Florida
Fort Lauderdale
2598 E. Sunrise Blvd.
Suite 2104
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
- (954) 653-9270
- (954) 900-9475
Daytona
780 W Granada Blvd.
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
- (386) 438-2766
- (305) 416-3190
Orlando
Suite 1295
Orlando, FL 32801
- (407) 255-2070
- (888) 855-0946
Bonita Springs
Suite 405
Bonita Springs, Florida 34134
- (239) 444-4380
- (239) 444-4381
Jacksonville
841 Prudential Drive
Suite 1200
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
- (850) 201-7276
- (904) 443-3515
Tampa
Suite 910
Tampa, FL 33607
- (813) 443-8424
- (813) 873-2330
Bradenton
6400 Manatee Ave W
Suite K
Bradenton, FL 34209
- (813) 443-8424
- (813) 873-2330
Tallahassee
113 S Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
- (850) 201-7276
- (850) 201-7101
Pensacola
495 Grand Blvd
Suite 206
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
- (850) 269-6851
- (850) 269-6801
Our Florida Team
Jaelyn Harrington is an Associate attorney in Lydecker’s Orlando office, where she focuses her practice on construction defect litigation. Her background also includes employment law, professional malpractice, and general civil litigation defense.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Harrington represented clients in a range of matters involving employment discrimination, Fair Labor Standards Act disputes, and workers’ compensation retaliation claims.
Ms. Harrington earned her Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law and her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida. During law school, she served as a fellow in the Economic Justice Clinic, where she represented small businesses in the Orlando area. She brings a thorough approach to legal research, case preparation, and the development of defense strategies tailored to her clients’ needs.
Peter Agola is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Peter is a 2023 graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, and a member of the Florida Bar. Prior to joining Lydecker, Peter spent time as a law clerk at a boutique complex commercial litigation firm, and an insurance defense firm, both located in Miami.
Logan Alvarez is an Associate Attorney in Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Alvarez’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil litigation with a focus on products, premises, and general liability. Mr. Alvarez earned his J.D. from Florida International University College of Law. During law school, Mr. Alvarez completed a legal externship with United Teachers of Dade, where he gained experience in labor and employment law, collective bargaining, employee representation, and workplace disputes. His responsibilities included conducting legal research, analyzing collective bargaining agreements, drafting proposals, assisting with employment and disciplinary matters, and participating in negotiations and strategy sessions that contributed to a successful collective bargaining agreement. Mr. Alvarez was also awarded the Excellence in Civic Engagement Medallion of Distinction in recognition of his commitment to community service and civic engagement.
Beyond his legal career, Mr. Alvarez has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to community service, advocacy, and leadership. He has been actively involved in initiatives promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities. An avid sports enthusiast, Mr. Alvarez has also dedicated significant time to competing, coaching and mentoring athletes, using his passion for sports to promote teamwork, leadership, and community engagement.
Forrest Andrews is the Chair of Lydecker LLP’s Errors & Omissions Department and Co-Chair of its Commercial Department. Forrest has extensive experience defending claims against attorneys, insurance agents and brokers, real estate agents and brokers, property managers, directors and officers, and other types of professionals. Forrest understands that his clients have spent years establishing their businesses and reputation, which is why he focuses his practice on providing effective legal strategies and solutions to protect those interests.
With respect to environmental claims, Forrest handles cases involving mold damage and exposure, air and water pollution, and other contaminates.
Forrest is also Chair of Lydecker LLP’s Appellate Department and is Board Certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar. Forrest handles all types of appellate proceedings, including extraordinary writs, in state and federal courts, and provides litigation support services to trial counsel by developing effective strategies at the trial level in anticipation of an appeal.
Before joining Lydecker LLP, Forrest had an extensive career in the public sector, including serving as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Miami where he represented the City of Miami in many federal civil rights suits, personal injury, commercial, and appellate cases.
Victoria A. Arthington is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Orlando office where she concentrates her practice in civil litigation with a primary focus on personal injury and premises liability law. In her personal injury and premises liability practice, Ms. Arthington primarily represents and advises business owners and condominium associations in various civil matters, and litigation.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Arthington worked with investors and landowners by helping them navigate complex zoning and compliance issues with real estate investments. Ms. Arthington earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida School of Law, where she also served in the Conservation Law Clinic.
Mr. Arthington was admitted to practice in the State of Florida in 2020 and is an active member of the Florida Bar.
Angela Audie is an associate attorney in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Audie’s practice primarily focuses on general liability. Ms. Audie represents clients in matters involving claims of negligence, bodily injury, and premises liability.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Audie worked at the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office. Ms. Audie earned her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and her B.S. from Loyola University Chicago.
Susan Ayers is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Los Angeles office. She brings nearly 25 years of civil litigation experience representing clients in construction defect, insurance defense, first party property and hurricane claims, professional liability, personal injury, real estate, environmental matters, and appellate proceedings.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Ayers managed a high volume caseload involving complex insurance defense matters. She previously founded Ayers Law Firm, PLLC, where her practice encompassed civil litigation, real estate, bankruptcy, franchise, and family law matters. She also served as in house counsel to a California real estate development group, representing developers, community associations, and commercial property owners.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Ayers served as a Senior Attorney for the State of Florida, where she developed extensive motion practice and trial experience. During law school, she externed for the Honorable Robert W. Alberts of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California and worked in the tax legal division of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Ayers is a licensed Florida real estate broker.
Jamie Baboolal is a Senior Associate with the firm’s Miami office. Ms. Baboolal’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil litigation with a focus on products, premises, and general liability. Ms. Baboolal’s experience includes representing premises owners and operators, local and global manufacturers, major national retailers in numerous areas within the wider tort-based field, such as catastrophic injury, premises liability claims, recalled product claims, as well as defending claims involving consumer and commercially available substances and materials. Her experience includes high exposure injury, wrongful death, and commercial matters.
Ms. Baboolal graduated summa cum laude from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law. During law school, Ms. Baboolal received Dean’s List Honors and multiple CALI Excellence for the Future Awards. She was an active member of the Nova Moot Court Society and served as an Articles Editor on the Nova Law Review. Ms. Baboolal also held positions as teaching assistant for Constitutional Law and research assistant for Health Law.
While attending law school, Ms. Baboolal worked as a law clerk at a boutique firm where she gained practical experience handling wills, estates, family law, and real estate transactions. Ms. Baboolal also worked as a legal intern at a securities litigation firm where she gained valuable experience in securities class actions.
Samantha Brown is an Associate in the firm’s Boca Raton office. Ms. Brown’s practice involves Catastrophic Injury & Loss Defense, Complex Commercial Litigation, Professional Liability, Municipal Defense, Environmental / Toxic Tort, Premises Liability, Products Liability, and Transportation Liability.
Ms. Brown earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, a minor in Legal Studies, and a Certification in Criminal Profiling and Intelligence and National Security from the University of Central Florida in May 2020.
Ms. Brown earned her Juris Doctorate Degree from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Upon graduation, Ms. Brown was inducted into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society. During law school, Ms. Brown was part of the honor program and received the Dean’s List award every semester. Ms. Brown served as NSU’s Trial Association’s Vice President of External Operations. She was a national competitor for the NSU Trial Team and NSU’s Moot Court Honor Society. Ms. Brown was a Senior Associate of Nova Law Review and a teaching assistant for criminal law and criminal procedure classes. Ms. Brown was President of NSU’s Federalist Chapter and National Security Society.
Before joining the firm, Ms. Brown was a Judicial intern for the Honorable Judge Weekes. Ms. Brown previously worked at a large defense firm practicing vehicular negligence.
Shavon Brooks is an Associate attorney in Lydecker’s Orlando office. Ms. Brooks focuses her practice on employment law, commercial litigation, general liability, and construction matters.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Shavon represented clients in a range of complex legal matters. Shavon graduated cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany and earned a Juris Doctor from Barry University School of Law. While at Barry, Shavon completed an externship with the Department of Children and Families, where she gained experience assisting with petitions and supporting matters involving children and families. She also completed internships at small law firms focused on general liability work.
Edward R. Butler III is a Senior Associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office. With more than 10 years of litigation experience, his primary practice areas include bodily injury, premises liability, probate, and general liability matters.
Edward has extensive litigation and trial experience, having successfully represented clients through all phases of complex disputes. He has secured full defense verdicts in cases involving potential exposure in the multimillion-dollar range.
Known for his meticulous attention to detail and proactive communication, Edward prioritizes strong client relationships and strategic advocacy. He is committed to delivering thoughtful, results-driven representation and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and legal integrity in every matter he handles.
Hagen Brody is a Partner in Lydecker’s Tampa office and the former Mayor of the City of Sarasota. Hagen was a felony prosecutor for Florida’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. As an experienced trial attorney, he now focuses on representing clients in civil and commercial disputes across Florida.
Hagen is also a committed community member and recipient of the prestigious Sarasota County Bar President’s Award for Community Service having served several governmental, non-governmental, and philanthropic organizations over the years including:
Sarasota City Commission
Sarasota County Bar Association Board of Directors
Twelfth Judicial Circuit Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
Sarasota County Tourist Development Council
Sarasota Bay Park Improvement Board
Sarasota Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Florida League of Cities, Land Use & Economic Development Committee
Teen Court of Sarasota Board of Directors
Brandi’s Wish Foundation Board of Directors
Booker High School Mock Trial Team Coach
Mayors Feed the Hungry
Hagen Brody is a Florida native, a graduate of Sarasota High School where he won a Men’s Tennis State Championship. The sport took him out west where he captained his Division I Men’s Tennis team at The University of California, Santa Barbara where he earned his undergraduate degree. Hagen returned to Florida to earn his law degree from The University of Miami and now lives in southwest Florida—but remains a Miami Hurricane fan.
Yina Cabrera is a Partner in Lydecer’s Miami office. Ms. Cabrera’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in personal injury, government liability, and civil rights litigation. Ms. Cabrera also handles employment litigation matters, including FLSA and FMLA violations, and Title VII violations including discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment.
Ms. Cabrera earned her J.D. from Florida International University College of Law in May 2021, graduating with honors. During law school, Ms. Cabrera interned at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and was a research assistant at FIU Law, responsible for researching topics in employment discrimination. Ms. Cabrera was on the Executive Board of the FIU Law Review, serving as the Executive Comments Editor; her Law Review student note was chosen for publication in the FIU Law Review. Ms. Cabrera was also a member of the FIU Board of Appellate Advocates and was a semifinalist in the Intramural Moot Court Competition. Ms. Cabrera was the President of the Cuban American Bar Association, Vice President of the Employment and Labor Law Society, and served as a Student Ambassador. Furthermore, Ms. Cabrera was a Dean’s Scholar and was awarded an Excellence in Civic Engagement Medallion for her pro-bono work.
Taylor Claudon is an Associate in Lydecker’s Boca Raton office. Ms. Claudon’s practice focuses on construction defect litigation.
Ms. Claudon brings extensive civil litigation experience, including in-depth work in insurance defense. Prior to joining Lydecker, she spent more than five years defending carriers in first-party property litigation, managing a high-volume caseload through expert discovery, mediation, arbitration, and trial preparation.
