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Colón & López | PA
Aggressive Representation

Attorneys / Lawyers in Sebring - Bartow - Haines City - Lakeland - Wauchula - Tampa - Clearwater - Plant City - Florida - Personal Injury - Wrongful Death - Divorce - Criminal Defense - Drunk Driving - DUI - DWI attorneys - Lawyers - Law Firms - Offices


If your liberty, assets or health is at risk it is paramount that you have a highly aggressive, results oriented law firm on your side. Choosing the right attorney is of the greatest importance as they will be fundamental in resolving your case. With more than forty years of combined experience in handling thousands of cases and with five offices strategically located throughout central Florida we are conveniently located to aid you in your time of need. We are a team of aggressive attorneys, para legals, legal assistants and staff that have the tools and experience necessary to fight for you even if it means going to trial. We have collectively tried more than 500 trials and are willing to go the distance in your case to achieve the best result. End page.

Personal Injury / Wrongful Death Attorneys / Lawyers in Bartow - Sebring - Haines City - Lakeland - Wauchula - Tampa - Clearwater - Plant City - Florida

Enduring a personal injury or loss of a loved do to another's negligence can cause confusion and distress. You will need help finding medical care as well as collecting monetary compensation. Here at Colón & López, P.A. each of our personal injury attorneys is armed with experienced para legals, legal assistants and administrative staff that work to aggressively pursue the monetary damages you deserve. Remember, Insurance Companies have professionals working on their case immediately; even the playing field and become informed about your rights. Set an appointment with Colón & López today. Our fee will be on a contingency fee basis meaning we get paid for our representation only if there is a monetary award for you! End page.

Criminal Defense | DUI / DWI | Drunk Driving Attorneys / Lawyers in Haines City - Sebring - Bartow - Lakeland - Wauchula - Tampa - Clearwater - Plant City - Florida

At Colón & López all of the firm's criminal defense attorneys are former prosecutors with a wealth of experience in any criminal matter State or Federal. Gil Colón has enjoyed success in many highly publicized cases throughout central Florida which is a testament to his renowned experience and skill in the courtroom. Stacey McNelis has extensive prior experience and has handled more than a thousand criminal cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital felonies. Kevin Humphries is acknowledged in the Florida DUI Manual by Chief Judge Demers and has also had extensive criminal experience having tried more than 30 jury trials in Polk County and throughout the Tampa Bay area. Come see the difference for yourself make an appointment today. End page.

Workers' Compensation / Comp Attorneys / Lawyers in Haines City - Sebring - Bartow - Lakeland - Wauchula - Tampa - Clearwater - Plant City - Florida

Injuries that occur while on the job are covered by the State's Worker's Compensation statute. This means employees that are injured on the job regardless of fault are eligible to receive benefits in the form of lost wages, medical treatment and a permanent impairment settlement. In some instances where an employer acts in bad faith or negligence caused your injury you may also be eligible for additional monetary compensation. Don't risk your future health and financial well being to an employer that does not want to pay higher insurance premiums or an adjuster whose loyalty is with the insurance company. If we accept your claim it will be on a contingency fee basis meaning you don't pay unless we recover monetary benefits for you. Call today! End page.

Medical Malpractice / Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys / Lawyers in Haines City - Sebring - Bartow - Lakeland - Wauchula - Tampa - Clearwater - Plant City - Florida

Colón & López, P.A. is dedicated to ensuring that our elderly long-term care institutions and medical professionals provide competent quality care to their patients. We aggressively pursue action against institutions or medical professionals on behalf of residents, patients or their families where they are victims of inadequate care or neglect. This is the only means of raising the quality of care for all patients and residents of for-profit long term care corporations. If your loved one has been the victim of neglect or inadequate care from a health care professional call Colón & López, P.A. immediately to know your rights. If we accept your case it will be on a contingency fee meaning you don't pay unless we recover monetary benefits for you! End page.

Social Security Disability Attorneys / Lawyers in Haines City - Sebring - Bartow - Lakeland - Wauchula - Tampa - Clearwater - Plant City - Florida

If you are employed for a certain period, at a job with the provisions of the Social Security Act and become disabled you are likely eligible for disability benefits. Approximately 60% of initial Social Security Disability (SSD) claims are denied. If your claim is denied you must request reconsideration of that decision within sixty days. This is when most people enlist the aid of an attorney. SSD payments are the right of a person who has paid into the system who is experiencing a long-term illness or disabling injury. The process is not simple but the benefits can be substantial. We know exactly what is required to win SSD benefits and we will help you file your claim or appeal. Remember if you don't win...you don't pay. Call today! End page.

