Orlando Style Magazine - June 2020

ORLANDO GOT STYLE - 17 YEARS AND COUNTING...

THE CITY’S WHO’S WHO & WHAT TO DO©

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ORLANDOSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

Women in Law ORLANDO’S TOP

UN

E 2020 : :

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VOL.XVII

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No.

06

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TOGETHER AT HOME ISSUE

95 • J

2020

On stands until July 15

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CATHLEEN K. BODE Editor-in-Chief CMO & National Sales SVEN J. BODE sven@styletome.com Executive Sales Director LOUISE KENNEDY louise@orlandostylemag.com Account Manager DAVID HARRIS david@stylepublications.com Graphic Designer ELIZABETH A. MEJIA liz@stylepublications.com

ORLANDOSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION Circulation Manager JOEL D. J. Newsstand Distribution THE NEWS GROUP & ANC FASHION Fashion Director CATHLEEN K. BODE PHOTOGRAPHY Contributing Photographers MARLIESE CARMONA, BRION PRICE, SUSAN JEFFERS, NATASHA SMITH, BEN SCOTT, GREG ALEXANDER, KATE POWERS, KIMBERLY JEFCOAT JESSIE DEE, SHELLEY LAKE, KIM MYERS ROBERTSON, SVEN J. BODE & JONATHAN FRIESE EDITORIAL Writers MARK NEJAME, CATHLEEN K. BODE, RIESA PASCAL, COURTNEY CAGGIANO, DANA DAMATO, ASSOCIATED PRESS + MANY OTHERS

Founder & CEO SVEN J. BODE

Advisory Board Sven J. Bode, Lizzie Grubman NYC, Cathleen K. Bode, Dick Batchelor, Mark NeJame, Edland Man, Greg Alexander, Heli Hinkel, Eddie Baute, Lou Milano, Tom & Kim Wood, John P. McOsker, Robert Francis, Heather G. Rybka, Melanie Pace, Tammara Kohler, Martin Capristan, Mike Piper, Dimitri Karabinis, and growing...

ISSN: 1553-2011 Published monthly, ORLANDO STYLE® is a registered Trademark. The City’s #1 Magazine of Style, Concierge Guide, Don’t Miss The Beat, In Case You Missed It, Dirty Laundry, Kitchen Talk, Life Line, Travel ‘N Style, Power Couple, Style MD, O-Style, Our Town, Dining ’N Style, Orlando Now, Elite Doctors, DAT, Spotlight on the Law, Cool Shots, Best Cellars and Real World are © Copyrights 2015 by Orlando Style®. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photography, or illustration only with written permission of the publisher. Orlando Style®, its officers, staff members or writers do not warrant the accuracy of or resume responsibility for any of the material contained herein. Freelance photographers are responsible for their copyrights. All photo materials, letters and text submitted to Orlando Style® automatically become property of Orlando Style Magazine®. Email inquiries to: mail@orlandostylemag.com. Subscriptions are available in the US $19.87 per year and Canada for $45 per year as well as on magzter.com for 99¢ an issue or $9.99 for an annual subscription.

ORLANDO STYLE® is published monthly (except January & August) by Style Magazines, 9100 Conroy Windermere Rd. Ste. 200, Windermere, FL 34786 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Orlando Style 9100 Conroy Windermere Rd. Ste. 200, Windermere, FL 34786 PRINTED IN THE USA.

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ONTRIBUTORS

COURTNEY CAGGIANO Courtney was born in Miami and currently resides in Orlando, Florida. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BA degree in English Literature, where she developed her passion for the written word.

She pursues all forms of writing, including journalism, nonfiction, critical literary analysis, and inspirational writing. You can read her published work on her website: CourtneyMaeCaggiano.com or on Instagram at @bycocomae.

RIESA PASCAL Riesa was born in London, England and now resides in sunny Orlando, Florida. She is a proud graduate of Florida State University where she double majored in creative writing and communication. In addition to editorial writing, Riesa is also deeply passionate about broadcast journalism and currently freelances as a TV personality with various networks in Central Florida. You can learn more about Riesa at her website: RiesaPascal.com

DAWN HARRIS SHERLING, M.D., F.A.C.P. Dr. Sherling is a general internist and clinical associate professor at Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine. She is the author of several academic articles and a medical thriller, Not Quite Dead.

Website: dawnharrissherling.com Twitter: @dharrissherling

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Dear Readers, While many publications move across to digital and we certainly provide these options as well, luxury lifestyle publications like Orlando Style are still offering an inimitable sensory experience to their readers, where magazines remain luxurious objects in their own right. Sophisticated art direction, amazing editorials and premium print execution, which, perfectly fits the lifestyle of their readers and provides luxury brands a unique opportunity to present their products.

Whilst social marketing and digital communications have become a part of luxury branding, luxury lifestyle magazines are an important and large part of the marketing mix, particularly in reaching the elusive high-net-worth consumer. Fear is going around to some if this investment is right at this time of uncertainty, but magazine advertising is still one of the most effective, and, cost effective parts of your marketing mix. This is an unusual and unknown time in all of our lives and we shall learn from it and adapt to a new way of thinking from what we thought was the “norm”.

There will be a new normal as we get through this unprecedented times and hopefully, promising news, that there will be a vaccine coming, maybe not as quickly as we would like to see it, but maybe sooner than what we’ve expected. That will be the time we all shall move forward with more appreciation of what we have, and, anticipation to where we’re going. This is a wonderful place in which we live, our City Beautiful, we shall take care of it and our people. We at Orlando Style will be on your side to help you get through these difficult times, let us know about your story. We do need you to stay by us in these difficult times as well. Support our advertisers, order online and support our local restaurants with take out… We are all in this together as one, and we shall overcome.

The world is at a stand-still right now, however, we all have the opportunity to make this world to be a better place in the near future.

Stay safe my friends.

Sincerely,

Sven J. Bode Publisher

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CONTENT

10 / THE ARTS Travel the Globe from Your Home with Virtual Museum & Gallery Tours

By Courtney Caggiano 13 / PORTFOLIO Luxury Living & Estates Special Feature 32 / STYLE MD Unlearning How to Share

By Dawn Harris Sherling, M.D., F.A.C.P. 34 / FASHION Bored at Home?

Let’s Do Something with the Hair...

Photos by Meiji Nguyen 42 / CELEBRITY SOUP

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Celebrity Comebacks

By Riesa Pascal 45 / ORLANDO’S TOP WOMEN IN LAW 2020

FASHION

Special Feature Section 64 / LIVING ‘N STYLE Luxury Essentials

10 THE ARTS

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STYLE MD

©Copyright 2020 by Orlando Style Magazine®. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photography or illustration only with written permission of the publisher. Orlando Style Magazine, its officers, staff members or writers do not warrant the accuracy of or resume responsibility for any of the material contained herein.

All letters, text and photo material received become property of Orlando Style Magazine®. Subscriptions are available in the U.S. and Puerto Rico for $19.95 per year and Canada for $45 per year.

For more information go online or email to info@StyleToMe.com

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How old you are is your business‌ How young you look is our business Winter Park | Baldwin Park | reflectionsdermatology.com | 407-895-8818

THE ARTS

Travel the Globe

from Your Home with Virtual Museum & Gallery Tours

By Courtney Caggiano

While your highly anticipated summer plans to gallivant around the magical cities of Europe may have been cancelled, that doesn’t mean you can’t explore some of the globe’s most famous museums on your itinerary.

With Google Arts & Culture, you can now visit over 2,500 museums and galleries from all over the world through virtual tours and exhibits from the comfort of your home. This stunning collection includes Paris’ Musée d’Orsay, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and even New York City’s Guggenheim.

Whether you’re looking for that exciting substitute for your international vacation or some ways for the kids to stay studied while out of school, we’ve gathered a list of our favorite museums that you can visit from the couch, the kitchen, or even poolside.

Guggenheim Museum, New York City Although you may not be able to climb the Guggenheim’s iconic spiral staircase, you can tour them—and the treasure-holding hallways of this breathtaking modern museum with Google’s Guggenheim exhibits. Set your sights on amazing works from the Impressionist, PostImpressionist, Modern, and Contemporary eras of art.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris The City of Love may look a little different this year, but you can still experience the wonder and glamour of Paris as you virtually journey through the Musée d’Orsay, witnessing famous works from the French masters. With this tour, you’ll gaze upon the romantic works of artists like Monet, Cézanne, Gauguin, and more.