Her broader experience includes serving as lead counsel in bench trials, preparing appellate briefs, litigating business matters, and handling federal workers’ compensation matters under the Defense Base Act.
Ms. Claudon earned her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in English from Marquette University. She is admitted to practice in Florida.
Alejandro Candela is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Candela’s practice focuses on all aspects of liability and general civil litigation.
Mr. Candela began his legal career in 2018 as a law clerk for various Miami law firms, handling personal injury and real property matters. Most recently, he spent more than three years clerking on first-party property insurance litigation, where he developed a strong foundation in Florida civil litigation practice and procedure.
Mr. Candela earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Florida. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law in 2026 and was admitted to The Florida Bar that same year. At St. Thomas, he was a founding member of the Golf Law Society, serving first as Treasurer and later as President. He also received the Silver Oar Award in Maritime Law. Mr. Candela is fluent in Spanish.
Amanda Carballo is an associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Her practice focuses on civil litigation, with an emphasis on toxic tort defense and products liability, and she has a particular interest in appellate practice.
Ms. Carballo earned her J.D. and LL.M. in Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law from the University of Miami School of Law, where she received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Copyright Law. As a member of the Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board, she was a Regional Finalist in the National Moot Court Competition and an Octo-Finalist in the John T. Gaubatz Moot Court Competition, and she competed in the Kaufman Securities Moot Court Competition.
During law school, Ms. Carballo served as a judicial intern in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. She also completed a practicum with the in-house legal department of a leading live-entertainment company in Santiago, Chile, where she reviewed and negotiated commercial agreements. Ms. Carballo is fluent in Spanish and has drafted, negotiated, and translated contracts in both English and Spanish.
Filippo Carnazzi is an associate in the firm’s Miami office. Mr. Carnazzi’s practice focuses on construction defect litigation. In his practice, Mr. Carnazzi represents developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals in a variety of contexts arising from the construction and design defect. Mr. Carnazzi joined the firm in February 2022.
Mr. Carnazzi was born and raised in Italy and he obtained his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in International Arbitration from the University of Miami School of Law. While in law school, Mr. Carnazzi interned with the in-house counsel with two multinationals companies, and he started his practice of law in Miami based law firm as an associate to assist companies in litigation and transactional matters.
Peyton Marie Cassatta is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. She primarily focuses her practice on insurance defense, premises liability, product liability, and general civil litigation.
Prior to working at Lydecker, Ms. Cassatta practiced as an Attorney at a prominent full-service law firm based in Miami, Florida, where she gained experience across all phases of litigation and developed a strong foundation in complex case analysis and advocacy.
Ms. Cassatta graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and a minor in Chemistry. Thereafter, Ms. Cassatta earned her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law. During her time at FIU Law, Ms. Cassatta was a Staff Member and Senior Staff Member for FIU Law Review, a member of the Sports, Entertainment, Fashion, and Art Law Society (SEFA), and a member of the Intellectual Property Student Association (IPSA). Additionally, she earned medallion honors for her pro bono service, and a Certificate of Intellectual Property for her extensive work in the discipline.
In her free time, Ms. Cassatta enjoys Pilates and walks around Brickell Key, traveling, and experiencing Miami’s music and sports scene.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Laura was a partner at an insurance defense firm in Tampa for 12 years.
After receiving her Bachelor’s degree from the University of The South (Sewanee), Laura returned to her home state of Florida and graduated from Stetson University College of Law.
Mr. Conto is a Partner at the firm’s Boca Raton Office. Mr. Conto began his career in law representing corporations in legal matters concerning maritime law. Mr. Conto then joined a well-known litigation defense firm with offices throughout Florida. There he focused his practice on defending corporations in construction defect matters, premises liability matters and negligent security matters involving claims of wrongful death. He also represented insurance companies in high exposure first-party property disputes.
At Lydecker Mr. Conto is concentrating his practice on defending developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, environmental consultants, product manufacturers and insurance carriers in a variety of contexts arising from the construction and use of real property. Mr. Conto has successfully represented clients in all phases of litigation including trials, summary judgment proceedings and mediations.
Colby Corso is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Corso’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation, with a primary focus on general liability and labor and employment law.
Mr. Corso earned his J.D. from St. Thomas University College of Law in 2022 and was admitted to the Florida Bar that same year. During law school, he worked with a Miami-based immigration legal services organization assisting with immigration-related matters. In recognition of his service, Mr. Corso received the Pro Bono Award from St. Thomas University College of Law for completing more than 100 hours of pro bono legal work.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Corso practiced at a Miami-based law firm where his work focused on healthcare and insurance-related litigation, with an emphasis on claims involving Medicare reimbursement. In that role, he gained experience across all phases of litigation and developed a strong foundation in complex case analysis and advocacy.
Mr. Costa is an Associate Attorney at Lydecker, handling matters throughout the State of Florida, in both State and Federal Courts. He engages in a wide variety of insurance defense and commercial litigation areas, including general bodily injury and casualty. He also handles labor and employment matters and various other civil litigation matters.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Costa handled civil rights claims, labor and employment claims, personal injury claims, and workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Costa obtained trial experience as first chair in multiple jury trials prior to joining Lydecker, and had received favorable judgments on behalf of his clients.
Eliz Demren is an Associate in the Products Liability department of Lydecker’s Miami office. Prior to working at Lydecker, Ms. Demren was an associate at a boutique complex civil litigation firm. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the Honors College at Florida International University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law.
During law school, Eliz received the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement Award and CALI Excellence for the Future Award for receiving the top grades in her courses. She also competed in Moot Court, interned for Circuit Court Judge Spencer Eig, and externed for Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge John J. O’Sullivan. While earning her Juris Doctor, Eliz completed several internships at various law firms to fully maximize her time in law school before beginning to practice as an attorney.
Gabriela Diaz is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Diaz’s practice includes construction defect litigation, representing clients in disputes involving alleged deficiencies in construction, design, materials, and workmanship. She handles claims involving water intrusion, structural damage, building code violations, and other alleged defects affecting residential and commercial properties.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Gabriela practiced as an attorney, where she focused on construction litigation.
Ms. Diaz graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Marketing and Spanish. Thereafter, Gabriela earned her J.D./MBA from the University of Miami School of Law. During her time at UM Law, Gabriela gained hands-on legal experience serving as a law clerk for an insurance defense firm and as a legal intern for a corporation.
Mrs. Diverio is a shareholding partner at Lydecker’s Miami office and is the chair of the property practice group. She is a trial and appellate attorney for first and third party lawsuits. She handles bad faith claims, third party claims nationally, fire/theft/fraud investigations, windstorm coverage insurance defense, personal injury, general liability, subrogation claims, fraud investigations, and all types of property damage claims.
In addition to her broad insurance coverage practice, Ms. Diverio has significant experience in Directors & Officers (D&O) condominium litigation, where she represents boards, associations, and insurers in matters involving governance disputes, fiduciary duty claims, and coverage issues. Her work in this area provides clients with strategic counsel on both preventative risk management and litigation defense.
Mrs. Diverio litigates insurance disputes involving high exposure commercial and personal lines in both State and Federal court. Mrs. Diverio’s practice group handles claims from pre-suit investigations through trials and appeals.
Mrs. Diverio has handled a multitude of appellate and trial matters and has been first-handedly involved in changing and upholding Florida Statutes on significant current insurance defense issues.
Most importantly, Mrs. Diverio’s strength lies in client relations and professionalism. She maintains an open line of communication with her clients during all phases of litigation, settlement of a dispute, and works in conjunction with her adjusters to quickly and efficiently resolve claims.
Jessica Dos Santos is an Associate attorney in Lydecker’s Miami office, where her practice focuses on Government Liability, Labor and Employment, and Tort Liability.
Mrs. Dos Santos earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University, where she interned with the United States Marshals Service for the Southern District of Florida. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law in May 2024. During law school, Ms. Dos Santos was an active member of the Trial Team and was recognized on the Dean’s List.
Ms. Dos Santos began working with Lydecker LLP as a law clerk during the summer of her first year of law school and continued with the firm throughout her legal education. Upon her admission to the Florida Bar in September 2024, she joined the firm as an Associate.
Camille Engle is an Associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office, where she focuses her practice on Construction Defects, Premises Liability, and Insurance Defense.
Ms. Engle has experience managing all phases of litigation, including case evaluation, written discovery, depositions, mediations, motion practice, and trial preparation.
Originally from Lake Mary, Florida, Ms. Engle attended the University of Central Florida for her Bachelors of Science and later earned her Juris Doctor from Florida State University.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Engle practiced at a general civil litigation firm where she concentrated on bodily injury defense, first-party property matters, and commercial litigation.
Naomi Estella is an associate in the firm’s Orlando and Miami offices. Her practice focuses on products liability, premises liability, and general liability matters.
She earned her J.D. from Barry University School of Law, Dwayne O. Andreas, in 2024, and her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Florida.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Estella gained valuable experience as an associate at a general civil litigation practice, focusing on bodily injury defense.
Mrs. Fernandez is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Mrs. Fernandez earned her J.D. from St. Thomas University College of Law in May 2026, graduating with honors. During law school, she interned for the Honorable Barbara Areces of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. She was also a member of Moot Court and the Hispanic American Law Student Association.
Tyrus A. Fleetwood is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. He brings experience in commercial transactions, contract drafting and review, regulatory compliance, due diligence, and legal-risk analysis. Mr. Fleetwood was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2026.
Mr. Fleetwood earned his J.D. and a Business Law Certificate from St. Thomas University College of Law in May 2026. During law school, he was a Certified Legal Intern at the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office, where he worked directly with Assistant State Attorneys on active prosecutions, legal analysis, and trial preparation. He also interned with in-house counsel at CDR Maguire on contract drafting and review, corporate and regulatory matters, due diligence, and compliance initiatives, and supported both litigation and transactional matters as a legal intern at BDGR Law.
Mr. Fleetwood served as a Legislative Analyst for the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, where he monitored legislation and county ordinances and prepared policy analyses and briefing materials.
Ms. Franks is a partner in the firm’s Miami office, where she defends local, national, and international organizations, as well as individuals, and tries catastrophic personal injury actions, premises liability matters, professional liability claims, construction defect matters, and medical/substance abuse treatment malpractice claims throughout the State of Florida.
Ms. Franks is originally from Pennsylvania and moved to South Florida in 2002 to study journalism and political science. Prior to pursuing her law degree, Ms. Franks taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami in the Department of Political Science for five years. Her classes included Intro to American National Government, the Legislative Process, and Congressional Representation. Ms. Franks earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2011.
Ms. Franks has considerable experience dealing with automobile negligence, professional malpractice, medical malpractice, and premises liability matters involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and extra contractual exposure, including a focus on evidentiary issues, dispositive motion practice, complex liability claims, and damages mitigation.
Ms. Franks earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Miami in 2004. She graduated cum laude with a double-major in journalism and political science. Ms. Franks went on to complete a Master’s degree in Communication at the University of Miami in 2005, also graduating cum laude.
