Team

Ken Eulo

Managing Partner

Ken Eulo grew up in Los Angeles, California. As a student, he was consistently in the top ten percent of his advanced program of classes. He was also a top athlete and served as a mentor and assistant coach on baseball teams for Mentally and Physically Challenged Children. He moved to Central Florida in 1996 and attended the University of Central Florida on a Bright Future’s Scholarship in 2000, where he studied Criminal Justice and Pre-Law. During this time, he participated in “ride-alongs” with police, where he got a close look at criminal procedures and gained an understanding of criminal law. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science from UCF in 2005 with cum laude honors, Ken Eulo helped plan and run the first branch of the International Coffee Chain Testa Rosa, where he was offered advanced management training in Europe. However, he decided to return to his first love: The Law.

Darryl R. Smith

Managing Partner

Darryl R. Smith, Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation attorney, was born in Staten Island, New York and raised in Piscataway, New Jersey. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. Darryl went on to attend Vanderbilt University Law School. During his law school career, Darryl Smith was recognized by Vanderbilt University Law School as a Chancellor’s Scholar, and also was named Senior Editor for the Southern Regional BLSA Law Review Journal. He graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School with his Juris Doctorate in 2011, and moved to Orlando to pursue his dream of practicing law in Central Florida.

Robert Zlatkin

Managing Partner

Robert Zlatkin is an experienced, and dedicated Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation Attorney.  A graduate of the prestigious University of Florida’s Levin College of Law, Robert is a native Floridian with a strong connection to the Central Florida community. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in History and made a decision early on to return  to Orlando after law school to give back to the community he calls home.

As an Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orlando, Robert most recently prosecuted a broad range of cases including D.U.I., battery, robbery, domestic violence, battery, and a myriad of felonies including violations of probation (VOPs). With hundreds of hours of court appearances and  successful trials, it was here that Robert honed his litigation skills and developed a keen understanding of the nuances of the law.  With his unique perspective of both sides of the criminal justice system, Robert’s clients derive significant benefit from this advantage.

Javier Chavez

Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney

Javier Chavez was born in Denver, Colorado. Javier attended Denver North High School and went to the University of Colorado to receive a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He then moved to New Hampshire and graduated from the University of New Hampshire Law School.

Mr. Chavez moved to Miami Florida and intern as an Assistant State Attorney for the Dade County State Attorney’s office. He has also worked as an investigative assistant for the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office in Colorado. Mr. Chavez has worked for the 9^th Circuit Public Defender’s Office as an assistant Public Defender. Mr. Chavez has also worked for the 13^th and 5^th Circuit Judicial Circuits Public Defender Offices, covering Hillsborough, Sumter, and Lake Counties.

Mr. Chavez became Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law in 2013. Mr. Chavez has tried over 180 trials, including First Degree Murder, Capital Sexual Battery, and DUI Manslaughter cases.

Kenneth Lewis

Senior Attorney

Ken Lewis is a native New Yorker; he attended the State University of New York at Albany before relocating to South Florida and enrolling at FAU where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in History in 1989. He then attended the prestigious Nova Southeastern University where he obtained his law degree in 1991. Ken Lewis is a former prosecutor, his impressive work ethic and dedication resulted in him being named chief homicide prosecutor in Orange and Osceola Counties. Mr. Lewis tried exclusively murder cases for 7 years and sex crimes for another 4 years. In total Ken Lewis has well over 200 jury trials in all areas of criminal law and has tried over 50 murder cases. Additionally, Ken Lewis has been a mock trial judge at numerous competitions and was recognized for his exceptional trial skills by being selected on the faculty of the weeklong Gerald T. Bennett Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Mr. Lewis has trained hundreds of attorneys through the Florida Prosecutors Attorneys Association.  Ken Lewis has successfully represented individuals facing felony charges across the entire State of Florida, including Orange, Osceola, Polk, Sumter, Seminole, Volusia, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Marion to name a few.

Alexis Sykes

Senior Attorney

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Alexis Sykes is a former prosecutor for who has been dedicated to her community for 15 years. Her legal career spans the state of Florida to include criminal law practice in Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, and Panama City. She was formerly a homicide prosecutor for the 9th Judicial Circuit in Orlando, Florida.  Prior, she has served as the Chief of Violent Crimes in Orlando, a Felony Division Chief in Panama City, a Homicide Major Crimes Prosecutor in Jacksonville, and in the Career Criminal Unit in Miami. She also was a Visiting Professor at Florida A&M University College of Law where she taught Legal Research & Writing to first year law students. She has tried over 90 jury trials. Ms. Sykes was a previous recipient of the Rookie of the Year Award for prosecutors in Jacksonville and a Certificate of Appreciation in Orlando because of her dedication to the communities she served.

