Mr. Cruz Carino achieved his Doctor of Jurisprudence, from Stetson University College of Law. Before that, he received his Bachelor of Arts, finishing in the top ten percent of his class, from The University of Florida. He served as a Certified State Intern in the State’s Attorney’s Office, where he tried more than ten cases, and was also privileged to serve as a Federal Judicial Intern to the Honorable District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich, of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Upon graduation, Mr. Cruz worked as a Judicial Staff Attorney for four years in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. From there, he served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General from 2001-2012, handling criminal appeals and collateral petitions on behalf of the State of Florida. Mr. Cruz has argued before the Second District Court of Appeal, the Fifth District Court of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court. He is admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts, and is also admitted to practice in the Middle District of Florida. He is fluent in Spanish, and has taught as an adjunct professor at Saint Petersburg College. He currently heads the Appellate Section of The Pendas Law Firm and is the (interim) Managing Attorney for the Tampa office. He oversees all appellate matters and provides litigation support to attorneys throughout the firm. Additionally, he handles his own litigation case load. His practice focuses on general civil litigation, appeals and trial support. Mr. Cruz guides all appeals from the filing of a notice of appeal through the filing of a motion to recall mandate.

Attorney David A. Haenel is one of the most celebrated criminal defense, DUI and traffic ticket attorneys in Florida. Since 2000, Mr. Haenel has been working to ensure the best possible results in each case he tries. After graduating in the top third of his law school class at the Widener University School of Law, Mr. Haenel went on to earn a Master of Law degree in criminal law from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Mr. Haenel’s career began in the State Attorney’s Office. He was named the State of Florida DUI Prosecutor of the Year while he was in this role. His experience as a prosecutor is now put to work on behalf of clients who are accused of various criminal, DUI and traffic offenses. Mr. Haenel has earned a stellar reputation among his clients and peers. Mr. Haenel is admitted to practice law before the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the State Courts of Florida and the State Courts of New Jersey. He is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Sarasota County Bar Association.

With an office only two blocks from the Manatee County Courthouse, I enjoy being in the heart of downtown and close to the river. It reminds me of how wonderful my community is and why I serve them. Growing up, I always enjoyed taking part in my community. After graduating from high school, I attended university for a year before joining the Air Force - deciding to not wait for the draft. I served in both the US and Southeast Asia for four years as an electronics technician. After my service, I moved to Bradenton and returned to school. Upon graduating from Florida State University College of Law, I served as the Governor's Attorney — Bob Graham — and since then have remained active in local, state, and national politics. I both understand and appreciate the role of politics in the local community, and I’m always happy to serve in any capacity possible. With my business background, as the co-founder of MOR Music and Coast Bank of Florida, I have first-hand experience that benefits my clients who are looking to make business investments and make business-related decisions big or small.

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.

Jesse is a partner at the Podor Law Firm and practices in the Bradenton, Florida office. Jesse was born in Cleveland, OH, and lived there until 2001. In 2001, Jesse moved to Bradenton and attended Bradenton Christian School. Jesse earned his J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2016. Prior to completing his J.D., Jesse completed his B.S. in Sport Management from the University of Florida. During law school, Jesse interned at Smith, Thompson, Shaw, Minacci & Colon, P.A. in Tallahassee, Florida, and at “Game On Nation” in Bradenton, Florida.

Practicing law in the state of Florida for over 20 years, attorney Kevin Gallagher has earned an outstanding reputation in the field of personal injury law. Working with victims of automobile accidents, wrongful death, nursing home negligence, medical malpractice, and other serious injuries, Kevin works tirelessly to ensure that every client receives the best possible verdict and/or settlement for their injuries. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Kevin attended Bowling Green State University where he earned a B.S., B.A. He then went to the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan where he received his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude. In addition, Mr. Gallagher was a member of the Law Review at Cooley Law School. While in law school, Kevin also interned for a Federal District Court Judge. An extremely caring individual, Kevin’s experience, knowledge, work ethic, determination, and will to win are applied to every case. In addition to caring for his clients, Kevin is also a strong community supporter and believes in giving back. He supports numerous charities, both in the community and in his home state. Kevin is a member of the Million Dollar Advocate Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Forum which are two of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members. Also a member of The Verdict Club and Superior Lawyers of America, Kevin is recognized as an elite litigator for his achievements and abilities in obtaining superior verdicts and settlements.