Ms. Franks earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2011. At the University of Miami School of Law, Ms. Franks was the recipient of the Hugh L. Wood Scholarship, Outstanding Merit Scholarship, and the Ehrich Scholarship. Ms. Franks served as a research assistant to multiple highly regarded University of Miami School of Law professors in the areas of environmental litigation and legislation, the first amendment, and communication regulation.
Paola Garcia’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation, with a primary focus on general liability. Ms. Garcia’s General Liability experience includes premises liability, personal injury, property damage, professional liability, automobile and trucking accidents, wrongful death, cruise ship accidents, and negligent security cases. Ms. Garcia’s practice includes specific experience with a variety of lawsuits for one of the largest transportation network companies. Ms. Garcia regularly handles actions involving issues such as intentional torts, negligence, negligence security, premises liability, dram shop, products liability, and slip and fall.
Alex Garrett is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Tampa office and is a former Public Defender with extensive experience in a broad range of civil disputes. Mr. Garrett represents a wide range of clientele, including condominium associations, homeowners associations, small businesses, governmental entities, resorts, restaurants, and other establishments within the hospitality industry.
A Florida Native, Mr. Garrett is a “Double Gator” and received his Bachelor of Science in Finance and his Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida.
Mr. Garrett is committed to staying up to date on new developments in the law and is dedicated to providing his clients exceptional outcomes with a focus on their individual needs.
Doug Gerber is Of Counsel with Lydecker and works in the Firm’s Orlando office. Mr. Gerber been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005 and the Middle District of Florida since 2006. Mr. Gerber’s areas of practice include but are not limited to civil litigation, commercial litigation, general liability litigation, premises liability, property practice, and business law throughout the State of Florida. He has extensive experience in representing business entities, insurers, and individuals in litigation often involving motion practice, mediations, and trials.
A native Floridian who was born in and raised in South Florida and who has lived in Central Florida for more than 25 years, Mr. Gerber is a double Gator, having earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida in 1992 and his master’s degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences with a Specialization in Sports Management from the University of Florida in 1996. While at the University of Florida, Mr. Gerber was admitted and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
After working for various sports organizations in Central Florida involving amateur sports events, college bowl games, NFL exhibitions, and the 1996 Olympic Games, Mr. Gerber attended the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University, where was first a Staff Member and then became an Articles Editor for the Nova Law Review. Mr. Gerber had his article on the validity of arbitration clauses in personal injury suits involving minors published in the Fall 2003 issue of the Nova Law Review. He was also a member of the Pro Bono Honor Society while at the Shepard Broad Law Center after interning with the Administrative Judge for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida and with the City Attorney’s Office with the City of Coral Springs.
Mr. Gerber has served as the Chairman of the Real Property Law Committee of the Orange County Bar Association, was a member of the Small Claims Rules Committee of the Florida Bar, and most recently served as the Chair of Section C of the Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Ms. Gutierrez is an Associate Attorney at Lydecker’s Miami office handling matters throughout the State of Florida. She maintains a varied practice in insurance defense and commercial litigation matters, including general liability defense, bodily injury defense, professional malpractice, and a variety of other matters.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Gutierrez worked as an Associate at Florida defense firms where she gained significant litigation experience representing numerous insurance carriers in a wide range of litigation matters. After graduating from law school, Ms. Gutierrez was an Assistant State Attorney where she gained significant trial experience.
Mr. Harutunian was born and raised in suburban Boston, Massachusetts. He practices in the areas of bankruptcy law, commercial litigation, and labor and employment law.
Mr. Harutunian has litigated numerous bankruptcy, commercial, and employment cases in federal and state courts in Florida and New York. Prior to joining Lydecker, he worked as an Associate attorney at Phillips Nizer LLP, a medium sized general practice law firm, and Gazes LLC, a bankruptcy boutique, in New York, New York. Mr. Harutunian negotiated and litigated matters in large scale bankruptcy cases, including complex claims in the Enron Corp. and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. bankruptcy cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Harutunian also has litigated a variety of commercial disputes involving shareholder liability, insurance law, sales agreements, and other matters. From 1997-2000, he worked as an Associate attorney at Ford & Harrison LLP, a national labor and employment law firm, in Tampa, Florida. He litigated numerous employment discrimination cases including class action and other cases involving national retailers and grocery chains. After graduating from Tulane Law School, Mr. Harutunian served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Thomas B. McCoun III at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa.
Mr. Harutunian has counseled clients, given lectures, and authored articles on a variety of legal subjects in his practice areas. His publications include Trademark License Agreements: The Rights of a Debtor/Licensee to Assume, or Assume and Assign, are Uncertain, Vol. 237, No. 42, P. 10, New York Law Journal (March 5, 2007), focusing on whether a bankruptcy trustee or debtor in possession as licensee may assume, or assume and assign, trademark rights, and Market Value Is Key For ESOP Buys, Vol. 24, No. 47, P. B8, National Law Journal (August 12, 2002), exploring the duties of fiduciaries of Employee Stock Ownership Plans in light of the accounting scandals at Enron, WorldCom, and Arthur Andersen.
Mr. Hendricks is the Managing Partner for Lydecker LLP. He practices out of the firm’s Miami and Boca Raton offices where he maintains an active trial and civil litigation practice in the Federal, State, and Appellate Courts throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Hendricks’ areas of practice include general civil litigation and trial practice, commercial litigation, professional liability/malpractice defense, insurance/tort liability defense, and labor and employment. He also serves as lead trial counsel for the firm’s clients and carriers and oversees the firm’s trial teams. He has over 25 years of experience representing clients and has successfully defended clients against multi-million dollar cases as lead trial counsel. He is often called upon to assist clients and carriers on high exposure and large loss claims in his capacity as monitoring counsel or co-counsel.
Upon graduating with Honors from the University of Miami School of Law, Mr. Hendricks began practicing as an associate Greenberg, Traurig, in the environmental litigation and land use department. Looking to further his litigation experience he accepted a position as a practiced commercial litigation associate with Kimbrell & Hamann. In 1990, Mr. Hendricks relocated to Palm Beach County where he spent several years practicing insurance defense and commercial litigation at Walton Lantoff. He subsequently joined the firm of Carman, Beauchamp and Sang as a senior associate and trial attorney. From 1999 thru 2007, Mr. Hendricks was employed as a partner at Panza, Maurer, Maynard & Noel where he served as a senior litigation partner and lead trial attorney for many of the firm’s corporate, institutional and governmental clients.
In law school, Mr. Hendricks was the winner of the University of Miami Law School’s Mock Trial Competition and member of the National Trial Competition Team. He also served as a member of the Inter-American Law Review, member of the Society of Bar & Gavel, Society of Wig and Robe, and was inducted into the school’s Moot Court Board.
Mr. Hendricks’ representative clients include private and public educational institutions, environmental, pollution and toxic tort defense, prison liability, prison healthcare and liability, public and private corporations, municipal governments, state agencies and political subdivisions, insurance companies and self-insured entities. Mr. Hendricks’ trial experience includes Federal, state and appellate proceedings including public procurements and bid protests.
Angelique Hernandez is a trial lawyer in Lydecker’s Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami offices, trusted by sophisticated clients to defend their highest-stakes litigation. Her practice spans all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation, with a concentrated focus on employment, general liability, premises liability, and wrongful-death matters.
Angelique represents multinational corporations, Fortune 25 companies, municipalities, and high-profile “A-list” clients in complex disputes involving FLSA, FEHA, and FMLA claims, as well as wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, and wage-and-hour class and representative actions. She has tried more than a dozen cases to verdict and is equally formidable in driving efficient, strategic resolutions outside the courtroom. Known for her disciplined and tailored litigation strategy, Angelique develops case-specific defenses that position her clients for decisive wins, earning her a reputation as a trusted advisor and relentless advocate. Angelique began her legal career as an Assistant Public Defender, where she represented more than 1,000 indigent clients and honed the courtroom instincts that define her trial practice today.
Angelique earned her Juris Doctor, with honors, from Florida International University College of Law in May 2021. She served as Director of Coaches for the Moot Court Team, was awarded Best Orator, and was an Emory Civil Rights and Liberties Moot Court Competition Semifinalist. Angelique competed on her law school’s Trial Team and received the award for Outstanding Trial Team Member of the Year, the Tom Gamba Trial Advocate Scholarship, and recognition as an AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Semifinalist. She was also a Senior Staff Editor on the FIU Law Review and held board positions with the Women’s Law Society and the Cuban American Bar Association.
Driven by an unwavering commitment to service, Angelique’s dedication to her community is foundational to her practice. Her pro bono work has earned outstanding service awards, and she has received high recognition from the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office for her “Loyalty, Excellence, and Dedication to the Cause of Justice.” These values continue to define her approach to advocacy and leadership today.
Andres Hidalgo is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Hidalgo’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in personal injury and government liability. Prior to working at Lydecker, Mr. Hidalgo was an associate at a prominent boutique civil litigation firm.
Mr. Hidalgo graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 2023 through the school’s four-year joint J.D./M.B.A program. While in law school, Mr. Hidalgo was an active member of the University of Miami Race and Social Justice Law Review and of the Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board, which was ranked as the third-best program Moot Court Team in the nation at the time of his graduation. Mr. Hidalgo also excelled in Miami Law’s renowned Litigation Skills program, where he earned multiple honors distinctions. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Hidalgo gained invaluable experience interning at the Third District Court of Appeal, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Nicholas A. Hidalgo is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Hidalgo’s practice encompasses all aspects of federal and state civil litigation, with a primary focus in personal injury, negligent security, and premises liability matters. Prior to working at Lydecker, Mr. Hidalgo practiced as an Attorney at a prominent full-service law firm based in Miami, Florida, where he gained experience across all phases of litigation and developed a strong foundation in complex case analysis and advocacy.
Mr. Hidalgo earned his J.D. from St. Thomas University College of Law in 2025 and was admitted to the Florida Bar that same year. He began his legal career in 2019 as a law clerk for various law firms, where he developed a strong foundation in Florida civil litigation practice and procedure.
Jade Howard is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Orlando office, where her practice encompasses all aspects of insurance defense, with a primary focus on construction law and premises liability.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Howard practiced at two well-regarded insurance defense firms, representing carriers in homeowners, premises liability, bodily injury, and first party property claims.
Ms. Howard began her legal career as an Assistant Public Defender in Florida’s Seventh Judicial Circuit, where she handled over 2,000 cases and represented clients at every stage of the criminal process, including arrests, depositions, motion practice, and jury trials.
She earned her Juris Doctor in 2013, a Master of Public Administration in 2009, and a Bachelor of Science in 2008, all from Florida A&M University.
Jacqueline Humbert is an experienced trial attorney in Lydecker’s Miami office whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, creditor-debtor disputes, insurance litigation, construction defect matters, and other complex civil disputes. With more than 18 years of litigation experience, Ms. Humbert has represented individuals, businesses, insurers, property owners, financial institutions, and other clients in state and federal courts throughout Florida.
