Attorney David A. Haenel is one of the most celebrated criminal defense, DUI and traffic ticket attorneys in Florida. Since 2000, Mr. Haenel has been working to ensure the best possible results in each case he tries. After graduating in the top third of his law school class at the Widener University School of Law, Mr. Haenel went on to earn a Master of Law degree in criminal law from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Mr. Haenel’s career began in the State Attorney’s Office. He was named the State of Florida DUI Prosecutor of the Year while he was in this role. His experience as a prosecutor is now put to work on behalf of clients who are accused of various criminal, DUI and traffic offenses. Mr. Haenel has earned a stellar reputation among his clients and peers. Mr. Haenel is admitted to practice law before the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the State Courts of Florida and the State Courts of New Jersey. He is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Sarasota County Bar Association.

Mr. Coyne started his career as a prosecutor for the State of Florida in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. While acting as a prosecutor, he individually handled thousands of cases. He specialized in DUI and domestic violence. After leaving the State Attorney's Office, Mr. Coyne accepted a position representing the City of Sarasota and specifically the Sarasota Police Department. Mr. Coyne acted as the chief litigator for the City of Sarasota, representing the City in asset forfeitures, personal injury cases, contract disputes and civil rights violations. Mr. Coyne also advised several civilian volunteer boards, including but not limited to the Nuisance Abatement Board, the Police Advisory Board, the Board of Rules and Appeals (Building Department) and other temporary boards.

Finishing his undergraduate degree at The State University of New York at Oswego, William Galarza went on to St. John’s University to earn his Juris Doctor degree. Admitted in the State of New York in 1986, he’s been practicing law for nearly 30 years, helping hundreds of clients and winning countless cases. In 2001, he was admitted in the State of New Jersey, going on to earn his Master’s Degree in Taxation from Fairleigh Dickenson University. In 2004 he went on to the State of Florida. Along with bankruptcy, Mr. Galarza also specializes in foreclosure defense, DWI and DUI law, criminal law, family and divorce law, trust and estate law, and personal injury law. Our lawyers have extensive knowledge, experience, and versatility. The Sarasota lawyers at Galarza Law Firm are dedicated to bettering the lives of our clients. Open, understanding and willing to do whatever it takes to help, our greatest success is seeing our clients succeed. Whether that means helping them plan for their financial future, giving them a clean start, or helping them get what they deserve, we are always in your corner, ready to serve. We employ some of the most professional and experienced bankruptcy lawyers in the Sarasota, FL area. To give you your best chance, we will discuss your case and your options at no cost to you, so you have the paths laid out in front of you and a law firm ready to walk any of them with you. Contact us today and get a free consultation, and get Sarasota’s leading bankruptcy attorney on your side.

Richard Ruhl (Rick) grew up in Charlotte County and was admitted to practice in Florida in 2002, and has been in private practice in southwest Florida since 2003. He attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Englewood and college in Fort Myers, graduating from International College, with a Bachelor's degree, summa cum laude. After this, he finished his Juris Doctorate at St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami in 2001. After admission to the bar, Rick accepted a job with the Public Defender's Office, and from there, accepted a job offer from the Law Office of Robert Distefano in Fort Lauderdale. After spending a year with Robert Distefano, he moved back to Charlotte County to open his own practice. In 2011, Rick joined the firm of Ruhl Law. Contact Rick at Rick@ruhllaw.com or by phone at (855) RUHL-LAW.

I am a veteran of the United States Air Force and served as an Assistant State Attorney for over three years in both Lee and Charlotte County. During these years, I handled thousands of criminal cases ranging from DUIs and other misdemeanors to complex felony economic crimes and sex crimes. This afforded me invaluable trial experience as well as allowing me the ability to learn the inner workings of the Judicial System. I have since decided to refocus my efforts on serving the community by protecting the rights of those accused of criminal offenses. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems from City University of Seattle and an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado. After years of work as a software engineer, I chose to pursue a degree in law and graduated with Honors from Ave Maria School of Law in 2017. While in law school, I gained experience in Criminal Law through an internship with the US Attorney’s Office in Fort Myers and worked with a firm in Naples, focusing on litigation involving real-estate and investment disputes. I look forward to using my knowledge, experience, and determination to help you get past whatever legal hurdle happens to be in your way.

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.

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.

Michael was born and raised in Florida. He spent much of his youth working in orange groves and watermelon fields in Central Florida. Michael knows the roots of this community and works hard to help people in all circumstances. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Utah State University in 2008, Michael pursued a law degree from the Florida Coastal School of Law. He graduated in 2011 and was admitted to the Florida Bar. Michael is also licensed to practice law in Georgia. While in school, Michael interned with the State Attorney's Office and went on to work as an Assistant State Attorney. He learned the criminal justice system first hand and found his passion for criminal defense. In addition to his background working on criminal cases, Michael also has experience in resolving family law and civil litigation.