Lunch with Lawyers

Attorney Tom Sadaka was recommended by radio listener Maria. To honor Tom, I invited him to lunch and he chose Hamburger Mary’s restaurant. Tom focuses his practice on Information Technology Law and loves this area because it is so new and still being formulated by courts around the country. Tom was previously Special Counsel for Computer Crimes and Identity Theft Prosecutions in the Florida Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution and oversaw all criminal prosecution and investigation of computer and Internet related crimes and identity theft cases handled by the office. It was fascinating hearing about this area of the law, and just as fascinating hearing Tom talk about being the pit master for Divine Swine Competition BBQ Team, an award winning and nationally ranked professional BBQ team. www.nejamelaw.com/criminal-civil-lawyer-thomas-sadaka.html

Attorney Gordon Shuey was recommended by radio listener Ron. To honor Gordon, I invited him to lunch and he chose The Tap Room at Dubsdread. Gordon focuses his practice on Family Law. He loves helping families and especially helping children. Gordon serves as a Guardian ad Litem and was the director of the Orange County Child Support Enforcement Office.

Attorney Bill Umansky gave a great client experience to radio listener Melvin. To honor Bill, I invited him to lunch and he chose Citrus Restaurant. Bill focuses his practice on Personal Injury and Criminal law. He is so passionate about helping his clients and the community, he recently started the Second Chance Foundation of Florida, an organization that provides tuition and book scholarships to college-ready children who need a second chance. He also published his book Second Chances, Stories of Hope, Redemption, and Forgiveness. Visit Bill’s website at www.thelawman.net/Second-Chance.shtml

Attorney Jack Kaleita gave a great client experience to radio listener Carl. To honor Jack, I invited him to lunch and he chose Longhorn Restaurant. After serving as Assistant State Attorney in Seminole County for 12 years, Jack started his own private practice focusing on Criminal Defense Law. It was great to hear Jack tell the story that, although he is not a talk radio listener, he was recently flipping the radio dial and heard my 11 Lawyers Radio Show and my inviting listeners to call and brag on their lawyer. Within the week, he received a call from me that Carl had called my show to brag on him. Visit Jack’s website at www.jackakaleitapa.com

Attorney Shawn Smith gave a great client experience to radio listener Rufus. To honor Shawn, I invited him to lunch and he chose Hillstone Restaurant. Shawn practices criminal defense law and is extremely devoted to his clients. Rufus wrote me and said of Shawn “He has helped me in more ways than can be presented, while providing encouragement to me over extreme adversity with a mindset of success. Most of all, his sacrifice and commitment to greatness challenges us to travel the path of a few. His best foot is put forward in determining the best possible legal outcome for his clients. He is a firm believer in Christianity and knows, with God, all is possible. I firmly admire that Mr. Smith is the first lawyer I have ever met who has not allowed his moral philosophy to be compromised by his profession. He is truly a diamond in the rough.” Visit Shawn’s website at www.criminalattorneysorlandofl.com

Attorney John Finnigan actually called and invited ME to lunch to recognize the 25th Anniversary of my Olsen on Law Radio Show. I chose K Restaurant in College Park. I enjoyed getting to know John and learn about his employment law practice.

Attorney Paul Linder gave a great client experience to radio listener Bill. To honor Paul, I invited him to lunch and he chose K Restaurant in College Park. Paul’s areas of practice are personal injury, medical malpractice and professional malpractice. Paul has a charming southern accent that he got while hanging out with the cowboys on his family’s ranch in Chuluota. In fact, Paul still raises cattle and has served as President of the Orange County Cattleman’s Association. He has also been active in legislative issues affecting farmers and cattlemen in the State of Florida, serving on statewide committees of the Florida Farm Bureau for the citrus and cattle industries. Visit Paul’s website at www.griflaw.com

Attorney Mark Horwitz was recommended by radio listener Laurie who use to work for Mark and thinks so highly of him. To honor Mark, I invited him to lunch and he chose the Kres Chophouse. Mark does criminal defense law and focuses his practice on white collar crimes. It was the first time I’ve had the opportunity to speak with an attorney that concentrates in this area of the law. It was interesting hearing about white collar crimes and I was fascinated by the various cases he has handled over the years including his representing a friend of a friend of mine many years ago. Contact Mark at www.mlhorwitzlaw.com/Contact.shtml

Attorney Lisa Figueroa gave a great client experience to radio listener Robert K. To honor Lisa, I invited her to lunch and she chose Café Madrid. Lisa concentrates her practice in the areas of criminal defense and foreclosure. She speaks fluent Spanish and is passionate about helping her clients understand the law, both in court and in her office. She is so concerned about being available to her clients that she moved her office closer to where the majority of her clients live. Lisa has worked very hard to become a lawyer, including that fact that she learned she was pregnant on her first day of law school many years ago.

Attorney Dean Reed was recommended by a radio listener Patricia P. I invited Dean to lunch to honor that recommendation and he chose P.F. Chang’s. Dean focuses his law practice in the areas of personal injury and bankruptcy. Dean is committed to giving each client a great experience, and one way he accomplishes this is by offering to have a translator as a part of every client meeting for those clients where English is not their first language.