Ms. Humbert has extensive courtroom experience, having served as lead counsel in more than 75 jury trials. She began her career as an Assistant Public Defender in Broward County, where she spent more than a decade handling serious felony matters, including first-degree murder, major crimes, and death penalty cases. Her experience included complex motion practice, evidentiary hearings, appellate matters, and trial preparation, as well as supervising and mentoring junior attorneys.
Since transitioning to civil practice, Ms. Humbert has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of matters, including commercial and contract disputes, first-party property insurance and coverage litigation, construction defect and catastrophic property damage claims, and creditor-debtor matters. She also has significant experience in judgment enforcement and debt recovery, including domestication of judgments, fraudulent transfer actions, garnishments, levies, asset investigations, and other post-judgment remedies.
Ms. Humbert earned her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida. She is admitted to The Florida Bar and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Ms. Humbert is fluent in English and Spanish.
Melissa Hubble is Of Counsel in Lydecker, LLP’s Miami office. Ms. Hubble’s practice involves all aspects of state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in bodily injury, premises liability, general liability, and negligent security. Ms. Hubble also handles construction defect matters, tort liability, officers and directors, insurance coverage, and contractual litigation matters.
Ms. Hubble earned her J.D. from Ave Maria School of Law in May of 2021, graduating with honors. Prior to earning her degree at Ave Maria School of Law, Ms. Hubble attended the University of Florida Levin College of Law. During law school at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Ms. Hubble was a general editor for the Law of Public Policy Journal and a member of the John Marshall Bar Association.
Mr. Johnson specializes in the representation of professionals, corporations and insurers in a broad range of business and tort matters, including employment claims, environmental claims and other complex actions. Mr. Johnson also has experience litigating government municipal matters throughout the state of Florida, as well as representing journalists and media companies in intellectual property and defamation litigation. Mr. Johnson’s practice also includes the defense of attorneys, accountants and real estate professionals in professional liability matters and non-profit corporations as well as their directors and officers in a range of matters.
Before joining Lydecker, Mr. Johnson began his career as an associate in the Miami office of a business litigation boutique headquartered in New York, where he represented banking and corporate interests in multiple international business and commercial disputes. Mr. Johnson is also an experienced and accomplished appellate attorney, having multiple published Federal and Florida opinions, as well as oral arguments and appellate mediations across multiple appellate courts.
In addition to his professional commitments, Mr. Johnson recognizes his responsibility to serve the community. He is a member of the 100 Black Men of South Florida, one of the leading youth mentoring organizations in the country, as well as the Miami-Dade County Black Affairs Advisory Board. He is also a director of BAC Funding Corp. a non-profit state funded lender for disadvantaged business. He is also Secretary of the Coppin State University Development Foundation which raises money for scholarships to his alma mater, Coppin State University. He also Serves as Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade School District Audit and Budget Committee. He has also served as a member of the Executive Board of the Miami-Dade Chapter of NAACP and the Polemarch (President) of the Richmond-Perrine (FL) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Elizabeth Joseph is a Senior Associate in Lydecker’s Orlando and Miami offices. Ms. Joseph’s practice focuses on bodily injury, products liability, premises liability, and general liability matters.
Ms. Joseph’s experience spans a broad range of civil litigation, including automobile and commercial motor vehicle collisions, premises liability, insurance disputes, and complex tort claims.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Joseph served as supervising attorney at a plaintiff side personal injury law firm, where she managed a substantial litigation caseload while overseeing the firm’s operations and legal teams. She also has insurance defense experience in complex tort and general liability matters. Having represented both plaintiffs and defendants, she brings a unique perspective to case evaluation and litigation strategy.
Ms. Joseph earned her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law and her Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida.
Shaun Robert Koby is a Shareholder with the Firm’s Florida offices. His practice focuses in the areas of complex commercial litigation, professional malpractice, insurance defense, and constitutional law.
Mr. Koby earned his undergraduate degree from the Florida State University in 2004. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminology. Mr. Koby graduated first in his class out of over 9000 students.
Besides academics, he was also actively involved in Student Government and created two community service organizations that enabled students to perform countless hours of service to the FSU campus and surrounding community. During the summer before graduation, Mr. Koby was an intern in the Governor’s Office of Legislative Affairs for Governor Jeb Bush.
Mr. Koby earned his Juris Doctor Degree, with honors, from the University of Florida in 2007. He was a Teaching Assistant for Legal Research and Writing, Appellate Advocacy, and Trial Practice. Mr. Koby also created a community service organization named Gators United Together for Service and was awarded a Community Service Certificate upon completion of law school.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Koch served as a Public Defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Orlando, Florida. During his time as a Public Defender Mr. Koch handled cases ranging from felonies to misdemeanors, from intake to trial preparation. He has extensive litigation experience, including representing businesses and associations in state court. Mr. Koch finds success in securing favorable outcomes for his clients, including a full defense verdict during a four-day jury trial in May of 2023 which saved his clients from a potential million-dollar liability exposure.
David B. Kowalski is a partner in the Orlando office of Lydecker. He has extensive experience in the defense of civil disputes. Mr. Kowalski represents a wide range of clientele, including condominium associations, homeowners associations, governmental entities, trucking companies, products manufacturers, resorts, restaurants, and other establishments within the hospitality industry. This diverse background provides him with a unique perspective on the needs of each individual client. He has significant experience in cases of catastrophic personal injury, large settlement negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
While earning his Juris Doctorate, Mr. Kowalski worked as a law clerk with Jacksonville area law firms where he focused on complex commercial litigation. During the course of his clerkships, he gained experience litigating high value cases in state courts as well as the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. His interest in litigation lead him to Lydecker where he now practices a range of topics in civil defense.
Mr. Kowalski earned his Juris Doctorate in 2013 from the Florida State University College of Law where he graduated cum laude. There, he was an active member of the Dispute Resolution Society, Business Law Society, and Estate Planning & Elder Law Society. During the course of his legal education, Mr. Kowalski received numerous merit-based scholarships and was a five time recipient of the Dean’s List award. Prior to law school, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University.
Ms. LaFaurie is a Lydecker Partner overseeing teams throughout the Firm’s Florida and California offices, with extensive experience handling a wide variety of high exposure and complex general liability and personal injury matters. Ms. LaFaurie is the Head of the Firm’s Product Liability Department and the co-chair of the Mass Tort Department. She is one of the firm’s trial attorneys, who regularly handles matters through all phases of litigation, from evidentiary hearings, arbitrations, and through trial, before Local, State and Federal Courts in connection with a wide variety of complex civil and commercial litigation matters.
Ms. LaFaurie’s general liability, product liability, and mass tort litigation experience includes representing premises owners and operators, local and global manufacturers, as well as major national retailers in numerous areas within the wider tort-based field, such as catastrophic injury, premises liability claims, class action, mass and toxic tort litigation, recalled product claims, as well as defending claims involving consumer and commercially available substances and materials. Her experience includes high exposure injury, wrongful death, and commercial matters. Ms. LaFaurie proactively manages and advises her clients on legal and factual matters of first impression, including efforts to mitigate and limit the prospective of emerging and anticipated claims, future class action and large-scale legal exposures.
Ms. LaFaurie is actively involved in leadership and mentorship in several national organizations focused on defense of business owners of all kinds. She sits on several committees with a focus which reflects her practice in civil litigation, product liability and mass tort.
Quinn LaHiff is a partner in the firm’s Tampa office where his practice encompasses a broad range of civil defense matters.
A Florida native, Quinn received his Bachelor of Science of Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida. He then went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Stetson Law, where he served as Deputy Chief of the Stetson Ambassador and Mentorship Program. Upon graduation, Quinn began his practice as a civil litigation attorney representing clients in both state and Federal Court in a broad range of cases. In addition to litigating, Quinn also spent a significant portion of his career working in private capital and investment advisory firms serving as in-house counsel and chief compliance officer.
In his free time, Quinn enjoys spending time with his family in the great outdoors immersed in the natural beauty that his home state has to offer.
Jessica Less is an Associate at Lydecker’s Bankruptcy and Insurance Receivership Practice Group in Miami, Florida. Her practice involves representing clients in both federal and state court litigation with a primary focus on insolvency and creditors’ rights related cases. She regularly provides legal counsel to court-appointed receivers, secured creditors, and unsecured creditors in federal and state courts cases.
Prior to joining the firm in 2024, Ms. Less served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Pamela Ruest, Center County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. She earned her J.D. from The Pennsylvania State University, The Dickinson School of Law. During her legal studies, Ms. Less also served as President of the Black Law Students Association and chaired the Student Bar Association’s Diversity Committee.
Mr. Lewis is Of Counsel to the firm’s Miami office. Mr. Lewis spent over 35 years as a partner at a well known Miami insurance defense firm. Mr. Lewis concentrates his practice on defense of large corporations and insurance companies in premises liability, negligent security, products liability, legal malpractice and general tort liability.
At Lydecker Mr. Lewis serves as senior trial counsel having tried over 100 jury trials. Mr. Lewis has secured defense verdicts throughout the State of Florida, is AV rated and admitted to practice in all state and Federal Courts in the State of Florida.
Jonathan J. Levy is of counsel to the firm and based out of the Boca Raton office. Mr. Levy’s practice includes Construction and Design Defect claims focusing on defending developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, including architects, engineers, and surveyors, as well as environmental consultants, and product manufacturers.
A large portion of Mr. Levy’s practice involves construction and design defect disputes, including representation of clients during the Chapter 558 pre-suit process, litigation and arbitration.
Additionally, Mr. Levy has experience working on construction transactions matters, construction contract/payment disputes, environmental/pollution claims, design claims, and construction accident claims.
Mr. Levy joined the firm in March 2022. Prior to joining the firm Mr. Levy was an associate attorney at a boutique law firm specializing in Foreclosure Defense, Complex Business and Commercial Litigation, Appellate Advocacy, and Corporate Transactional Law.
Mr. Levy obtained his law degree from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law in 2019. During law school Mr. Levy served on the executive board for the Jewish Law Society and was a student delegate at AIPAC Policy Conference. Mr. Levy was also a law clerk at NSU’S Berger Entrepreneurship Clinic, providing legal work to underserved small businesses, and achieved Dean’s List for multiple semesters. Prior to law school Mr. Levy worked for high tech companies in Tel-Aviv, Israel, garnering substantial international business experience.
Valentina Lopera is an Associate at the Firm’s Miami office. Valentina’s practice focuses on civil litigation and insurance defense. Valentina has experience defending claims for personal injury sounding in auto negligence, premises liability, product liability, and construction negligence, as well as defending first party property damage claims, civil rights claims, employment-based claims, and workers’ compensation claims.
After graduating cum laude from Florida International University with a degree in Political Science, Valentina obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law. While in law school, Valentina was a Junior Associate and Bilingual Translator for the school journal, ILSA Journal of International and Comparative Law.
