With nearly a decade of experience in high-stakes litigation and public service, Mary E. Castillo brings a powerful blend of trial acumen, leadership, and strategic legal insight to Gilbert Garcia Group, P.A. As a former Assistant State Attorney for Hillsborough County, she has prosecuted some of the most serious felony offenses—including homicides, gang-related violence, and sex crimes—developing a reputation for integrity, meticulous preparation, and courtroom excellence. During her tenure at the State Attorney’s Office, Mary litigated more than 35 felony jury trials to verdict and led a felony division as Deputy Chief, supervising a team of attorneys and support staff while managing a demanding felony caseload. She has also handled juvenile, misdemeanor and traffic, domestic violence and violation of probation (VOP) dockets, making her an exceptionally well-rounded advocate with deep knowledge of Florida’s criminal justice system from intake to adjudication. A graduate of Notre Dame Law School, Mary served as Executive Articles Editor for the Notre Dame Journal of Legislation and published a scholarly note on Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. She earned the Dean’s Award for Professional Responsibility and was active in leadership roles with the Hispanic Law Students Association and the Future Prosecuting Attorney’s Council. She also studied abroad at Notre Dame’s prestigious London Law Centre. In addition to her legal expertise, Mary is pursuing an MBA from the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, with a concentration in Compliance, Risk, and Anti-Money Laundering—bringing valuable and practical business knowledge to her legal practice. Mary is passionate about justice, client advocacy, and delivering exceptional legal outcomes, making her an invaluable asset to our firm and the clients we serve. We are thrilled to have her join Gilbert Garcia Group as a Litigation Attorney and Commercial Collections Supervisor.”

Ydelmis Cutino is admitted to the Florida Bar (2024). She matriculated at the W.M.U. Cooley Law School (J.D., 2021), and the University of South Florida (B.A., Business Science Management, 2018) and is certified as a Florida Notary Signing Agent, Remote Online Notary Agent, and Microsoft Office Specialist. Ydelmis joined the firm in 2021, serving Gilbert Garcia Group as a law clerk and Sapphire Title & Escrow Company as a title processor. With a strong commitment to the field, Ydelmis actively contributes to the legal and real estate communities through her writing, regularly crafting insightful articles and blogs that educate, inform, and engage readers. Ydelmis credits her interest in real property law for leading to her involvement in real estate transactions, including that of title and escrow practices. Ydelmis is bilingual in Spanish and English. She was born and raised in Miami, Florida and is of Cuban descent. Ydelmis notes, “Faith, determination, and persistence are the three keys to my life.”

Michelle Gilbert is admitted to the Florida Bar (1986), Washington, D.C. Bar (2020), Middle District of Florida (1988), Northern District of Florida (2005), Southern District of Florida (2006), U.S. Supreme Court (2000), and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (2003). She matriculated at the University of South Florida (B.A., 1982, cum laude), and the University of Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1985). She is a member of the following associations: Greater Tampa Association of Realtors; Bay Area Real Estate Council, Inc., Board of Directors; Hillsborough County Bar Association (Real Property, Probate and Trust Law; Solo and Small Firm; and Military and Veteran Sections); Florida Bar (Real Property, Probate and Trust Law; Business; and Solo and Small Firm Sections- Executive Council); American Legal and Financial Network; Legal League 100 (Vice Chairperson, 2016-19; Advisory Council Member, 2014-19; Special Initiatives Working Group, 2017- present); National Association of Default Professionals; Attorney Agent, Westcor Land Title Insurance Company and The Fund. She has managed the firm’s expansion into probate, estate planning, guardianship, civil litigation, business transaction and commercial collections, and oversees Sapphire Title & Escrow Company, launched in 2015. She is court approved counsel for guardianship cases in the Florida Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. Michelle has practiced real estate and business law since 1989, specializing in default servicing legal work, including litigated foreclosures, real estate closings, evictions, and commercial litigation. She works closely with the default industry by speaking at webinars and conferences, writing for industry publications, and consulting on various issues relevant to the industry. She was named 2021 Top 25 Women of Law by DS News, as well as selected as one of MReport’s 2015 and 2018 Leading Ladies. She taught the Florida Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Certified Process Servers Course from 1993 to 2014, and has written the chapter on service of process in real estate cases for the Florida Bar, since 2010.

Ronnie D. Dykes, P.A., is the founder and principal attorney of the Law Office of Ronnie D. Dykes. He has over 16 years of experience practicing law and a broad knowledge of the law. He has litigated hundreds of cases and closed hundreds of real estate transactions. Attorney Dykes grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and moved to Florida in 1997, where he began and continues his career in law. Mr. Dykes has obtained and received recognition during his scholastic and professional career. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree and graduated on the Dean's List while serving on active duty in the United States Navy. At that same time, Mr. Dykes specialized in Flight Operations and Avionics and earned 4.0 Military Evaluations, the Navy Achievement Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Expert Pistol Medal. Thereafter, Mr. Dykes attended law school at Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he earned his Juris Doctor degree while working in Engineering at B/E Aerospace Corporation. As a practicing attorney, Mr. Dykes worked for two law firms and a title company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before opening his own private practice. Mr. Dykes is admitted to practice in Florida State Courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. Attorney Dykes is also a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Florida Lawyers Network.