Matthew Futch

Senior Attorney

Matthew Futch was born in Hollywood, Florida.  Matthew attended Nova High School in Davie, Florida where he won the National Forensics League National Debate Championship in Student Congress.  After graduation, he attended the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.  He subsequently moved to St. Petersburg, Florida to attend Stetson University College of Law.  At Stetson, Matthew was on both the Trial Team and Moot Court Team.

Bryanna Bynum

Senior Criminal Defense Attorney

Bryanna Bynum was born in Orlando, Florida.  She is a seventh generation native Floridian.  Bryanna Bynum earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College in 2002.  In addition to her law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law, Ms. Bynum has also obtained a Master’s Degree from the University of Georgia. 

Bryanna previously spent nearly a decade and a half serving as an Assistant State Attorney in the 18^th Circuit.  While serving as a prosecutor, she received numerous awards including Trial Attorney of the Year and the Pride in Excellence Award.  Her work ethic and professionalism moved her quickly through the ranks at the State Attorney’s Office resulting in her being named a Felony Trial Division Chief ahead of those with more seniority. 

Scott Messinger

Senior Criminal Defense Attorney

As a US Army Ranger, Scott Messinger pledged to “Lead the Way!” Scott now brings that same determination and hard work to defending his clients.

Following his service as an Infantryman in the 75th Ranger Regiment, Scott pursued a career in the humanities, studying history and English. While in graduate school, Scott lectured in English composition at colleges in South Florida. He capped this formal education by earning a Ph.D., in American Literature, from the University of Miami. By the time he graduated, however, Scott had become aware that although teaching was rewarding, something was missing: the knowledge conveyed to students seemed to evaporate at the end of each semester. Lessons imparted couldn’t be accurately gauged in terms of lessons learned. Scott then realized that his true calling lay not in academia but in applying his learning to the area in which he could affect material change: the arena of justice.

This new and improved career would begin at UF College of Law, where Scott earned a J.D. He then passed the bar in Washington State and began to fulfill his goal of putting words into action, this as an Assistant Public Defender and then a private defense attorney. Scott represented clients who, largely because of the injustice wrought by indigency, struggled to attain equal justice under the law. After spending three productive years in the northwest, Scott brought his growing family back to the sunshine state, where he practiced compassionate prosecution at the Office of the State Attorney for Orange and Osceola Counties. Scott learned that justice begins before a person is charged with a crime and that the authority to prosecute is conjoined with the mandate of integrity: no person should be charged with a crime unless the evidence against a person is overwhelming. Then, and only then, should prosecution commence. Scott’s years of experience as an Assistant State Attorney give him a unique insight into how a prosecutor builds a case – and knowledge of the best way to win justice for his clients.

Scott now offers you legal representation suffused with the warrior spirit gleaned from serving in the U.S. Army, the intellectual prowess cultivated in the crucible of academia, and the legal battle-tested experience of hundreds and hundreds of courtroom contests. His determination to give each client his undivided attention and utmost effort derives from the obligation attendant upon the legal counselor who agrees to advocate for the client, whose life, liberty, or property could depend on the judicious decision-making of his/her attorney.

Richard Zaleski

Senior Criminal Defense Attorney

Richard Zaleski was born on Long Island, New York and moved to Pinellas County, Florida in 1986. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida State University and then graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1999.

While at Stetson, Mr. Zaleski was involved in the criminal trial advocacy program and participated in the Public Defender Clinic where he tried his first jury trial during his third year of law school as an intern in the 6th Circuit in Clearwater, Florida.

Mr. Zaleski worked as an Assistant Public Defender across central Florida, including the 6th, 18th and 9th Judicial Circuits. After some time as a felony trial attorney at the 18th Circuit, Mr. Zaleski worked as the misdemeanor division supervisor, assisting in the training of new attorneys. In 2008 he opened a criminal defense practice in Volusia County, where he resides with his wife and twin daughters.

