Top Estate Lawyers Near Me in Clearwater Area

Joan Vecchioli is a partner with Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP. She joined the firm in 1986 upon graduating with honors from Stetson University College of Law, where she was a member of the Law Review and competed on the Moot Court Board. Joan is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in the area of Labor and Employment Law and is a Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. She has taught employment discrimination and legal research and writing courses at Stetson University College of Law and St. Petersburg College and has presented seminars and written articles on various labor and employment issues. Joan is admitted to practice in the Middle and Southern District Courts of Florida and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a former Chair of the Board Certification Committee for the Labor and Employment Law Section of The Florida Bar, a past President of the Clearwater Bar Foundation, and a past Board Chair for Saint Paul's School in Clearwater. She currently serves as a Trustee for the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Pinellas County Unified Personnel Board. Joan is AV rated through Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Best Lawyers in America and Superlawyers.

I'm a firm believer that no problem is too big to be solved, anything worth it is worth fighting for, and I'm the advocate you want in your corner. I emphasize direct, honest communication and am results-driven. I'm certain that good lawyering does not involve a one size fits all approach. I have a strong background in business law, as well as experience working as corporate in-house counsel for the past decade. And if this doesn't tickle your fancy, please see below for other reasons why you should hire me: I'm excellent at every board game ever invented and beat formidable opponents, like my 9-year-old daughter. I was born with a green thumb and have yet to meet a plant that I can't grow. I bring my coffee bean grinder everywhere with me, including overnight trips to Disney World, because great coffee is essential. I thoroughly enjoy dancing, hiking, magic and anything that involves the imagination.

I have been practice since 2007. I graduated from Stetson University, College of Law. Prior to attending law school, I received my Masters degree in Athletic Administration from Marshall University and Bachelors degree from University of South Florida. I am a member of the Florida and President of the Clearwater Bar Associations as well as a past chair of the Clearwater Bar’s Elder Law Section.  I served on the Board of Directors of the Guardian Association of Pinellas County and an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Florida Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and Academy of Special Needs Planners.  Prior to being admitted to the Bar, I worked with the Institute’s pooled trust programs, worked with the Clearwater Phillies (now Threshers) and worked for the Florida Department of Corrections as a felony probation officer.. I am the proud caretaker of two Dalmatians, Pandora and Webster. Both rescues, Pandora from Georgia and Webster from Texas. Black clothing is not recommended as the Spots make periodic visits to the office. When I'm not taking them to the beach or park, I enjoy working on my Jeep and spending time with friends and family. I am also an avid fan and season ticket holder with the Tampa Bay Rays.

I am an attorney and CPA who focuses on probate administration, estate planning, Medicaid nursing home asset protection planning, tax planning, estate litigation and guardianship issues. Most of our work is done on a flat fee basis (so you know the total cost before hiring us.) My firm handles cases throughout the state of Florida, and works as co-cousel to referring attorneys in probate litigation matters as well.  We often take litigation cases on a contingency basis for those clients who may not want to risk paying their own money for legal fees - we only get paid when our clients do!. Please call today for a free consultation and price quote on your legal matter.

Brandon D. Bellew, a partner at Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns, LLP, provides outstanding representation in the areas of trust, estate and guardianship litigation and has done so during his entire career. He represents clients throughout Florida in all types and phases of contested issues relating to trusts, estates and guardianships.. He frequently writes articles and lectures on trust, estate and guardianship litigation topics. He is very active in the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section where he serves on its Executive Council, is active on the Trust Law, Probate Law and Procedure and Probate & Trust litigation committees and currently serves as a Vice Chair of the Guardianship, Power of Attorney and Advanced Directives Committee. Brandon is also currently serving as the President of the Clearwater Bar Association, 2018-2019.. Brandon has been recognized for his professional accomplishments by being named Best Lawyers® 2019 Litigation Clearwater – Trusts and Estates – “Lawyer of the Year", listed in The Best Lawyers® in America for Litigation- Trusts and Estates (2018, 2019), recognized as a Rising Star in the practice area of Estate and Trust Litigation by Super Lawyers (2010, 2015-2018) and by earning an Avvo “Superb” 10.0 rating.. Brandon’s cases are often highly emotional and sensitive because they involve family disputes relating to the recent death or incapacity of a loved one. He approaches his cases with a problem solver mindset. While he is an experienced trial attorney and aggressively pursues his clients’ desired outcomes, he believes that most cases should be resolved outside of the courtroom because often, that is the most efficient and cost-effective way to give his clients the best results possible.. When Brandon is not practicing law, he spends his time with his family and coaching youth basketball and flag football.

Alan S. Gassman is an attorney practicing in Clearwater, Florida with the firm of Gassman, Crotty & Denicolo, P.A. Mr. Gassman’s primary practice focus over the past 23 years has been on the representation of physicians, business owners, and high net worth individuals in estate planning, taxation, and business and personal asset structuring.  Mr. Gassman has a law degree and a Master of Law degree (LL.M.) in Taxation from the University of Florida, and a business degree from Rollins College.. He is board certified by the Florida Bar Association in Estate Planning and Trusts Law, and is a commentator for the Leimberg LISI Estate Planning Network, past President of the Pinellas County Estate Planning Council, and co-chair and lecturer for two annual Florida Bar Tax Section conferences  (Physician Representation and Wealth Conservation). He is also an Executive Council Member of the Florida Bar Tax Section.. Mr. Gassman has published over 150 articles in national publications on estate tax planning, limited partnerships, asset protection, and medical practice planning.  Mr. Gassman is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and has been quoted on many occasions in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Florida Trend, Modern Healthcare, Medical Economics, Modern Health Care, and many other publications.. In 2004, Mr. Gassman was selected for inclusion in the Florida Trend magazine “Legal Elite”, which selected “the top 846 lawyers” in Florida based upon independent specialist lawyer evaluation.  In 2006 and 2007, Mr. Gassman was selected for inclusion in “Florida Super Lawyers”, which profiles the “top 5 percent of Florida lawyers” based upon peer review surveys and advisory boards.  He has also been listed in Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in the Southeast, Who’s Who in Science & Industry, and Who Buys All the Who’s Who Books?

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Clearwater and surrounding areas.