Chiefland Maritime Lawyers

Attorney Jason M. Melton, is a founding partner of Whittel & Melton. As a former state prosecutor, he continues fighting for victims bringing in some of the largest single event results in Central Florida. Jason is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million and Million Dollar Advocates Forum, AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and continues to be listed among SuperLawyers in Florida by Thomson Reuters. He is a Founding Member of the National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers, and in 2023 was named President. Attorney Melton is dedicated to providing clients with personalized, high-quality representation. We handle Auto Accidents, Slip and Fall, Injury, Nursing...

Patrick W. Harland, Jr. is a seasoned litigator and personal injury attorney having tried cases in both Florida State and Federal Court.

Upon graduating from Stetson University College of Law in 1999, Mr. Harland focused his law practice on defending insurance companies as well as some of the nation’s largest nursing home chains in liability suits relating to patient care. Mr. Harland also defended physicians in correctional healthcare cases brought by inmates alleging civil rights violations due to inadequate healthcare.

Today, Mr. Harland uses that defense background to the advantage of St. Petersburg clients who have been injured by the negligence of...

Native to Miami, in Jacksonville for 20 + years, avid sailor and dedicated to taking proper care of my clients. I practice maritime law in large part because I love boats. I handle appeals because I enjoy research, writing, and working with other attorneys.

I am a Shareholder at St. Denis & Davey Professional Association. Having practiced law since 1998, I provide experienced, skilled and knowledgeable representation for an array of legal needs. My practice areas include Legal Malpractice, Accounting Malpractice, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Defense, Products Liability, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Construction Litigation, Automotive Franchise and Dealerships, Class Actions, and Nursing Home Litigation. I defend insurance companies, construction developers, contractors, retailers, dealerships, and others throughout Florida. I am committed to providing zealous advocacy and delivering successful outcomes for my clients.

I received my B.S. in Finance from Florida State University. In 1998, I obtained my...

Leland Eric Garvin, a Florida native and second generation trial attorney, began his legal career working as a Prosecutor. While at the State Attorney’s office, he gained invaluable trial experience representing the State of Florida in countless jury trials at both the misdemeanor and felony levels. Prior to taking the job with the State, and throughout law school; Mr. Garvin worked for one of the larger personal injury law firms in South Florida. When he wasn’t handling injury and auto accident cases; he made time for the Moot Court Honor Society. It was during his time with Moot Court that he...

Spencer Aronfeld, is a board-certified civil trial lawyer who has earned international recognition as being a “lawyer for the people.” Born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Aronfeld graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 1991. Upon graduation, he founded his own firm, Aronfeld Trial Lawyers, based in Coral Gables, Florida.

He has dedicated his life to representing individuals against corporate giants, such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America Cruise Lines, Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, Target, Publix, Walmart, Mt....

Mr. Margulies is board certified by the Florida Bar as an expert in Admiralty and Maritime Law. To achieve this status, Mr. Margulies had to demonstrate a substantial background in handling maritime cases and maritime law continuing legal education. In addition, Mr. Margulies was rigorously evaluated by the board as to character, ethics, and reputation for professionalism and was required to pass a written examination on all areas of admiralty and maritime law.

Michael A. Winkleman is one of the nation’s top maritime lawyers. An active trial and appellate attorney, Mr. Winkleman is also a frequent contributing expert on maritime and cruise ship law. He has made more than 100 national television appearances regarding cruise ship law, including The Today Show, Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, 20/20, Inside Edition, OutFront with Erin Burnett, Fox News Channel’s ‘American’s Newsroom,’ ‘Fox & Friends,’ ‘America Live,’ ‘Happening Now,’ ‘Justice with Judge Jeanine’; and ‘Imus in the Morning.’ Mr. Winkleman has received numerous honors and accolades in recognition of his contributions to the field of maritime law

Florida Injury Attorney who has recovered millions of dollars for his clients. Call for a free consultation: 833-444-2326. Adam Rieth is a litigation attorney with the Barnes Trial Group. In his career as an injury attorney, he has recovered millions of dollars for his deserving clients. Prior to joining the Barnes Trial Group, Mr. Rieth worked at one of Florida’s largest and oldest insurance-defense firms. Over the course of a half decade at the defense firm, Mr. Rieth tried cases ranging from medical-malpractice wrongful death to trip-and-fall negligence. He also litigated numerous catastrophic claims involving many complex facts and legal issues....

Philip M. Gerson is a board certified civil trial lawyer who has practiced law in Miami, Florida for more than 40 years. He is a cum laude graduate of the University of Miami Law School, where he was a member of the editorial board of the Law Review, a Moot Court winner and student instructor in legal research and writing. Mr. Gerson is admitted to practice in all Florida Courts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Claims, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, and the United States District Court for...

Mitchell J. Panter is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar and National Board of Trial Advocacy, primarily practicing in the areas of Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Product Liability, Sexual Assault, Food Contamination and Premises Liability Cases. Mitchell Panter is also Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial Advocacy since 1996. At the age of 31, Mitchell Panter argued the case of American Aerial Lift v. Jose Perez in the Florida Supreme Court addressing the issue of Strict Liability and Product Liability. This precedent setting case involved the award of a...

John M. Frazier, Jr. is a partner at Widerman Malek, PL that focuses on delivering a full range of litigation in both state and federal courts; including the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States as well as acting in advisory capacities for businesses and corporations reviewing contracts, documents, and providing legal feedback to aid and assist decision-makers. His area of practice includes corporate litigation and transactions, complex commercial litigation, real estate litigation and transactions, business representation, and maritime law. John has been a keynote speaker educating the public on the...

Florida Board Certified Admiralty & Maritime Attorney; "AV" Preeminent Rated with Martindale-Hubbell; Member of Multi-Million & Million Dollar Advocates Forum; Super Lawyer Member & Lecturer ... Southeastern Admiralty Law Committee; Member & Lecturer ... Ft. Lauderdale Mariner's Club; Three U.S. Coast Guard Marine Engineering Licenses (Inactive); Sailed seven (7) years aboard Offshore Drilling Platforms; Specialties: Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Resort-Vacation, Negligent Security, Sexual Assault, Premises Liability, Pool & Hot Tub Entrapment Drowning Claims. Admiralty & Maritime Lawyer licensed in Florida & Massachusetts.

I worked for the insurance companies for 10 years before becoming a trial lawyer for the past 37 years. While working for the insurance companies I learned how insurance companies operate and gained valuable inside information. I have concentrated my practice in the area of personal injury including automobile accidents, premises liability, in adequate security, brain damage, and a variety of other types of cases. I am bilingual in English and Spanish.

I pride myself on the personal service we give to every client. I provide my cell phone number for 24/7 access to me personally. I...

David Pollack is an AV rated attorney who specializes in complex business litigation and appeals. His practice focuses on maritime, labor and employment, defamation, and construction litigation. In 2006, Mr. Pollack obtained the largest verdict in an internet defamation case in the United States, which was later affirmed on appeal. Mr. Pollack regularly represents businesses in cases involving defamation, employment discrimination, wage and overtime claims, and other commercial matters. He also represents passengers and crew members in cases involving maritime personal injuries. Mr. Pollack has written and argued more than 50 appeals before the Third District Court of Appeal, the...