Since 2000, Mr. Zaleski has represented thousands of individuals with charges ranging from misdemeanor DUI and battery to serious felonies, such as First-Degree Murder, Sex Crimes, Drug Trafficking and Firearm charges. He has extensive trial experience with over 150 jury trials, including more than a dozen homicide trials.

Nick Kramperth

Senior Criminal Defense Attorney

Nick Kramperth is a former prosecutor with over a decade of experience as an attorney. He was raised in the Orlando area and graduated from Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida. He went on to attend the University of Florida on an academic scholarship where he obtained his bachelor’s degree. Nick returned to Orlando to earn his law degree from Barry University School of Law. Once sworn in to the Florida Bar, he began his legal career working as a public defender where at one point he secured 10 consecutive acquittals for his clients at trial. He later moved on to serve as a prosecutor, before joining the Smith & Eulo Law Firm.

Nick has extensive experience in all aspects of criminal defense, including drug charges, domestic violence charges, DUI’s, firearms charges, sex crimes, and homicides. He has experience with every aspect of a criminal case. This includes from the moment the police request a search warrant, first appearance, arraignment, suppression hearings, bond hearings, depositions, violation of probation hearings, post-conviction matters, and most importantly – jury trial. To date, Nick has tried over 80 jury trials as lead counsel.

Shanna Bailey

Criminal Defense Attorney

​​Shanna Bailey, born and raised in New England, has exemplified leadership and dedication from an early age. As president of the student council and captain of several sports teams, she developed strong leadership skills that have carried through her career. Working at her parents’ businesses as a teen instilled in her a robust work ethic and a deep appreciation for community investment.

Shanna’s journey took her across the country, spending significant time in Florida, Nevada, and California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in Constitutional Law from the University of California, Davis. It was at UC Davis that Shanna discovered her passion for animal advocacy. She dedicated countless hours to volunteering at a ranch for rescued animals trained as support companions for children with special needs. Her advocacy extended to championing causes for canine bully breeds, fighting for breed-neutral legislation, and fostering nearly a dozen pit bulls.

In California, Shanna also worked as a consultant in government affairs in Sacramento. Her consulting work included state ballot initiatives and candidate campaigns. Additionally, she served as a legislative advocate for private businesses, particularly in renewable energy. Shanna also contributed to international projects, including the Special Olympics.

Returning to New England, Shanna pursued her law degree at Vermont Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctor. Initially interested in environmental law, she found her strengths in criminal law. She excelled in moot court and appellate advocacy, honing her courtroom skills. Notably, Shanna was the first second-year student in the school’s history to be elected Student Bar Association president. She was also a member of the school’s rugby team and was an honorary member of the Veteran’s Law Group, where she was recognized for her work on behalf of veterans.

Shanna began her legal career in Florida with the Guardian ad Litem program, dedicated to protecting the rights of neglected and abused children. As an advocate for children, Shanna had many successes in and out of the courtroom. She helped to reunify countless families, but also successfully terminated parental rights in the most egregious cases.

Shanna then joined the Office of the State Attorney in Hillsborough County, where she prosecuted a range of cases from DUI to attempted murder. At the SAO, she developed a highly skilled motion practice, successfully defeating motions to dismiss, motions to suppress, and stand-your-ground motions. Most notably, Shanna had a winning trial record trying nearly two dozen case to verdict.

Her prosecutorial experience provides Shanna with a deep intuition for justice and unparalleled insight into prosecutorial practices. Combined with her tireless work ethic and commitment to the community, Shanna is a formidable asset in criminal defense.

Shanna resides in Tampa with her two pit bulls, Carmelo “Melo” and Emilio “Lio.” She continues to volunteer actively in her community, working on behalf of the homeless and advocating for animal welfare.

Luz Root

Criminal Defense Attorney

Luz Root was born in Argentina and moved to the United States to pursue a collegiate tennis scholarship. She attended Point University in Georgia and was a full-time student athlete. Although English is her second language, she was on the Dean’s List and Honor Class Member all four years of college. Luz graduated top of her class, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor in Business Management and a Minor in Biblical Studies.

Luz moved to Orlando, Florida, to continue her education at Barry University School of Law, where she received an academic scholarship. Throughout law school, she interned at NeJame Law, where she found her passion for Criminal Defense. During her Internship, she assisted in defending cases, both in State and Federal Court. She worked on several felony cases, including armed robbery, child pornography, drug trafficking, burglary, aggravated battery, DUI manslaughter, and first-degree murders.