Divorce | Child Custody | Adoption | Dependency Attorneys / Lawyers in Haines City - Sebring - Bartow - Lakeland - Wauchula - Tampa - Clearwater - Plant City - Florida

Divorce can be a traumatic time for your family. The Attorneys at Colón & López, P.A. negotiate hard on our clients' behalf while trying to preserve harmony with children. Many divorces can be resolved amicably; in other cases, court intervention is required. You need a strong, aggressive Attorney to protect your rights in a divorce. The Attorneys of Colón & López, P.A. will work closely with you in obtaining your personal goals. Typical family law cases involve divorces, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption and dependency. These are personal and sometimes painful issues. We offer a listening ear, a calm sensitivity and the sharp legal skills to bring about necessary changes for the client as quickly and as painlessly as possible. End page.

Professional Referral Service

Because of the firm's weekly radio program, "Law Talk," heard on 1430 AM, people often call our office asking us to refer them to different professionals that we know and can trust to help you. Accordingly, if you ever have a need for professional/legal assistance beyond our areas of practice, please call, as we know we can refer you to a competent and caring professional. End page. End page.

Attorney Bio: Gil Colón, Jr.

After practicing law for several years with both the State Attorney's Office and the Office of Public Defender, Gil Colón, Jr. founded the firm in 1992 with one attorney and one secretary in a small, rented office in Bartow. Ten years later, the firm celebrated a decade in practice with four attorneys, 13 support staff, and three locations throughout Florida.

Gil is an accomplished trial lawyer representing the injured and accused. Gil has been involved in over 140 jury trials in multiple venues and courts, both on the Federal and State levels. He is an experienced litigator who has handled trials throughout central Florida including dozens of death penalty, drug trafficking, and major sex offense cases.

Gil graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and earned his law degree from Rutgers College of Law. Gil is a former First Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve, Armor Division. Born in New Jersey and raised in Puerto Rico, Gil is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Gil's professional affiliations include the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Wilson American Inns of Court, the Lakeland Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Lawyers, Polk County Dependency Defense Bar Association, Polk County Trial Lawyers Association, Polk County Criminal Defense Lawyers, Polk County Lawyers Association, and the Florida Bar Lawyers Referral Service.

Gil and his wife Felicia have two children and live in Lakeland, Florida where they attend Highland Park Church of the Nazerene. He enjoys golf, soccer and spending time with family. End page.

Attorney Bio: Melodie J. López

Melodie J. López was born and raised in Southington, Connecticut. A true "natural competitor," Ms. López distinguished herself at the highest levels of collegiate sports early on, playing competitive soccer and assuring her higher education by also earning a softball scholarship to Central Connecticut State University.

Ms. López played All-Conference softball, NCAA, Division II and made herself well known across the Division as a deadly-serious competitor that you had better respect - or lose to miserably. Even as a young adult seemingly focused on sports, however, her overall priorities had the noteworthy balance of a well rounded, multi-tasking professional. While busy demonstrating her ability as a highly accomplished softball player, Ms. López also managed to achieve the highest student-athlete GPA in 1991, she won the coveted Charles A. Dana Society Scholarship and her name was found on the Dean's List every semester without fail.

Ms. López graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 1991 with a B.A. cum laude. She went on to the University of Miami School of Law, earning her Juris Doctorate in 1994.

Melodie J. López began her legal career as a Polk County Public Defender in 1995, handling a diversity of criminal cases. However, recognizing an opportunity to gain priceless experience from another legal perspective, Ms. Lopez switched sides and worked as a criminal prosecutor for several years.

In 1999, Ms. López began working in the civil arena. She became an expert in the areas of personal injury, worker's compensation, and social security. Ms. López has been practicing in these fields since that time, gaining great satisfaction from her ability to positively effect people's lives through the practice of law.

Melodie López has tried more than sixty jury trials, proving herself to be every bit the "heavy hitter" in court as she is on a softball field.

Concerning the law offices of Colón & López | PA, Melodie López makes a single statement that clearly defines the attitude of this law firm and the lifelong character of Ms. López herself, "I do not want to lose and our attorneys do not back down; we will take your case until the end."

Melodie López was married in 1995 and is the mother of three boys. Her family attends Haven Christian Church and reasonably enough, she is the Captain of the Colón & López softball team. She also plays golf.

