Panama City, FL Lawyers

Family and Divorce Law

214 W 5th St, Panama City, FL 32401, USA

In 1982, a young Alia Adhal moved with her family from Pittsburgh, PA to Panama City. Graduating with the Mosley class of 1989, Alia went on to Gulf Coast and Florida State University, attaining a bachelors of Science degree. Alia continued her pursuit of education at Florida Coastal School of Law in 2000. Since then, Alia has diligently worked in the field of law. She has 12 years of trial experience, concentrating on Family Law and Immigration Law.

Family and Divorce Law

303 Magnolia Ave, Panama City, FL 32401, USA

Gerard Virga is a family law and divorce attorney with The Virga Law Firm, P.A., whose Florida Bar address is in Panama City Beach, Florida. He founded the firm and serves as its lead attorney. His practice has concentrated almost exclusively on divorce and family law litigation, with cases in numerous Florida counties and judicial circuits. The Florida Bar lists him under his full name, Gerard Matthew Virga Jr., as a member in good standing eligible to practice in the state. Virga earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Florida and his law degree at Cumberland School of Law. His Florida Bar record identifies him as a 2004 graduate of Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and gives his admission date as September 15, 2004. Before opening his firm, he served as an assistant attorney general under Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist. Beyond his litigation practice, Virga serves as a mentor through the Florida Bar Family Law Section, working with law students and attorneys entering family law. His speaking engagements have addressed divorce, military divorce and collaborative law for local organizations and bar associations. He has also provided commentary to news organizations on family law issues affecting Florida residents. His published work includes an article in the Florida Bar Family Law Section’s Commentator examining psychotherapist-patient privilege in Vincent v. Vincent.

Civil Litigation

936 Jenks Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401

Sherri Denton Mallory is an attorney with Mallory Law Firm, P.A., in Panama City, Florida. The Florida Bar lists her as a partner/shareholder and a member in good standing who is eligible to practice in the state. She was admitted to the Florida Bar on October 5, 1987, and her bar profile identifies Florida State University College of Law as her law school, with a 1987 graduation year. Her career has included private practice and government service. A 2024 biographical profile records that she previously held partnerships at Warner & Mallory, P.A., and Burke Blue Law Firm. It also describes her earlier work as a senior attorney for Florida’s Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services and Department of Children & Families. She served as outside counsel to Peoples First Community Bank for more than 14 years. Mallory’s community work has included the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center. From 2001 to 2010, she served on its board and executive board and as legal counsel. Her work for the center also included negotiating the acquisition of property in Panama City and handling its purchase and financing. During the same period, she served St. Andrews Bay Center Inc. as a board member, treasurer and vice president. Mallory Law Firm is located at 936 Jenks Avenue. The firm identifies family law, real estate law, litigation, estate planning and probate among its practice areas.

Criminal Defense Law

2612B W 15TH ST, PANAMA CITY, FL 32401-1571

As a former Assistant State Attorney, Mr. Shepard is able to anticipate the tactics and strategies used by prosecutors and law enforcement officers allowing weaknesses in the State's case to be isolated and exploited. Mr. Shepard has handled literally thousands of criminal cases in Florida's 14th Judicial Circuit (over 6,000 at last count). Mr. Shepard regularly represents clients charged with offenses ranging from misdemeanor theft crimes and DUI to serious felony violent offenses that are subject to Florida's 10-20-Life law. Prior to law school Mr. Shepard worked as a political consultant for a national political committee and respective United States Senate candidates in Washington, DC. Additionally, Mr. Shepard served in the Washington, DC based political affairs office of Astrum International, the parent company of Samsonite, Culligan International and the 500 Fashion Group. He earned his B.A. from the University of Arizona before attending Florida State University College of Law, where he earned his J.D.