In her last year of law school, she also completed the Juvenile Defense Clinic and the Advanced Juvenile Defense Clinic, where she became a Certified Legal Intern (CLI). During her clinics, she represented juveniles facing up to first degree felonies. Before graduating, Luz accepted the opportunity to work at the Public Defender’s Office in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, in Orlando, Florida. Luz graduated at the top 20% of her class and she passed the Florida Bar with a score placing her in the upper 97% percentile of her class.

During her tenure at the Public Defender’s Office, she represented over 400 clients facing Misdemeanors and Criminal Traffic charges including Petit Theft, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Battery, Driving While License Suspended (DWLS), Open Carrying a Firearm, Stalking, Trespass, and Drug Possessions, among others. She assisted her clients throughout all steps of the legal process and received favorable outcomes, including granted Motions to Suppress and Not Guilty by jury trial.

Her bilingual skills help her represent and educate Spanish-Speaking clients as to how the criminal justice system works. She is a compassionate and hard-working attorney, who zealously advocates for her clients.

Lynelle Dowe

Criminal Defense Attorney

Lynelle Dowe was born and raised in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. She attended University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She then attended Barry University School of Law and obtained her Juris Doctorate in 2015.

During law school, she interned in the family court division of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands where she drafted divorce orders as well as custody and child support orders. After law school she moved back home to the Virgin Islands and worked at the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands as a law clerk. While there she researched and drafted memoranda opinions and orders for various civil and criminal matter and appeals from agencies.

In 2016, Ms. Dowe moved back to Florida where she has been primarily practicing criminal law. She worked as a Staff Attorney at the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida where she managed all criminal postconviction motions for Martin and Okeechobee counties. In 2019, Ms. Dowe moved to Panama City where she worked as an Assistant State Attorney in the 14th Judaical Circuit State Attorney’s Office for approximately 3 years. During her time there, she prosecuted hundreds of cases ranging from misdemeanors to first- degree felonies. She became the assigned prosecutor for all drug trafficking cases in her trial division.

In 2022, she joined the 9th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State Attorney where she mostly prosecuted first-degree felonies and punishable by life felonies. She has prosecuted an array of crimes to include robbery, carjacking, and drug trafficking.

Mario Machado

Criminal Defense Attorney

Mario Machado is a criminal defense lawyer from Miami who is recognized as a premier trial lawyer.  Mario is a proven trial counselor who has defended the accused in state and federal Courts across the country.  His considerable experience, acumen, artistry, and absolute commitment to his clients have cemented his reputation as one of the “go-to” criminal defense lawyers in Florida.

Born in Venezuela and raised in Miami, Mario attended the beautiful Augusta State University on a tennis scholarship.  He then graduated from Florida State University with Honors before embarking on his law career at Rutgers University School of Law, where he made the decision to become a criminal defense lawyer, or CDL, as it is also known.

Since 2009, Mario has mounted successful defenses for charges ranging from DUIs to street crimes to bank, healthcare, and mail/wire fraud, as well as alien smuggling, sex crimes, tax evasion, and narcotics.  Part of Mario’s philosophy involves taking the initiative from the very beginning, which has resulted in charges not being filed against his clients.  He is also an immigration law expert, having spent many years helping those with serious criminal backgrounds obtain their green cards and United States citizenship.  He has also represented those branded by Interpol as having a worldwide arrest warrant, which is also known as a Red Notice.

At times, Mario was also a hired gun for complex litigation cases in state in federal courts.  At one point, he represented a well-known Latin American political dissident in Miami’s Southern District, where he obtained the legal equivalent of a first-round KO against Apple.  He has also successfully defended many professionals before the Florida Department of Health.

One of Mario’s great joys, outside of the courtroom, is to write about the law.  He has written extensively on the criminal justice system, providing many with the trench lawyer’s perspective, in direct contrast to the view-from-10000-feet that’s usually provided by most of today’s legal pundits. 

Mario is also an avid musician who lives in Tampa with his American Foxhound, Iggy, who was named after the iconic frontman.  For that reason, some folks in the profession have called him the John Wick of criminal defense.

Ralph Maiolino III

Criminal Defense Attorney

Attorney Ralph R. Maiolino III was born and raised in York, Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from York College of Pennsylvania in 2018 before graduating and receiving his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers Law School in Camden, NJ in 2021. He relocated to Florida immediately upon graduating law school and passing the Florida Bar Exam.

