Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

The Law Offices of Jason M. Melton, P.A. has offices in Spring Hill, New Port Richey, Ocala, Tampa, Bushnell, Inverness and Gainesville where we handle Auto Accidents, Slip and Fall, Injury, Wrongful Death, DUI, Criminal, Brain Injury, Divorce and all Family law issues and other related legal matters in the following communities:
Tampa, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Wesley Chapel, Dade City, Zephyrhills, New Port Richey, Trinity, Hudson, Holiday, Brooksville, Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, Bushnell, Inverness, Crystal River, Homosassa, The Villages, Ocala, Gainesville, Bronson, Cedar Key, Tavares, Clermont, Bartow, Lakeland - which includes Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Hernando County, Polk County, Lake County, Sumter County, Citrus County, Marion County, Levy County and Alachua County

Michael J. Faehner, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Esq.is an associate with the law firm of Fisher & Sauls. He practices is the area of Wills, Trusts & Estates, Estate Planning, Tax, Business Law and Civil Litigation groups and previously was Sr. Tax & Charitable Strategist at Raymond James Trust Private Wealth Management Family Office. Prior to joining the Private Wealth Management team, Michael practiced as a tax, probate, estate planning, and civil litigation lawyer for over 10 years in the Clearwater and Sarasota area. His past experience includes being President of The Clearwater Bar Association, President of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division and as a member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors. Mike earned a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance and a BA in History from the University of Notre Dame. Michael graduated with multiple honors from Valparaiso University School of Law and obtained his LL.M. in taxation from the University of Florida.

He sits of the Board of Directors for the SPCA of Tampa Bay where he is a Vice President of the Board. He chairs their Development Committee and their professional advisors committee. He also sits on the Board of Directors for Leadership Pinellas and the St. Anthony Hospital Foundation. He presently is volunteering on several committees for the Suncoast YMCA, Catholic Charities, the Skip Kline Society, the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, RCS, Morton Plant Foundation, All Children’s Hospital and Academy Prep. He also volunteers his time to give talks on assorted tax and charitable issues to the community. In Michael’s spare time, he serves as an adjunct professor at St. Petersburg College in their four year Bachelor’s Paralegal Studies Program. He is presently on his second time serving as the President of the University of Notre Dame Club for the Greater Tampa Bay Area.

Marshall C. Deason, Jr., has more than 25 years of experience in handling real estate, development, and construction transactions and in organizing and representing Tampa businesses as corporations, LLCs, and LLPs. He is board certified in real estate law by The Florida Bar and has earned an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Prior to joining the Gibbons Neuman in 2007, Mr. Deason has been a member of both Florida and multi-state law firms, has served as vice president and general counsel of a publicly held real estate development company, and worked as an attorney/advisor to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C. He is the co-author of several books and practice manuals published by The Florida Bar and is a frequent speaker at continuing education programs for lawyers on the topics of real estate, business organization, and legal ethics. Mr. Deason received his law degree, with honors, from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University, and served there as executive editor of the law review.

Attorney Dale James Morgado brings diverse experience to the firm by combining large and boutique law firm experience, with an M.B.A. and J.D., effectively counseling clients in a business, defense, and plaintiff capacity. He began his legal career clerking for Phipps P.C. more than a decade ago; only to soon join one of Bostonâs 50 largest law firms, Deutsch, William, Brooks, Derensis & Holland. After attending law school in Connecticut, he began practicing as an attorney at the Hartford office of the nationally recognized ERISA plaintiffs firm Moukawsher & Walsh. After moving from New England to Florida, Attorney Morgado practiced with the 140-lawyer defense firm Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in the firmâs Chambers recognized ERISA and Employee Benefit practice group. Attorney Morgado has focused his practice on ERISA and employment law throughout his entire legal career, both from a transactional and litigation standpoint and has worked on both sides of the bench, making him one of a few practioners to gain an understanding of these practice areas from the defendant, plaintiff, and business perspective. He leads the firm when it comes to ERISA and certain employment law matters.

