Team

Ken Eulo, Esq.

Managing Partner
Criminal Law & Civil Litigation

Darryl R. Smith, Esq.

Managing Partner
Criminal Law & Civil Litigation

Robert Zlatkin, Esq.

Managing Partner
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

Javier Chavez, Esq.

Senior Attorney
Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer

Ken Lewis, Esq.

Senior Attorney
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

Alexis Sykes, Esq.

Senior Attorney
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

Matthew Futch, ESQ

Matthew Futch

Senior Attorney
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

bryanna bynum profile pic

Bryanna Bynum, Esq.

Senior Attorney
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

Marie Taylor, Criminal Defense Attorney, Tampa FL

Marie Taylor, Esq.

Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

Bruce Roistacher, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Ocala FL

Bruce Lee Roistacher, Esq.

Senior Attorney
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

Ashley Dunbar Criminal Defense Attorney - profile

Ashley Dunbar, Esq.

Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

Luz Root, Esq.

Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

Grace Casagrande - Criminal Defense Attorney

Grace Casagrande, Esq.

Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

ASHLEY KELEFAS PROFILE PIC

ASHLEY KELEFAS, Esq.

Criminal Defense Attorney

Daniel DeLiguori - Family Attorney

Daniel De Liguori, Esq.

Family Attorney

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.

Ken Eulo Criminal Defense Lawyer Orlando

Ken Eulo attended Florida State University College of Law, graduating in 2010. During his law school career, he performed two internships, one with the Attorney General’s Office, Criminal Appeals Bureau, and the other with the Public Defender’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orlando, Florida. During his internship with the Attorney General’s Office, Ken Eulo drafted several lengthy appeals that were heard before the U.S. District Court of Appeals. During his internship with the Public Defender’s Office in Orlando Florida, he assisted in defending several misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. In 2010, Ken graduated from Florida State University College of Law in the top 10% of his graduating class, receiving cum laude graduation honors, as well as the prestigious Order of the Coif Award.

Upon graduating from FSU Law in 2010, Ken Eulo was offered several jobs, including a position of writing appeals for the Florida State Attorney General’s Office, but he accepted the opportunity to work as a Criminal Defense Attorney for the Public Defender’s Office in Orlando, Florida. He was hired and placed on salary before he took the bar. Months later, Ken Eulo passed The Florida Bar Exam with a 169 MBE Score, placing him in the upper percentile of all Florida Bar Exam test takers.

During his tenure with the Public Defender’s Office, Ken Eulo handled every aspect of Criminal Law Practice, including: Initial Appearances, Violations of Probation, Juvenile Delinquency Court, County Court (Misdemeanor Crimes), and Circuit Court (Felony Crimes). Ken Eulo has litigated and resolved more than 1,000 criminal cases. He has taken over 50 criminal cases to trial, including Capital Sexual Battery, Burglary, Battery, Rape, Lewd and Lascivious Conduct, Domestic Violence, DUI, and more

Education

Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, FL

Degree: J.D., 2010
Honors: Order of the Coif (Top 10% of Graduating Class)

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Degree: B.S., 2005
Honors: Cum Laude
Major: Criminal Justice and Pre-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.

Ken Eulo Criminal Defense Lawyer Orlando

Darryl Smith began his legal career with the Office of the Public Defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orlando, Florida, exclusively practicing criminal law. During his tenure with the office, he handled over 600 adult and juvenile misdemeanor cases from arraignment to case closure, including battery, possession of marijuana, petit theft, domestic violence, unlawful display of a firearm, driving with license suspended (DWLS), driving under the influence (DUI), and countless other misdemeanor offenses. In the short span of one year, Mr. Smith took 14 cases to trial.

In 2012, Darryl Smith was offered the prestigious opportunity to become a Civil Litigation Attorney with the Orlando Office of one of the largest civil defense law firms in the State of Florida, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer. During his time with Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, he played a vital role in litigating several high-profile personal injury cases on behalf of several Fortune 500 companies, including Walmart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.

Driven by an undying passion to make a real difference in the community by defending the rights of those in need, Darryl Smith voluntarily left the world of corporate law and returned to practicing criminal law with the Office of the Public Defender. During his second tenure with the office, he defended over 400 adult felony cases from arraignment to case closure, including robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, dealing in stolen property, aggravated assault with a weapon, aggravated battery, punishable by life (PBL) offenses, and numerous other serious felony charges.

