Mr. Pendas became an attorney once he realized there was a need to better serve those who are disadvantaged and have become victims of accidents. He personally witnessed many accident victims poorly represented which resulted in an inability to fully recover from the consequences of the accident. Often times their lives spiraling out of control because of the financial hardship suffered due to their inability to work. Many live check by check to pay and once they miss one paycheck everything falls apart. He felt he could help those victims get back on their feet and help them return to a prosperous life.

Christopher practices law in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas.

Joel L. Piedra is the Managing Attorney of The Pendas law Firm Orlando office. He joined The Pendas Law Firm in 2009. Mr. Piedra is experienced in Personal Injury and Products Liability cases. He dedicates his practice to helping accident victims get a firm understanding of the legal process and their individual cases and assists clients in obtaining the maximum value for their claims either through settlements or trial. Prior to joining the Pendas Law Firm, Mr. Piedra worked as an Assistant State Lawyer for the North Judicial Circuit trying numerous cases involving felonies and misdemeanors. He continued to sharpen his trial skills by working for one of the top criminal defense law firms in Central Florida. In 2005, Mr. Piedra moved to Miami and commenced his career as a civil trial lawyer working in the personal injury defense field. Mr. Piedra received his JD from Stetson University College of Law. He received his BA, with honors, from the Florida State University. Mr. Piedra is admitted to practice in Florida and in the U.S. District court for the Middle District of Florida. During his undergraduate tenure Mr. Piedra was accepted as a member of the Alpha Phi Sigma, the only national criminal justice honor society for criminal justice majors. Mr. Piedra is a first generation Cuban-American born and raised in Miami.

Mr. Fine was born in New York, New York and was raised in the northeast, where he studied sociology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He then graduated with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1976. In law school, he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Mr. Fine was admitted into the Florida Bar in 1976, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 1977, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida in 1991, and the United States Court of Appeals 11th Circuit in 1982. Upon graduation, Mr. Fine practiced as an Assistant Public Defender in the Third Judicial Circuit office in Lake City from 1976-1977. He then worked as an Assistant Public Defender in the Gainesville office of the Public Defender from 1977-1980. In 1980, he founded the firm, which is now known as Fine, Farkash, & Parlapiano, P.A., where he wanted to exclusively represent victims of personal injury in claims against negligent parties. Mr. Fine is a highly experienced personal injury attorney and is recognized for his commitment to the law. He holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating* (AV) and was a Grievance Committee Chairman for the Eighth Judicial Circuit for 2006-2008. He coached a trial team for the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1994 and has taught as an adjunct faculty in the trial practice course at the law school since 1983.

Stephen Bernhardt has been an attorney since he was 25 years old. Now, nearly a decade later, Bernhardt has extensive trial experience in both criminal and civil law. He began his legal career as a prosecutor, first handling misdemeanor offenses such as DUI, Battery, Possession of Controlled Substance, Violation of Injunction and many others. Bernhardt was quickly moved to a felony division and become the State Attorney’s Office’s representative for the county’s Drug Court Program. In this role, Bernhardt learned many techniques to help individuals overcome addictions as well as the differences between the many rehabilitation establishments throughout Florida. Prior to leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt was the lead prosecutor in his division. Bernhardt conducted several jury trials that ended in convictions and sentences of more than thirty years, including a mandatory life in prison sentence. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt began practicing civil law for one of the largest creditors’ rights firms in the United States. Bernhardt quickly became the lead litigating attorney for the firm’s Florida office and handled countless civil hearings and trials before leaving to start Bernhardt Law, PLLC. Bernhardt Law focuses on the practice areas of Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Debt Defense. Using the knowledge gained throughout the years, Bernhardt Law is dedicated to making sure each client’s specific situation is handled with the utmost professionalism, attention to detail, and integrity.

Attorney Warner is a practicing lawyer in the state of Florida.

Joel L. Piedra is a senior associate and manager of The Pendas law Firm Orlando office. He joined The Pendas Law Firm in 2009. Mr. Piedra is experienced in Personal Injury and Products Liability cases. He dedicates his practice to helping accident victims get a firm understanding of the legal process and their individual cases and assists clients in obtaining the maximum value for their claims either through settlements or trial.

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.

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.

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