Since becoming an Attorney Ralph has dedicated his career to fighting for the People against the interests of the powerful. He first worked as an Assistant State Attorney in Bartow, FL, where he tried 3 cases to jury verdict and managed a full-time criminal caseload. He then moved to Orlando, FL where he continued to serve as an Assistant State Attorney in the 9th Judicial Circuit for the next 2 years. While an Assistant State Attorney in Orlando, Ralph managed a Felony caseload consisting of 100’s of simultaneously active matters. He served as the lead prosecutor for the State of Florida on a diverse array of serious criminal cases, prosecuting charges for Drug Trafficking, Crimes of Violence including Robbery, Aggravated Battery, and Aggravated Assault, Sex Crimes, Firearms and Weapons Offenses, DUI with Serious Bodily Injury, Home Burglary, Aggravated Fleeing & Eluding, Fraud, and Hate Crimes, among many other offenses.

As an ASA in Orlando Ralph tried an additional 12 cases to a Jury Verdict, for a total of 15 Trials in less than 3 years. He brought home several big-wins, and achieved convictions at trial for Fentanyl Trafficking, Aggravated Assault, Firearms Crimes, and DUIs, among others. Ralph prides himself on his analytical mind, legal arguments, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, many of which he honed through his extensive experience arguing and winning pretrial motions including Motions to Suppress Evidence and Motions to Dismiss. In one instance, Ralph was able to save from suppression two (2) separate full-confessions given by a Defendant in an Armed Fentanyl Trafficking case that involved an overdose Death by identifying and arguing the nuances of when/where the 5th amendment applies to a person’s statements. In under 2 years Ralph closed a whopping 493 active Felony Cases in Orlando alone, boasting an overall conviction rate of more than 92%. In managing these cases Ralph worked tirelessly to both achieve the best results possible for individual circumstances, vowing to never quit on a case that could still be won, and to never let one get away. In this he made great stride in advancing the cause of criminal justice reform in the State of Florida.

However, Ralph is now proud to call Smith & Eulo his home, having joined the team as a full-time Criminal Defense Attorney in 2024. After working the past few years to studying the State’s strategy, strengths, and weaknesses, Ralph identities the best way to attack their case, and does not let up until the fight is won. Ralph is eager to partner with his new clients in defending their rights against the powerful and against those who seek to bully them away.

Far too often though Ralph was forced to witness the injustices people face when they are falsely accused of a criminal offense. He has never met a problem he did not believe he could fix, and brings to his practice at Smith & Eulo the fundamental belief that every person is worthy of respect, dignity, and someone fight for them. From the moment he took the Oath of Attorney, Ralph vowed that he would never shy away from the fight to ensure that the “little guy” is treated just the same as anybody else. Ralph is now privileged to bring his passion, attention to detail, and tireless advocacy to Smith & Eulo, where he eagerly works to make sure every single one of his clients has a tenacious fighter in their corner, and are given a fair shot to make their voices and their side of the story heard in the Courtroom.

Evan Gardiner

Criminal Defense Attorney

Evan Gardiner was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida. After high school, Evan attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL majoring in Political Science with minors in International Studies and Pre-Law. During his time at Flagler College, Evan became heavily involved on the board of both the Student Government Association and the Student Judiciary Council.

Upon graduation, Evan returned to Gainesville, Florida where he continued his education at the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. While attending law school, Evan was drawn to criminal defense work through his work as a certified legal intern with the Eighth Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender. As a CLI, Evan assisted attorneys with the preparation and representation of clients. Evan was even able to conduct a jury trial as the lead ‘attorney’ where he secured a not guilty verdict.

After graduating. Evan continued his work with the Public Defender’s Office as an Assistant Public Defender. Evan handled over 1700 cases with the Public Defender’s Office which includes a wide assortment of charges including domestic battery, driving under the influence, sexual cyber harassment, vehicular manslaughter, robbery with a firearm, kidnapping, leaving the scene of an accident with bodily injury, sexual battery, lewd and lascivious exhibition, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance, burglary of a dwelling, resisting an officer with violence, aggravated assault, animal abuse and many more. Evan’s experience includes acquittals at trial, the granting of motions to suppress, and dismissals of violation of probation affidavits.

