Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

State and Federal practice in Florida, New York and Washington, DC.

I am a certified elder law attorney who aspires to allay my clients' fears and give them peace of mind about the future. I assist seniors and their families with planning for disability; asset preservation; estate planning using wills and trusts, to ensure that assets go to who clients want as efficiently as possible and to minimize tax burdens; drafting special needs trusts; positioning clients to obtain Medicaid and Veterans benefits to help with the cost of long-term nursing home care, assisted living or home care; and guiding families through the probate and trust administration process when a loved one passes away. I strive to treat every client with the same respect and compassion I want for myself and for my own family.

Representing individuals and small corporations to vindicate their rights against some of the most powerful corporate and government entities in America.

CHARLES K. WILLOUGHBY
“PRACTICE LIMITED TO MEDIATION ONLY”
2450 Sw. Carpenter St. Port St. Lucie, Florida 34984, ckwilloughby@gmail.com, CELL 561-472-4650 ________________________________________________________________________________

PERSONAL DATA: Married 41 years, 3 children, 12 grandchildren; U.S.N. Veteran, enlisted, Held Top Secret Security Clearance, U.S.N.R. Commissioned Officer

EDUCATION : J.D., Regent University School Of Law, Virginia Beach, VA 1994
M.B.A., Drury College, Springfield, MO 1980
B.S. Finance, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MO 1976
Missouri Civil Mediator, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 2003
MEMBERSHIPS: Florida Bar #29106 Missouri Bar #51601
The Florida Academy of Professional Mediators
Association of South Florida Mediators and Arbitrators

CERTIFICATIONS:
Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator
Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator
Missouri Civil Mediator
SPECIALIZED MEDIATION TRAINING SEMINARS:
Mediation and Arbitration of Construction Disputes
Foreclosure Mediation
Pre-suit Divorce Mediation
PREVIOUS Real Estate; Missouri Brokers License
PROFESSIONAL Securities; Series 7 General License
LICENSES: Series 63 NASD Series 24 Investment Company Principal
Insurance; Full Line Missouri Codes: Life; Accident & Health, Variable Contract; General Casualty; Fire & Allied Lines.
Utilized this knowledge in the work place, as well, taught both insurance and securities state exam licensing courses.
EXPERIENCE HISTORY:
MEDIATION: Participated in and resolved multiple mediations involving million dollar disputes including; Wrongful Death cases, Semi-Truck Accidents, Automobile Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents,
Workers Compensation claims, Real Estate, Construction and Contract issues.
RETAIL BUSINESS: 07/01/04 – 05/01/08 Helped son develop, open and operate a Frozen
Custard Shop in West Palm Beach, Fl. (Charley’s Frozen Custard), Named one of top 20
restaurants in Palm Beach County. Also voted best ice cream shop in 2008 in the Palm
Beaches and Treasure Coast by Channel 25 T.V. (Fine tuned real world problem solving skills
and mastered interpersonal relationship skills).
LEGAL: 06/01/99 – 06/15/04 Ramsdell Law Firm, Springfield, MO, Personal Injury,
(Focused on Semi-truck litigation, Auto Accidents and Traumatic Brain Injury cases)
04/17/97 – 06/01/99 Sole Practitioner, Hobe Sound, FL. Elder Law,
(Focused on all aspects of consumer law including Estate Planning, Medicaid issues)
02/01/95 – 04/16/97 Crary Buchanan Law Firm, Stuart, FL. Family Law
Jeff Thomas, Esq. / Florida D.O.R. Child Support Enforcement
SECURITIES Employed in the financial services Industry from 1972 to 1987 with various firms including
& INSURANCE: Merrill Lynch, John Hancock and Waddell & Reed. Gained membership into Executive Club at Merrill Lynch first year in production due to sales volume.
REAL ESTATE: Owner/broker of real estate company from 1972 to 1985. Supervised and trained 11 sales people. Possess knowledge and experience in all areas of Real Estate Practice and agency operation.
STATE OF FLORIDA: Employed with the State of Florida, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services from 1989 to 1991. Responsible for acquisition and management of leased office space including 30 active leases containing in excess of 275,000 Sq. Ft. and was project manager for construction of two 40,000 Sq. Ft. buildings. Helped develop leasing manual and bid procedures used state wide. I was sent around the state to help resolve real estate and contract disputes between the State of Florida and private companies.
ENTREPRENEUR: Owned and operated several businesses including: Law firm; Weekly Business Newspaper; Real Estate Co.; Manufacturing & Consulting Co.; Day Care Centers; and Ice Cream Shop. I bring with me a wealth of diverse business experience and relevant formal education, all of which enables me to better understand all legal and business related issues and provide an effective mediation process.

