Lauren Y. Detzel

Paula Howell focuses her practice on litigation matters. Paula regularly counsels clients involved in complex commercial and construction litigation. Paula also has experience with matters involving torts, trademark infringement, and employment-related disputes. She has conducted numerous administrative hearings and trials, including several jury trials, resulting in favorable outcomes for her clients. Paula regularly engages in pro bono litigation, taking on matters including cross-national ...

Colin Baker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Colin, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Colin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

MELVIN BOWEN WRIGHT was born in Albany, Georgia on August 1, 1959 and was raised on a family farm still in operation in Warwick located in Worth County, Georgia. He moved to Central Florida in 1985, is married and has two children. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1985 and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1985 and the Florida Bar in 1986. Mr. Wright is also licensed to practice law in Tennessee. Mr. Wright is also a member of the Supreme Court Bar, the District Courts for the...

Monica Kovecses represents businesses, individuals, and municipalities in various contract and tort disputes in both state and federal court. She also has experience representing attorneys and other professionals in malpractice and related disputes, including successfully defending a prominent law firm at trial in federal court against claims of gross negligence and lost profits arising out of a failed loan transaction. Additionally, Monica has experience representing healthcare providers suc...

Patrick Brackins received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Florida and, in 2006, his Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. Patrick moved to Orlando in 2006, where he began his career as a staff attorney for Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. Prior to joining Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins, P.A., from 2008 to 2016, Patrick served as the career law clerk for a United States Magistrate Judge in the Orlando Division of th...

Tom McAleavey practices in the area of corporate and securities law. His practice includes mergers and acquisitions, public and private offerings of securities, corporate governance matters and securities regulation compliance. His experience includes the representation of public companies in connection with public and private offerings of debt and equity securities; SEC periodic reporting and proxy statements; and corporate acquisitions, dispositions, and reorganizations.

Gary Whitlock represents major financial institutions in a broad range of transactions. He routinely represents lenders making commercial and real estate loans, and has assisted his clients with loan restructurings and workouts. Gary also has significant experience working on loans to companies in the automotive sector, as well as representing clients with the acquisition of quarries. The typical transaction size is between $5 million and $25 million.

Ryan Sawyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Ryan, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David S. Carus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. David S., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven D. Kramer is a native Floridian and has lived in Central Florida since 1987. He is a graduate of Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Florida. Mr. Kramer is a leader in the Central Florida Community. He has served as President of the prestigious William's Inn of Court, previously served as President of the Seminole County Bar Association, President of the Seminole County Legal Aid Society, Co-Founder and Director of the Seminole County Young Lawyers Division, and is a Member of the Flor...