Bar & Court Admissions

The Florida Bar
The Connecticut Bar
The United States Tax Court
Middle District of Florida
District of Connecticut
Southern District of New York

Published Works

Author of “Economic Consequences to Companies, States, and Municipalities Sponsoring Pension Plans from the Recent Market Losses and Potential ERISA Fiduciary Liability to Investment Advisers that Follow.” April 2009 Employee Benefit Plan Review


Author of “The Death Tax – How Will Obama’s Tax Plan Affect Your Estate Plan.” Published in December 2008 LeMieux Report

Co-Author of “Blessings Point to Cash Balance Prosperity for Interested Advisers.” Published in the September 2008 Employee Benefit Adviser


Author of “Sell it But Don’t Overstate it Unless You Want to Get Sued: When Does ERISA Liability Attach.” Published in the July 2008 Employee Benefit Adviser

Co-Author of “The Pension Protection Act Brings Sweeping Changes.” Published in the 2007 Connecticut Bar Association Employment Quarterly Vol. 13 Issue 2


Co-Author of “A Federal Agency Says You Are Disabled…And A District Court Agrees, The Relevance of Social Security Disability Findings in ERISA Disability Insurance Benefit Litigation.” Published in the 2007 Connecticut Bar Association Employment Quarterly Vol. 13 Issue 3


Contributor to American Bar Associations Subcommittee on Benefit Claims and Individual Rights for 2007 Mid-Winter Report of Claims Procedures and Remedies for Procedural Violations

Past or Present Professional Associations and Memberships

American Bar Association
American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Tax Council
Connecticut Bar Association
Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
Broward County Bar Association
Florida Bar Association
Hartford County Bar Association

Representative Matters

Richards v. Fleetboston Financial Corp et. al. , 3:04-cv-01638, (cash balance class action litigation regarding whipsaw, fiduciary duties, 204(h) disclosure, and age discrimination)

Pugliese v. United Tech Corp. , 3:06-cv-01013, (golden handshake litigation regarding breach of fiduciary duty and misrepresentation under ERISA 502(a)(3))

Sparveri v. Town of Rocky Hill , 3:05 -cv-00376, (42 U.S.C. 1983 action regarding breach of municipal pension plan terms)

Goldberg v. United Illuminating Company , 3:06 -cv-01358, (defined benefit plan claim under ERISA 502(a)(1)(B) to enforce pension plan terms)

Hospital for Special Care v. Donna Abram, et. al. , Doc. No. CV-07-5006097 (defense of contract collection on behalf of fiduciary)

Regan v. City of Torrington , Doc. No. CV-07-5005888-S, (breach of contract claim regarding medical and disability pension benefits)

Sublette et. al. v. FedEx, Doc. No. 04-3013 Ma/P, (golden handshake litigation involving breach of fiduciary duty and misrepresentation under ERISA 502(a)(3))

Kajda v. SNET , Doc. No. CV-07-5010107-S (severance litigation concerning fiduciary duties, misrepresentation and violation of employee fringe benefits under C.G.S. Sec. 31-76k)

Thompson, et al. v. Linvatec Corporation, et. al ., Doc. No. 06-cv-404 (class action ERISA claim for severance benefits involving breach of fiduciary duty under 502(a)(3), violation of ERISA summary plan description requirements under ERISA Sec. 102, and benefit claims under 502(a)(1)(B))

Arivella et. al. v. Lucent , C.A. No. 08-10398 , (claim for benefits under ERISA 502(a)(1)(B), common law fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty under 502(a)(3))

Lavoie v. SBC , Doc. No. 3:04-cv-1116, (litigation regarding serious consideration test, breach of fiduciary duty, and misrepresentation of severance plan benefits)

Morse v. Shape , Case No. 09-014965 (fraud, unjust enrichment, contract and civil theft action)

In Re United States Sugar Corporation Litigation CV- 08-80101 (ERISA class action against U.S. Sugar, company executives, board, fiduciaries and ESOP plan, alleging breach of fiduciary duties, breach of duty)

A Philadelphia Native, Andy earned his law degree from Widener School of Law, while simultaneously earning his MBA. After graduating in 1997, he practiced in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, before taking the bar in Florida, and ultimately opening his own practice, The Lyons Law Group, PA in 2008.

People have problems. I have always viewed my role as an attorney and advocate from the same perspective - my job is to help people solve their problems. In that respect, trouble is my business.

As a problem solver, I strive to reduce the client's risk and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. As an advocate, I am ethically obligated to vigorously act in my client's best interests. Whenever possible, I provide clients with innovative, sound and flexible strategies for solving their legal problems. But I will be the first to tell you that many legal problems can't be resolved without confrontation. When necessary, I will initiate aggressive action to solve my client's legal problems and protect their rights.

I recognize that clients want an attorney who will provide legal services in an efficient, cost-effective manner. I do not believe in creating acrimonious situations in order to make problems worse and generate additional legal fees. I believe in defusing volatile situations, but recognize that this is not always possible.

I am very proud to be a cancer survivor (25+ years). I credit the disease with teaching me an invaluable lesson - how to remain disciplined, focus on my goal, overcome adversity and thrive during the most challenging times.