When you need an experienced family law attorney in Lakeland, Florida, trust the future of your family to Michael S. Farrell. Michael S. Farrell is a child support attorney that knows all the laws and regulations governing a variety of child custody issues. When you need a child custody attorney, Michael S. Farrell is a resource that understands all the applicable laws, rules and where your rights fit in. For difficult and stressful processes like custody cases, make sure you have a dedicated lawyer like Michael S. Farrell on your side. Our law office is also here for you if you need an experienced divorce attorney. Make sure your side and interests in the divorce proceedings are properly represented. Michael S. Farrell will have your back from start to finish. When you need a divorce lawyer, you'll feel a whole lot better with Michael S. Farrell on your side.

Mr. Nelson’s experience includes over thirty (30) years of practice in Circuit and County Courts in Florida. Mr. Nelson’s experience also includes representing clients in arbitration and mediation. Mr. Nelson is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar Association, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the Manatee County Bar Association. Mr. Nelson is a past President and a past Director of the Manatee County Bar Association. Mr. Nelson is also a Florida Supreme Court certified Circuit Court Mediator. Mr. Nelson attended the University of Florida from 1979 – 1981 before transferring to the University of Notre Dame where he majored in Government and International Relations and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1984. Mr. Nelson obtained a Juris Doctorate Degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1987. In 1987 Mr. Nelson moved to Bradenton, Florida from St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife, Margie and he joined the law firm of Harllee, Porges, Hamlin & Brownell, P.A. (n/k/a Porges, Hamlin, Knowles & Hawk, P.A. ) where he was a shareholder from 1993 – 2002. Mr. Nelson was a shareholder in the law firm of Ozark, Perron & Nelson, P.A. from 2002 to 2014, until he formed his own law firm in July of 2014. Mr. Nelson has previously served as President of South Manatee Sertoma Club, Chairman of the Board of Gulf Coast Marine Institute, Director and Chairman of the Agency Relations and Allocations Committee of the United Way of Manatee County, Governmental Affairs Chair and Director of the HomeBuilders Association of Manatee County, Chairman of the Young Children Priority One Committee and Vice President of the Bradenton Kiwanis Club. Mr. Nelson was a Manatee High School Mock Trial Team Coach for eight years from 2004 through 2012.Mr. Nelson’s experience includes over thirty (30) years of practice in Circuit and County Courts in Florida. Mr. Nelson’s experience also includes representing clients in arbitration and mediation. Mr. Nelson is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar Association, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the Manatee County Bar Association. Mr. Nelson is a past President and a past Director of the Manatee County Bar Association. Mr. Nelson is also a Florida Supreme Court certified Circuit Court Mediator. Mr. Nelson attended the University of Florida from 1979 – 1981 before transferring to the University of Notre Dame where he majored in Government and International Relations and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1984. Mr. Nelson obtained a Juris Doctorate Degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1987. In 1987 Mr. Nelson moved to Bradenton, Florida from St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife, Margie and he joined the law firm of Harllee, Porges, Hamlin & Brownell, P.A. (n/k/a Porges, Hamlin, Knowles & Hawk, P.A. ) where he was a shareholder from 1993 – 2002. Mr. Nelson was a shareholder in the law firm of Ozark, Perron & Nelson, P.A. from 2002 to 2014, until he formed his own law firm in July of 2014. Mr. Nelson has previously served as President of South Manatee Sertoma Club, Chairman of the Board of Gulf Coast Marine Institute, Director and Chairman of the Agency Relations and Allocations Committee of the United Way of Manatee County, Governmental Affairs Chair and Director of the HomeBuilders Association of Manatee County, Chairman of the Young Children Priority One Committee and Vice President of the Bradenton Kiwanis Club. Mr. Nelson was a Manatee High School Mock Trial Team Coach for eight years from 2004 through 2012.

Gary R. Jodat is the founding and managing attorney of Jodat Law Group, P.A. He received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida. He received his undergraduate degree from Roger Williams University. He got his feet wet while fresh out of law school by taking a job with the Public Defender’s Office trying criminal, Juvenile and Dependency cases prior to transferring into civil litigation. He now handles primarily personal injury cases. He has been a member of The American Bar Association, The Manatee County Bar Association, The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, The Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, American Inns of Court and Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Thomas Gilbert is an attorney licensed in Florida and New Jersey. Mr. Gilbert received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education and social sciences from the University of Tampa and his J.D. from the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in Riverview, Florida. While pursuing his law degree, Mr. Gilbert interned at the St. Michael’s Legal Center, a pro bono legal clinic focusing on family law issues. After graduating from law school, Mr. Gilbert served as a judicial law clerk in the Family Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. During his clerkship, Mr. Gilbert conducted legal research, analyzed legal data, and prepared legal memoranda for the Family Division judges. He also conducted many successful parenting time mediations in non-divorce cases. After his clerkship, Mr. Gilbert worked in private practice at two midsize family law firms before joining The Law Offices of Robert Geller. Well-versed in the latest developments in the law, Mr. Gilbert is adept at guiding clients to address their plans for both the short- and long-term consequences of Family Court proceedings. Mr. Gilbert is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He worked as a State Trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol and as an Officer with the Tampa Police Department before beginning his law career. While his focus is on resolving cases without needless litigation, he is well prepared to fight for his clients in the courtroom if necessary.

Shazia Sparkman is the founder and managing partner where she advocates fiercely and passionately for her clients in all types of family law and complex business litigation matters. Armed with a razor sharp grasp of the law, Ms. Sparkman brings her smart sophistication in analyzing every case for each client. Clients have come to expect a tailored and customized approach to each legal situation. It is this personalized approach that was the vision of Ms. Sparkman and that has rooted the firm into the Tampa Bay community as one recognized for excellent service. Ms. Sparkman is a native of Tampa, born and raised and grew up with a passion for the law and service. She has cultivated her talent for lawyering in the most effective and artful manner where her persuasion skills and legal expertise merge together in the courtroom. She is a perfectionist at heart who drives herself to accomplish tasks that others would run from. Her memory and ability to multi-task is difficult to comprehend or describe but clearly reveals how she is able to remember every conversation she has ever had and every client story told. Ms. Sparkman’s community involvement is an extension of her dedication to her clients. She is a member of the Junior League of Tampa and her passion for giving back to the community is exemplified in the volunteer service work she provides in addition to the law firm’s support of various community events that are dear to heart, such as the Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay and the Easter Seals organization, both organizations that highlight giving to empower and strengthen children. As a mother of three children, Ms. Sparkman is fueled by this role as a mother, lawyer and volunteer with her focus being to make her community a place where she can be proud to raise her children.