Miami-Dade County Maritime Lawyers

Joseph J. Rinaldi, Jr., graduated from the University of Florida in 1998 and from the University of Miami School of Law in 2002. He is licensed to practice in Florida, in both State and Federal Courts, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. Memberships: Florida Bar Association, American Association for Justice, Florida Justice Association, American Bar Association, Broward County Bar Association, Florida Admiralty Trial Lawyers Association, United District Court for the Southern District of Florida, United District Court for the Northern District of Florida, United States...

A native Miamian, Marc earned his undergraduate degree from American University in Washington D.C. graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He attended law school at Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, FL. While in law school, Marc earned the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award and studied abroad at Nankai University located in Tianjin, China. The semester abroad allowed Marc to have a wider outlook on life and appreciate cultural differences which has come in handy when working with clients. After graduating from law school, Marc has practiced in state courts throughout Florida and...

Brandon Volk is a litigation attorney licensed to practice law in all Florida Federal and State Courts. Mr. Volk specializes in handling all aspects of maritime personal injury claims. He has achieved numerous impactful results for his clients, including passengers injured on cruise ships and pleasure boats, crewmembers injured on commercial vessels, yachts, tugboats, and barges, as well as longshoremen and a variety of maritime service workers. Mr. Volk undertook his legal education at Tulane University Law School, widely renowned as hosting one of the preeminent programs in the United States for its Admiralty & Maritime Law curriculum. There, he attained...

Geoffrey Probst is a new and prized addition to Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. While only recently joining LM&W, attorney Probst brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the firm, having specialized in admiralty and maritime law for over 17 years. Attorney Probst has extensive experience in representing both plaintiffs and defendants in legal actions involving injured or deceased passengers and crew members in cruise ship accidents. In his earlier career, he was the senior in-house litigator for a major cruise line. Having worked on both sides of these claims gives attorney Probst a unique advantage when representing accident...

Alex Perez is an active litigator licensed to practice law in all Florida Federal and State Courts, including Appellate Courts. Mr. Perez also routinely handles International Arbitrations pending in countries all over the world. Mr. Perez has secured millions of dollars for his clients. Mr. Perez primarily represents passengers injured on cruise ships, crewmembers injured on cruise ships, cargo vessels, oil tankers and other commercial sea going vessels, and handles a variety of recreational marine cases involving yachts, pleasure boats and jet skis. Before starting his practice, Mr. Perez attended Tulane University Law School where he pursued a course of study in...

Elizabeth Irazabal is a litigation attorney handling cruise ship passenger personal injury claims and crewmember claims as well as non-maritime personal injury claims. She is dedicated to providing exceptional service and representation to the firm’s clients throughout all stages of the litigation process. “When clients call for our help, they seek answers and guidance. My driving passion is to be the voice for our clients to help them feel whole again.” Elizabeth was born and raised in Miami, Florida and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies. While completing her...

Daniel Grammes is a litigation attorney, handling passengers’ personal injury claims, crewmember claims, wrongful death claims, product liability claims, as well as non-maritime personal injury claims. He is dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring that every client is treated like a valued member of the firm’s family. Daniel graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Thomas University School of Law with his Juris Doctorate degree. He graduated in the top 5% of his class. While in law school he obtained Dean’s List Awards for every semester. In addition, he received the CALI Award for Excellence for his performance and mastery of...

Stefanie Black is a litigation attorney handling passengers’ personal injury claims and crewmember cases as well as non-maritime personal injury claims. She has experience in maritime personal injury litigation as well as cargo claims against ocean carriers in federal court. Ms. Black enjoys state and federal court practice with a history of countless successful trials. She is passionate about providing exceptional representation to the firm’s clients throughout all stages of the litigation process. Stefanie obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from Barry University School of Law and graduated in the top 18% of her class. While in law school, she received the...

Eliana Aklepi is a litigation attorney handling passenger personal injury, sexual assault, and crewmember cases. Eliana prioritizes working closely with clients, ensuring their stories are heard. Eliana’s undergraduate degree from Drexel University allowed her to work with artists, helping them avoid exploitative contracts. This work sparked her desire to fight corporations with abusive labor practices. Eliana received her law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. In law school, she focused her studies on international law and labor. Her interest in maritime law stems from her work in Cardozo Law School’s Human Rights and Atrocity Prevention Clinic, the only...