Mr. Darryl Smith has developed a reputation in the Central Florida legal community as a down-to-earth, compassionate, aggressive, and most of all highly effective advocate for his clients. He has also been nominated by Orlando Style Magazine as one of Orlando‘s Legal Elite. Mr. Smith has litigated over 1,000 criminal and civil cases, and has taken over 50 criminal cases to trial, ranging from Simple Battery to First-Degree Murder. He is dedicated to utilizing his legal knowledge, trial experience, and tireless work ethic to pursue justice for each and every one of his clients. Darryl Smith works as a Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation attorney for the Smith & Eulo Law Firm.

Education

Vanderbilt University Law School, Nashville, TN

Degree: J.D., 2011
Honors: Chancellor’s Scholar
Southern Regional BLSA Law Review Journal, Senior Editor

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Florida Notary Public

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Degree: B.A., 2008
Honors: Summa Cum Laude (Top 2% of Graduating Class)
Major: Administration of Justice and Legal Studies

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.

Ken Eulo Criminal Defense Lawyer Orlando

Robert Zlatkin has had a wide range of legal expeirence including federal plaintiff lawsuits under the Telephone Protection Consumer Act (TCPA) and insurance defense, medical malpractice, and personal injury as a summer associate at the respected law firm of Wicker, Smith, Ohara, McCoy and Ford .

A compassionate, skilled and experienced attorney, Robert is a strong and relentless advocate for his clients.

Education

University of Florida Fredrick G. Levin College of Law, Gainesville, FL

Juris Doctor awarded May 2015

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Bachelor of Arts, cum laude:  History with minor in Archeology, July, 2012

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 9th Circuit Public Defender’s Office as an assistant Public Defender. Mr. Chavez has also worked for the 13th and 5th 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.

Javier Chavez - Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney

Education

University of New Hampshire Law School, Concord NH

Juris Doctor and Master’s Degree IP Law, 2001

Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver CO

Bachelor’s of Science Criminal Justice, 1995

University of Colorado, Denver CO

Master’s in Criminal Justice, 1997

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney

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.

Kenneth Lewis

Education

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL

Degree: Juris Doctor, 1991

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar

Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL

Degree: History, 1989

Alexis Sykes

Senior Attorney

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.

Alexis Sykes criminal defense jacksonville fl

Ms. Sykes is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, graduating high school from Paxon School for Advanced Studies cum laude with an International Baccalaureate diploma.  She then went on to graduate cum laude from Florida State University with a degree in Criminology.  While at Florida State, she served as political action chair of the Black Student Union and as a member of the Student Government Executive Cabinet.  She was awarded the Black Student Union executive board member of the year.  Ms. Sykes earned her law degree from Howard University School of Law.  While at Howard, Ms. Sykes was Vice President of the award-winning Huver I. Brown Trial Advocacy Moot Court Team and Membership Intake Chair of the Epsilon Sigma Iota Legal Sorority.  Ms. Sykes is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the mother of a beautiful daughter, Ava Grace, and dog mom of a rescue chihuahua, Bella Marie. 

Education

Howard University School of Law, Washington, DC

Degree: Juris Doctor, 2007

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Degree: B.S., Criminology, 2004

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.

Matthew Futch - Criminal Defense Lawyer

Matthew moved to Winter Park, Florida in 2011 and was hired as an Assistant State Attorney for the Seminole County State Attorney’s Office where he worked for almost 12 years as a prosecutor. During his tenure with the State Attorney’s Office, he worked in various divisions within the office including, Misdemeanor, Felony, Sex Crimes, Career Criminal, Firearms, and as a Division Chief. He has extensive criminal trial experience having handled cases ranging from Misdemeanors, Felonies, Career Criminal Cases, Firearms cases, Capital Sex Crimes, DUI manslaughters, and Homicides. He has handled thousands of cases, with over 100 jury trials.

Education

Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, FL

Degree: Juris Doctor, 2011

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Degree: Bachelor in Business Management, 2008

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 18th 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. 

Bryanna Bynum - Sr. Criminal Defense Attorney

She has handled thousands of cases, including misdemeanor offenses, domestic violence cases, drug trafficking cases, burglary, theft charges, and homicides.   She is one of only a handful of prosecutors statewide that have successfully prosecuted cold case homicides and drug related wiretap conspiracies.  She has a deep understanding of what it takes to build a case, which is vital to understanding how to defend one.

