An aggressive litigator, Karina Perez Ilić has diverse expertise in civil litigation including catastrophic workplace accidents, contracts, commercial disputes, premises liability, and Tampa motor vehicle accidents. She is not afraid to be a fierce advocate for clients who have been wronged or injured. A Florida native, she ventured to New Orleans to receive her bachelor’s degree in business law with a minor in French language at Tulane University. She continued her legal education in New Orleans, graduating from Loyola University in 2010 cum laude. Attorney Karina Perez Ilić is a member of the Florida State Bar and is admitted to practice in both the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the Southern District. She is also a Certified Continuing Education Instructor in the State of Florida. As Managing Attorney at our firm, she is devoted to providing our clients with superior service to ensure that each of their unique needs have been met and that they have achieved the highest compensation possible. Se habla español.

A civil trial lawyer since 1983, Alan Wagner brings an unusual skill set to his partnership in the firm. True to the firm’s dedication to plaintiffs’ rights, Alan’s experience plays a vital role in helping clients. Alan has distinguished himself as a trial lawyer, gaining extensive experience in handling claims of professional negligence, products liability, bad-faith litigation, complex commercial disputes, toxic torts, and legal and medical malpractice. One of Alan’s key areas of expertise is in the examination of expert witnesses — frequently a critical component in personal injury litigation — which he has perfected while honing a reputation for general excellence in trial advocacy. Alan became a partner in the firm in 1994 and today serves as President of Wagner McLaughlin. His exceptional skills and competence have refueled the practice’s growth and success.

Stephen Bernhardt has been an attorney since he was 25 years old. Now, nearly a decade later, Bernhardt has extensive trial experience in both criminal and civil law. He began his legal career as a prosecutor, first handling misdemeanor offenses such as DUI, Battery, Possession of Controlled Substance, Violation of Injunction and many others. Bernhardt was quickly moved to a felony division and become the State Attorney’s Office’s representative for the county’s Drug Court Program. In this role, Bernhardt learned many techniques to help individuals overcome addictions as well as the differences between the many rehabilitation establishments throughout Florida. Prior to leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt was the lead prosecutor in his division. Bernhardt conducted several jury trials that ended in convictions and sentences of more than thirty years, including a mandatory life in prison sentence. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt began practicing civil law for one of the largest creditors’ rights firms in the United States. Bernhardt quickly became the lead litigating attorney for the firm’s Florida office and handled countless civil hearings and trials before leaving to start Bernhardt Law, PLLC. Bernhardt Law focuses on the practice areas of Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Debt Defense. Using the knowledge gained throughout the years, Bernhardt Law is dedicated to making sure each client’s specific situation is handled with the utmost professionalism, attention to detail, and integrity.

Since 2014, Mr. Mervine has represented clients in hundreds of cases across 12 Florida counties. While his primary focus is family law, his diverse legal experience also includes representing small businesses, insurance companies, lenders, investors in secondary debt markets, and individuals in immigration court proceedings. Backed by an extensive academic background—including a Juris Doctor and multiple advanced degrees—he brings a well-rounded, strategic approach to every case David Mervine is a dedicated and zealous advocate, committed to guiding clients through the complexities of family law with strategic insight and unwavering support. With a client-centered and collaborative approach, he empowers individuals to navigate challenging legal matters while safeguarding their rights and securing their future.​ Licensed to practice in Florida and before the EOIR Immigration Courts, Mr. Mervine has represented clients in hundreds of cases across 12 Florida counties. While his primary focus is family law—including high-conflict divorces, child custody disputes, and marital agreements—his experience also extends to representing small businesses, insurance companies, lenders, investors in secondary debt markets, and individuals in the immigration Courts. Mr. Mervine’s commitment to community service has been recognized with the prestigious William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award, underscoring his dedication to providing legal assistance to those in need. Understanding the profound legal and emotional challenges that families encounter, he crafts thoughtful, results-driven solutions tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. Mr. Mervine began his higher education at the State University of New York at Albany, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. His academic journey reflects his commitment to excellence, holding multiple advanced degrees, including a Master of Business Administration from American University, a Master of Science in Communications from Clarion University, and two Master’s Degrees from Colorado State University—one in Finance and another in Organizational Leadership. His legal education culminated at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, where he earned his Juris Doctor and developed a strong foundation in legal advocacy. With extensive legal knowledge, a client-first philosophy, and a steadfast commitment to justice, Mr. Mervine remains a trusted advocate, helping clients navigate life’s most pivotal legal challenges with clarity and confidence.

