The law firm of Cotton & Gates, Attorneys at Law, has provided high-quality service and representation to people in Okaloosa County and Northwest Florida since 1976. Our lawyers have a well-earned reputation for their strong advocacy skills and ability to obtain results for people facing serious legal problems involving criminal, family, real estate, estate planning and probate issues.

Kendra L. Bunn is a Jacksonville, Florida-based immigration attorney and the founder of the Law Offices of Kendra L. Bunn, P.A., established in 2002. With over two decades of experience, she specializes in immigration law, including visa applications, investor applications, business work visas and family-based petitions. Her firm serves clients throughout Florida and has expanded to the Midwest, with offices in Marietta, Ohio, and Athens, Ohio.​ Ms. Bunn is recognized for her leadership in the legal community. She was one of the first female attorneys to practice immigration law in North Florida and has held significant roles such as the National Liaison to the USCIS Jacksonville Office, AILA Director of National Citizenship Day in Jacksonville, and National Mentor in the areas of F-1 students, researchers, and international faculty in higher education. Her Florida offices are located at 4720 Salisbury Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256, and she offers services in multiple languages, including English, Serbo-Croatian, Macedonian, Russian, and Italian.​ Her Midwest offices are conveniently located between Columbus, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, serving all of Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. In addition to her legal work, Ms. Bunn is involved in community service. She and her family are active members of the Christian Family Chapel in Mandarin, Jacksonville, Florida. She also volunteers frequently with many sports groups in town, while chasing around her two very busy and active children!

Dean R. LeBoeuf is the Senior Partner at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A.. He focuses his practice on complicated civil litigation involving personal injury and all wrongful death matters, including accidents involving negligent motor vehicle drivers, medical malpractice cases, and nursing home abuse/neglect cases. He graduated in 1978 with honors from Florida State University with a political science degree and minors in accounting and economics. Mr. LeBoeuf then graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 1981 and went on to enter private practice with the law firm of Brooks, Callahan, and Phillips before becoming the cofounder and Managing Partner of Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. in 1987. He directed the operation and growth of the firm until 2023. Throughout his legal career Mr. LeBoeuf has had the honor of receiving recognitions for his dedication to justice. Such accolades have included being named Trial Lawyer of The Year by the American Board of Trial Advocates – Tallahassee Chapter (2006), receiving the title of Florida Super Lawyer for his work in the area of Plaintiff Personal Injury since 2006 (an award only given to the top 5% of attorneys in the state), as well as being named by Florida Trend Magazine as one of Florida’s Legal Elite (2006 – Present). Mr. LeBoeuf was also named the Best Lawyers® 2023 Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in Tallahassee for the area of Medical Malpractice Law. In addition to these achievements, Mr. LeBoeuf has received the AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell® since 1997, the highest lawyer rating available based upon confidential reviews by local lawyers and judges. Mr. LeBoeuf has also authored several articles for the Florida Bar and has lectured extensively in civil litigation and trial practice. Alongside these academic contributions, he has held many professional leadership positions such as having been President of the Tallahassee Bar Association (2003-2004), having been appointed to the Second Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee, and having served as the Chairman of the Leon County Bench Bar Committee. In addition, he has served on several professional and community board of directors, including the Bond Community Health Center, Community Christian School, Pembridge Place Homeowners Association, the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, and the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mr. LeBoeuf and his wife Carolyn, who is also a lawyer, are committed to the fight against human trafficking. Together with their daughter Nicole they have started a jewelry business, called Victress Over Darkness and all the profits from the business are used to fight against the injustice of human trafficking throughout the world. Their daughter Nicole is also executive director of Christians Against Trafficking (CAT), that has the same mission. When they are not working, Dean and Carolyn like to travel and go to the beach with their two adult children and three grandchildren.

Former Assistant United States Attorney for 17th Circuit Court district and served as President of the Federal Bar Association, South Florida Chapter. Retired Military Judge and Magistrate. Our law firm provides a wide variety of professional legal services in the areas of Family Law, Wills, Healthcare surrogate, Durable Power Of Attorney, Probate Litigation, Criminal Law and Bankruptcy. We provide quality services at a considerably less rate than those charged by most attorneys or law firms. For more information or general inquiries, feel free to contact us today.

Iyada Jackson is an accident lawyer proudly serving Altamonte Springs, Florida and the neighboring communities.