Valentina has a commitment to pro-bono work and received an honorary distinction for completing more than 200 hours of pro-bono services during law school career. Valentina interned with Mission United Veterans Pro Bono Legal Aid Services of Broward County, where she helped low-income veterans appeal their military discharge status and/or their benefits; as well as assisting veterans in various civil matters including evictions and child custody disputes. Valentina also interned at the Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law Clinic, providing legal assistance services to caregivers of adults with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, Valentina has experience having interned with the Miami-Dade Public Schools Board of Education. Valentina continues to do pro-bono work.
Christopher Lutzel is an associate at the firm’s Dallas and Miami offices. Mr. Lutzel is a detail-oriented, communicative litigator experienced in providing tailored strategies that conclude with superb results for his clients whether through favorable settlements or other means of resolution. Mr. Lutzel provides in-depth analysis of all facets of a case from presuit investigation through trial preparation in order to provide his clients with optimal strategy recommendations based on how any case develops through the course of litigation.
Mr. Lutzel concentrates his practice in cases involving Bodily Injury, Premises Liability, and Commercial and Homeowner’s First-Party Disputes. His experience involves matters dealing with traumatic brain injuries, physical altercations resulting in injury, slip/trip and fall, and motor vehicle accidents among others in addition to his experience in property matters centered around catastrophes, weather, and non-weather related property damage.
Mr. Lutzel graduated from the FIU College of Law. While in Law School, Mr. Lutzel was president of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Society. While in college, Mr. Lutzel was a member of the Baylor University football team.
Richard Lydecker is a founding partner at Lydecker, a full-service AV-rated national law firm with offices throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, and Georgia. As a distinguished leader and visionary in the legal community, Richard has played an instrumental role in shaping the firm’s reputation and success since its inception in 1994 as an aggressive and responsive law firm.
With a career spanning over several decades, Richard J. Lydecker has established himself as a formidable force in the field of defense litigation. His practice predominantly focuses on complex commercial litigation, professional liability, bodily injury, auto negligence, environmental law, employment, D&O, E&O, accounting malpractice, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, bad faith litigation, and insurance coverage. His extensive background in these areas has earned him recognition as a trusted and skilled litigator, consistently delivering exceptional results for his clients. Richard’s diverse and extensive background makes Lydecker a premiere law firm.
Richard’s legal journey began with a robust education and training, laying the foundation for his future accomplishments. He earned his Juris Doctor from a prestigious law school and quickly rose through the ranks, gaining invaluable experience and expertise in civil litigation. Over the years, Richard has handled a wide array of cases, ranging from intricate commercial disputes to high-stakes professional liability claims.
Prior to Richard’s career in civil practice, he was a Senior Major Case Bureau Prosecutor in New York with an outstanding record of success in preparing, managing, and trying high-profile cases. Casework involved high-profile, high-visibility criminal prosecution of homicides, robbery, arson, rape, and burglary. Richard successfully tried in excess of 100 criminal cases, many resulting in guilty verdicts carrying life sentences. Before accepting his appointment to the District Attorney’s Office, Richard was an attorney at a prestigious Wall Street, N.Y. law firm.
Richard Lydecker’s remarkable career as a founding partner of Lydecker showcases his expertise in defense litigation, his leadership within the firm, and his dedication to client success. His diverse background and extensive experience have made him a respected figure in the legal community, and his contributions continue to shape the firm’s reputation as a premier law firm nationwide.
Today Lydecker has ten main practice areas:
- Appellate
- Bankruptcy and Banking
- Business, Corporate and Transactional
- Condominium & HOA
- Construction Design & Environmental
- Employment
- General Liability
- Government
- Insurance
- Professional Liability
Lydecker has the following sub practice areas:
Accounting Malpractice, Admiralty and Maritime, Appellate Advocacy, Appellate Practice, Architects and Engineers, Attorney Malpractice, Bad Faith Litigation, Banking and Financial Services Litigation, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights, Bodily Injury Defense, Business Law, Business Reorganization, Catastrophic Injury & Loss Defense, Class Action Defense, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Property, Complex Commercial Litigation, Condominium & Homeowners’ Association Law, Construction & Design Contracts, Construction Accident Claims, Construction Defect Litigation, Construction Payment, Delay and Lien Disputes, Corporate Law, Corporate Liability, Coverage Disputes, Cyber Liability ⁄ Internet Law, Defamation, Directors and Officers, Education Law, Environmental Law, Errors and Omissions, Financial Litigation, General Liability, Government, Government Liability, Healthcare, Hospitality, Insurance, Insurance Agents and Brokers, Insurance Coverage and Extra-Contractual Litigation, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Land Use and Zoning, Mass Environmental Toxic Tort Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Negligent Security, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Property Practice, Real Estate Practice, Residential Property, Tort Liability, Transportation Liability and Workers Compensation.
Complex Commercial Litigation: Richard’s proficiency in complex commercial litigation is well-known. He has successfully represented clients in multifaceted legal battles, navigating intricate legal frameworks and securing favorable outcomes. His strategic approach and meticulous attention to detail have been pivotal in resolving disputes efficiently and effectively.
Professional Liability: Richard has extensive experience defending professionals across various industries against liability claims. His deep understanding of the nuances of professional conduct and standards enables him to provide robust defense strategies, protecting his clients’ reputations and careers.
Bad Faith Litigation: Richard is a recognized authority in bad faith litigation, representing clients in cases involving insurance companies. His tenacity and commitment to justice have resulted in significant victories, holding insurers accountable for their obligations.
Insurance Coverage: Richard’s expertise extends to insurance coverage matters, where he advises clients on complex coverage issues and disputes. His comprehensive knowledge of insurance law ensures that his clients receive the coverage they are entitled to, and he has successfully litigated numerous coverage cases.
Leadership and Oversight
As a founding partner, Richard oversees the firm’s practice groups and manages the firm’s relationships with its clients and carriers. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and client-centric service. Richard is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment within the firm, ensuring that every client receives personalized attention and tailored legal solutions.
Richard’s strategic vision has been instrumental in the firm’s growth and expansion. Under his guidance, Lydecker has become a nationally recognized law firm, known for its dedication to client success and its ability to handle complex legal challenges. His emphasis on continuous improvement and professional development has cultivated a team of highly skilled attorneys who share his passion for legal excellence.
Commitment to Clients
Richard’s client-centric approach is at the heart of his practice. He believes in building long-standing relationships grounded in mutual trust and respect. By understanding each client’s unique needs and goals, Richard provides strategic counsel and representation that aligns with their best interests. His ability to navigate complex legal landscapes and deliver practical solutions has earned him a loyal client base and numerous accolades within the legal community.
Personal and Professional Values
Beyond his professional achievements, Richard is known for his unwavering commitment to integrity, ethics, and community service. He actively participates in various professional organizations and contributes to legal scholarship through speaking engagements and publications. Richard’s dedication to giving back to the community is reflected in his involvement in pro bono work and charitable initiatives.
Looking Ahead
As Lydecker continues to grow and evolve, Richard remains dedicated to leading the firm towards new heights of success. His vision for the future includes expanding the firm’s capabilities, embracing technological advancements, and maintaining the highest standards of legal practice. Richard’s legacy is one of excellence, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Spencer Mallard is a Board Certified Construction Lawyer with a statewide practice in all facets of construction and oversees the Firm’s construction practice. Mr. Mallard represents developers, general contractors, design professionals, environmental consultants, subcontractors and product manufacturers in a variety of contexts. These representations include construction and design defect disputes, construction transactions, construction contract/payment disputes, environmental/pollution claims and construction accident claims.
A large portion of his practice involves construction and design defect disputes, including representation of clients during the Chapter 558 pre-suit process, litigation and arbitration.
Mr. Mallard has handled countless construction and design defect related disputes, including matters premised on building code violations, breaches of statutory implied warranties, contracts, indemnity agreements, and negligence. These disputes include alleged water intrusion through building exteriors, structural instability/cracking/settlement, mechanical/electrical/plumbing/fire suppression system performance/durability issues, inadequate building/site drainage and exterior coating/cladding failures. In addition to defending all clients from these claims, Mr. Mallard frequently represents developers and general contractors in the presentation of pass-through claims. He also has extensive experience litigating and advising on insurance coverage issues pertaining to construction and design defect claims. Mr. Mallard’s practice also includes representation of owners, contractors and design professionals in construction transactions.
This includes drafting/negotiation of contracts, advising clients during planning of developments, assisting with administration the construction process, resolving issues during project close-out and pre-turnover of condominium.
Jade Manning is an Associate in Lydecker’s Boca Raton office. Ms. Manning’s practice involves all aspects of trial and appellate litigation with a primary focus on appellate, general liability and commercial litigation. Ms. Manning also handles government liability, errors and omissions, negligent security, premises liability, and professional liability.
Ms. Manning earned her J.D. from Florida International University College of Law, graduating cum laude. During law school, Ms. Manning interned at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida where she gained invaluable experience analyzing civil rights issues. Additionally, Ms. Manning was a research assistant at FIU Law, responsible for researching complex contractual issues, while also serving as a member of FIU’s Negotiation and Mediation Team. During law school, Ms. Manning earned CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Sales, Bankruptcy, Secured Transaction and Banking Regulations. Finally, Ms. Manning was a Deans Scholar and awarded an Excellence in Civic Engagement Medallion for her extensive pro-bono work.
Rachel Marolf is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Marolf’s practice involves aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in employment, personal injury, government liability, and civil rights litigation.
Ms. Marolf earned her J.D. from Florida International University College of Law in May 2025, graduating with honors and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami. During law school, she was a member of FIU Law Review, where she contributed to scholarly research and writing.
Meliz Martin is a Partner in the firm’s Miami office. Ms. Martin represents developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and insurance carriers in a variety of contexts arising from the construction and use of real property. These representations include construction and design defect disputes, construction transactions, construction contract/payment disputes, environmental claims, and construction accident claims involving catastrophic injuries. Her practice involves disputes arising from water intrusion through building exteriors; structural integrity; mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire suppression system performance issues; inadequate site drainage; and exterior coating and cladding failures.
A large portion of her practice involves construction and design defect disputes, including representation of clients during the Chapter 558 pre-suit process, litigation and arbitration. Ms. Martin’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state trial litigation. She has taken hundreds of depositions and has attended hundreds of hearings. She obtained favorable results in the vast majority of these matters.
Ms. Martin’s litigation philosophy involves having an eye towards detail, this is especially true in design and construction litigation, as these claims have multiple parties and voluminous multiyear records for the life span of a construction project. Equally important is a focus on plaintiffs’ claims, which typically involve tens of hundreds of defect items. Understanding these complex facts and issues facilitates opportunities for risk transfer and early resolution of matters.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Martin was practicing in the areas of condominium and homeowners association, construction and real estate litigation.
Ms. Matthews is an Associate in the Firm’s Employment & Labor Practice Group, where she represents employers and insurers in a wide range of employment-related matters. Ms. Matthews assists with the defense of claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, and other workplace-related issues. Ms. Matthews works closely with clients to develop practical strategies that minimize risk, ensure compliance with evolving employment laws, and efficiently resolve disputes through litigation, counseling, and alternative dispute resolution.
