Florida Lawyers

Wills and Trust Law

333 S Tamiami Trl suite 219, Venice, FL 34285, USA

Dawn Marie Bates-Buchanan, was raised in Venice Florida, where her Father was a Police Officer and where she graduated from local Vence High School in 1986. Dawn Marie got her B.A. in Criminology, Sociology and Child Psychology from the University of South Florida. Dawn Marie worked for the 12th Judicial District's State's Attorney's Office (in Sarasota County, Florida) for 5 years as a Legal Assistant, before enrolling in Stetson University College of Law in 1996. Graduating early in December of 1998, Dawn Marie went back to work for the 12th Judicial District's State's Attorney's office. Dawn Marie moved to Daytona Beach, Florida to work on behalf of domestic violence family law clients for Central Florida Legal Services in 1999 where she worked and became the Managing Attorney of the Daytona Beach Office in charge of the Family Law Unit. In 2006 Dawn Marie moved to Bradenton to become the Managing Attorney at Gulfcoast Legal Services, Inc. in their Bradenton Office, where she specialized in consumer, housing, estate planning, family and dependency law and bankruptcy. Dawn Marie and her law partner Susannah opened their firm in February of 2011, then Dawn Marie moved back to Venice in 2012, with her Husband and dogs and opened an office in Venice where she continues to live with her Husband, her daughter Darian and their six dogs. Dawn Marie has been the primary attorney in more than 150 trials from family, to civil and criminal. Dawn Marie is trained as a Collaborative Family Law Attorney and is a Certified Family Law and Circuit Civil Mediator.

Estate Planning Law

2312 Cypress Cove, Suite 101, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

Denise A. Welter was born and raised in Broward County, Florida – making her a very rare native Floridian. She obtained both her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, majoring in Legal Studies (1999) and her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Nova Southeastern University (2002), all while being married and raising two sons. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2002. After raising her family in southeast Florida, she moved to Tampa in 2014, to be closer to one of her sons and his family. After moving to Tampa, she had the incredible opportunity to practice law with her oldest son. In 2018, when her son took another position, she began practicing in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Denise enjoys serving the community in and around Wesley Chapel and the entire Tampa Bay area. Mrs. Welter is a member of The Florida Bar and concentrates her practice in the areas of Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts and Probate. She is also a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys. Mrs. Welter has handled many complicated cases and has always acted as a dedicated and knowledgeable advocate for her clients. She understands the difficult times families face during family illness and after the loss of a loved one. Her passion is to help families prepare their estates in order to leave the legacy they desire and to assist families when facing challenging times of illness and death of a loved one. When she isn’t practicing law, Mrs. Welter is involved with the local community. She volunteers for an international non-profit marriage ministry and, in a variety of ways, at her church. She enjoys days at the beach, traveling and, especially, spending time with her three beautiful granddaughters. Having practiced for many years in the area of Elder Law, Mrs. Welter has an understanding of aging and the law – and the legal interactions that may affect the elderly. Passion for the law and compassion for her clients is what drives Denise to make every client a priority.

Personal Injury Law

1301 Riverplace Blvd., Suite 800, Jacksonville, FL 32207

Family and Divorce Law

1091 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511, USA

Derek Matthews, Esq., brings a well-rounded background to his legal practice, having graduated from George Washington University and Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. His diverse expertise spans personal injury law, family law, criminal law, business law, estate planning, probate law, and dependency law. With a unique professional journey that includes roles as a firefighter, respiratory therapist, pharmaceutical representative, and in-home construction, Matthews likely offers clients a comprehensive perspective. Beyond his legal endeavors, Derek enjoys boating, golf, and cherishing moments with his wife and children, suggesting a balanced and family-oriented approach to life. This combination of education, professional experience, and personal interests paints a picture of a lawyer with a broad skill set and a commitment to a well-rounded, client-focused practice.

Personal Injury Law

5220 S. University Drive, Suite 205C, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33024

Diana Santa Maria attended the University of Miami where she received both her undergraduate and law degrees. During law school she represented the school in Mock Trial and Moot Court Competitions on the state –wide level winning the Best Brief Award on behalf of the University of Miami at the (1983) Robert Orseck Memorial (State) Moot Court Competition. Upon graduation she was awarded and inducted into the Order of Barristers awarded to the top ten graduating law students based on leadership in trial and appellate advocacy. Since being admitted to The Florida Bar in 1985, she has devoted her practice to the representation of persons injured as a result of the negligence of others. From 1985 until 1991 she practiced with one of the country's top personal injury law firms in the areas of Plaintiff's Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death, both on the trial and appellate levels. In 1991 Diana formed her own practice specializing in Plaintiff's Personal Injury and Wrongful Death. She is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates as well as a past President of its Fort Lauderdale Chapter (www.abotafll.org); she is a Sustaining Member of the American Justice Association, a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association and is AV rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Throughout her law career and in addition to her practice, Diana has served the legal profession with distinction. She served a 4 year term as Commissioner on the State of Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and she served as adjunct Professor of Law at Nova Southeastern University Law Center. She is an active member of The Florida Bar and its Trial Bar, having lectured and written on numerous legal topics within her field, to include Seven Steps to Effective Mediation published in the June, 1997 TRIAL magazine as well as Guideline for Handling Sexual Abuse of a Minor by a Public School Teacher, published as part of a National Conference by the National Crime Victim Bar Association in Washington, D.C. From 1996 - 2006 she served on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers ( n/k/a the Florida Justice Association) as well as on the Board of Directors for the Broward County Bar & Broward County Trial Lawyers Assn. ( n/k/a Broward Justice Assn.) . She was appointed by the Florida Bar in 2004 to the Florida Supreme Court's Commission on Professionalism and since 2013 has served on the Florida Bar Board of Governors for the 17th Judicial Circuit. Diana has been listed in Who's Who in American Law, The International Who's Who of Professionals and Outstanding Young Women of America. She has also been named to Florida’s Super Lawyers and is listed among the Best Lawyers in America. Aside from being a lawyer, Diana is a parent and has a particular interest in and sensitivity to protecting and preserving the rights of children and enhancing all aspects of public safety.