Education

Dedicated to fighting fraud, false advertising and abuse by corporations – We stand for the “little guy” (and gal). Our clients are victims of wrongdoing throughout the United States.

A native of Bismarck, North Dakota, Theresa Kellington graduated from San Diego State University in 1989 with a degree in Criminal Justice Administration. Theresa continued on to the University of the Pacific – McGeorge School of Law, where she graduated with honors in 1992, passing the CA State Bar exam the first time. Upon graduation from law school, Theresa joined a law firm in California, where she opened a civil litigation department and worked for 3 years. After the birth of her daughter in 1995, Theresa moved back to Bismarck to be closer to her family. Soon after, Theresa began working with Pearce Durick and American Legal Services. In 2012, Theresa joined Dan Oster, and together they established Kellington & Oster, P.C. Theresa loves family involved cases, business planning, and estate planning. She states, “Working with family law can be stressful, but I love to feel like I’m doing something right.” As a pro bono attorney of the year in North Dakota, Theresa hopes to become a Judge in the future.

Trevena, Pontrello & Associates offers legal representation in the areas of criminal defense, criminal appeals, and some civil and family law matters. As a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer with over 30 years of litigation and practice experience, John Trevena offers sophisticated and ingenious strategies for what can often be complex and difficult circumstances. John H. Trevena is the owner and managing attorney of his firm. His keen sense of strategy, accomplished skills as a trial lawyer and straightforward approach bring due process for his clients in the criminal justice and civil court systems. Attorney Trevena is listed in Florida Super Lawyers magazine in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Super Lawyers are peer selected and considered among the top 5% of attorneys in their areas of practice. Attorney Trevena is also a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). The LCA is comprised of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Membership is limited by invitation only and selection is based upon evaluations of effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, and superior ethical reputation. Attorney Trevena is ranked ranked Superb (10 out of 10) by Avvo™, an independent company that ranks attorneys based on their years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements, and industry recognition. Trevena's firm was also recently named the Criminal Law Firm of the Year - Florida, by the publication Corporate America - The Legal Elite 2015. Attorney Trevena is a member of The American Trial Lawyers Association (The Association) and was selected for inclusion in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers for the State of Florida (2007-2015). Membership into The American Trial Lawyers Association is by invitation and is extended only to those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, leadership, influence, reputation, stature, and profile in the trial attorney community, as viewed by The Association, other trial lawyers, members of the bench, and the public at large. Attorney Trevena was also elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation in 2010. The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation is an honorary organization representing one-third of one percent of licensed attorneys. Fellows are lawyers, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars who have been elected by their peers to become members of The Fellows because of their outstanding achievements in the legal profession. Attorney Trevena was admitted to the Florida Bar and US District Court, Middle District of Florida in 1986. He received his Juris Doctor from Stetson University in 1985, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982 from the University of South Florida. His current memberships include: Clearwater, St. Petersburg and American (Member, Criminal Law Section) Bar Associations The Florida Bar; the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member) Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association (President, 2005) Pinellas County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member) American Judicature Society. John is a Lifetime Member of Phi Delta Phi, and was on the editorial board for the Florida Bar Journal and Florida Bar News from 1990-1993. He served as Assistant State Attorney from 1985-1987. Attorney Trevena has been a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer (Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education) since August 1, 1992.

Mr. Goodman began his legal career litigating on behalf of those accused of crimes by first interning for the Federal Public Defender's Office for the Middle District of Florida. Wanting to learn just how prosecutors put together their cases against the accused, Mr. Goodman decided to serve as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County for over six and a half years. While acting as a prosecutor, Mr. Goodman tried over seventy cases to verdict. During his time as a prosecutor, Mr. Goodman handled death penalty murder cases, murders featured on national television programs, traffic homicides, crimes of violence, as well as complex economic crimes. Due to his expertise in trial work, Mr. Goodman was selected to serve as the Chief of Litigation for the Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Unit, where he was tasked with training over twenty attorneys on the rules of evidence, and how to properly handle and build a case from the initial investigation until a jury verdict. Additionally, Mr. Goodman was chosen to serve on the prestigious Traffic Homicide Unit where he investigated numerous traffic fatalities that ranged from vehicular homicide to DUI manslaughter. Mr. Goodman additionally argued on behalf of the State of Florida before the Florida Parole Commission, and was specially assigned to prosecute multiple cases by the Office of the Governor. As a defense attorney, Mr. Goodman has handled crimes ranging from traffic citations to murder – each case prepared with the idea that a trial may be needed to clear the client from the charges.

I am proudly taking Accident & Injury; DUI-DWI; Car Accident; & Criminal cases out of Miami, Florida.

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.

