Rick Jacobs earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa and his law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan. Rick Jacobs was admitted to the Florida Bar and served as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade before private practice.

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.

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.

As founder of the firm, Eduardo M. Pimentel represents policyholders in property insurance disputes involving homes, businesses, and community associations. His work centers on helping clients understand what their policy may cover, what the carrier is asking for, and what options may be available when a claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid.