expertise...

Michael John Griffith is a criminal defense attorney in Pensacola, Florida. The Law Office of Michael J. Griffith assists people in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties who have been charged with or accused of a crime. Our attorneys have over 30 years of experience handling criminal cases and have practiced throughout the United States in drug and sex crime cases.

Daniel Soloway has been representing social security claimants for over 30 years. His firm will help you with each stage: file your initial application, appeal for reconsideration, request for hearing, file for appeals council review, and file all federal court appeals deemed appropriate. Call Soloway for your Social Security Case.

Brett is a partner in the law firm Levin, Papantonio, Proctor, Buchanan, O'Brien, Barr & Mougey, P.A. He is a native of Pensacola, Florida, and has been practicing law for more than two decades. He specializes in workers compensation injuries, social security disability, and auto accidents. Brett received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1987. He received his law degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1991, and his Masters in Business Administration from the University of South Florida in 1992. After graduating from the University of South Florida, Brett became employed by United...

Mike Papantonio is a senior partner with the law firm of Levin Papantonio Rafferty. He has received numerous multi-million dollar verdicts on behalf of victims of corporate malfeasance. His award-winning work handling thousands of mass tort cases throughout the nation has helped make Levin Papantonio Rafferty one of the largest plaintiff law firms in the country. Mr. Papantonio is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is a fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers. He is a member of The National Trial...