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you from visiting one of this city’s gems. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is giving you a peek into the largest collection of this brilliant painter’s masterpieces, including hundreds of paintings, drawings, and even 750 of the artist’s personal letters.

Uffizi Gallery, Florence Virtually travel to the city of Florence, Italy, where you can visit the Uffizi Gallery, home to the art collection of the de’Medicis, one of the most famous families of Florence. Step into this fascinating curation of some of Italy’s mesmerizingly groundbreaking pieces, including innovative selections from the Renaissance—even get an up-close experience with works from the artistic genius himself, Leonardo da Vinci.

The British Museum, London The British Museum is set in the heart of London’s busy, bustling city streets, but you can visit the historical exhibits held within the museum’s walls without stepping outside of your home. Visit the Great Court and take a look at the ancient Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and hundreds of educational artifacts with The British Museum’s virtual tours.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

With over 5,000 years of art from all over the world, The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents online experiences that will engage the senses and entice the mind. From fashion exhibits such as Coco Chanel: Modernism to intriguing artworks of various media, you’ll find a plethora of knowledge in these curated displays.

You may not be able to bike your way through Amsterdam this summer, but don’t let that stop

You can discover all these museum tours and more at artsandculture.google.com.

COOL SHOTS

Socialize

Runway To Hope May 2019

Festivals of Speed Jetport Reception Dec. 2019

Winter Park Wine & Dine Oct. 2019

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COOL SHOTS

Socialize

P H OTO G R A P H Y BY B R I O N P R I C E

Orlando Style Party at Bella Collina Sept. 2019

Winter Park Wine & Dine Oct. 2019

Runway To Hope May 2019

Orlando Style Party at Bella Collina Sept. 2019

The UPS STORE at The Dr. Phillips Marketplace Plaza

Festivals of Speed Jetport Reception Dec. 2019

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7512 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Ste. 50, Orlando, FL 32819 Mon.-Thurs. 8:30am - 7pm Fri. 9am - 7pm Sat. 9am - 3pm Tel: 407.352.3767 Fax: 407.352.5535 store2217@theupsstore.com www.orlando-fl-2217.theupsstorelocal.com ww Winter Park Wine & Dine Oct. 2019

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ESTABLISHED 2008 : : VOL. 13 • ISSUE 03 JUNE 2020

FLORIDA

PORTFOLIO E S T A T E S ©

be playful be light be bright be home.

V I S I T U S AT C O R C O R A N .C O M

Golf Front Estate 5501 ISLEWORTH COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE, WINDERMERE, FL 34786 $3.990M Perfectly sited on just under an acre on the 14th hole of renowned Isleworth Golf and Country Club.

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New Construction 8232 TIBET BUTLER DRIVE, WINDERMERE, FL 34786 $2.139M Modern and Brand new in Keene’s Point Country Club this transitional estate was built by Element Home Builders.

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• 6 Bedrooms • 7.5 Bathrooms • 8,619 Sq ft • Built in 2004

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Windermere Lakefront 13114 Zori Lane, Windermere Fl 34786 $1.095M This gorgeous light and bright custom Mediterranean house sits on Little Lake Sawyer in the highly sought after city of Windermere.

• 5 Bedrooms • 4 Bathrooms • 4,195 Sq ft • Built in 2003

Lake Tibet Butler 6501 ROSELLA COURT, WINDERMERE, FL 34786 $3.795M Beautifully sited on one acre on Lake Tibet Butler and located in prestigious guard gated Keene’s Point Country Club.

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The Palazzo de Cortile 11126 BRIDGE HOUSE ROAD, WINDERMERE, FL 34786 $2.574M Sited within the guard gated community of Sanctuary at Lake Butler Sound, the Palazzo de Cortile by Jim Akers Homes delivers an unforgettable living.

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Custom Estate on 12+ Acres 3018 KINGFISHER POINT, CHULUOTA, FL 32766 $3.495M This stunning custom estate on 12+ acres blends traditional elegance and modern sophistication to create a one of a kind perfectly appointed home.

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V I S I T U S AT C O R C O R A N .C O M

Winter Park, Fl 1731 PALMER AVENUE, WINTER PARK, FL 32789 $1.599M This Southern California inspired home is conveniently located in the heart of Winter Park with Phelps Park literally in the back yard • 4 Bedrooms • 4.2 Bathrooms • 4,579 Sq ft • Built in 2007

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Timeless Design 15204 SHONAN GOLD DRIVE WINTER GARDEN, FL 34787 $1.45M Captivating and ideally located in new Independence this modern Transitional lakefront home combines the finest finishes with classic timeless design.

• 5 Bedrooms • 6.1 Bathrooms • 5,573 Sq ft • Built in 2018

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V I S I T U S AT C O R C O R A N .C O M

Style & Charm 311 E 8TH AVENUE, WINDERMERE, FL 34786 $799K Style and charm describe this Olde Windermere, completely renewed home, directly across the street from ski-lake Bessie and the park.

• 5 Bedrooms • 4 Bathrooms • 3,805 Sq ft

ELEMENT HOME BUILDERS MODEL HOME OPEN NOW

BELLA VITA AN EXCITING NEW COMMUNITY IN WINDERMERE CUSTOM HOMES FROM $1.3M Offering a scenic and private setting, the lovely Bella Vita neighborhood is located in Windermere Florida. Enhanced by lush landscapes and native plantings Bella Vita represents a limited collection of premium homesites that are generously sized at one-half acre.

Community is located off Parkridge Gotha Rd just East of Maguire Rd

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V I S I T U S AT C O R C O R A N .C O M

DEBO - Knights of Armageddon - Oil on Canvas, 48”x 60” Knighthood lies above eternity, it doesn’t live off fame, but rather deeds.

A battle viewed from below upwards toward the sky... discover knights on horses with their lances..

Price: $ 9,700 (direct from artist price ) • Please contact at: info@ArteVue.com ‘DEBO’ is an accomplished artist living in Florida.

Collectors all over the world collecting his art pieces. - Read his bio online at ArteVue.com

“DEBO” Artist | London | Orlando | Seagrove Beach | info@ARTEVUE.com | ARTEVUE.COM Gallery representation London: www.SAATChiART.COM/DEBO

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Preserving the look & feel of historic Winter Garden

Winter Garden’s Premier Luxury New-Home Community

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ONLY 13 CUSTOM HOMESITES REMAIN! CALL TODAY - 407.909.5903 Square foot dimensions are approximate. Home and community information, including pricing, included features, terms, availability, and amenities are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. Pictures, photographs, features, colors, and sizes are approximate for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. Please see sales representative for more information.

For more information visit Oaklandhillswg.com

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More than 19 years of real estate experience and with over $70 million sold in 2019, you know you are working with a true professional.

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JUST LISTED - Spanish Transitional Estate on the Butler Chain of Lakes - $7,095,000 9236 BAY POINT DRIVE - BAY HILL - 9,764 SQ. FT. - 6 BED - 8/1 BATH

JUST LISTED - Exquisitely Renovated Pool Home w/ Private Courtyard Oasis - $1,085,000 9339 CYPRESS COVE DRIVE - BAY HILL - 4,059 SQ. FT. - 4 BED - 4/1 BATH

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Co-Founder/ Professional Real Estate Advisor

More than 19 years of real estate experience and with over $70 million sold in 2019, you know you are working with a true professional.

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REDUCED - Historic Home w/ Oversized Lot on Dubsdread Golf Course - $799,000 3405 PINETREE ROAD - COLLEGE PARK - 3,732 SQ. FT. - 4 BED - 3/1 BATH

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Newly Updated Pool Home on an oversized Corner Lot - $865,000 417 W. 2ND AVENUE - OWN OF WINDERMERE - 3,118 SQ. FT. - 3 BED - 3/1 BATH

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Fall in love with

Lake Tibet

The Only Ultra-Luxury New Home Community on the Butler Chain Of Lakes

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Co-Founder/ Professional Real Estate Advisor

More than 19 years of real estate experience and with over $70 million sold in 2019, you know you are working with a true professional.

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• Only 4 Lakefront 1-Acre Lots Remaining • Only 3 Interior Deeded Lake Access Lots Remaining • Amazing Western Exposure Views

For more information CarmelOrlando.com

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THE CITY’S WHO’S WHO & WHAT TO DO©

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Women in Law ORLANDO’S TOP

95 • J

UN

E 2020 :

$3.

