Melissa R. Pendergrass focuses exclusively on family law, with a focus on alternative dispute resolution and collaborative practice. Ms. Pendergrass has been practicing law since 2005. She is a native Floridian who grew up in Central Florida. She is a graduate of Tavares High School, Valencia Community College, the University of Central Florida, and FAMU College of Law. Prior to starting her law career, she worked as a paramedic in an emergency room and as an adjunct instructor in the Emergency Medical Services program at Lake Tech in Eustis, FL. After law school, she started her career as a prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office in Lake County where she prosecuted both misdemeanor and felony cases. Her caseload included major cases such as drug trafficking and DUI manslaughter. Ms. Pendergrass continued her prosecutorial career in Citrus County where she prosecuted felony cases including computer crimes and major drug crimes. While at the State Attorney’s Office, Ms. Pendergrass participated as a chair in the Gang Task Force, continued teaching both in the areas of EMS and law enforcement, and took a hands-on approach with her cases participating in search warrants and undercover/covert investigations. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Ms. Pendergrass joined the law firm of Robert Christensen where she practiced criminal defense and family law. She continued her focus on those areas of law when she joined the Law Office of Melissa Militello in 2016, where she practiced until December 2022. In September 2022, Ms. Pendergrass started her firm, A Better Direction Law, LLC. It is a family-focused law firm seeking to meet the needs of families in their legal challenges. It is a completely virtual law firm with a variety of payment options aimed at meeting the needs of the people and offering alternatives and access to legal help that may not have been as available previously.

Alex is the managing partner and founder of Almazan Law and has been licensed to practice in Florida since 1999. Alex has represented clients across a platform of legal matters including general liability, workers compensation defense, real estate transactional and title insurance, and general commercial litigation matters. As a licensed title agent with Old Republic/Attorneys Title for 18 years and now also First American, Alex has issued over $2 Billion in owners and lenders title insurance policies in his legal career.

Terri Buchalter was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Florida in 1977 with honors. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Nova Law School in 1980. That same year she was admitted into the Florida Bar. Terri specializes in personal injury, automobile accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, slip and fall and negligent security cases. Terri has successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases. Terri possesses outstanding legal and negotiation skills which she uses to maximize recoveries for her clients. Outside of the office Ms. Buchalter was awarded the Women's American Ort award for human achievement through technology and training. Terri Buchalter believes her clients deserve a tough and tenacious advocate who will work tirelessly to achieve her clients best result.

Richard Hoffman graduated from the University of Miami Law School with a Juris Doctor degree in 1980, after graduating from Cornell University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1980, continuously practicing personal injury law on behalf of accident victims throughout Florida. Primarily a sole practitioner for his first ten years, Mr. Hoffman formed a lasting partnership with Terri Buchalter in 1990. Kenneth Dorchak has been a welcome partner since 2000. The firm is a close knit group, with a longstanding, appreciated staff, all dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured. Mr. Hoffman has always made a point of meeting new injury clients at their convenience, as he still routinely makes home and hospital visits. Examples of immediate client needs that Mr. Hoffman will sit down and address are arranging following-up medical care, securing medical and loss of income benefits, and resolving auto repair and rental claims. Mr. Hoffman has helped thousands of accident victims ultimately receive lump sum awards for their lifelong damages. From pre-suit settlements to complicated litigation, he provides personal attention and professional expertise from start to finish.

Conti Moore is a skilled and recognized divorce lawyer in Orlando, FL. She is a managing partner at Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, and provides legal services, guidance, and representation to clients in Orlando. She has been recognized by the Clark County Bar Association, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, and as one of the Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40 by the National Bar Association and Impact, to name a few. Furthermore, Conti has gained a reputation for being a fierce advocate for their clients. She attended the Florida State University College of Law where she earned her J.D., she was also an honored member of the FSU Journal of Transnational Law and Policy, and FSM Mock Trial Team where she won the first place at the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyer's Mock Trial Competition, and second place at the Association of Trial Lawyers of America's Mock Trial Competition. Attorney Moore's has earned a reputation for aggressively representing her clients from inception through trial and appeal, litigating matters. She can assure you that by working with her, you will "Stress less. Choose Moore".

Before founding Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers in 2012, Matt Baggett began his practice defending Fortune 500 companies at two of the largest and most prestigious firms in Northeast Florida. Matt's successes in the courtroom have led him to win significant settlements for his clients, earning him a number of accolades, including an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell and recognition by Super Lawyers Magazine every year since 2009. Matt obtained his law degree from Florida State University in 2005 and his skills were recognized by winning first place in the 2003 Wayne Hogan Trial Competition. Currently, he spends his professional career helping victims of accidents and their families to fight for fair compensation and settlements.