Attorney Amber Johnson was recommended by a radio listener Richard R. I invited Amber to lunch to honor that recommendation and she chose Paris Bistro. Amber focuses her practice in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law and Tax Planning. In addition to her law practice, Amber dedicates a lot of time to help improve the Estate, Trust, and Guardianship laws of Florida by serving on the state committee.

Attorney Gary Wilson was recommended by Greg W., who listens to my ’11 Lawyers Radio Show’. To honor Gary, I invited him to lunch and he chose Chez Vincent. Gary focuses his practice in the area of Employment Law and he is committed to giving each client a great personalized experience. He is passionate about giving back to the community and he serves in several leadership positions including Restore Hope Orlando, a grass roots organization helping local children.

Attorney John Paradis was recommended by radio listener Glen M. who said that John gave him a great client experience. To honor John, I invited him to lunch and he chose The Grand Bohemian. John practices in the areas of foreclosure defense, creditor collections and landlord/tenant and is passionate about helping his clients and will go to their home to make it easier for them.

Attorney Tom Dyer was recommended by radio listener Joan M. who said that Tom gave her a great client experience. To honor Tom, I invited him to lunch and he chose Shine Kitchen. In addition to his law practice where he focuses on helping clients in the area of estate planning, Tom is committed to giving back to the community through his newspaper “The Watermark.”

Attorney Irene Pons was recommended by a radio listener Kathy E. I invited Irene to lunch to honor that recommendation and she chose Amura. Just prior to our lunch, Irene had a group of her students on a field trip to the Orange County jail. Quick change from jeans to skirt. It’s interesting that Irene has a dual career. She is a full-time legal studies professor at UCF and a full-time lawyer. And in the little spare time she has, Irene rescues great danes. She is one busy lady!

Attorney Peter Cushing gave a great client experience to radio listener Cathy. To honor Peter, I invited him to lunch and he chose the Tap Room at Dubsdread. He reminded me that we had lunch together 20 years ago! I was intrigued that Peter has carved out a very specific area of practice in the area of military divorce law. Peter lectures with the Florida Bar advising other attorneys how to insure that their military divorce cases comply with State and Federal laws affecting military personnel. In addition, Peter consults and speaks on this topic nationally.

Attorney Abigail Johnston gave a great client experience to radio listener Lollie. To honor Abigail, I invited her to lunch and she chose Seasons 52. Abigail focuses her practice on family law. She is passionate about the area of Collaborative Divorce, and has already had more than 40 successful cases with this relatively new process. It was also interesting that Abigail has had the opportunity to work with her father in several Collaborative Divorce cases, because he is a psychologist that also is part of Collaborative Divorce teams.

Attorneys Peter and Mitzi Carr were of great assistance to their neighbor regarding their HOA. To honor them, I invited them to lunch and they chose Citrus Restaurant. They are personal injury and construction law attorneys and love to scuba dive together. They are the first husband/wife legal team that I’ve had the pleasure of having lunch with.

Attorney John Edward Jones was recommended by a radio listener Verner C. I invited John to lunch to honor that recommendation and he chose The Tap Room at Dubsdread. It was nice to see John again after so many years. Back in the day, I would occasionally host HIS radio show in his absence. At lunch, I loved it when John told me he considered my father (Attorney Robert Olsen) to be the “Dean of Real Estate” in the early 70’s and he would, as a young lawyer, walk next door to his office on Lake Eola to seek my dad’s advice. Funny, there are many attorneys who are very grateful to John for HIS wise counsel when they call upon him.

Attorney Jeremy Markman was recommended by a radio listener Peggy D. I invited Jeremy to lunch to honor that recommendation and he chose The Ravenous Pig. As a personal injury attorney, Jeremy is passionate about helping his clients. I was impressed that Jeremy agreed to invest his time and money to help Peggy obtain "pain and suffering" damages for the death of her dog while in a veterinarian’s care. In that pets are “personal property”, damages are limited to “replacement cost.” Although unsuccessful, Peggy was glad to have her day in court.

Attorney Peggy Hoyt was recommended by a radio listener Lou Ellen B. I invited Peggy to lunch to honor that recommendation and she chose Ruby Tuesday. I found it quite interesting that Peggy's practice includes helping pet owners who want to include their pets as part of their estate plans. She has also authored a book on this subject, "All My Children Wear Fur Coats – How to Leave a Legacy to Your Pet"

Attorney Jessica Buonauro was recommended by a radio listener Albert R. I invited Jessica to lunch to honor that recommendation and she chose The Ravenous Pig. I'm not sure that I've ever met a more caring lawyer and that is reflected by the fact that she won the Supreme Court of Florida Pro Bono Excellence Award

Attorney Dennis Salvagio was recommended by a radio listener MJ. I invited Dennis to lunch to honor that recommendation and he chose Il Pescatore. Dennis is also known as the Magic fan "The Fat Guy" and I was fascinated by how that got started and how he has used his fame to support so many charitable causes in Orlando.

Attorney Scott Sheffler was recommended by a radio listener Scott S. I invited Scott to lunch to honor that recommendation and he chose Rocco's. Scott practices commercial litigation and construction law.

Attorney Mike Appleton was recommended by radio listener Raymond. I invited Mike to lunch to honor that recommendation and Mike chose Dubsdread. Mike is a litigation attorney and he told me of a fascinating internet libel case that he had recently defended.