VOL.XVII

TOGETHER AT HOME ISSUE

:

•

No.

06

On stands until July 15

2020

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STYLE MD

UNLEARNING

HOW TO SHARE B Y D A W N H A R R I S S H E R L I N G , M . D . , F. A . C . P. Sometime in April, while practicing social isolation, I had decided that I needed a few items from a home improvement store. When I went on-line, I was pleased to discover that they were doing curb-side pick-up. I selected my items, paid for them, and then drove to the store, following directions to call the phone number for pick up. I told them which numbered parking spot I was in and waited for my items. The woman who took my call let me know that she would be out shortly. She, mistakenly, however went to the car next to mine. The woman inside her car was ready to receive my items.

I rolled down my window and asked if those items were possibly for me, giving my name and the items I had ordered. Realizing that she had made a mistake, the employee took the pen she had handed the other customer, as well as the papers detailing the purchase, and passed them over through my window. Crisis averted!

Sadly, no. It was more like disease transmission made entirely possible. That pen had touched two hands that I was aware of and possibly dozens or even

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hundreds of others that I hadn’t seen. Curbside pick-up is a great idea if done well—it reduces the number of contact points a person has, lowering the risk of picking up the virus. But done incorrectly, it doesn’t help as much as it should.

As we emerge from social isolation, it turns out that we will still need to socially distance. And if we want to keep from having to crawl back into our homes with the virus having gotten a second wind, we have to get this right. There are no laws to enact; there are no supervisors to call on. We all, individually, have to learn how to keep our germs to ourselves and keep others’ germs away.

How can we be sure going to all this trouble will work? Well, Governor Andrew Cuomo reported in early May that health care workers in New York coronavirus hot-spots were testing positive for antibodies (basically, exposure to the virus) at LOWER rates than the general public. At first

STYLE MD

glance, this should make no sense. Many doctors and nurses are coming into contact with COVID patients with every shift. They should have evidence of the greatest exposure. But they don’t. What is the secret to doctors and nurses getting infected at lower rates? Definitely lots of hand washing and mask wearing (so do this and don’t touch your face!), but something else too. We know how not to share our germs.

Sounds simple enough, but in reality, that means unlearning everything we have been taught since we were about two years old. Parents discover very quickly that toddlers don’t like to share. Ask for a toy or even a piece of trash they are holding and you will probably be met with a definitive, “Mine!”

The most common parental response is usually something along the lines of, “That’s not nice. You need to learn how to share.”

As kids get older we ask them to share all manner of things. Friends let friends borrow things. We share

our snacks with our friends. We loan a pen or pencil to a classmate. As an adult, I’ve been known to try a friend’s drink or pass my laptop over for them to use (usually not in the same setting and definitely prior to the pandemic). Those days, as they say, are over.

At least for a while.

As we re-emerge into society, not only do we need to physically separate our bodies from one another, but we need to keep our stuff to ourselves. Basically, no more sharing. My pen is mine, yours is yours. Being polite is no longer offering someone a tissue from your purse, it’s not offering the tissue. And, quite frankly, the right thing now is for the person who needs the tissue to head back home—after all, it may not be allergies this time. Being polite means that we have to unlearn how to share. It means temporarily looking at our toddlers when they say, “Mine!” and quite possibly admitting, that for the time being, they are right.

Dr. Sherling is a general internist and clinical associate professor at Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine. She is the author of several academic articles and a medical thriller, Not Quite Dead.

Website: dawnharrissherling.com Twitter: @dharrissherling

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CELEBRITY SOUP

Celebrity

COMEBACKS

The rise and fall—and rise again of your favorite celebrities!

By Riesa Pascal

With paparazzi and social media keeping a close eye on them, the careers of celebrities can be quite a tumultuous thing. Some stars check out of Hollywood on their own accord, others disappear after embarrassing public incidents, and some just fade into obscurity.

No matter the reason, returning to the spotlight isn’t always easy and some stars spend the rest of their lives trying to reclaim their careers—but that doesn’t mean a successful return isn’t possible!

Here are eight stars who left the spotlight only to return later for a victorious comeback.

WINONA RYDER During the late ‘80s and ‘90s, Winona Ryder was a major star for her roles in movies like Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands. Her career was steadily on the rise until 2001 when Ryder was arrested for shoplifting more than $5,000 worth of designer clothes and accessories from Saks Fifth Avenue and being in possession of illegal prescription drugs. The arrest shocked the world and abruptly halted her career. Ryder was ordered to psychiatric and drug counseling and took a long hiatus from Hollywood. Upon her return, she landed supporting roles in Star Trek and Black Swan, but it wasn’t until her leading role as Joyce Byers in Netflix’s Stranger Things—which earned her an Emmy nomination—that the world truly knew Ryder had made her comeback.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. Robert Downey Jr. is one of the highest paid actors in the world, but he also has a lengthy rap sheet. After appearing steadily in films and even earning an Oscar nomination for 1992’s Chaplin, Downey Jr.’s rise to fame came to a crashing halt in 1996 when his issues with drugs and alcohol landed him in jail. Over the

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next few years, he was arrested on multiple occasions, served prison time, was in and out of rehab, and written out of Ally McBeal.

Downey Jr. reemerged in 2002 as a sober and changed man. He went on to play Sherlock Holmes in two movies and earned an Oscar nomination for Tropic Thunder. Since 2008, he has dominated the box office as Iron Man and a variety of other leading roles.

ELLEN DEGENERES Ellen DeGeneres started her career doing standup which soon transitioned into acting roles.

Her rise to fame was largely thanks to her late ‘90s sitcom Ellen. A few years into the series, both she and her character came out, but then ratings fell and her career was cut short. A few years later, Ellen returned to TV screens on The Ellen Show, but the sitcom was embarrassingly canceled before the season even finished airing.

In 2003, DeGeneres’ luck took a turn for the better when she was cast as the voice of Dory in the Oscar award-winning film Finding Nemo and launched her wildly successful talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She has since risen as an icon and remains a household name today.

DAVE CHAPPELLE Comedian Dave Chappelle was a well-known actor through the ‘90s and the star of his own sketch show on Comedy Central. The Chappelle Show was at the height of its popularity in 2005 when Dave suddenly abandoned his $50 million dollar contract and went to South Africa. His abrupt decision to leave left many scratching their heads and some conspiracy theorists claiming it was because of the illuminati.

Whatever the reason, his disappearance lasted nearly 10 years. Eventually, Dave returned to the stage and went back to touring full time. Since 2017, Chappelle has released several Grammy award-winning specials on Netflix which are the network’s most watched of all time. He also starred alongside Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born. Today, Chappelle is the highest paid comedian of all time and remains a legend.

MARTHA STEWART From business mogul to prison to best friends with Snoop Dogg… if there was an award for the most random comeback, I think we could all agree that it should go to our next celebrity. Martha Stewart was a successful business woman worth millions until she was charged with insider trading in 2004. Stewart was found guilty on all counts, including charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy which shocked the world. She served five months in prison during which her name and empire were dragged through the mud, but she was determined to make a comeback after doing her time. Upon her release, Martha started doing interviews and eventually returned to daytime television with The Martha Stewart Show which was nominated for numerous Daytime Emmy awards.

Now her brand is stronger than ever and she even has a cooking variety show with Snoop Dogg called Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party which airs on VH1.

BRITNEY SPEARS Britney Spears was one of the most iconic pop stars of all time until a very public meltdown from 2006 to 2008. During these years, Spears’ life spiraled out of control which resulted in the lost custody of her children to ex-husband Kevin Federline. Just a few of her public incidents included shaving her head, driving with her son on her lap, and attacking paparazzi with an umbrella. In 2008, Spears was involuntarily admitted to UCLA Medical Center’s psychiatric hospital. Upon her release, Spears committed to changing her image and rebuilding her career. That same year, Spears’ released her sixth album “Circus” to positive reviews and chart-topping success. Since then, she held a successful Las Vegas residency which grossed more than $100 million and today she continues to fight for more custody of her children. Talk about a comeback!

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ORLANDO’S TOP WOMEN IN LAW

Women in Law ORLANDO’S TOP

2020

The lawyers profiled here exemplify a standard of excellence in their profession and by so doing have garnered respect and esteem of their colleagues.

There are a multitude of specialties in the practice of law, each requiring expertise gleaned through formal education, personal experience and prior court established procedures often referred to as case law.

