I’m Carlos Otero, founder of Otero Family Law in Orlando. I've have been a practicing attorney since 2015. The last 7 years, I’ve limited my practice to Florida family law cases exclusively. I'm handling everything from straightforward divorces to complex property division and high-conflict custody cases. My practice is organized to move cases forward efficiently. You’ll deal directly with me from start to finish (no rotating associates). My approach is simple: understand what you want, map realistic options, execute precisely, and keep you informed. If you want clear answers and direct action, let’s talk. I also speak Spanish fluently.

Melissa Gabriela Morales, the founder of MGM Law Group, is a devoted advocate driven by a passion for justice. A proud alumna of the University of Central Florida and Barry University School of Law, Melissa excels in Family Law. Fluent in Spanish, Melissa brings a distinctive perspective to her practice. Melissa is recognized for her tenacity, empathy, and unwavering commitment to championing the rights of her clients. With a sincere concern for individuals navigating difficult moments, Melissa stands as a compassionate ally in the legal realm, ensuring her clients' voices are heard and their rights are protected.

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.

Shipley Law Firm & Title Company is pleased to provide the highest quality, professional legal services for clients in Lake County and throughout central Florida. The firm's attorneys are experienced in representing individuals and businesses in the areas of bankruptcy law, business and corporate law, civil litigation, family law, wills, trusts and estate planning, probate, and real estate law (including real estate closings and title insurance). Our firm offers comprehensive analyses of all debt relief and debt workout options including skilled and cost-effective legal representation in all types of Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 bankruptcy law matters. We are dedicated to finding the best possible financial solution for our clients, which financial solution may or may not include bankruptcy. If you need legal assistance with a business and corporate law or civil litigation matter, Shipley Law Firm & Title Company can help. The firm has for many years represented clients in matters involving business formation, commercial lease agreements, and the purchase and sale of businesses and real estate. We also represent clients in business and corporate disputes involving breach of contract, unfair competition, fraud, landlord-tenant issues and employment. Whenever possible, we try to resolve disputes through alternative dispute resolution to avoid the time and expense of trial. However, when necessary we will aggressively defend your interests in litigation. Shipley Law Firm & Title Company provides legal services related to wills, trusts and estate planning to ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Our firm can draft and reviewing wills and trust documents as well as identify and implement asset protection strategies for Medicaid, to minimize estate and probate taxes, and plan for potential creditor's claims. At Shipley Law Firm & Title Company, we provide family law services related to adoption, dissolution of marriage/divorce, child custody, child support, post-dissolution modifications, spousal support/alimony, and ante-nuptial/prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements. We guide prospective adoptive parents through the complicated Florida adoption process and help file the necessary paperwork with the court. Our firm also guides clients through the difficult legal process of divorce and assists with the drafting and review of ante-nuptial/prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements. Shipley Law Firm & Title Company has also successfully represented clients in a variety of real estate matters related to closings, title insurance, easement disputes, title insurance claims, deed restrictions, enforcing real estate contracts, evictions and landlord-tenant litigation, homeowners associations, foreclosures, boundary disputes and quiet title actions. Mr. Shipley received both a Master's Degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.) concentrating in Entrepreneurship and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Florida State University. He is also licensed as a Florida Certified Public Accountant and is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, REALTORS® Association of Lake & Sumter Counties, Inc., the Lake County and Orange County Bar Associations, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and the Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association. Mr. Shipley also served in the United States Army Reserve for eight years and was on active wartime duty during the Persian Gulf War.

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.

In a nutshell, my passion has always been in public service. At the age of 18 I was working my first job as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the City of New Chicago, Indiana. I was only on the job for 6 months, when I was in the back of an ambulance delivering a baby. I went on to become a police officer in New Chicago; and after battling frost bite for a few years, I accepted a position as Deputy Sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. During my time there I was assigned to the Patrol Division, Fugitive Division and Tourist Policing Division; I received numerous awards and honors, which I am very proud of today. I met a young woman recently at a hospital where a careless driver caused her to lose her unborn baby. The careless driver was clearly at fault, the insurance company for the careless driver never offered an apology or offered money to help with any medical bills. They only called and asked permission to inspect her car to make sure she was somehow not at fault for the accident. I met a husband and wife not long ago who were badly injured in a car accident. Their car was totaled and they were both out of work. The insurance company refused to pay for a rental car even though the accident was clearly not their fault. I talk with mothers and fathers, nurses and teachers, construction workers and police officers, people from all walks of life everyday who have been injured at no fault of their own– people who are looking for justice, fairness and help for the challenges they face each day after an accident. In each of these conversations I’m reminded why I became a trial attorney: Everyday injury and accident victims need and deserve a champion, and I would be honored to be that champion for you!