Ms. Matthews earned her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law, where she was actively involved in student organizations and community outreach initiatives. During law school, she participated in the Palermo Program, mentoring high school students in Miami-Dade County interested in pursuing legal careers. Ms. Matthews was also a member of the Black Law Students Association, focusing on leadership, advocacy and diversity within the legal field.
Eric McAliley brings more than two decades of legal experience to his representation of professionals in E&O claims and of clients with respect to high exposure personal injury and CGL claims. He draws on his education in accounting/tax, and unique prior career experience in engineering with Pratt & Whitney and the South Florida Water Management District to bring added value to his practice.
Eric defends cases on behalf of clients involving E&O Claims including, legal malpractice, negligence, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and other common law and statutory claims. Eric represents attorneys, financial professionals, including securities brokers-dealers, accountants, retail and wholesale brokers and insurance agents. Eric also is part of the Appellate Practice team and handles all types of appellate proceedings and provides litigation support services to trial counsel by developing effective strategies at the trial level in anticipation of an appeal.
Eric’s CGL practice consists of defending claims involving physical and emotional injuries including, but not limited to, automobile negligence, negligent security, premises liability, 1983 claims, and intentional torts. With respect to claims against governmental entities, Eric regularly handles cases involving complex issues of constitutional law, sovereign immunity, civil rights, torts, and common law claims.
Eric also serves as trial counsel for the firm’s clients and carriers and assists with the firm’s trial teams.
Morgan Taylor McCarthy is a Partner in the Miami and Tampa office. Ms. McCarthy represents clients throughout the state in a variety of federal and state civil litigation claims with a focus on labor and employment. These claims involve allegations of violations of Title VII, whistleblower claims, ADEA claims, Title IX, EPA claims, ADA claims, Family and Medical Leave Act claims, Fair Labor Standards Act claims and Florida Civil Rights Act violations. As part of her practice, Ms. McCarthy represents clients in pre-suit claims, in addition to handling charges filed with government agencies such as the EEOC and NLRB.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. McCarthy represented private companies in all aspects of labor and employment litigation. Ms. McCarthy has additional litigation experience in insurance defense, defending clients in a wide array of general liability matters as well as property damage cases.
Matthew McElligott is a Partner at Lydecker’s Miami office and is a veteran trial attorney with extensive experience litigating across the legal spectrum. At Lydecker, Mr. McElligott’s practice areas include premises liability, products liability, professional liability, bad faith litigation, complex commercial litigation, construction defect / accident claims, negligent security, and catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
Mr. McElligott is originally from Virginia and attended George Mason University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in the Administration of Justice. Mr. McElligott then earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law graduating cum laude and receiving book awards in Professional Responsibility and Evidence.
Mr. McElligott began his legal career at the Miami Dade Public Defender’s Office and amassed considerable trial experience representing clients over a wide range of criminal offenses. Since then, Mr. McElligott has represented individuals and companies in a wide range of civil matters as both plaintiffs and defendants with a focus on litigation and courtroom advocacy. Mr. McElligott also has substantial appellate experience having authored several writs and appeals throughout the District Courts of Florida.
Mr. McElligott’s comprehensive litigation experience is an asset to clients in need of zealous, professional, and effective representation.
Armando Mejias is a litigation associate based Lydecker’s Miami office, specializing in complex commercial litigation, contract disputes, and appellate matters. He is recognized for his precise legal research, strategic motion practice, and drafting of sophisticated briefs in both state and federal courts.
Armando has extensive experience handling high‑stakes litigation, complex corporate disputes, and international arbitration matters. His work encompasses trial preparation, discovery strategy, appellate advocacy, and transactional litigation issues. In addition, he provides bilingual legal support and has developed a reputation for combining analytical rigor with practical solutions for clients.
He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2022, including an exchange program at Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Systems of Justice, summa cum laude, from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. Armando is admitted to practice in Florida and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Ms. Mevers is the Chair of the Employment Practices Liability Division. During her practice, Ms. Mevers has been involved in complex litigation and administrative proceedings in the areas of education, labor and employment, professional liability and governmental immunity.
Ms. Mevers has also represented creditors in both Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA) claims including class actions. We look at each claim with a view of costs, benefits while also seeking to limit risk and liability.
She has provided training and lectures to a vast array of corporate, public and private entities on the following topics: Corporate Compliance issues involving the following: Title VII, HIPAA, Sexual Harassment, ADA, Student Admission Issues and Standards, and Student Disciplinary Issues. Ms. Mevers has also developed and implemented corporate compliance plans for multiple public, private and governmental entities.
Ms. Mevers has been responsible for managing labor and employment matters from pre-suit, including prior to an administrative filing through trial. She has represented a private university at the administrative stage as well as in both federal and state courts in areas of labor and employment, educational law, and contract negotiations. Ms. Mevers has developed and implemented voluntary compliance programs for private educational institutions including training, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and provision of services by outside vendors in conjunction with regular audits.
As part of her litigation practice, Ms. Mevers has investigated a number of cases of alleged discrimination, including sex/gender discrimination, disability claims, sexual harassment claims, national origin claims, marital status claims, sexual orientation claims, workers’ compensation retaliation claims, religion claims, age claims, and race discrimination claims. She has investigated hostile work environments and made recommendations to eradicate long-standing discriminatory practices. Besides investigations, Ms. Mevers has handled numerous employment claims in both state and federal courts involving allegations of violations of Title VII, whistleblower claims, ADEA claims, Title IX, EPA claims, ADA claims, Family and Medical Leave Act claims, Fair Labor Standards Act claims and Florida Civil Rights Act violations, favorably handling these cases.
Ms. Mevers received accolades for her involvement and leadership in the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Program, providing free tax assistance to low-to-moderate income individuals.
Christy Montoto is Of Counsel in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Montoto concentrates her practice in civil litigation with a primary focus on insurance defense, general liability, premises liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, construction litigation, and related liability matters. She represents insurance carriers, corporate clients, businesses, and individuals in state and federal courts throughout Florida.
Ms. Montoto brings nearly 20 years of litigation experience representing clients through all phases of civil litigation, from pre-suit evaluation through trial and appeal. She regularly advises clients on litigation strategy, liability analysis, risk management, and the efficient resolution of disputes. Her practice includes the evaluation of complex medical and liability issues, damages analysis, and the defense of a wide variety of civil litigation matters.
Throughout her career, Ms. Montoto has represented national insurance carriers, corporate clients, businesses, governmental entities, and individuals in matters involving insurance defense, general liability, premises liability, personal injury, wrongful death, and disability claims. She has also worked extensively with medical experts, healthcare providers, engineers, vocational specialists, and other professionals in the evaluation and defense of complex claims.
Ms. Montoto is committed to delivering practical legal solutions, exceptional client service, and effective advocacy tailored to each client’s objectives.
Erika Mora is an Associate Lydecker’s Miami office whose practice focuses primarily on Construction Defect litigation. She represents developers, contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and insurers in complex construction disputes, providing strategic guidance through every stage of the litigation process.
Before transitioning her practice to construction defect matters, Erika represented insurers in First Party Property litigation, where she developed a strong foundation in insurance coverage and claims related issues. Her diverse civil litigation experience enables her to effectively analyze complex legal issues and develop practical solutions tailored to her clients’ business objectives.
Mewerick Mozza is an Of Counsel attorney at the Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Mozza concentrates his practice in all aspects of federal and state civil litigation.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Mozza worked for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at the Chambers of Magistrate Judge John J. O’Sullivan, where he aided with matters from Social Security Disability determinations, maritime personal injury cases, to international breach of contracts. Furthermore, Magistrate Judge O’Sullivan and Mr. Mozza were invited to Bolivia to provide an international conference where they were awarded Distinguished Visitor status and laws passed under their names for aiding the judiciary system in Bolivia. Additionally, Mr. Mozza worked for Mozza & Abogados Asociados exposing him to a different legal system. He counseled in the administration and legal transactions of the clients’ international businesses throughout South America and in the United States, including the purchasing and leasing of real estate and their international commercial transactions. Furthermore, Mr. Mozza was the recipient of the Law Awards 2022 by Latin American Quality Institute due to the exceptional performance in representing clients in international business transactions. In addition, Mr. Mozza worked at the Law Offices of Anidjar and Levine, P.A., where he handled personal injury claims and property damage claims in the pre-litigation and litigation departments. Mr. Mozza is committed to providing aggressive representation for all his clients and ensuring all clients receive effective legal representation.
Mr. Mozza graduated from the Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts and Majors in Political Science, Philosophy, and International Studies in addition to a Minor in Human Communication in 2011. Mr. Mozza graduated Cum Laude from his Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2015, and was a member of the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review. Subsequently, Mr. Mozza graduated from a Master in Law in International Commercial Arbitration from the University of Miami in 2017. Mr. Mozza additionally obtained a Bachelor of Humanities in Political Science from Universidad Autónoma Gabriel Rene Moreno, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in 2022. In addition to being a member in good standing of the Florida Bar, Mr. Mozza is also a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Daniel Muggeo is an associate in the firm’s Boca Raton office. Mr. Muggeo focuses his practice on civil litigation including the defense of negligence, traumatic bodily injury, wrongful death, and malpractice. Mr. Muggeo is admitted to practice law in Florida state courts. Mr. Muggeo received his Juris Doctorate from the Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University where he was a member of the ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law and the Nova Trial Association. He earned his undergraduate degree from Nova Southeastern University where he received his degree in legal studies.
Delaney Nix is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Nix’s practice focuses on all aspects of liability and general civil litigation.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Nix gained legal experience in a variety of practice areas, including general civil litigation, personal injury, probate, healthcare law, regulatory compliance, and contractual matters.
Ms. Nix earned her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law in May 2026, graduating cum laude. During law school, Ms. Nix served as Executive Online Editor and a published member of the St. Thomas Law Review. She was also an active member of the Moot Court team, earning Best Brief honors and advancing to the semifinals at the national Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Competition. Additionally, she received the CALI Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy and served as Secretary of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society.
Mr. Norris’s practice primarily involves representing, defending, and counseling business owners regarding a diverse array of legal issues. Mr. Norris has had the privilege of successfully representing hotel operators and other hospitality businesses, medical practices, airlines, MROs, universities, banks, governmental entities, large institutional clients, and small businesses.
Mr. Norris has extensively litigated matters involving labor and employment law, commercial law, professional liability, hospitality law, premises liability, ADA accessibility, real estate, admiralty and maritime, wrongful death, and various types of negligence. Mr. Norris has defended private and public employers in all phases of litigation, from administrative hearings through trial on matters arising under Federal, State and local employment laws.
Mr. Norris also has extensive experience servicing business owners in the preparation and negotiation of contracts, including stock purchase and asset purchase agreements, ensuring compliance with laws, rules, and regulations, and providing guidance to mitigate risk and limit liability.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Norris served as in-house counsel for a successful Real Estate Investment Company that focused on acquiring and re-positioning distressed assets.