Lawyers and readers have been asked to name attorneys whom they hold in the highest regard or would recommend to others. The reality is that there are a variety of factors that determine the qualifications of a great attorney. Objective factors include trial experience and results in past cases, but most factors are subjective such as the quality or persuasiveness of an argument in court, skill at negotiating or giving legal advice.

Do your due diligence when choosing an attorney that’s right for you; making sure the attorney being considered has a good reputation in the legal community and the community at large, in the location where your case will be heard.

The attorneys being showcased in the following profile pages are specialized in areas of law practice and are considered to be excellent in their field.

Kathleen S. Davies

P. Simone Freitas

Tiffany Faddis

Sarah Gulati

Molina Arena-Randall

Kimberly E. Lorenz

Ophelia Bernal-Mora

Shannon McLin Carlyle

Vanessa L. Braeley

Mary Ann Morgan

Bertha L. Burruezo

Zahra Umansky

Sonia E. Colon

Ronda Westfall

Michele Diglio-Benkiran

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Photo by Kimberly Jefcoat

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Special Promotional Feature

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2020

KATHLEEN S. DAVIES

Legal Guidance to Give You a Fresh Start At The Davies Law Firm, LLC, we have developed a team approach that surrounds you with caring, qualified legal professionals who create highly personalized legal strategies for your case. Our priority is to provide the best possible framework for you to obtain your desired outcome, whether you are going through a difficult divorce or have just suffered the damaging effects of a car accident.

Attorney Kathleen S. Davies opened The Davies Law Firm, LLC in 2009 out of a desire to help others who are going through difficult times. A skilled trial lawyer with a Master’s Degree focusing on negotiations, Ms. Davies enjoys working with clients to help them achieve their best possible outcome, be it through collaboration, mediation, pre-trial negotiations or trial.

After obtaining her law degree from the University of Florida, Ms. Davies served as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami, Florida. After trying her fair share of homicide cases, Ms. Davies distinguished herself and was promoted to serve as a Division Chief. It was during her five years under the guidance of Janet Reno that she honed her trial skills and learned that the best lawyers are those who have integrity and care deeply about their clients. Thereafter, Ms. Davies served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Washington, D.C., where she prosecuted public corruption and gang homicide cases for ten years. During her fifteen years as a prosecutor, Ms. Davies tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict.

After taking some time away from the practice of law to teach law school in Kaliningrad, Russia as a Fulbright Scholar, Ms. Davies returned to the United States to study at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government under the tutelage of David Gergen. Upon graduation, she was honored with the designation of Littauer Fellow in recognition of her leadership and academic excellence.

After obtaining her Master’s Degree, Ms. Davies returned to Washington, D.C. to work on a class action lawsuit against “Big Tobacco”. Shortly thereafter, anxious to get back home to be closer to her family, Ms. Davies decided to return to Florida.

Upon moving to the Orlando area, she chose to focus on helping people in the civil arena. After training under several top-notch personal injury lawyers, Ms. Davies made the decision to open her own firm, where she would be able to take personal injury and family law cases, and give her clients the white-glove treatment they deserved.

As founder and manager of The Davies Law Firm, LLC, Ms. Davies gives each of her clients her undivided attention. Through her

thorough preparation and legal tenacity, she has garnered the respect of colleagues and judges. She is fair-minded and solutions oriented, always trying to serve her clients well. Clients appreciate her straightforward approach in explaining legal options and strategizing to obtain the best-possible outcome for them.

As a trained collaborative lawyer, she embraces the idea that many family law problems can be handled most effectively at the negotiations table, where the parties can craft an agreement that best serves their purposes. However, as a skilled trial attorney, she also understands that some cases will only achieve their optimal result through going to trial, something Ms. Davies is always prepared to do to protect her clients’ rights and represent their best interests.

Although we have handled hundreds of family law and personal injury cases, we understand that each one comes with its own unique circumstances. That’s why we listen carefully to each client’s story and help prioritize objectives before creating a strategy that will help achieve their goals.

At The Davies Law Firm, LLC, we understand how going through a divorce or suffering a serious injury in an accident can leave you with many questions and make you nervous about your future. We will be glad to review the facts of your case, explain your options and help you take the first steps toward starting your new life.

118 East Jefferson Street, Suite 303, Orlando, Florida 32801 | P: 407-540-1010 www.TheDaviesLawFirm.com | KDavies@TheDaviesLawFirm.com Special Promotional Feature

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2020

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2020

TIFFANY FADDIS Civil Trial Attorney No one would doubt Tiffany’s Trial skills and the mastering of her commitment to the clients she serves. The results she obtains for her clients sets her apart, and she is honored to be recognized again by Orlando Style Magazine.

Tiffany’s passion for Litigation and trying cases is Tireless. She has devoted her life’s work to helping injured victims and families through very difficult times, and is committed to achieving justice for her clients at Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys.

Tiffany has also been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Civil Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys, Orlando City Magazine as one of Orlando’s Best Lawyers.

Tiffany is “AV” and “Preeminent” rated by Martindale-Hubbell, as having achieved the highest level of legal ability and ethical standards. She has been recognized as a Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney by Super Lawyers.

She is committed to serving her legal profession as well as her community.

Tiffany currently serves as the Treasurer of the prestigious Florida Justice Association one of the largest Trial Lawyer organizations in the nation, and she will soon become the 61st President of the Florida Justice Association in June 2021.

The Florida Justice Association is dedicated to strengthening and upholding Florida’s civil justice system and protecting the rights of Florida’s citizens and consumers.

In addition to Tiffany’s passion to trying cases and being a strong voice for her clients, as a leader of the Florida Justice Association she has traveled to Florida’s State Capitol in Tallahassee testifying before various Senate and House Committees on legislative issues that may impact Floridians who have been injured by another’s negligence, and help be a voice to protect their access to the Civil Jury system.

Tiffany is extremely committed to her law firm, community and legal profession. She had the honor of serving as the President of the Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association and President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida. She was also honored to serve as the Chair of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee of The Florida Bar. She has been honored by her peers in the legal profession with various recognitions through recent years. She was honored to be the recipient of: •2020 Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers Inaugural Distinction Award “Legacy Builder”, recognizing achievements of outstanding women in law and Central Florida legal community

• 2014 Florida Justice Association Rising Star Award. The Rising Star Award recognizes FJA members that show exemplary promise as a future leader of the Florida Justice Association; who demonstrate a commitment to developing legal, legislative, and civic responsibility in themselves and others and whose work reflects a strong emphasis on defending the Civil Justice System.

•2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Florida Justice Association Cornerstone Awards. The FJA created the “Cornerstone Award” to recognize their leaders’ efforts in recruiting members. This award recognizes the members who have worked tirelessly to set the Cornerstones upon which the great FJA is built and maintained.

•2020 Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys “Trial Attorney Leadership Award” recognizing outstanding dedication and leadership by the entire law firm.

•2016 and 2019 Florida Justice Association - Gold Eagle Award. The FJA Gold EAGLE Award winners set a standard for leadership in their region by donating their time to raise EAGLE pledges as well as making their own generous contributions.

They gain distinction at the highest level of EAGLE recruiting and fundraising.

•2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 Florida Justice Association Silver Eagle Awards. The Silver EAGLE recipients are those members who go above and beyond the call of duty and contribute immensely to EAGLE efforts.

They have stepped up in a big way to meet the needs of Florida Justice Association.

•Orange County Bar Association’s 2016 Star of the Bar Award.

•2015 Mickey Smiley Award. This award is presented by the Young Lawyers’ Section as a FJA member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help Young Lawyers improve their legal skills and become great professionals.

7335 W. Sand Lake Rd., Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32819 | P: 407-845-1756 www.newlinlaw.com | tiffany.faddis@newlinlaw.com

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2020

MOLINA ARENA-RANDALL, ESQ. Experienced Criminal Defense and Family Law Attorney Experience and track-record matter, especially with Criminal Defense and Family Law. Molina ”Molly” Arena-Randall heads the Criminal Defense and Family Law practice area for Cohen Law Group. She has devoted almost her entire legal career to Criminal Defense and Family Law motion and trial practice, having overseen thousands of cases, conducted numerous jury and bench trials, written and argued countless motions, and written appellate briefs with published opinions. From simple traffic citations to murder cases, from bond motions to not guilty verdicts, and from pre-nuptial agreements to finalizing divorces, she has the extensive experience necessary for what she believes is the most meaningful and personal arena of litigation: your life. At Cohen Law Group, Miss ArenaRandall brings her exceptional litigation and trial experience to the Family and Criminal Departments providing attention, excellence, and knowledge to each of her cases.