China Ikpeama received his Bachelor of Arts degree from The Columbia College-Chicago. During the course of his studies Mr. Ikpeama realized Columbia College was an excellent school, but not too far from campus in downtown Chicago was a homeless shelter with many people with many needs. Mr. Ikpeama made brown bag lunch packs and distributed them freely. Mr. Ikpeama then worked for the Circuit Court Clerk of the City of St. Louis Missouri and soon after, attended Florida A&M University College of Law where he earned his J.D.. While at Florida A&M University College of Law, he participated in the Housing Clinic by providing legal advice to citizens in the community who could not afford legal representation. After earning his law degree, attorney Ikpeama served his community by working as a prosecutor for the Office of the State Attorney in downtown Orlando. Today, attorney Ikpeama continues to serve his community by volunteering at The Coalition for the Homeless in downtown Orlando. The reoccurring theme in Mr. Ikpeama's life has been to attend to the needs of those around him by serving his community and the public interest. Attorney Ikpeama believes that there is a binding relationship between law and society, and that the work of the legal profession is inherently related to the public. Inspired by Justice Louis Brandeis, and his desire to help improve the everyday life of men and women, Mr. Ikpeama founded The United Law Firm. We are dedicated to defending you and defending your interests...it's about you, it's about us, United...You and Us.

Garrett P. LaBorde is the Founder and Managing Attorney of LABORDE LEGAL GROUP, a multi-state hybrid law firm with attorneys/staff serving Corporate, Business, Contracts, Trademark, Intellectual PermIP, Trusts & Estate Planning Clients across Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Colorado, California, New York, New Jersey & D.C. Mr. LaBorde is admitted to practice in the State of Florida, the State of Louisiana and before various Federal Courts and Agencies. Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Mr. LaBorde manages Laborde Legal from the firm’s offices in Pensacola, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana. For his undergraduate studies, Mr. LaBorde attended the University of Louisiana where he studied Electrical & Computer Engineering, English & in Political Science and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in 1998. Mr. LaBorde then attended the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, Mississippi, where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree. His post-graduate honors include serving as distinguished intern to U.S. District Judge John M. Shaw, then Chief Judge of the Western District of Louisiana, and as legal intern to the Mississippi Attorney General, where he was granted Admission to the Mississippi Bar. Upon his admission in Louisiana, Mr. LaBorde established and maintained a robust statewide litigation practice, based in Shreveport & later in Lafayette. In 2007, Mr. LaBorde transferred to Florida with the firm of Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith and in 2010 joined the consulting firm, “Idea Launch Partners, LLC” as General Counsel and Principal. In 2014, Mr. LaBorde returned to private practice by founding the regional firm, LaBorde Legal Group, LLC, where he and other tech-centric practitioners collaboratively focus on the areas of Business, Technology, Intellectual Property & Entertainment Law. Additionally, Mr. LaBorde has served as a Law Practice Management & Technology advisor to solo and small firms around the country and has been a frequent lecturer on Law Practice Management & Technology for State/Local Bars, Law Schools and National Organizations. Throughout his career, Mr. LaBorde has served as a proud member and officer of the American Bar Association, its House of Delegates, the Law Practice Division and the Young Lawyers Division. Currently, he serves the Law Practice Division as a member of the “E-Lawyering Task Force”, the Education Board and the Member Development Committee. Within the Louisiana State Bar Association, Mr. LaBorde has served as in LSBA House of Delegates, Bar Journal Editorial Staff and the on the Practice Assistance Committee. Mr. LaBorde has presented various seminars and CLE’s for the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board and the Escambia-Santa Rosa (Florida) Bar Association. His community and professional affiliations have also included participation in: The Gulf Coast Intellectual Property Association (Advisory Board); Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida (Board of Directors); the Information Technology Association of the Gulf Coast (Board Member & Officer) and Leadership Pensacola, Class of 2012. Mr. LaBorde is married to a Doctor of Audiology, Jennifer R. LaBorde. They, their two sons and one daughter are active in St. Paul Catholic Church and School.

Michael Bryan Sanchez is the Managing Workers Compensation Attorney with The Pendas Law Firm. His practice is focused on workers compensation, personal injury and workplace discrimination. Mr. Sanchez was originally born in Boston and was raised in Orlando. Michael graduated high school from Winter Park High and was accepted into Virginia Polytechnical and State University. At Virginia Tech, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Shortly after, he chose to attend The University of South Carolina School of Law in order to pursue a law degree. While in law school, Mr. Sanchez worked for The South Carolina Department of Environmental Health and Control. During his time at DEHC, he was part of a team that handled all permit appeals. Prior to joining The Pendas Law Firm, Mr. Sanchez was a defense attorney primarily in the areas of workers compensation and bodily injury. Mr. Sanchez has a strong focus on case management. His experience as a former defense counsel has served as an integral part of his career by exposing him to the inner workings of the insurance industry.

If you are looking to hire a lawyer in Florida, David Jacquot will be happy to help you.David Jacquot is a practicing lawyer in good standing in the state of Florida.Mr. Jacquot handles cases in many areas of the law, including Estate, Wills & Probate, Trusts, Divorce & Family Law.Our office is based in Orlando FL. However, we serve all of Orange county and the surrounding area in FL.

Duane A. Crooks, Esq. is a trusted attorney known for passionately advocating for his clients. After earning honors from the University of Miami School of Business, Mr. Crooks continued his academic journey at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, excelling in his studies and paving the way for a successful legal career. After graduating, Mr. Crooks gained valuable experience working at several law firms specializing in personal injury and worker’s compensation. In 2003, he took a bold step and founded his personal injury law firm where he dedicated himself to recovering millions for his clients. Recognized for outstanding achievements, Mr. Crooks is a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. His commitment to justice and pursuit of excellence have solidified his stellar reputation. Outside of the courtroom, Mr. Crooks enjoys exploring game theory and testing his strategic skills at the poker table. Contact Mr. Duane Crooks if you’re looking for an attorney who will prioritize your needs and fight for the best possible outcome.

James has been a lawyer for over 20 years and has dedicated his practice to personal injury. He has worked in some of the highest recorded cases in the state.