Bryanna is also active in the legal community, as member of the of the Seminole County Inn of Court for nearly a decade, a member of the Seminole County Bar Association, the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, the Federalist Society, and the 18th Circuit Professionalism Committee.  Aside from her legal work, she has also served on the Seminole County Canvassing Board and as a member of the Catholic Charities. 

Her extensive background and dedication to the proper administration of justice provides her a unique position to ensure that her clients rights are protected, and that the government is held accountable when bringing criminal charges. 

Education

Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville, FL

Degree: J.D., 2008

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Seminole County Inn of Court
Seminole County Bar Association
Florida Association of Woman Lawyers, Seminole County
The Federalist Society
18th Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee

University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Degree: Masters, 2005
Major: Master’s Early Childhood Education

Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Degree: Bachelors, 2002
Major: History

Marie Taylor

Criminal Defense Attorney

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 taylor - tampa, FL criminal defense lawyer

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. 

Education

Florida International University, Miami, FL

Degree: Juris Doctor, 2017
Honors: Cum Laude

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
U.S. District of Court for the Middle District of Florida
Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Pinellas County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Board of Directors 2021

Flagler College, Saint Augustine, FL

Degree: Bachelor of Arts, 2014
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Major: Phycology and Pre-Law Minor

Bruce Lee Roistacher

Senior Attorney

Bruce Roistacher is a NY native with over 40 years of experience practicing Criminal Law. Bruce has helped over 10,000 clients in NY and Florida. He has taken more than 100 cases to trial in NY and Florida. Bruce graduated form the University of Miami with BA majoring in Acting and Speech he then proceeded to attend Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad College of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. Bruce has been both a Public Defender in Broward County, FL, and an Assistant District State Attorney in NY where he prosecuted organized crime, gang crime and many other types of criminal activity.

Bruce also had his own Criminal Defense Firm for over 30 years where he handled all types of charges from simple misdemeanors to the most serious of crimes. He has represented clients in county, juvenile, state, federal, supreme, civil, family, and criminal courts. He has had extensive experience in jury trials, pre-trial hearings, depositions, and injunctions for protection including domestic, stalking, repeat, sexual and dating. Recently, he has been practicing in Collier and Lee Counties and is now taking over the Ocala Brand for Smith & Eulo Law Firm.

Bruce Roistacher, Criminal Defense Lawyer Ocala FL

Further he is a recipient of awards from the Asian Community after he represented a prominent member of that community obtaining 2 jury acquittals “back-to-back “on serious sexual offenses. And in the field of Immigration, he has represented numerous clients in removal hearings before Federal Administrative Judges.

In addition to the law, Bruce has another passion, acting. Bruce attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NY and has appeared in numerous theatrical productions throughout FL. and NY. He has also attended and taught seminars on “What Lawyers can learn from Actors “. He also has two beautiful daughters, and four gorgeous grandchildren whom he adores!

Education

Nova Southeastern School of Law, Davie FL

Degree: Juris Doctor

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
The New York Bar

University of Miami, Miami, FL

Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Major: Theatre Arts

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.

ashley dunbar criminal defense lawyer

Education

University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law, Gainesville, FL

Degree: J.D., 2016
Activities & Societies: Black Law Students Association, Vice President
Caribbean Law Students Association, social chair and Law College Council Representative
Journal of Law and Public Policy, General Editor
Florida Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
Alternative Dispute Resolution Team, Member
BLSA Negotiations, Team member

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
Middle District of Florida
Southern District of Florida
Northern District of Florida

Villanova University, Orlando, FL

Degree: B.S., 2012
Major: English Literature
Minor: Psychology and Philosophy Minor, Writing and Rhetoric Concentration
Activities: Division I Track and Field, Inter Hall Council President

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.

Luz Root Criminal Defense Lawyer

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.