In 2004, she graduated Cum Laude from the University of Saint Thomas, earned her Series 6 and Series 66, and embarked on a successful career with New York City financial institutions. In 2007, she left working as a financial wholesaler to accept a scholarship from Vanderbilt Law School where she graduated as an Honor Scholar with a business certificate and a law degree.

After graduation in 2010, she realized her true calling was to transform her experience in finance and her legal degree to a meaningful platform to fight for clients on a personal level. “There is something incredibly unique and rewarding about criminal defense and family law. Success means bringing justice, giving freedom, and protecting people’s family and assets.

What’s more important than that? That’s incredibly fulfilling to be able to bring that kind of representation to people’s lives.”

Mrs. Arena-Randall takes a very hands-on and intimate approach to these extremely personal areas of law, working with clients directly and developing strong relationships. To her, this is not just another case, but a person she has built a relationship with and cause to which she feels personally and professionally committed. She walks people through each step of this intensely emotional process, providing experience and support along the way. She believes this level of attention and guidance has contributed to her success and is shown by her strong client satisfaction and her perfect star online client reviews.

If you have been ticketed, arrested, are being investigated, or are contemplating any family law related matter such as a prenuptial agreement, divorce, child support, parenting plan, or modification, Mrs. Arena-Randall is here to discuss your options and lend her expertise and skill to your case. Miss Arena-Randall is admitted to practice in all State and Federal Courts in Florida and serves all counties of Florida.

CALL 407-478-4878 TO GET A FREE CONSULTATION!

Cohen Law Group 350 N. Lake Destiny Rd., Maitland, FL 32751 | P: 407-478-4878 | mrandall@itsaboutjustice.law

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2020

OPHELIA BERNAL-MORA, ESQ., B.C.S. Board Certified in Marital and Family Law Ophelia Bernal-Mora practices family law exclusively and is one of only fourteen attorneys in Orange County that is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law. She earned her B.A. from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and J.D. from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center. After graduating she joined the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State Attorney, where she handled numerous misdemeanor and felony cases, and conducted bench and jury trials, perfecting her litigation craft.

In 2006, Ophelia went into private practice representing individuals in divorces, paternity, child support, modifications, domestic violence injunctions, custody, alimony, and high-net worth/complex asset distribution cases. In 2011, Ophelia opened the Law Office of Ophelia Bernal-Mora, P.A., and after partnering with her husband, Attorney Andrew Nickolaou, Bernal-Mora & Nickolaou, P.A. was formed in March 2016, bringing their current “Orlando Family Team” vision to life. Both are personally involved in every case - they recognize that no two families are alike, and tailor solutions to their clients’ unique needs.

Ophelia has garnered several accolades throughout her career, including being named a Rising Star from 2012-2018 and a Super Lawyer from 2019-2020 by Super Lawyers, a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Ophelia has also recently been named an Awesome Attorney in the area of family law by the Orlando Family Magazine.

Ophelia is 1 of only 7 attorneys in the entire State of Florida who earned her Florida Bar Board Certification in Marital and Family Law in 2019. Certification recognizes attorneys’ special knowledge, skills and proficiency in their respective area of law. As a Board-Certified attorney, Ophelia is an expert in her field who has been reviewed by her peers and has received a passing grade in the required examination.

Ophelia has a reputation not only as a passionate and experienced legal advocate for her clients, but also as a busy, caring mom of three boys and two fur-babies. She lives in the greater Orlando area, and is active in the local legal community. However, do not underestimate her passion for weakness… Ophelia will fight relentlessly and tenaciously for her clients, and is always well-prepared for any appearance in a courtroom or mediation conference.

Ophelia truly knows just how important family is in all aspects. Walt Disney said it best, “Life is beautiful. It’s about giving. It’s about family.”

Ophelia believes that all her clients are entitled to experience these moments with their families, which motivates her to fight even harder for what her clients deserve.

630 N. Wymore Rd., Suite 308, Maitland, FL 32751 | P: 407-354-5223 www.OrlandoFamilyTeam.com | info@orlandofamilyteam.com

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2020

VANESSA L. BRAELEY Snyderburn, Rishoi & Swann preeminent securities law firms, focusing on representation of investors, corporations, broker-dealers and brokerage firms in FINRA arbitration claims, SEC enforcement actions and complex commercial litigation matters. “We are not afraid of a fight,” Vanessa says of her firm. “Within a year of joining the team, I was drafting a petition to the Supreme Court of the United States, challenging an SEC enforcement action for a client.”

Vanessa has been involved in Orlando’s legal community for almost twenty years. She began her career working as paralegal to one of Morgan & Morgan’s top business and entertainment litigation attorneys. Vanessa wanted to stay local, so attended Florida Agricultural Mechanical University College of Law, where she graduated cum laude and went on to work for NeJame Law’s civil litigation department, where she served as outside corporate and litigation counsel to technology firms, international corporations and the firm’s high-profile clients.

Vanessa’s dynamic approach to law landed her a position as television legal analyst for local and national networks including News Channel 13 and Aljazeera and has written legal columns regularly for High Life Magazine and Orlando Style.

In 2015, Vanessa’s entrepreneurial spirit took her west where she purchased land in Oregon, which is now a multi-million dollar producing CBD hemp seed production facility. Having been one of the first cannabis lawyers in the country, she is a pioneer for the emerging market and frequently speaks at conferences as an industry expert. Vanessa currently sits on the board of NOBYL, an industrial hemp remediation corporation, and heads up her firm’s cannabis law division where she works primarily on licensing and capital markets strategies.

Vanessa L. Braeley, Esq. joined the team at Snyderburn, Rishoi & Swann, a boutique securities and litigation firm, in 2017. After many years of litigating complex commercial disputes, Vanessa had a desire to work on the more granular aspects of commercial and financial transactions, corporate structure and regulatory compliance. “I’ve never been happier. Your firm is your family, and my partners (Philip Snyderburn and Michael Swann) are incredible mentors and great friends.” SRS Law is one of Florida’s most

Vanessa is an adjunct law professor at Valencia Community College and is a member of the Florida federal and state bar, American Bar Association, International Cannabis Bar Association, and United State Supreme Court Bar. She has served has a committee member to non-profits Orlando Ballet, Runway to Hope, Lighthouse Central Florida and Orlando Philharmonic and co-founded/co-chaired the charitable event Pennies from Heaven. Vanessa lives in College Park and absolutely loves to ski, sail and ride horses.

2250 Lucien Way, Suite 140, Maitland, FL 32751 | P: 407-647-2005 | www.srslaw.net | vbraeley@srslaw.net

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2020

BERTHA L. BURRUEZO, ESQ. Burruezo & Burruezo, PLLC Bertha Burruezo, a Daytona Beach, Florida native, serves as Managing Shareholder of Burruezo & Burruezo, PLLC, a boutique law firm that specializes in the handling of employment law matters and related litigation.

For more than 18 years, Bertha has counseled clients, and been involved in the litigation of countless matters, in the areas of: workplace discrimination and harassment; wage-and-hour laws; non-compete matters; family and medical leave requirements; and compliance with sundry federal, state and local workplace laws.

Among Bertha’s skillsets is her ability to holistically analyze operative circumstances, and assist her business clients with appreciating the practical impact of her legal advice on organizational operations. As a business owner herself, Bertha understands the intersection between compliance with workplace laws and regulations and the running of a profitable business. In addition to being a lawyer and managing a law firm, Bertha has developed, designed and owned other businesses, including an art studio for kids and a human resources consulting business. She successfully navigated her businesses through the Great Recession and the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Bertha also possesses a unique combination of focus and resilience. At the age of 16, Bertha dropped out of high school as a result of some challenging personal circumstances. After struggling at several dead-end jobs for a couple of years, she decided to turn her life around and focus on her education. She earned her G.E.D., and thereafter enrolled at the local community college.

After obtaining her Associate of Arts degree, she attended the University of Miami and subsequently graduated from Florida State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. She then obtained a Master of Arts degree in secondary education from Florida A&M University. After teaching middle school for a couple of years, she decided to become a lawyer.