Zachary (“Zach”) W. Lombardo is a partner at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A. He is a Board Certified Specialist in City, County & Local Government Law by The Florida Bar and is the City Attorney for Everglades City. Zach’s primary focus is helping public and private clients in a wide variety of land use and local government matters, including strategizing both advocacy for as well as opposition to: comprehensive plan amendments, re-zoning, and planned unit development (PUD) zoning and amendments, conditional uses and comparable use determinations, variances and non-conforming uses, land development code amendments, official interpretations and zoning verification letters, building code appeals, floodplain determinations, code enforcement, utility conveyance, right-of-way permits and vacations, easement use agreements and vacations, and litigation related to the above. He frequently appears before the Marco Island Planning Board, the Marco Island City Council, the Collier County Planning Commission, the Collier County Hearing Examiner, and the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County. Beyond land use, Zach helps public and private clients navigate various local government and environmental matters such as: public records, property tax appeals, agricultural tax exemptions, bid protests and public contracts, interlocal agreements, environmental resource permits, sovereignty land leases, and litigation related to the above He is an experienced litigator in state and federal court both at a trial court level and on appeal. In his business matters and contract drafting, Zach focuses on practical solutions. Active in the community, Zach is a lifelong environmentalist and an Eagle Scout. He is committed to doing what he can to improve the quality of the environment in the Western Everglades. A Southwest Florida native, he enjoys canoeing the waterways of Collier and Lee Counties with his family and playing the harmonica.

Peter received a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of North Florida. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008, he is a VA-accredited attorney, a former Assistant State Attorney for the Florida 4th Circuit and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Peter brings a wealth of experience when representing your case. He is a former White House Policy Advisor and served on the National Security Council. He is a PMI-certified Project Manager and a 2019 Graduate of the prestigious Naval Postgraduate School Executive Leaders Program in Monterey, California. Peter is a member of the Jacksonville and St. Johns County Bar Association and serves on the Military and Veteran Affairs Committee. Peter Jennison is a retired U.S. Army Aviation Lieutenant Colonel with over 30 years of military service to include 3 combat deployments to Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He served as Special Assistant and Military Advisor to FEMA Administrator Brock Long during hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria as well as the devastating California wildfires in Coffee Park and Paradise. Peter led multiple deployments to South America in support of the State Partnership Program and responded to numerous natural disasters impacting Florida from 1993-2023. Peter's awards include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), The Meritorious Service Medal (5th Award), The Air Medal (2nd Award) and the Florida Distinguished Service Medal (2nd Award).

With more than two decades of legal experience, I currently serve as an Attorney at Concierge Legal Services specializing in estate planning, wills, trusts, family law, probate, appeals and litigation. My practice is grounded in delivering tailored legal solutions that safeguard clients' legacies and support their financial goals in addition to helping families an litigants during complex legal matters. Committed to collaboration and client-centered service, I bring a diverse perspective to our team, fostering trust and effective advocacy. At Concierge Legal Services, I represent clients in estate planning, probate, family law, business law, and contract matters while navigating complex litigation and appeals. My ability to conduct meticulous legal research and craft strategic solutions ensures clients receive comprehensive representation, whether planning for the future or addressing urgent legal challenges.

Jonathan T. Gilbert is a trial lawyer and partner at Colling Gilbert Wright in Orlando, Florida. Since beginning to practice law in 2009, Mr. Gilbert has specialized in medical malpractice cases, providing top-notch legal representation to individuals who have suffered injuries or the death of a loved one due to medical negligence. As a specialist in medical practice, Mr. Gilbert regularly receives referrals from other law firms who entrust him with clients who have been victims of medical errors. Having secured several multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients, Mr. Gilbert is a distinguished member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Since 2012, the National Trial Lawyers have recognized his accomplishments as well, listing him among the “Top 40 Under 40” and more recently among the “Top 100” for the State of Florida. He has also been named as a Florida Super Lawyer for Medical Malpractice every year since 2015, having most recently received the designation of Top 50 in Orlando. In 2022, Mr. Gilbert was selected to attend Trial Lawyers College (TLC) in Estes Park, Colorado. This nearly month-long program requires acceptance by TLC’s selection committee for plaintiff and criminal defense lawyers to hone their trial skills through arduous and intense work on both legal cases and themselves. Mr. Gilbert completed the program and is a proud graduate of TLC, staying active in their mission and continuing to attend TLC’s graduate-level workshops and programs. Actively involved in his legal community, Mr. Gilbert is an Eagle member of the Florida Justice Association (FJA) and the former chairperson of FJA’s Young Lawyers Section. He is currently the President-Elect of the Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association (CFTLA), where he has continuously served on the Board of Directors since 2018. He will ascend to the role of President of CFTLA in 2026.