The law practice of attorney Peggy A. Underbrink focuses on
EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION and WHISTLEBLOWER cases.

Ms. Underbrink also accepts UNEMPLOYMENT APPEALS cases.

Ms. Underbrink takes employment discrimination cases throughout the state of Florida, Washington state, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana (including Indianapolis).

As a personal injury trial attorney, my job is to produce solutions to my clients' problems. I am known for leaving no stone unturned when representing my clients in court.

My unique experience in insurance defense litigation, and from years working as an attorney for insurance companies, puts me in an excellent position to take on national companies and large insurance companies in complex injury litigation.

Prior to representing injured clients, I was a senior casualty attorney for both the largest insurance defense law firm in the United States, and one of the largest insurance defense firms in Florida, where I litigated multiple civil litigation cases on behalf of Fortune 500 companies and insurance companies.

A former U.S. Army Ranger, I was injured in the line of duty. My experience in a special forces military unit developed and tested my leadership skills, and taught me to react smartly and quickly under pressure, but most importantly for clients, it brought me true insight into what it is like to suffer and recover from life-changing injuries.

I am a past recipient of the “Best of the Bar” award from the South Florida Business Journal and was recently recognized by Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™.

In addition to the Florida Bar, I am admitted to the Federal Bars for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida. I am a member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Florida Justice Association (FJA), the Palm Beach County Justice Association, the Broward County Bar Association, the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the South Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Maritime Law Association of the U.S.

I am a proud supporter of the Disabled American Veterans. We offer discounts on all hourly civil and commercial litigation cases for all honorably-discharged military veterans. We also offer similar discounts to law enforcement officers and firefighters.

In addition to personal injury and maritime injury cases, I also represent military contractors injured in Iraq and Afghanistan in Defense Base Act claims. I recently wrote an article on tips for filing a solid and effective Defense Base Act claim with the Department of Labor: "10 Tips For Filing a Claim Under the Defense Base Act."

Richard L. Brown focuses his practice on business and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on unfair business practices, construction litigation and trade secret litigation. He has also advised a wide variety of clients in business and corporate transactional matters.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, the American Association of Justice, the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Indian River County Bar Association. Richard is also a member of the Florida Bar's Trial and Business Law sections. As a former corporate attorney for Universal Studios in Orlando, he continues to advise various clients in the sports and entertainment industries.

Active the community, Richard is a board advisor for the Riverside Theatre, a member of the board of directors of the Cultural Council of Indian River County and a member of the board of trustees of the Environmental Learning Center.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, I moved to Port St. Lucie with my family in 1989. I graduated from Port St. Lucie High School, and received my Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce. I moved to Tampa where I achieved my Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Criminology, and thereafter moved to Miami and graduated with my Juris Doctor (J.D., or law degree) from St. Thomas University.

In 2002, I found myself back home on the Treasure Coast when my legal career began at the State Attorney's office in Fort Pierce as a certified legal intern, and then misdemeanor prosecutor until 2004, when I then became a felony prosecutor where I remained until 2006.

I joined The Kessler Law Firm in June of 2006 where I headed the Family Law division.

I have recently joined the world of solo practitioners, focusing on family/divorce law, criminal defense, and guardianship.

I've been practicing Criminal law for over 20 years. Ran the Public Defender's office in late 80's, then had 18 year partnership at Kirschner & Garland, P.A. Now in solo practice in Fort Pierce on the Indian River; Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer continually since 1994. We also handle complex property distribution family law cases, as well as serious injuries. Same talented, courteous and competent staff for 17 years.