Three years later, she graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2002 with a Juris Doctor degree (cum laude) – an achievement few (who knew Bertha in the mid-80s) would have thought was possible. While in law school, Bertha interned at the Florida Supreme Court.

After law school, Bertha practiced at the Orlando offices of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A., an insurance-defense firm, and Fisher Phillips LLP, a national law firm specializing in the handling of labor and employment law matters. In 2007, she opened her own law practice to provide national-caliber representation in a more intimate setting. Burruezo & Burruezo, PLLC has achieved the highest ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, Best Law Firms in America, Best Lawyers in America, Orlando’s Top Lawyers, and Super Lawyers.

Bertha is married to, and practices law with, her husband, Carlos. She has four children – ages 22, 21, 18 and 9. Bertha, who is of Honduran and El Salvadoran descent, enjoys yoga, writing, and traveling.

911 Outer Rd., Orlando, FL 32814 | P: 407-754-2904 | www.burruezolaw.com | bertha@burruezolaw.com

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SONIA E. COLON Ferraiuoli, LLC Sonia Colón is a Capital Member of Ferraiuoli LLC, one of the leading full service law firms in Puerto Rico, with an office in Orlando, Florida. Sonia chairs the Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group in the firm. She has more than twenty years of experience in solving commercial insolvency problems. She focuses on workouts, corporate restructuring, distressed acquisitions, lease assumption/rejection processes, and related bankruptcy litigation in Chapter 7, 11, 12 and 13 proceedings. She also represents clients in matters related to Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis, including Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA).

Sonia has written extensively on the Puerto Rico fiscal and economic crisis, publishing various articles on the topic. She lectures nationally and internationally on various aspects of bankruptcy, including the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors, and in various universities, including the University of Puerto Rico, Duke, Boston, and Texas University. She has also co-authored insolvency guides for international publications, including the World Bank Group and Chambers & Partners on insolvency matters. The international publication Chambers & Partners has recognized and ranked Sonia as a leading lawyer in bankruptcy and restructuring in Puerto Rico.

She has also been recognized as a leading lawyer on insolvency and reorganization law by Best Lawyers, Puerto Rico Edition.

Sonia also heads the firm’s Florida office, serving the needs of clients that have expanded to Florida. Ferraiuoli offers a platform to serve clients beyond Puerto Rico and expand the geographic reach its bankruptcy practice. She is also actively involved in committees fostering diversity in the legal profession in the American Bankruptcy Institute and in fostering relationships with members of the international insolvency community in organizations such as the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation and the Ibero-American Institute of Bankruptcy Law.

390 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 2300, Orlando, FL 32801 | P: 407-982-7310 www.ferraiuoli.com | scolon@ferraiuoli.com 221 Ponce De Leon Ave, 5th Floor, San Juan, PR | P: 787-766-7000

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2020

MICHELE DIGLIO BENKIRAN, ESQUIRE Legal Counsel, P.A.

Michele Diglio-Benkiran is the founder of Legal Counsel, P.A. Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran has been practicing law since 1999 with a specific emphasis on Business and Real Estate Law. Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran grew up in an entrepreneurial family where she learned business fundamentals at a very early age. Over the years Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran owned several thriving businesses including a multimillion dollar manufacturing company, a shelving distribution company, a full-service hair salon, title companies and other types of businesses.

As such, Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran is not just an attorney, she is a business entrepreneur who understands the fundamentals of successful business practices. Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran incorporates her “hands-on” business knowledge and experience when counseling her business clients. Her business law experience involves both litigation cases (non-compete violations, partnership breakups, contract disputes) and transactional matters (buying and selling business, contracts, and corporate governance matters).

Additionally, Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran dedicates a significant portion of her practice to the practice of Real Estate Law. For over 2 decades, Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran has represented commercial and residential clients in real estate acquisition and sales, commercial condominium developments, homeowner/condominium associations, leasing, financing, and real estate related litigation cases. Her real estate law experience involves litigation cases (foreclosures, quiet title actions, partitions, ejectments, etc.), closings, transactional matters, tax deeds, homeowner associations, commercial development, and investor representation. Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran has a special interest in her investor/wholesale clients as she assists her investor/wholesale clients by “cleaning up” properties containing various encumbrances, code violations, defects, tax liens, judgments, etc.Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran is a member of Residential Real Estate & Industry Liaison Committee for the Real Property Section of the Florida Bar, Central Florida Real Estate Attorneys Council, and The Fund. She is an authorized title insurance agent of CATIC, Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, and WFG National Title Insurance Company. In addition to her memberships, Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran was a guest educator and lecturer at several real estate agencies including La Rosa Realty, Keller Williams, and Coldwell Banker. During her time as a Partner at NeJame Law, P.A., Mrs. Diglio-Benkiran appeared on television as a legal commentator to discuss different real estate related topics and was interviewed by reporters from various newspapers concerning the then current real estate topics.

13330 W Colonial Drive, Ste. 110, Winter Garden, FL 34787 | P: 407-982-4321 | michele@legalcounselpa.com

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Women in Law ORLANDO’S TOP

2020

P. SIMONE FREITAS, ESQ. Family Law and Real Estate Attorney Freitas Law Firm, PA

Attorney Freitas started her legal career as a Criminal Justice Major from the University of New Haven in Connecticut. After graduating, she obtained work in both the public sector working with re-entry services for criminal justice clientele and later in the private insurance industry in Hartford, Connecticut where she performed fraud investigations and safety regulation compliance.

After several years, she obtained a position with the State of Connecticut Judicial System as a Portuguese Court Interpreter where she assisted thousands of individuals through our complex legal system.

Seeing how difficult the legal system was for non-English speaking individuals drove Simone to attend law school. She attended Western New England University School of Law in the evening while working during the day as a Court Interpreter. She graduated in 2010 and was admitted to practice in Connecticut. She worked for a solo practitioner in a general practice firm where she handled criminal cases, family law cases, foreclosure defense, landlord tenant evictions, immigration cases and probate work. After several years, Attorney Freitas moved to Florida and opened her own Firm, where she continues to serve the Central Florida community today.

Attorney Freitas concentrates her law practice in the areas of family law and real estate matters. She has handled hundreds of dissolution of marriage cases and establishment of paternity cases, custody and child support modification, child relocation, contempt and enforcement hearings, property division and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She also has extensive experience with the Department of Children and Families and the handling of dependency and termination of parental rights cases.

Attorney Freitas also practices real estate law. Her real estate practice entails residential and commercial real estate closings, resolving title defects, foreclosure defense, commercial leases, and landlord tenant evictions and litigation.

Attorney Freitas continues to be involved in the Portuguese speaking community through Brazilian and Portuguese organizations. She is a part of the Central Florida Brazilian American Chamber of Commerce and the Luso Brazilian Bar Association of Central Florida. She is a past Member of Casa Portuguesa de Orlando and the Brazilian Rotary Club.

Attorney Freitas speaks both Portuguese and Spanish and devotes her time to educating these communities through free seminars and articles in the local newspapers. She strives to obtain justice and protect the legal rights of all of her Clients, including those with language barriers.

Attorney Freitas credits her hard work and dedication to her upbringing. She was raised by immigrant parents who moved to the United States for a better life and opportunity, just as many of her Clients have. Her parents dedicated their lives to working hard and building a better life for their children, making education the top priority and always giving back to the community.

For more information go to www.freitaslawfirm.com.

715 Ellwood Ave., Orlando, FL 32804 | P: 407-702-9305 | www.freitaslawfirm.com | simone@freitaslawfirm.com

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2020

SARAH GULATI, ESQ.

Gulati Law, P.L. | Real Estate & Business Law Attorney “Do not wait for things to happen- make them happen” ~SG As a woman minority business owner, Ms. Gulati has managed to overcome many obstacles to gain success as an attorney. In 2019 and 2020, she was honored and awarded as a prestigious top Rising Star in Super Lawyers, a distinction which is received by only 2.5% of attorneys in Florida.

Ms. Gulati has created a niche for herself in the competitive field of Real Estate and Business law becoming more than a just a “one stop shop firm” for her clients.

Ms. Gulati and her team have the skills to help in a variety of Business and Real Estate matters including, but in no way limited to, commercial and residential real estate closings, business sales and purchases, contract review and drafting, evictions, franchise negotiations, residential and commercial leases, short sales/loan modifications, entity formations, estate planning, asset protection and more.