Education

Barry University School of Law, Orlando, Florida

Degree: J.D., 2021
(Top 20% of Graduating Class)

Languages:

Spanish
English

Point University, West Point, FL

Degree: B.B.M., 2018
Honors: Magna Cum Laude (Top 10% Graduating Class)

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Grace Casagrande

Criminal Defense Attorney

Grace Casagrande grew up in Bradenton, Florida. After high school, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri to attend Saint Louis University where she majored in Social Work and International Studies and minored in Spanish and International Business. While obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she spent a semester at La Universidad Centroamericana (Central American University) in Nicaragua. Following her studies there, she taught English in Nicaragua’s public schools. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she did extensive volunteer work with the immigrant and refugee population in St. Louis.

After graduating from St. Louis University, Ms. Casagrande studied at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri. She was involved in the Public Service Advisory Board and served on the Board of the Immigration Law Society. She sparked her passion in criminal defense through her internships with the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office and Arch City Defenders, where she worked on various types of criminal cases. She worked as a student attorney at the Washington University Immigration Law Clinic as well as at the Philips Black Post-Conviction Law Clinic, where she helped prepare post-conviction pleadings for clients wrongfully convicted in capital and life without parole cases.

Grace Casagrande Criminal Defense Attorney

After graduating from law school, Ms. Casagrande accepted a position with the 9th Circuit Public Defender’s Office in Orange County, Florida. During her time there, she represented over 700 clients in misdemeanor and felony charges, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Petit and Grand Theft, Driving While License Suspended, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Dealing in Stolen Property, and Felony Battery, among others. She advocated zealously for clients on a wide array of cases to obtain acquittal at trial, multiple Motions to Suppress granted, Dismissals of Violation of Probation, and the granting of multiple Motions to Dismiss. She is passionate about fighting for her clients at each stage of a criminal prosecution and considers the unique circumstances of each case to work towards the best possible outcome.

Education

Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri

Degree: Juris Doctor, 2021
Honors: Dean’s List

Spanish
English

Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri

Degree: B.S. Social Work, B.A. International Studies, 2018
Honors: Magna Cum Laude

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Ashley Kelefas

Criminal Defense Attorney

Ashley Kelefas grew up in Palm Beach County, Florida. She attended Florida Atlantic University where she majored in Social Work. While obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she interned for a nonprofit organization in Delray Beach, Florida where she assisted in advocating for South Florida’s homeless population. There, she helped clients obtain housing and employment, as well as outsourcing food and toiletries from local business donations.

Upon graduating from Florida Atlantic University, Ashley accepted a position as a Social Worker at the nonprofit organization. As a Social Worker, Ashley provided her clients with case management on an individual level, helping countless homeless families obtain sustainable independence.

After working for two years as a Social Worker, Ashley relocated to Orlando, Florida to attend Barry University School of Law. During her studies, she interned for a Criminal Defense Firm, shadowing a Death Penalty certified attorney. While interning, she worked on various Civil Rights, Capital, and Federal cases, as well as other various criminal cases. During her internship, she became a member of the Local Chapter of the National Lawyer’s Guild, a non-profit federation of lawyers and legal workers in pursuit of using the law to advance social justice and support progressive social movements. 

Ashley Kelefas - Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyer

With a long time passion for advocacy, the experience Ashley obtained during her internship in law school fueled her to apply that passion to the practice of criminal law. Ashley firmly believes in a quote her favorite mentor often shared from Clarence Darrow, “You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man’s freedom.”

After graduating from law school, Ashley accepted a position with the 9th Circuit Public Defender’s Office in Orange County, Florida. During her time there, she represented countless clients in both misdemeanor and felony charges, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Petit and Grand Theft, Domestic Violence, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Burglary of a Dwelling, Child Neglect and Abuse, and Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, as well as many more. She passionately fought for the most underprivileged individuals in our community, obtaining nearly a dozen acquittals at trial as well as various dismissals. She has represented many clients facing sentencing enhancements, such as Habitual Violent Felony Offender status and Prison Release Reoffender status.

Ashley understands the immense stress her clients undergo when they are facing criminal charges, and zealously fights for every individual she has the privilege of representing.”

Education

Barry University School of Law, Orlando, FL

Degree: J.D., 2021

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
Young Lawyers Association

National Lawyer’s Guild

Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL

Degree: B.S., 2016
Major: Social Work

Daniel Di 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 De Liguori - Family Law

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.

Education

Barry University School of Law, Orlando, Florida

Degree: J.D., 2015

Spanish
English

Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York

Degree: B.S., 2011
Major: Business Management and Administration

Professional Memberships

The Florida Bar
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida