When I was young, I never knew what I wanted to do with my career, other than help people. As a personal injury lawyer, I get to do that every day and it is the most fulfilling job I have ever done. I take pride in listening to my clients' concerns and fighting for them. If you need an advocate or someone that will work tirelessly for you or your family member, give me a call and let me be your voice. I am a civil litigator. I have handled numerous cases involving, among other things, medical negligence, premises liability, car accidents, trip and falls, business disputes, wrongful death, and federal tort claim act claims. I have handled numerous medical malpractice matters which have resulted in six and seven-figure settlements for my clients. Recently, I resolved a wrongful death/medical malpractice matter where the total settlement value of the case exceeded $1.4 million. I have been recognized for my work on behalf of injured Floridians by having been placed on Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite List and have been awarded rising star status by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers list. I am also active in the Tampa Bay community. I presently serve as the Chairman of the board of directors for a Tampa based non-profit, Wheels for Success. I have served on that board for five years. Wheels of Success is an organization that provides transportation in the form of donated cars to persons who have a job but cannot afford to purchase a car to get there. I was also a past board member of the Young Lawyer Board for the Florida Justice Association where I assisted in the FJA's activities of fighting for the rights of injured Floridians. I was a member of the Cheatwood Inn of Court from 2010-2011 and 2013-2016 and am presently a member of the Wm Reece Smith, Jr. Litigation Inn of Court.

Mr. Cruz Carino achieved his Doctor of Jurisprudence, from Stetson University College of Law. Before that, he received his Bachelor of Arts, finishing in the top ten percent of his class, from The University of Florida. He served as a Certified State Intern in the State’s Attorney’s Office, where he tried more than ten cases, and was also privileged to serve as a Federal Judicial Intern to the Honorable District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich, of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Upon graduation, Mr. Cruz worked as a Judicial Staff Attorney for four years in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. From there, he served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General from 2001-2012, handling criminal appeals and collateral petitions on behalf of the State of Florida. Mr. Cruz has argued before the Second District Court of Appeal, the Fifth District Court of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court. He is admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts, and is also admitted to practice in the Middle District of Florida. He is fluent in Spanish, and has taught as an adjunct professor at Saint Petersburg College. He currently heads the Appellate Section of The Pendas Law Firm and is the (interim) Managing Attorney for the Tampa office. He oversees all appellate matters and provides litigation support to attorneys throughout the firm. Additionally, he handles his own litigation case load. His practice focuses on general civil litigation, appeals and trial support. Mr. Cruz guides all appeals from the filing of a notice of appeal through the filing of a motion to recall mandate.

Daniel Hartpence was born and raised in Fayetteville, Georgia. As the son of a chiropractor and teacher, he was instilled with the drive and motivation necessary to succeed and excel. He went to Starr's Mill High School, then on to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. At Eckerd, Daniel played baseball and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Classic History.