ORLANDO’S TOP WOMEN

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 Tiffany Faddis Molina Arena-Randall Ophelia Bernal-Mora Vanessa L. Braeley Bertha L. Burruezo Sonia E. Colon Michele Diglio-Benkiran P. Simone Freitas Sarah Gulati Kimberly E. Lorenz Shannon McLin Carlyle Mary Ann Morgan Zahra Umansky Ronda Westfall

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.

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

•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. • 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.

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

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

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

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 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 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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.”

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.

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.

Photo by Beth Morgan Burke

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

“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.

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!”

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.

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.

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