Ms. Gulati has assisted her clients with ventures relating to restaurants, manufacturing, retail, hotels/motels, senior living and assisted living, and commercial and residential construction developments. In addition to assisting with bringing their entrepreneurial visions into reality, her clients have been able to acquire, successfully run, and sell numerous Franchised businesses, such as UPS, FEDEX, Dunkin Donuts, Planet Smoothie, Choice Brand Hotels, Hilton, Radisson, Marco’s Pizza, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, Best Western, Marriott, Teriyaki Madness, Salons by JC, and many more.

Ms. Gulati has been entrusted by her clients to guide their businesses from start up to long term success and prides herself in ensuring that all her clients feel they have her as an ally in business, whether it be a quick legal opinion or an expansive legal complication.

In addition to being part of these business ventures with her clients, Ms. Gulati owns and runs her own Title Company and has conducted closings which have included Single-Family Homes and Condos, Quadplexes, Multi-Family Apartment Buildings, Hotels, Retail, Industrial and Office Plaza’s, Health Care and Medical Offices, Gas Stations, Senior Living Properties, and Vacant Land.

Having such a vast array of skills has led Ms. Gulati to establish meaningful and long term relationships with Clients who continue to return to her firm for legal guidance and assistance. The personalized time, attention, and respect Ms. Gulati provides to each client has led to her reputation as a lifetime asset for legal needs. Any current or past client will express that her genuine care and desire to bring a feeling of security to clients in their most stressful times is a trait uniquely found is Ms. Gulati.

Ms. Gulati equates her success to her passion for law and her ability to remain focused, a skill which she believes is maintained by her daily practice of yoga and meditation.

Through her dedication to her field, her clients, and her extensive involvement in local and national organizations, Ms. Gulati has established herself as a respected professional in the community. Ms. Gulati plans to continue to use her skills and knowledge to bring innovation to the legal field and create meaningful change as the community evolves.

479 Montgomery Place, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 | P: 407-900-5054 | www.GulatiLaw.com

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Women in Law ORLANDO’S TOP

2020

KIMBERLY E. LORENZ, ESQ. Business and Probate/Trust Litigation, Certified Mediator

A go-to lawyer in Orlando’s business community, Kimberly Lorenz has been called upon for over fifteen years by individuals and businesses throughout Central Florida for help with their business, probate, and trust litigation matters. A Certified Mediator and experienced trial lawyer, Kimberly’s skill in the courtroom is matched only by her dedication to her clients, who know she is always accessible to address their concerns and connect them to the network of resources she has cultivated through her professional and community involvement.

“There’s really two sides to my practice,” Kimberly says. “When called to litigate, whether for a business or probate matter, the goal is to assess the situation, develop the most efficient strategy, and aggressively pursue and protect my client’s interests. But when I’m not litigating, I enjoy being an on-call problem-solver, using my advisor and mediator side to match clients with the strategy and resources they need to navigate obstacles and accomplish their goals.”

Kimberly spent the first decade of her career defending local businesses and national retail, hotel and commercial businesses from negligence, premises liability, contract, and employment claims. She believed taking the time to learn their business was the key to effective representation.

Along the way, Kimberly recommended changes to keep them better protected in the future. The result was a shift in her career to serving those same clients as an ongoing full-service business ally, and a deeper sense of service to her community.

“When I began working with Kimberly, I wanted an attorney who would understand my inclusive business model and fight hard, but who also reflected my values,” says Katie Donzanti, Owner of the Peaceful Peacock in Orlando. “Not only is Kim the best advocate for me in negotiations, but she leads with heart. Her urgency, insight, care, and compassion are evident in every email, call, text, and meeting. I’ve had some unexpected issues along the way, and Kim always comes through with sound support & swift action. My studio has a fierce ally and supportive friend in her.”

Kimberly’s personal interest in her clients’ business success also led to their calling for help with their most personal matters. While the death or decline of a loved one is always difficult, Kimberly feels privileged to offer the same knowledgeable support and guidance with their probate, trust, and guardianship matters. Kimberly loves that in her current practice, every case she handles allows her to affect real change and make a difference.

“Clients usually come to me at their most vulnerable moments,” Kimberly says. “Whether it’s a business or probate matter, I like nothing more than when I meet with someone and can immediately assure them: It’s going to be ok. I’ve got this.”

341 N. Maitland Ave., #280, Maitland, FL 32751 | P: 407-645-4833 | www.daveylg.com | Kimberly@daveylg.com

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2020

SHANNON McLIN CARLYLE Florida Appeals

Shannon McLin Carlyle’s Florida roots run deep. A fifth generation Floridian, her great great grandfather was Benjamin Earnest McLin, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture from 1901-12. Shannon’s father, Walter S. McLin III, grew up in Tallahassee and practiced law for over 40 years in Lake County. Her godfather Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte was a South Florida lawyer before becoming Dean of Florida State University College of Law and then President of the university.

Although litigation is in her blood, Shannon’s skills have been honed in the appellate courts. Following graduation from the University of Central Florida and Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Shannon served as an appellate law clerk at Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal.

During her four years there, she was afforded an insider’s education on the expectations of Florida’s appellate courts. In 1997, she left the court and founded her first appellate firm that grew to seven lawyers with multiple offices. During her 21-year tenure there, she built a resume that is expressive of her passion for appellate law and the clients she represents.

She has been repeatedly recognized as a member of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and as a Florida Super Lawyer in appellate practice.

After more than 20 years of growing and grooming her prior firm, Shannon founded Florida Appeals. Based in Orlando with lawyers and support staff across the country, Florida Appeals is an experienced team

of appellate professionals including two retired appellate judges, William D. Palmer and Earle W. Petersen, Jr. and three former law clerks, Kelly L. Rooth in Tampa, Coyla J. O’Connor in New Smyrna Beach, and Melissa Alagna in Miami.

The lawyers of Florida Appeals strive to provide excellent representation by combining their knowledge and experience of working within the appellate courts to craft strong appellate arguments and sit second chair at trial to help ensure that issues are preserved for appeal. Trial lawyers bring Shannon and her team on board during litigation when they believe appeals are likely.

To better serve clients and trial lawyers throughout the entire state, Florida Appeals is expanding. Shannon and her team are actively seeking former appellate law clerks and former appellate judges from the First, Second, and Fourth District Courts of Appeal to join in an of-counsel relationship.

Candidates can work from anywhere in the world through email and videoconferencing technologies such as Zoom and Cisco’s WebEx. To learn more about Shannon and Florida Appeals, please visit them on the web at www.floridaappeals.com. Candidates interested in working with the firm please email a cover letter and CV to scarlyle@floridaappeals.com.

20 N. Orange Ave., Suite 1600, Orlando, FL 32801 | P: 407-815-2121 www.floridaappeals.com | scarlyle@floridaappeals.com Special Promotional Feature

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Women in Law ORLANDO’S TOP

2020

MARY ANN MORGAN Morgan Trial Law Mary Ann Morgan has been a staple in the Orlando/Winter Park legal community for over 30 years. She began practicing as a plaintiff ’s civil trial lawyer right out of law school at the firm Billings, Morgan (no relation) & Cunningham. At that time she was one of only a handful of women trial lawyers and the first woman hired by her firm. Blazing trails was her only option.

“I was truly blessed to begin my practice with some of the best and most reputable attorneys in Orlando.” The firm handled a full array of civil trial work including medical malpractice, defective products, aviation accidents, negligent security, wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims. Morgan learned early on the best way to represent your client is to ‘adopt them’ into your legal family. She explains “Unless you know and care about your clients you can’t possibly convey their loss to a jury.” She still hears from clients whom she represented 25 years ago. When she moved to Winter Park in 2005 and later started Morgan Trial Law that same family approach was the foundation for representing her clients.

Not only did she strive for excellence in the practice of law but she firmly believes practicing law is a privilege; one that comes with a responsibility to give back through service to our community. That set the stage for Mary Ann to begin what would soon become 3 decades of pro bono legal service to the poor as well as volunteer service to the bar.

She served as President of the Orange County Bar Association, President of Orange County Legal Aid Society and served on the Boards of the Central Fla Trial Lawyers as well as the Central Fla Association for Women Lawyers. In 2009 she was elected to the Board of Governors for The Florida Bar, the governing body for the 100,000+ lawyers in the state of Florida. She was only the second woman to represent the Ninth Circuit (Orange and Osceola counties) She served for 9 years on the Board where she chaired key committees and was given the award for Disciplinary Excellence by the Florida Bar President.