Richard Ruhl (Rick) grew up in Charlotte County and was admitted to practice in Florida in 2002, and has been in private practice in southwest Florida since 2003. He attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Englewood and college in Fort Myers, graduating from International College, with a Bachelor's degree, summa cum laude. After this, he finished his Juris Doctorate at St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami in 2001. After admission to the bar, Rick accepted a job with the Public Defender's Office, and from there, accepted a job offer from the Law Office of Robert Distefano in Fort Lauderdale. After spending a year with Robert Distefano, he moved back to Charlotte County to open his own practice. In 2011, Rick joined the firm of Ruhl Law. Contact Rick at Rick@ruhllaw.com or by phone at (855) RUHL-LAW.

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.

Whittel & Melton, LLC is a full service central Florida law practice with an emphasis on representing clients from The Villages in all Personal Injury cases, Wrongful Death tragedies, and serious State and Federal Criminal matters. The firm was formed when Gainesville and Ocala Attorney Robert G. Whittel and Hernando and Sumter County Lawyer Jason M. Melton joined their respective practices to better accommodate their clients in The Villages. The two founding members of the firm are former State Prosecutors and nominees for State and Federal office. Our lawyers and staff are committed to meeting and exceeding our clients' needs. The Villages is a unique and growing area of Florida. No place in Florida is quite like it. We work very hard to accommodate all of our Villages clients. Whittel & Melton's success and reputation has always been based on high quality legal work, performed by well-prepared lawyers who are devoted to their clients. The firm's growth is due in large part to the wide range of services and varied interests of our clients. Our attorneys are proud to deliver a personalized and focused counsel to our many clients in Florida. Whittel & Melton remains dedicated to developing and maintaining long-term relationships in the different communities where we practice. Our firm routinely represents clients from The Villages in the courthouses of Ocala, Bushnell, Tavares, Gainesville, Inverness, Brooksville, New Port Richey, Dade City, Tampa, Orlando and throughout the State of Florida.

Daniel M. Cavanaugh is a highly accomplished trial attorney with over 25 years of experience, during which he has earned numerous awards and secured countless successful outcomes for his clients. Originally from West Springfield, Massachusetts, Dan moved to Naples, Florida, in 1997 to build his legal career. Known for his sharp trial skills, extensive knowledge, and unwavering dedication to his clients, Dan has become a trusted leader in the legal profession. Dan’s career is marked by a steadfast commitment to staying at the forefront of legal and scientific advancements. In 2022, he became one of only four attorneys in Florida to achieve the prestigious "ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Designation," as recognized by the Chemistry and the Law Division of the American Chemical Society. This rare designation reflects his mastery of the forensic science often critical to complex criminal cases, particularly DUI litigation. Recognizing that DUI cases often involve intricate legal and scientific issues, Dan continually engages in advanced training to ensure he is fully prepared to tackle the myriad challenges these cases present. His dedication to ongoing education allows him to deliver the highest level of defense for his clients. Dan has been recognized as a top trial attorney, earning awards such as Attorney of the Year at the State Attorney’s Office in Fort Myers. He also holds the AV Preeminent® rating, the highest possible peer rating, signifying exceptional legal ability, professionalism, and ethical standards. These accolades underscore his reputation as a fierce advocate and skilled litigator. A cornerstone of Dan’s practice is his leadership in DUI defense, an area where his extensive expertise and commitment to excellence shine. Recognizing the unique challenges posed by DUI cases, Dan has made it a priority to stay at the forefront of forensic science, evolving legal strategies, and procedural developments. His dedication to ongoing education ensures he is fully prepared to address the myriad complexities these cases present, from breathalyzer inaccuracies to roadside testing protocols. Dan’s passion for this critical area of criminal law led to the formation of the DUI Law Group, a specialized practice dedicated to providing exceptional defense for clients facing DUI charges. This focus enables him to deliver comprehensive and cutting-edge representation, ensuring his clients receive not only a robust defense but also the benefit of his deep understanding of the science and law behind DUI cases. Dan’s leadership in DUI defense reflects his broader commitment to justice and advocacy, setting a high standard for excellence in this critical area of law. With over 25 years of experience in criminal law, Dan has handled virtually every type of case in Florida. His approach to criminal defense emphasizes clear and open communication with his clients. Understanding the anxiety and uncertainty that come with criminal charges, he takes the time to guide clients through each step of the process, ensuring they feel informed and supported.

Cooperation and full understanding produce the best results. I look forward to helping you resolve your issues or achieve your objectives.