In 2022, Evan transitioned to private practice to expand his experience. He began working at Bogin, Munns & Munns, where he handled a variety of civil litigation and family law cases. Evan handled defamation claims, property and boundary disputes, residential and commercial evictions, breach of contract, dissolution of marriage cases, supplemental petitions for modification, and paternity actions. Evan prosecuted and defended motions for contempt and injunctions brought for and against clients.

Now, with Smith & Eulo, Evan brings his knowledge and experience working as a Criminal Defense Attorney and a Family Law Attorney. When not litigating, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and cheering on the Florida Gators.

Ximena Castillo

Criminal Defense Attorney

Ximena Castillo was born and raised in Guatemala City. She moved to Florida to pursue her higher education, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Lynn University in 2012 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law in 2016.

While in law school, Ximena was a member of the International Moot Court Board, a two- time recipient of the HOPE Pro Bono Challenge Certificate, and a participant in Miami Law’s prestigious Litigation Skills Program. Ximena also completed three internships at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office as a law school student, giving her the advantage of conducting depositions, hearings, and participating in trials and in the discovery process of a capital murder case prior to completing her law degree.

Upon graduating law school, Ximena joined the Miami Public Defender’s Office, where she represented hundreds of clients in all stages of criminal defense proceedings for over three years and conducted numerous felony and misdemeanor jury trials to verdict. She later expanded her legal practice to civil litigation, working in top AV rated law firms where she represented major corporations in federal court.

Ximena prides herself on her long-standing client relationships, which she is able to cultivate through relentless work ethic, dedication, and advocacy skills.

Caridad Acosta

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Criminal Defense Attorney

​Caridad Acosta was born in the Dominican Republic and later moved to the United States to continue her education. Settling in the city of Kissimmee, Florida, she began her academic journey at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies, Caridad consistently demonstrated excellence in her advanced program classes.

She furthered her education at Florida A&M University College of Law, where she obtained a Juris Doctor degree. During her time at Florida A&M University College of Law, Caridad solidified her commitment to a legal career by completing the Criminal Defense Clinic, Family Clinic, and Mediator Clinic, earning certification as a Family and County Mediator.

Caridad Acosta accepted a position with the Ninth Circuit Public Defender’s Office in Osceola County, Florida. During her tenure with the Public Defender’s office, she took cases to trial and effectively litigated over 800 criminal cases, encompassing a diverse array of charges including Reckless Driving, Disorderly Conduct, Prostitution, Battery, Burglary, Grand Theft, Possession of Narcotics, Domestic Violence, and DUI, among others.

Ty Cooper

Criminal Defense Attorney

Ty Cooper grew up in Montgomery and attended High School at Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School, where he excelled in a technology-oriented curriculum, as well as competing on both the basketball and tennis teams.

In 2011 he completed a Bachelor’s Degree from Auburn University, majoring in English Literature with supporting coursework in Spanish. This Spanish education has assisted him in engaging with the Spanish speaking population across multiple different professions and industries. After college, he began a career in finance where he was promoted to regional manager for a national consumer lending corporation within three years. He then spent four years in San Diego, California, managing a marketing and promotional firm that partnered with Fortune 500 telecommunications companies such as AT&T and Sprint. While in San Diego, he performed community outreach by connecting low-income individuals and families with the Lifeline program, which provides free cell phones and service to those in need.

After San Diego, Ty returned to Alabama and attended Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, where he was awarded an academic scholarship for his performance on the LSAT. In law school, he developed an interest in criminal law, performing highly in criminal procedure, criminal law, advanced criminal Law, and federal crimes. As a Dean Fellow, he assisted and tutored first year law students not only in academics, but also in navigating the difficulty of 1L year. In his 3L year, he interned with the Federal Defenders of the Middle District of Alabama. During this time, he worked on high level federal cases such as Hobbs Act Robbery and Drug Trafficking; he also drafted motions to suppress and sentencing memorandums that were critical to the representation of federal defendants.

After passing the bar, he practiced civil litigation, handling real estate, contract, and probate disputes, as well as participating in guardianship cases. In December of 2022, he joined the Office of the Public Defender of the 20th Judicial Circuit in Fort Myers, where he thoroughly enjoyed handling every aspect of criminal cases. In his time with the Public Defender, he represented a wide variety of cases, ranging from misdemeanors such as DUI and Battery, to felonies, including Obstruction of Justice, Sale and Delivery of Narcotics, Domestic Violence by Strangulation, and much more. He also has extensive experience in Violations of Probation, Domestic Relations issues, pretrial motion practice, and criminal jury trials, where he prides himself on his zealous representation and exploring every opportunity to achieve the most favorable resolution for his clients facing the criminal justice system.