Katrina Pacheco is an Associate at Lydecker handling Florida civil litigation matters. Ms. Pacheco has extensive experience in the defense of civil disputes. She maintains a varied practice in insurance defense and commercial litigation, including general bodily injury and casualty, and professional malpractice.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Pacheco was an Associate at a prominent Florida defense firm where she gained significant litigation experience representing numerous insurance carriers in First Party Property matters throughout Florida. While earning her Juris Doctorate, Ms. Pacheco clerked with the Honorable Judge Peter Lopez and also worked as a law clerk with boutique law firms in the Miami area who focused on insurance litigation at both the State and Federal levels.
Daniel De La Parra is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. De La Parra’s practice encompasses all aspects of federal and state civil litigation, with a primary focus on personal injury, negligent security, and premises liability matters. Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. De La Parra practiced as an attorney at a personal injury law firm in Miami, Florida, where he developed a strong foundation in case analysis, litigation strategy, and client advocacy.
Mr. De La Parra earned his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law in 2025 and was admitted to The Florida Bar that same year. He began his legal career as a law clerk in 2024 and participated in the St. Thomas University Bankruptcy Clinic, where he gained valuable experience in both Florida and federal civil litigation practice and procedure.
Pooja Patel is Of Cousel in Lydecker’s Miami office and is a labor and employment attorney with extensive experience representing public and private employers in a wide range of workplace matters. Pooja’s practice encompasses employment litigation, administrative proceedings, and day-to-day counseling on complex employment issues. She has defended employers against claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, disability accommodations, and protected leave under federal, state, and local employment laws. Pooja has experience managing matters through all stages of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, dispositive motions, mediations, hearings, and settlement negotiations.
Pooja also represents employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and related state agencies. She has significant experience responding to charges of discrimination, including conducting factual investigations, analyzing relevant employment records and workplace policies, assessing potential exposure, and preparing comprehensive position statements on behalf of employers.
Additionally, Pooja counsels employers on a wide range of day-to-day workplace matters, including employee discipline and terminations, disability accommodations, and leave management. She assists employers with drafting and reviewing employment and severance agreements, employee handbooks, workplace policies, and other compliance-related materials. Pooja takes a practical, business-oriented approach to counseling employers, helping them navigate complex workplace issues, proactively address potential risks, and implement solutions that align with their operational and organizational objectives.
Pooja is also an active writer and speaker on developments affecting employers. She has authored articles for The Checkoff, a publication of The Florida Bar Labor & Employment Law Section, addressing developments in diversity, equity, and inclusion laws affecting public and private employers. She has also presented on FMLA compliance and leave management to human resources professionals at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Broward Legal Conference and the Florida Public Human Resources Association Annual Conference.
Mr. Patten is a Partner at Lydecker’s New York and New Jersey offices. He serves in the commercial litigation department where he works on third party insurance defense, including General Liability Defense, Bodily Injury Defense, New York Labor Law Defense, Construction Defect Litigation, Architects & Engineers litigation, Products Liability, and a variety of other civil litigation issues. Mr. Patten has litigated countless cases involving wrongful death and catastrophic accidents/injuries at construction sites, including claims brought under New York Labor Laws section 200, 240, and 241.
In addition, Mr. Patten is an expert in automobile negligence defense. He has been working in the auto negligence industry for the majority of his career and manages complex cases involving multi-vehicle accidents and catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Mr. Patten provides legal guidance on issues involving vicarious liability, indemnity, as well as non-permissive use. He has experience in both trial and arbitration settings, reaching final judgments, verdicts, and beneficial settlements for his auto negligence clients.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Patten was a prosecutor for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office where he obtained extensive trial experience prosecuting criminal misdemeanor and felony level charges. Mr. Patten also prosecuted for the State of Florida Department of Children and Families, where he litigated dependency issues and termination of parental rights cases.
Mr. Patten received his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in the top 3% of his class. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in History, Cum Laude, from St. John’s University in Minnesota.
While in law school, Mr. Patten served as Editor-in-Chief for the St. Thomas Law Review, as well as Student Bar Association President. Mr. Patten also tutored students in property law and worked as an intern for the Honorable Judge John O’Sullivan in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Andrew is a Partner in Lydecker’s Orlando office. Andrew represents clients in a variety of construction related disputes including construction and design defect, transactional, contract drafting, review and negotiation, construction contract disputes, construction delay claims and licensure/regulatory matters.
Andrew provides a full-service practice to clients, providing advice at all states of a construction project from initial contract creation, mid-project disputes, termination and all phases of litigation from pre-suit to final disposition. Andrew has handles construction disputes throughout the State of Florida representing developers, general contractors and subcontractors at mediation, arbitration and trial. He also has extensive experience in general civil litigation in a variety of civil matters including residential finance and insurance defense.
Gabrielle Pepple is an Associate Lydecker’s Boca Raton, Florida office. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Pepple was an associate at insurance defense firms practicing in the areas of condominium/homeowner’s association disputes, premises liability, negligent security, emotional distress claims, defamation claims, and auto-negligence.
She was born and raised in Northern Indiana and has resided in Florida since graduating law school. She earned her Juris Doctor at Ohio Northern University, Claude W. Pettit College of Law in 2021 and her Bachelor of Arts (with focuses in Philosophy and Political Science) from Marian University, Indianapolis in 2018.
Valeria Peralta is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Peralta’s practice focuses on general liability and civil litigation. Prior to joining Lydecker, she gained experience in various stages of litigation, including legal research, drafting pleadings and motions, discovery, deposition preparation, and trial preparation.
Ms. Peralta earned her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law in May 2026. During law school, she served as Secretary of the Maritime Law Society.
Ms. Peralta earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management, cum laude, from Florida International University. She was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2026 and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Sebastian Perez is an Associate Attorney in Lydecker’s Miami office, where he focuses his practice on general liability and employment defense. His legal background encompasses both federal and civil litigation.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Mr. Perez served in the Major Crimes Section of the Criminal Division at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. There, he worked alongside federal prosecutors and gained firsthand insight into federal criminal litigation and the preparation of significant criminal matters. He further developed his legal foundation through experience with established boutique litigation firms in Miami, broadening his understanding of courtroom advocacy and civil dispute resolution.
Born and raised in Miami, Mr. Perez earned his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law, where he earned Dean’s List honors, received the Honorable Peter T. Fay Scholarship, and was awarded a CALI Excellence for the Future Award. He previously earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida State University.
Mr. Perez is a member of the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) and is fluent in Spanish. Outside the practice of law, he is an avid traveler and scuba diver who enjoys running half-marathons and playing the piano.
Christopher Perini is Of Counsel at Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Perini’s practice primarily focuses on personal injury defense, general liability and tort liability. Mr. Perini also has extensive experience defending employment litigation matters, including FLSA and FMLA violations, and Title VII violations including discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment.
Stephanie Pidermann (Woodard) is a shareholder in the firm’s Miami, Florida office. Ms. Pidermann concentrates her practice on commercial litigation matters, as well as, defending, significant labor & employment, personal injury, premises liability, and professional liability lawsuits. She represents major hotels, grocers and retailers, Fortune 500 companies, insurers, governmental entities, and transportation companies in state and federal courts throughout Florida and the United States.
Ms. Pidermann’s Labor and Employment litigation experience includes representing private and public employers in all phases of employment litigation, from administrative hearings through trial on matters arising under Federal, State and local employment laws. Ms. Pidermann regularly handles Federal and State actions involving issues of civil rights violations, False Claims Act litigation, sovereign immunity, qualified immunity, 1983 actions, wrongful death claims, sexual harassment, FLSA compliance, discrimination, retaliation, Title VII, whistleblower claims, fraud, and a battery of common law torts.
Ms. Pidermann also regularly represents Directors and Officers in actions involving violations of consumer protection laws, misrepresentation, fraud, malpractice, breaches of fiduciary duties, violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and generalized negligence. She has represented insurance brokers, accountants, brokers, real estate professionals, title agents, closing agents, appraisers, home inspectors, escrow agents, and health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, physician’s assistants, and mental health practitioners involved in a wide array of claims.
Ms. Pidermann has been consistently recognized as a Florida Super Lawyers “Rising Star” since 2014 and has been recognized as a Legal Elite lawyer by Florida Trend’s Legal Elite since 2014.
Victoria Quintana is an Associate Attorney in Lydecker’s Miami office. Her practice involves all aspects of civil litigation in Florida state courts, with a focus on environmental torts and general liability. Ms. Quintana represents clients throughout the litigation process, from the initial evaluation of a matter through resolution.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Quintana handled a broad range of civil litigation matters. She also served as a judicial intern in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, conducting legal research and gaining valuable insight into judicial proceedings and courtroom practice.
Mr. Richardson is an Associate in the Products Liability department of Lydecker’s Miami office. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University) and his Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School.
While earning his Juris Doctor, Jordan was an intern for a legal center for women and children. After finishing law school, he worked as a law clerk, gaining experience in maritime and personal injury law for a firm in Miami.
Ms. Robles is a Partner at Lydecker, where her focus is on Florida civil litigation. She maintains a varied practice in insurance defense and commercial litigation, including general bodily injury and casualty, and first-party property, as well as professional malpractice.
Before joining Lydecker, Ms. Robles was an Associate at Cole, Scott & Kissane in their First-party Property Group, representing carriers throughout South Florida and gaining extensive litigation experience.
Dianera Rodriguez is an Associate in the Products Liability department in the firm’s Miami office. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Rodriguez was an associate at a civil defense litigation firm where she handled premises liability claims, personal injury claims, property damage claims, and workers’ compensation claims.
Ms. Rodriguez earned Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law and her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice along with a Minor in Business from Florida International University. During law school, Ms. Rodriguez received the Dean’s Honor Award and CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Criminal Justice.
Nicholas Rodriguez is an Associate Attorney in Lydecker’s Miami office, where he focuses his practice on general liability litigation. His prior legal experience includes working on commercial litigation and healthcare recovery matters.
Nicholas earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida.
Linda Rojas is an Associate Attorney in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms Rojas’ practice involves all aspects of labor and employment litigation in both state and federal courts.
Ms. Rojas earned her J.D., cum laude, from St. Thomas University College of Law in May 2025. During law school, she interned for the Honorable Adalberto Jordan in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She was also an active member of the Moot Court Board, the Cuban American Student Bar Association, and the Mark J. Wolff Tax Law Society.
Before pursuing her J.D., Ms. Rojas completed her degree in Comparative Law from IE University’s School of Law in Spain, where she graduated with honors.
Alexa Ruiz is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Ruiz’s practice involves civil litigation, with experience handling premises liability, construction negligence, and bodily injury claims. Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Ruiz served as an Assistant State Attorney with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted criminal matters from charging through resolution and handled all stages of litigation leading up to and through trial. Ms. Ruiz served as first-chair counsel in both bench and jury trials and has experience conducting depositions, arguing motions, negotiating plea agreements and settlements, developing trial strategy, and preparing matters for trial.
Ms. Ruiz earned her J.D., cum laude, from St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law in 2024. During law school, Ms. Ruiz served as an Articles Editor for the Law Review and as Vice President of Communications for the Trial Team. She was also a Dean’s List student and Merit Scholarship recipient. Ms. Ruiz earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance, magna cum laude, from Florida International University.
