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.

James Michael Sawyer hails from South Florida but has been a resident of Gainesville off and on since the 1970’s when he moved here to attend the University of Florida for his Bachelor’s Degree. Mike began a martial arts career as a teenager in Miami, which continued while he attended UF and went on to become one of the world’s foremost promoters and authorities on sport martial arts. He is the co-founder of many prestigious martial art associations including the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) and the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA), as well as an on-air expert analyst for ESPN and other sports channels.

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.

James Claus is a practicing lawyer in the state of Florida. Attorney Claus received his J.D. from Stanford University Law School.

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Today, I'm able to serve a broad spectrum of clients as I use my expertise to help others develop a healthy relationship within themselves and with others. My interactive, therapeutic approach to counseling provides my clients with the support and practical guidelines necessary to sift through life's challenges. I integrate top-tier methodologies and techniques that offer a highly personalized approach specifically tailored to meet each client's unique and individual needs. With compassion and understanding, I work with individuals and couples to help them build on their strengths and attain happier and more fulfilling lives.