Octavio “Tav” Gomez is a managing partner at The Consumer Lawyers. Previously he served as the Head of the Consumer Protection Department of Morgan & Morgan. He has represented Thousands of across the Nation. Mr. Gomez has earned a reputation for aggressive and dedicated representation in complex civil litigation. As an attorney, he is constantly striving to become a more educated and informed legal professional, and readily attends legal seminars and conferences to ensure his continuing legal education. Tav Gomez and his consumer team at Morgan and Morgan were recognized as “The Consumer Protection Group of the year” by Law360. Originally from Colombia, South America, Mr. Gomez moved to the United States as a child. He was raised in in Fort Lauderdale, FL and attended Florida State University for his undergraduate studies. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, he went on to earn his Juris Doctorate at the Florida State University College of Law. While attending law school, Mr. Gomez served as an intern with the Agency for Health Care Administration. After graduating law school, Mr. Gomez began working as a state prosecutor at the State Attorney’s office in Tampa, Florida. As a prosecuting attorney, he handled a multitude of felony cases, including habitual felony offender, 10-20-Life cases, grand theft, and trafficking cases. Mr. Gomez moved on from the State Attorney’s office in 2003 to become a named partner with Taracks, Gomez & Rickman, practicing primarily in the area of criminal defense and personal injury. During his tenure at the firm, he handled high profile cases including 1st-degree murder, vehicular homicide, complex mortgage fraud, extradition and tax fraud. Mr. Gomez has also handled civil and administrative cases involving the Federal Trade Commission, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Gomez’s became the National Head of the Consumer Protection at Morgan & Morgan and focuses primarily on Federal Litigation, on the FCRA, FDCPA, TCPA, and other consumer issues. He uses this extensive knowledge and experience in the courtroom, all to the benefit of his clients. Mr. Gomez has developed an invaluable understanding of the discovery phase and trial preparation. He has represented high profile cases in both Federal and State Court. Mr. Gomez has been involved in some of the largest individual settlement agreements in FCRA and TCPA cases around the nation. He has a deep understanding of the policies and procedures employed by most banks and debt collectors and has mastered credit reporting as instituted by Congress in relation to the FCRA. Mr. Gomez is a member of the Florida Bar, the Georgia Bar, The Pennsylvania Bar and numerous Federal Courts throughout the Country. He is fluent in Spanish and has served as lead attorney in more than 60 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials, in both Federal and State Courts. With over 20 years of legal experience, he handles cases with strategic aggressiveness to maximize case results.

Keith opened his own firm in July of 2003 where he strives every day to offer every client the best legal representation with the best customer service. He understands no one wants to be injured especially due to another’s negligence that is why Keith and his staff are committed to doing everything they can in their power to assist their clients with a full recovery. Keith has been the managing partner since 2003 and is assisted by several great lawyers, paralegals and staff.

Kevin C. Ambler served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 to 2010, representing House District 47 encompassing most of Northwest Hillsborough County. During his 4 consecutive terms in elected office, he served on over 47 legislative councils and committees, including serving as Chairman of the Health Appropriations Committee in which he was responsible for nearly $20 billion dollars in appropriations for more than 3 million Medicaid beneficiaries and 80,000 health care providers and 15,000 health care facilities. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, Rep. Ambler received numerous awards and accolades from professional organizations, boards, and foundations as the top legislator of the year for his outstanding accomplishments for championing numerous important legislative issues. Representative Ambler attended Cornell University on a four-year Air Force ROTC scholarship where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Business Administration in 1983. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. In 1986, he received his Juris Doctorate degree from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California. Soon after, he was appointed as an Air Force judge advocate and assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, where he served on active duty for nearly 5 years in several positions including Chief of Claims, Chief of Legal Assistance, Chief of Military Justice and Chief of the Civil Law Divisions. During this same time, he also was appointed by the U.S. Attorney General as a Special Assistant United States Attorney and was responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in federal court against civilians arising on MacDill AFB. Later, his responsibilities expanded to defending the United States in federal court in medical malpractice and personal injury cases arising under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Representative Ambler entered private practice and transferred to the Air Force Reserves in 1991. During his first year as a reservist, he was awarded the Harmon Award by the Air Force Judge Advocate General as the Most Outstanding Reserve Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force. Representative Amblerʼs other military decorations include the Air Force Achievement Medal, two Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Services Medal. He continued to serve as a Judge Advocate in the reserves until 2005. Representative Ambler began his career in private practice as a litigation attorney in 1991. In 1996, Representative Ambler opened his own firm, the Ambler Law Group, focusing in the areas of medical malpractice, products liability, wrongful death and personal injury litigation in both state and federal courts. His firm also handles complex business litigation and transactional matters as well as entertainment and sports law. Representative Ambler is a member of the Florida, Georgia and D.C. Bars and the American Bar Association, Hillsborough County Bar Association and the American Justice Association. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for the Middle District Court of Florida, and the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. He previously served as the Chair of the Florida Bar Military Affairs Committee (2002-2003) and Chair of the Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) Military Liaison Committee (2002-2003). He has chaired the HCBA Entertainment and Intellectual Property Law Section (1999-2002) and he has been a regular and active participant in the HCBA “Ask A Lawyer” Pro Bono Program from 1995 to 2002. In 2002, he received the HCBA “Have a Heart” award for outstanding pro bono service. Representative Ambler and his firm hold an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell National Law Directory reflecting the highest possible rating for professional competence and ethical conduct. Representative Ambler served as President of the Board of Trustees of the Northdale Special Tax District for 7 years. He was Chairman of the Cornell University Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network Committee for West Central Florida as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the Cornell Club of the Suncoast for 5 years. For over 10 years, Representative Ambler served as president and a member of the Board of Directors of the Brentwood Park Homeownerʼs Association. In 2000, Representative Ambler was appointed to and served a one year term on the Hillsborough County Charter Review Board. In his youth, Representative Ambler served on the White House Conference for Children and Youth Task Force and was inducted into the American Academy of Achievement which awarded him the Golden Eagle Award of Excellence as the top student in the United States. Representative Ambler has been an adjunct law professor on the faculty for Stetson University College of Law for the past 8 years.