She has been chosen by her peers to be included in: • • • •

Florida Trend Legal Elite Florida Super Lawyers Leading American Attorneys Law Dragon’s Top 500 Lawyers in America • National Association of Distinguished Counsel – Nation’s Top 1% • National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers • Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Photo by Beth Morgan Burke

Mary Ann lives, works in and loves Winter Park as evidenced by her photos. She is a colorful character with a huge heart preferring an edgy and upbeat style to the stodgy blue and grey suits of many years ago. She has an infectious laugh and sense of humor. When asked about her last name in the Orlando legal arena she said “ Morgan Trial Law doesn’t advertise. We rely on word of mouth. And Yes there is sometimes confusion about my name. But you always must remember...choose the RIGHT Morgan!”

280 W. Canton Ave., Suite 210, Winter Park, FL 32789 | P: 407-679-9900 www.morgantriallaw.com | maryann@morgantriallaw.com 60

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Women in Law ORLANDO’S TOP

2020

ZAHRA UMANSKY The Umansky Law Firm

Zahra Umansky was a former Assistant Public Defender in the 18th Judicial Circuit in Brevard and Seminole Counties. As a former Public Defender, Zahra was involved in over a hundred criminal trials that included crimes such as theft, assault, prostitution, drugs trafficking, DUI, and many other felonies and misdemeanors offense. She protected her client’s right to liberty and secured countless not guilty verdicts and judgments of acquittal. After Zahra left the Public Defender’s office, she was appointed by Mayor Glenda Hood as the prosecutor for the City of Orlando.

As City Prosecutor, Zahra was successful in the implementation and prosecution of many types of criminal matters and also served as the prosecutor before the City’s Nuisance Abatement Board. She was also a legal advisor to local law enforcement officials where she trained police officers in matters of search and seizure laws, Miranda laws, and other constitutional rights. She also reviewed search warrants, wiretap applications, and gave police last minute advice they needed before they made arrests. During her time as City Prosecutor, Zahra was appointed as Special Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

Zahra’s unique experience as a former prosecutor and legal advisor, gives Zahra the ability to evaluate cases from both sides of the law.

As a former police legal advisor, she understands how the Police investigate and secure their evidence and as a former prosecutor, understands how the State of Florida will present their case in court against the people accused of their crime. Zahra approaches each case with aggressive and diligent representation. She is dedicated to defending the rights of her clients and committed to getting them a second chance.

1945 E Michigan St Orlando, FL 32806 | P: 407-228-3838 | www.thelawman.net | zumansky@thelawman.net

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Women in Law ORLANDO’S TOP

2020

RONDA WESTFALL Attorney at Law Ronda was born in Ohio, but moved to Florida at a young age and considers herself a Florida girl. She graduated from UCF in 2001 with a music degree and later went on to graduate in 2006 from UF’s Levin College of Law. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2006 and since then she has focused her areas of practice in family law, real estate law, and contract law.

Ronda advocates for the legal rights of her clients in a variety of ways.

Whether she is working with a client in real estate, contracts, or family law. She previously owned a title company in Central Florida, which has provided her with a unique understanding and knowledge of real estate practices and laws. She also works in the area of timeshare foreclosures, allowing her to continue to hone her knowledge and skills in real estate law.

Through partnerships with various professionals in real estate and other businesses, she has gained critical knowledge for designing, executing, and implementing contracts. She continues to have insight and knowledge of contracts and contracts law that assists her in providing the best possible legal advice to clients in need of contract assistance or work.

Her main focus is family law. Her first position was a firm in Central Florida where she began to learn the intricacies of family law and also where she began to cultivate a passion for helping people who find themselves in difficult family situations. She has experience working with families with adoption needs, to include stepparent adoptions. She has advocated for her clients and assisted them in improving their custody arrangements through modification of timesharing and parenting plans.

She is experienced in the courtroom, as her clients will tell you she is always prepared to advocate for her clients.

In all the areas of law she practices, she cares deeply for her clients and uses that care and concern in the legal counsel and advice she offers her clients.

In 2010, she first opened the doors of the Westfall Law Firm and continues to offer legal counsel to her clients since then.

She loves living in central Florida and takes every opportunity to enjoy all that central Florida has to offer for her family. She is happily married with three boys and two rambunctious German Shorthaired Pointers. In her free time she enjoys running, paddle boarding, playing the piano, and attending church with her family at Grace Orlando.

1060 Woodcock Rd., Unit 101 Orlando, FL 32803 | P: 407-962-9608 | www.rwestfall.com | rdwestfall@rwestfall.com

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REACH ORLANDO’S

MOVERS & SHAKERS. ADVERTISE IN STYLE!

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LIVING ‘N STYLE

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Stylish Effortlessly KITH WOMEN ALEXA PRINTED HOODIE Cotton fleece fabric Cropped asymmetrical hoodie. Ribbed cuffs and hem. Printed logo on chest and hood with drawstring pulls. $140 / Kith.com

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CASUAL. COOL.

Athleisure wear has officially taken over.

No, you don’t have to have a gym membership to rock this look. This “cool” and “casual” street wear has been the latest trend starting this 2020. It could be because we were stuck at home, but besides that, many people have turned to “gym” clothes for their ootds. Even though they are not going to the gym, or doing anything active, for that matter. This look that gives off an “effortless, I don’t care how I look” vibe is what people want nowadays.

You’ve seen it everywhere and worn by everyone — including our favorite celebrities.

From the streets to the runways, from fitness studios to happy hour and back again. People

Blinged Out MEJURI LAYERED SPHERES NECKLACE Because two is better than one. This delicate, layered necklace combines our classic cable chain and spheres chain into one perfect piece. Ingenious, right? $65 /Mejuri.com

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are choosing comfort over style, but actually... not really. Brands have designed their athleisure wear to be more trendy and more acceptable for everyday life. From brunch in sweats and a crop top to getting sushi in an oversized t-shirt dress.

It doesn’t stop there; people are taking it to the next level, pairing heels with sweatpants to “dress them up” and wear that for a night out.

Many years ago, this trend would have never taken off, but people are obsessed.

It’s ok, no one will judge you for wearing comfy clothes out. So go grab your favorite pair of sweats and go rock them!

CHAINS ON CHAINS

Stacking and layering

We loved this look back in the 90’s, and we love it now. Layering dainty chains around your neck and stacking bracelets are the new way to accessorize your outfit. And there are many companies that have mastered the quality of the metals that they use (usually gold with other materials) so that they don’t tarnish and make your fingers green without breaking the bank. You can finally have all the gold chains you want!

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AUDI Q3 Modern life is a balancing act. And the new Audi Q3 juggles it in style, with a spacious interior, enough SUV road presence to inspire confidence and a compact enough footprint to handle tight urban streets. Add advanced connectivity, a host of cutting-

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Audi South Orlando

4725 Vineland Rd. Orlando, FL 32811 407-674-0855 AudiSouthOrlando.com The features discussed are not a substitute for attentive driving. “Audi,” all model names, and the four rings logo are registered trademarks of AUDI AG. “Google Earth” is a trademark of Google Inc. ©2020 Audi of America, Inc.

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The Mall at Millenia

Lost Your Job? If you recently lost your job, you have options for your 401(k) plan.

And we can help!

There are a variety of investment options that may not have been included in your 401(k). Examples include: • Professional money management with a financial firm.

• Lost your job, that is considered a triggering event and you are eligible to rollover your 401(k) to an IRA.

• Self-directed IRAs to purchase real-estate.

• Retain the assets in his or her previous employer's plan if an option • Transfer the assets to a new employer's plan if an option • Rollover the assets into an IRA • Cash out the balance (rarely a good option; however, may be appropriate for some investment objectives)

• This will offer you a variety of investments that may not be included in your current 401(k). Also a lineup of fixed investments to help secure principal.

• Wait to rollover if you’re between the age of 55-59 ½.

Visit www.DropHelp.com to learn more and schedule an appointment with Estate & Business Planning Group.

When Life hands you lemons, make lemonade 305 Douglas Avenue • Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 Representatives offer products and services using the following business names: Estate & Business Planning Group – insurance and financial services | Ameritas Investment Company, LLC (AIC), member FINRA/SIPC – securities and investments | Ameritas Advisory Services (AAS) – investment advisory services. AIC and AAS are not affiliated with Estate & Business Planning Group.

Representatives of AIC and AAS do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor or attorney regarding your situation.