Marie Taylor

Criminal Law – Of Counsel

Marie Taylor grew up in West Bloomfield, Michigan, before relocating to the Sunshine state for good. Marie graduated summa cum laude from Flagler College, where she was a four-year student athlete and senior captain of her NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball team. Marie’s competitive drive led her to success in law school at Florida Internal University College of Law, where she graduated cum laude with honors. Throughout her law school career, Marie served as an Editor of the FIU Law Review, interned with a Federal Judge in the Southern District of Florida, and fulfilled summer law clerk roles with both the Broward County Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the General Counsel for FIU.

Marie chose to begin her Attorney career defending the rights of the indigent and accused with Office of the Public Defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. There, Marie took over twenty jury trials to verdict. Marie has tried cases with charges ranging from criminal traffic allegations of Reckless Driving, DUI, and DWLS, to serious felony allegations, such as Burglary, Aggravated Assault,  False Imprisonment,, First-Degree Murder, Lewd or Lascivious Battery, and Capital Sexual Battery.  Marie also has expertise in filing petitions for extraordinary writs on behalf of incarcerated clients. She has written appeals at the Circuit Court, District Court, and Florida Supreme Court levels. 

Marie transitioned into private practice after receiving an opportunity to litigate civil and commercial disputes on behalf of businesses, property owners, and financial institutions with a real estate firm in Tampa, She successfully defended defamation and fraud claims and resolved federal forfeiture and eminent domain issues. Marie also asserted plaintiff’s claims related to governmental abuse of property rights and civil rights violations.

Marie has developed a reputation for being a relentless and resourceful advocate for her clients. She prides herself on providing top of the line representation to each client through her vigorous work ethic and meticulous attention to detail. 

Ashley Dunbar

Criminal Defense Attorney

​Ashley Dunbar is a passionate and experienced trial attorney and New Jersey native. Ms. Dunbar received her Bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida. While in law school, Ashley competed on the Black Law Students Association International Negotiation Team and advanced to the Final Four as a first-year student. The following year she was appointed to be the Team Coach. Ashley also competed on the University of Florida Alternative Dispute Resolution Team, served as the Executive Articles Editor for the Journal of Law and Public Policy, presided as the Vice President of the Black Law Students Association, and served as the Community Service Chair for the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and for the Caribbean Law Students Association.

Ms. Dunbar began her legal career as a Public Defender where she tried over 25 cases ranging from juvenile matters to felonies punishable by life. Additionally, Ms. Dunbar collaborated on several successful appeals, and reached countless satisfactory settlements through effective negotiation and motion practice. Ms. Dunbar then gained substantial experience in civil litigation as an associate at McDonald Toole Wiggins and as in-house counsel for Progressive Insurance.

In addition to her legal career, Ashley dedicates substantial time to helping the community directly. Ashley has served on the Community Outreach Committee for the Paul C. Perkins Bar Association. She also serves on the Justice Advisory Committee under Congressman Soto to collaborate on reviewing the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 and other policy issues with fellow community leaders in Florida.

In her spare time, Ashley enjoys fitness, competing in bodybuilding competitions, traveling, and good food.

Daniel De Liguori

Family Law – Of Counsel

​​Daniel De Liguori grew up in Long Island, New York. Throughout his youth Daniel has always excelled in athletics and when he was not attending school, he dedicated his time to his family’s construction business. Upon graduating Highschool in 2007 Daniel began his Undergraduate Studies at Pace University in Westchester, New York. Daniel later transferred to Hofstra University in New York where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and administration in 2011. Following his graduation from Hofstra University, Daniel accepted an internship with an International Business Law Firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he worked directly for the Managing Partner from January 2012 through July 2012. Upon his return from his internship, Daniel attended Barry University School of Law in Orlando, Florida where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2015. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar Daniel has focused his career on Immigration, Family Law, and Civil Litigation.

Daniel’s family emigrated from Argentina and as being part of the first generation born here in the United States, Daniel was raised with strong cultural values. Due to these values, Daniel goes above and beyond for his clients no matter how much additional time is needed or how complicated the particular case is.  Daniel is committed to working hard for his clients to gain maximize results.