Charles Lambert is a practicing attorney in the state of Florida who handles criminal defense matters.

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.

I help people that have been injured by others recover what has been wrongfully taken from them. After practicing law for over a decade with an established Tampa law firm, I started my own law firm with a partner that shares my legal philosophy. We opened this firm, to dedicate our careers to just and righteous causes. We advance our own funds to fight to obtain justice for people that have been wronged by the careless and reckless behavior of others. We have obtained millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. If you or someone in your family needs the help of an attorney, please do not hesitate to contact me. Dan handles a variety of complex civil cases including medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and automobile accident cases as well as breach of contract, real estate, and construction disputes. Dan is a relentless litigator and has obtained numerous judgments and settlements for his clients throughout the state of Florida. Recently, Dan obtained a $3.4 million jury verdict on behalf of his client who was injured in an automobile collision in Polk County, Florida. Dan has been recognized by the most prestigious lawyer rating services in Florida. He was recognized in the 2018 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™, as part of a select group of lawyers voted by other lawyers in Florida as among the best in the state. He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating awarded by that organization. He was selected to Super Lawyer Magazine's list of Rising Stars from 2009-2015. He is rated a 10 by AVVO, its highest rating. Most importantly, Dan strives to achieve excellent results for his clients to earn their highest ratings, and those are the ratings that he values the most. Click here to see Dan’s client reviews.

The Hilton Law Group, PLLC is a Central Florida-based law firm offering services in business law.

Stephen Bernhardt has been an attorney since he was 25 years old. Now, nearly a decade later, Bernhardt has extensive trial experience in both criminal and civil law. He began his legal career as a prosecutor, first handling misdemeanor offenses such as DUI, Battery, Possession of Controlled Substance, Violation of Injunction and many others. Bernhardt was quickly moved to a felony division and become the State Attorney’s Office’s representative for the county’s Drug Court Program. In this role, Bernhardt learned many techniques to help individuals overcome addictions as well as the differences between the many rehabilitation establishments throughout Florida. Prior to leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt was the lead prosecutor in his division. Bernhardt conducted several jury trials that ended in convictions and sentences of more than thirty years, including a mandatory life in prison sentence. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Bernhardt began practicing civil law for one of the largest creditors’ rights firms in the United States. Bernhardt quickly became the lead litigating attorney for the firm’s Florida office and handled countless civil hearings and trials before leaving to start Bernhardt Law, PLLC. Bernhardt Law focuses on the practice areas of Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Debt Defense. Using the knowledge gained throughout the years, Bernhardt Law is dedicated to making sure each client’s specific situation is handled with the utmost professionalism, attention to detail, and integrity.

Thomas Gilbert is an attorney licensed in Florida and New Jersey. Mr. Gilbert received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education and social sciences from the University of Tampa and his J.D. from the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in Riverview, Florida. While pursuing his law degree, Mr. Gilbert interned at the St. Michael’s Legal Center, a pro bono legal clinic focusing on family law issues. After graduating from law school, Mr. Gilbert served as a judicial law clerk in the Family Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. During his clerkship, Mr. Gilbert conducted legal research, analyzed legal data, and prepared legal memoranda for the Family Division judges. He also conducted many successful parenting time mediations in non-divorce cases. After his clerkship, Mr. Gilbert worked in private practice at two midsize family law firms before joining The Law Offices of Robert Geller. Well-versed in the latest developments in the law, Mr. Gilbert is adept at guiding clients to address their plans for both the short- and long-term consequences of Family Court proceedings. Mr. Gilbert is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He worked as a State Trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol and as an Officer with the Tampa Police Department before beginning his law career. While his focus is on resolving cases without needless litigation, he is well prepared to fight for his clients in the courtroom if necessary.