Ms. Ruiz is a member of the Trial Lawyers Section, Business Law Section, and Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Horacio Ruiz-Lugo is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Mr. Ruiz-Lugo’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in commercial litigation, premises liability, and personal injury. Mr. Ruiz-Lugo also has experience in complex commercial, intellectual property, and employment litigation matters.
Mr. Ruiz-Lugo graduated from the University of Florida with a Masters in International Business in May 2020. Mr. Ruiz-Lugo then earned his J.D. from Florida International University College of Law in May 2023, graduating with Cum Laude honors. During law school, Mr. Ruiz-Lugo earned a CALI Excellence Award for Legal Writing, Dean’s List honors, and an Intellectual Property Certificate.
Mr. Leon-Schetina is an Associate Attorney in the firm’s Miami office. Mr. Leon-Schetina’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil litigation with a primary focus on labor and employment, corporate liability, and government liability.
Mr. Leon-Schetina obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami with a concentration in business compliance and sustainability through a specialized academic curriculum. While in law school, Mr. Leon-Schetina served as a law clerk for a boutique firm dealing with commercial litigation and intellectual property rights. While completing his legal studies at the University of Miami, Mr. Leon-Schetina was also a member of the Business Law Society.
Matthew T. Smith is an associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office, where his practice focuses on civil litigation, general liability, commercial litigation, toxic torts, and product liability matters. He has represented both large corporate clients and individuals, having practiced on both the defense and plaintiff sides of litigation. This dual perspective gives him unique insight into opposing strategies, enabling him to craft efficient, cost-conscious, and results-driven solutions for his clients.
Originally from New York, Mr. Smith has spent most of his life in Central Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and his J.D., Magna Cum Laude, from Florida A&M University College of Law. While in law school, he earned multiple Dean’s List honors, served as Executive Articles Editor for the Law Review, and completed a judicial internship in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court.
Mr. Smith understands the importance of protecting a business’s reputation and bottom line while navigating complex legal disputes. He prides himself on being a well-rounded litigator and trusted advisor, committed to delivering practical, strategic counsel that aligns with each client’s operational and financial goals.
Sarahi Soris is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Soris’s practice focuses on civil litigation. Prior to joining Lydecker, she gained experience in various stages of litigation, including legal research, drafting pleadings and motions, discovery, deposition preparation, and trial preparation.
Ms. Soris earned her J.D., cum laude, from St. Thomas University College of Law in May 2026, where she was named to the Dean’s List. During law school, she was a member of St. Thomas University College of Law’s nationally ranked Trial Team, gaining advocacy experience preparing and presenting both civil and criminal cases. She also received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Pre-Trial Practice.
Ms. Soris earned her bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Florida International University, where she double majored in English and Political Science and earned a Pre-Law Skills and Professional Values Certificate. She was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2026.
Valeria Sosa is an Associate Attorney in Lydecker’s Miami office, where her practice focuses primarily on environmental torts and general liability matters. Ms. Sosa represents clients throughout the litigation process, from the initial assessment of a matter through resolution.
During law school, Ms. Sosa served as a judicial intern with the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, where she conducted legal research and gained firsthand experience with judicial proceedings and courtroom practice. She also served on the Executive Board of the Public Interest Law Society as Vice President of Public Relations and on the Executive Board of Phi Alpha Delta. In addition, she was a member of the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review and volunteered with the Immigration Clinic, where she assisted clients with translation services.
Ms. Sosa graduated cum laude from St. Thomas University College of Law. Prior to and during law school, she gained experience in the areas of workers’ compensation and immigration law. Thereafter, Ms. Sosa began her legal practice handling first-party property matters, representing clients in a broad range of property-related disputes and developing a strong foundation in civil litigation.
Ryan Stocks is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. His practice involves civil litigation, with a primary focus on environmental law.
Ryan received his B.B.A. in economics and international business as well as a minor in environmental economics and management from the University of Georgia in 2021. He then received his J.D. and certificate in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Land Use Law at Florida State University College of Law in 2024. While in law school, Ryan held several executive board positions, including vice president, in the Environmental Law Society and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ryan worked as legal intern at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and as a law clerk at a boutique law firm specializing in environmental law. He also previously interned at two other law firms, where he gained experience in residential real estate and personal injury law.
Carrie E. Stricklin, Esq., is a partner in the firm’s Boca Raton office and part of our Workers’ Compensation Practice Group. She practices general civil litigation, concentrating in the areas of insurance defense litigation, including bodily injury; attorney malpractice; negligent security; and workers’ compensation litigation. Ms. Stricklin has represented numerous carriers and private entities such as the State of Florida Department of Financial Services, Whole Foods Supermarkets, Signature Healthcare, AMS Staff Leasing, City Electric Supply Company, iAero, LLC, as well as municipalities including the City of Sunny Isles, City of Bal Harbour, City of Dania Beach, City of Miami Gardens and Town of Surfside through the Florida League of Cities. She has also handled occupational injury and disease claims as well.
Within the scope of her practice, Ms. Stricklin covers the entire spectrum of the defense of the workers’ compensation claims to include the following: investigating suspicious or fraudulent claims; thoroughly evaluating claims for potential resolution at state and/or private mediation; discovery and trial preparation when appropriate for litigation up to and through Final Hearing; evaluation and resolution of subrogation claims; and facilitation and submission of Medicare Set Asides with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Ms. Stricklin also previously developed a comprehensive Continuing Education seminar for claims professionals, which provides an update on numerous developments of the law, as well as CE credit
Ms. Stricklin received her Juris Doctorate from the Shephard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University, where she was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and a Law Student Advisor. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in History from Florida Atlantic University. During graduate school, Ms. Stricklin served as the President of the school’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, History Honor Society.
Mr. Sunnucks is an experienced Florida attorney in Lydecker’s Tampa office and has developed extensive litigation experience representing both national and state insurance carriers. His diverse experience reflects strong analytical, negotiation, and advocacy skills, as well as a commitment to client representation and professional excellence. His background includes handling first party property, general liability, and construction defect matters. He earned his Juris Doctor with honors from Florida State University College of Law.
Before his legal career, Mr. Sunnucks worked as a teacher in Pinellas County Schools. Mr. Sunnucks also holds a Master of Science in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Florida State University.
Ms. Thomas is an associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office whose practice focuses on general liability, third-party claims, property defense, and personal injury matters. She brings a well-rounded litigation background and a strategic, client-centered approach to every case she handles.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Thomas worked at an insurance defense firm, where she represented insurance carriers across a broad range of matters, including first-party property disputes, general liability, bodily injury claims, trucking litigation, and third-party claims. This experience provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the insurance industry.
Ms. Thomas earned her Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Florida A&M University College of Law in 2021. She has gained valuable experience through working with the Conviction Integrity Unit at the State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, as well as with the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. She also contributed to the legal community through scholarship, publishing an article in a well-known legal journal.
Angelia Williams is an Associate in the firm’s Lydecker Miami office. Ms. Williams is an accomplished litigation attorney with over 26 years of experience representing clients in state and federal courts across Florida. She focuses her practice on defending insurers, corporate clients, and commercial vehicle owners in matters involving personal injury, premises liability, product liability, and insurance disputes.
Ms. Williams is known for her strategic approach, thorough preparation, and commitment to achieving favorable results for her clients. She has handled cases from initial pleadings through trial, mediated settlements, and argued dispositive motions with proven success.
Ms. Williams earned her J.D. from Florida State University College of Law and her B.S. in Journalism, cum laude, from Florida A&M University.
Mary Williams is an Associate in Lydecker’s Miami office. Ms. Williams’ practice involves all aspects of federal and state commercial and civil litigation, with a primary focus on labor and employment, personal injury, premises liability, and professional liability matters.
Ms. Williams earned her J.D. from St. Thomas University College of Law in May 2025, graduating cum laude. During law school, she served as a Certified Legal Intern with St. Thomas University’s Appellate Litigation Clinic, where she represented multiple clients before Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal.
Ms. Williams also served as a Judicial Intern to the Honorable Elaine A. Carbuccia in Florida’s Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. She was an active member of the Moot Court Board, where she held the position of Vice President of Competitions and participated in both national and intramural competitions, earning honors such as Top Oralist and Best Brief.
In addition, Ms. Williams was the President and Founder of the Golf Law Society and the Treasurer of the Maritime Law Society. She was recognized as a Dean’s Scholar and received the Pro Bono Award for completing over 100 hours of pro bono service.
Saasha Williams is an Associate Attorney at Lydecker with extensive experience in handling all aspects of civil litigation.
Saasha is a Central Florida native and member of the Florida Bar Association. Saasha graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. At Stetson, Saasha was involved in mentorship, community outreach, and fundraising for disabled Veterans.
Thereafter, Saasha earned her Juris Doctorate from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Law in Orlando, Florida. After earning her J.D., Saasha devoted her career to serving the State of Florida as an Assistant State Attorney for the 9th Judicial Circuit and a Senior Attorney for the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Prior to joining the Lydecker, Saasha gained significant litigation experience in a variety of areas of law making her a well rounded asset to the Lydecker family.
Remeshe Wynter is an Associate in Lydecker’s Orlando office, where she focuses her practice on General Liability, Insurance Defense, and Premises Liability matters. She represents insurers and insureds in a wide range of civil litigation matters, handling claims involving bodily injury, negligence, and property-related disputes throughout Florida.
Ms. Wynter has experience managing all phases of litigation, including case evaluation, written discovery, depositions, motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation. She is committed to providing strategic, efficient, and results-driven representation tailored to each client’s objectives.
Prior to joining Lydecker, Ms. Wynter practiced at a general civil litigation firm where she concentrated on bodily injury defense, gaining hands-on experience in defending complex liability claims.
Ms. Wynter earned her Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law and received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and longtime Lydecker partner, Carlos de Zayas.
Carlos was truly one of the great ones—always ready to lend a hand, always with a smile, and always with that unforgettable laugh. His warmth, kindness, and unwavering support for those around him left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege to know him.
Carlos was part of the Lydecker family for over 21 years, and his presence helped shape the heart of our firm. His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, personally and professionally.
Please join us in taking a moment to remember Carlos. He will be missed desperately and remembered always.
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Austin Zifferblatt is an Associate in Lydecker’s Boca Raton office. Mr. Zifferblatt’s practice focuses primarily on construction and design defect litigation. He also handles general liability and bodily injury defense matters.
Before joining Lydecker, Mr. Zifferblatt practiced civil litigation, representing clients in Florida Personal Injury Protection matters. His experience includes case evaluation, discovery, legal research, motion practice, hearings, and mediations. He also handled complex post-settlement lien and reimbursement matters involving ERISA plans, Medicare and Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, workers’ compensation carriers, health insurers, and medical providers.
Mr. Zifferblatt earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Law from the University of Florida in 2018 and his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law in 2021. During law school, he received the Public Interest Pro Bono Silver Level designation in recognition of completing more than 200 hours of pro bono service. Mr. Zifferblatt is admitted to practice law in Florida.
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