David is the managing attorney of BRILL & RINALDI, The Law Firm. He is also co-counsel with the Miami-based law firm of Crewmember & Maritime Advocacy Center, P.A. David began his legal career in the Office of the State Attorney in and for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami, first serving as a Certified Legal Intern and then for over three years as an Assistant State Attorney. He tried six jury trials as an Intern. He tried dozens of bench proceedings and approximately two dozen jury trials as an Assistant State Attorney. After his departure...

Nicolas Lipcon is a litigation attorney specializing in maritime personal injury cases, dedicated to advocating for individuals impacted by serious injuries at sea. Nicolas represents both passengers and crew members injured on cruise ships, pleasure boats, and commercial vessels, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights defended. He completed his legal education at Vanderbilt Law School, where he sharpened his litigation skills, focusing on trial preparation, discovery, depositions, and strategic case analysis. His legal experience, shaped by intensive law school training and summer associate positions, equipped him with a strong foundation in case strategy, client counseling, and meticulous pre-trial preparation—all...

Ashley E. Wentz is a litigation attorney handling passenger personal injury and crewmember cases. Ashley received her law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. After graduating law school, Ashley practiced in the areas of family law and personal injury. Ashley handled numerous trials while practicing family law in Maryland ranging from custody, visitation, and child support disputes. After moving to Georgia, Ashley practiced in the field of personal injury, successfully resolving numerous personal injury cases. Upon relocating to Miami, Ashley found an interest in practicing Maritime law and has been practicing in this field for the past two...

Amir Ghaeenzadeh graduated from the University of South Florida, with honors, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Public Health in 2009. He then attended Florida Coastal School of Law, where he graduated Cum Laude, and is admitted to practice law in Florida and the District of Columbia. Mr. Ghaeenzadeh passionately represents injured clients, and has the knowledge as he formally worked as an insurance defense attorney. He also represents corporations. Mr. Amir Ghaeenzadeh has considerable experience dealing with automobile and trucking negligence, and premise liability (malls, hotels, restaurants, venues, etc.) resulting in catastrophic injuries...

Matthew Kish is an attorney with substantial experience in all aspects of bankruptcy, real estate, and commercial law. Matthew has practiced law in California and Florida and he has a proven ability to find sound solutions to complex legal, commercial, and financial concerns. Originally from Philadelphia, he is an avid surfer and outdoorsman.

Eric T. Halsey is a native Floridian who joined Sheftall & Torres as an associate in April 2006, after serving as a law clerk in the firm's civil trial and appellate practice since January 2004. Mr. Halsey practices in the areas of commercial and tort litigation, including personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, breach of contract, judgment collection, and defamation. First as a law clerk and now as an associate, Mr. Halsey has worked extensively with the firm's partners on some of Sheftall & Torres' most successful cases, including a $10 million wrongful death settlement in 2005 and a $6...

Percy Martinez is a committed Miami personal injury lawyer with over 20 years experience. From medical malpractice, car accidents to wrongful death we cover pretty much every aspect of personal injury.

Eric Morales is a knowledgeable cruise ship and boating injury lawyer. He represents passengers and crewmembers injured on cruise ships, shipping vessels, yachts, and personal watercraft and has helped Plaintiffs recover millions of dollars during his career. Mr. Morales practices with the firm of Lipcon, Margulies, Alsina & Winkleman, P.A., the premier Plaintiff's maritime personal injury firm in the country. Learn more at www.lipcon.com or www.yacht-injury.com

Mr. Russell passed the Florida Bar in 2016, and began his career in Maritime Personal Injury Defense work. Mr. Russell joined the Law offices of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A. in 2018. Mr. Russell handles his own case load and is closely supervised by Clifford Mermell and David Pacheco, who have over 46 years of combined experience in handling Defense Base Act and Longshore cases. Mr. Russell has also quickly accelerated his learning curve and is proficient in new client intakes, informal conferences, the discovery process, settlement evaluations, and demands, and general handling of all aspects of a DBA...

John O'Connell is a lawyer, Commercial Pilot (Single-Multi Engine Land and Sea with Instrument Rating)and an experienced scuba diver (certified advanced open water) who has been litigating personal injury cases for the past twenty eight years. He is admitted to practice in Florida and Massachusetts. Cruise line accident cases require familiarity with cruise ship accident procedures (including venue and claim limitations). John has the experience to handle your case.