Attorney Melodie J. López is a member of the Florida Bar Association, the United States Bar Association, Middle District of Florida; the Polk County Trial Lawyers Association; the Association of Trial Lawyers of America; the Lakeland Bar Association; the Hispanic Lawyers Association; Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and the Christian Law Association. She is a Dean's Cup Coordinator; was Guardian Ad Litem Volunteer of the Year in 1993.

Melodie López is fluent in both Spanish and English. End page.

Attorney Bio: Kevin Humphries

Kevin Humphries is a seasoned trial attorney with an abundance of experience in civil and criminal law. Recently a Felony Prosecutor at the State Attorneys Office for the 10th Judicial Circuit, Mr. Humphries has practiced law on a wide diversity of cases at both the County and Circuit Court level in Polk, Hillsborough, Hardee and Highlands County.

Mr. Humphries is also licensed to practice in Federal Court at the Middle District in Tampa. He has handled more than 1,000 criminal cases and tried more than 30 jury trials.

Additionally, Mr. Humphries has drafted and argued countless civil and criminal motions at various hearings in the 10th and 13th Judicial Circuits. Mr. Humphries also has experience in advocating for clients in Forfeiture, Parole and Department of Transportation Review Hearings. He has a wealth of practical experience and has also worked for both insurance defense and personal injury law firms around the State.

Kevin Humphries' learned knowledge of the law is evidenced by his Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy from Stetson University College of Law, at that time the nation's top ranked school by US News for advocacy. As a student Mr. Humphries advocated for Stetson's nationally renowned trial team. Mr. Humphries was also a member of the National Championship team and was given the esteemed Ralph Harris Farrell Competition Award for his individual excellence in numerous intercollegiate competitions.

Off campus, Mr. Humphries acted simultaneously in several leading roles as the Vice President for the Student Division of the Federal Bar Association, Stetson's Liaison to the city of Saint Petersburg, Lieutenant Governor of Resolutions for the Law Student Division of the American Bar Association and Dean's Assistant and Co-chair of Stetson's Social Committee.

Chief Judge Demers of the 6th Circuit and esteemed author of the Florida DUI Handbook, acknowledges Mr. Humphries in the book's most recent edition for his aid in this important manuscript preparation.

Kevin Humphries, however, did not begin his career of service and excellence as a civilian, but put his hand to honorably serving our country first. Mr. Humphries is a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star for his meritorious service. While on active duty in the Marine Corps, Mr. Humphries served as a Platoon Sergeant and as an Adjutant's Clerk.

Kevin Humphries' natural talents and learned skills coupled with his experience makes him a formidable advocate capable of aggressively pursuing the rights and interests of his clients. End page; more below.

Attorney Bio: Stacey Mcnelis

Stacey H. McNelis is an experienced attorney with an extensive background in criminal law. She has been a Polk County Assistant State Attorney and an Assistant Public Defender. Being a Polk County native gives Stacey a good feel for the ways issues are handled in our local courts.

Stacey received her Bachelors Degree from Florida State University and graduated from Stetson University College of Law. She has tried over 30 cases. End page; more below.

Attorney Bio: James R. Headley

James R. "Jim" Headley received a Law Degree from Stetson University, College of Law; a Master of Business Administration from Stetson University School of Business Administration ;and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The University of South Florida.

Mr. Headley represented insurance carriers and employers in the area of Workers' Compensation and insurance carriers in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) defense. Mr. Headley also represented the Florida Department of Children and Families (the Department) while working for the Florida Attorney General, office of Children's Legal Services. He represented the Department in all aspects of removing children from situations in which they were abandoned, abused or neglected.

Mr. Headley served in the United States Army until being medically retired in 1999 and began representing veterans, free of charge. During this time he was employed by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and handled hundreds of cases for veterans in need of assistance with their Veterans Administration claim for compensation, pension or educational benefits.

Mr. Headley currently represents clients in the following areas of law: Workers' Compensation, Personal Injury, Social Security and Veterans Administration benefits representation. End page; more below.

Office Locations & Contact Information

325 East Davidson Street
Bartow, FL 33880
863.534.3777 | Mapquest Map

95 South 10th Street
Haines City, FL 33844
863.422.7000 | Mapquest Map

1014 South Florida Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33803
863.802.1600 | Mapquest Map

101 East Main Street
Wauchula, FL 33873
863.773.2577 | Mapquest Map

224 North Commerce Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
863.382.7577 | Mapquest Map