Attorney Kimberly Hamel Wochholz is from Kissimmee, Florida. She graduated with honors from the University of Central Florida in 2004. While enrolled at the University of Central Florida she interned with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County Florida; whose principal undertaking is to provide professional legal services for the disadvantaged. Mrs. Wochholz then enrolled in the College of Law at Stetson University. During law school she completed the Honors Program and served as an editor on the Stetson Law Review. She also served as an intern with the family law division of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County, Florida, and later joined the Consumer Rights Law Group as a law clerk. Mrs. Wochholz graduated magna cum laude from Stetson Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2011. Since that time, Mrs. Wochholz has proudly litigated against banks, bill collectors, and other companies on behalf of hundreds of consumers. Mrs. Wochholz practices exclusively under consumer protection statutes that require businesses to pay the attorney’s fees of prevailing consumers. These statutes allow attorneys to represent consumers, who often can’t afford to pay an attorney out of pocket, on a contingency basis whereby leveling the playing field between businesses and consumers. She is passionate about holding businesses accountable and protecting her clients.

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.

Patrick Hale is the managing partner of Hale Law, P.A. Patrick is a 5th generation Floridian who cares about the people of this great state. His experiences have positioned him to be an advocate for you in your time of need. Patrick attended the University of Central Florida for his undergraduate studies, receiving a degree in Political Science with a focus in Legal Studies. He graduated with the distinction, Summa Cum Laude, as one of the top students in his class. While at the University of Central Florida, he also served on the cabinet of multiple student organizations and was a UCF Student Government Association Senator representing the College of Sciences, the University’s largest college. Patrick went on to attend and graduate with a Juris Doctorate degree from the Stetson University College of Law, Florida’s oldest law school and the most-awarded #1 Trial Advocacy program in the nation. While at Stetson Law, he was elected as a Calvin Kuenzel Student Bar Association Representative by his peers. During this time, Patrick also clerked for the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the Sixth Judicial Circuit Of Florida Civil Appellate Panel, where he had the opportunity to write Orders that were published by the panel of Judges. Additionally, Patrick worked for a prominent Florida insurance defense law firm and learned the strategies insurance companies employ to pay you as little as possible when making claims. After graduating law school, Patrick proceeded to work as an Assistant State Attorney where he prosecuted both misdemeanor and felony cases, learning to feel at home in the courtroom in the process. In his prosecutorial career, he completed over thirty trials to verdict on behalf of the people of the State of Florida. In the spirit of representing the people of Florida, Patrick founded Hale Law, P.A., a firm that would represent people who have been wrongfully injured by the negligence of others, as well as uphold people’s constitutional rights. He has already fulfilled this dream through the handling of hundreds of cases, but he is still constantly working every day to ensure that every one of his clients receives the best possible outcome. Let him put his experience to work for you.

Attorney Susan L. Stockham has been an Adoption and Reproductive Law attorney in Florida since 1982. Her practice specializes in adoption and surrogacy related legal matters. In her 30 years of practice she has assisted over 2,000 couples in domestic, international, independent and agency related adoptions; as well as surrogacy related family matters. Susan is a Florida Bar Board Certified Adoption Law Attorney and a member of the prestigious Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. Susan is also the mother of four by adoption - two adopted as young children and two adopted as adults. Susan proudly represents parties in LGTBQ (same-sex), relative, stepparent and grandparent adoptions. In addition to adoptions, Ms. Stockham has represented gestational carriers, surrogates and intended parents in building families. Susan is the recipient the of the Angel Adoption Award from The Congressional Coalition of Adoption Institute; and the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from The Florida Adoption Council. Susan L. Stockham also serves on the Florida Bar Adoption Law Board Certification Committee.