Family Law

• Divorce
• Child Support
  Obtaining a license is a different situation for different people. Some may have a suspended license because of unpaid court costs. Some may have a suspended license because of a criminal conviction that has a suspension as part of the sentence. And some may be suspended because of child support issues.
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Adoption

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  "During my internship at the Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office, I was able to work on actual legal matters and vastly improve my research and writing skills. I learned a lot about the justice system, criminal defense, and how to put the theoretical skills I have learned during law school into actual practice. I experienced various stages of the criminal defense process including depositions, client meetings, and motion hearings with a mentor. I also worked with an appellate mentor who reviewed the motions I wrote and provided writing advice. Overall, I think the internship program provided an in-depth look at public defense work and how important it is to the community, as well as the impact it can have on people's lives."
• Sex Crimes
  Was born and raised in Westchester New York where he earned his undergraduate degree, from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, which is located in a beautiful spot along the Hudson River. He graduated with his J.D. from St. Thomas School of Law. At PD-15, Ian is an attorney in the Serious Crimes Division handling life felonies and capital sex offenses. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and watching sports.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  Most lawyers join our office in August and participate in a two-month-long orientation. During this period, they learn the ropes of local practice through a series of presentations and trainings, eventually shadowing practicing attorneys in the misdemeanor division. At the same time, they learn substantive law by working with an Appellate Division mentor drafting appellate briefs.
• Drug Crimes
  Once admitted to the Bar, attorneys are assigned a case load in one of the misdemeanor divisions. They represent defendants accused of crimes punishable by up to one year in jail. The breadth of charges is astounding, including crimes such as driving under the influence, battery, marijuana possession, theft, stalking, prostitution, and criminal mischief. Our attorneys handle each of their cases from start to finish, gaining experience at every step of the legal process. They quickly learn to draft and argue motions, litigate strategically, and negotiate favorable pleas. Most important, they learn to try cases to juries. Typically, our lawyers spend one to two years in misdemeanor court. During this time they face more juries than some lawyers do over the course of a career.
• Murder
  The voters approved in 2018 Amendment 4 to the Florida Constitution, which was designed to enable felons, who did not commit murder or a sexual offense and who completed their sentence in full, to become eligible to vote. On June 28, 2019, § 98.0751 Florida Statue was enacted and prohibited these ex-felons (also known as "returning citizens") from voting unless they pay off all legal financial obligations imposed by a court pursuant to a felony conviction even if they cannot afford to pay. We have committed along with local, state, and national partners to help these "returning citizens" attain voter status and to support ongoing litigation surrounding the law's provision. The Public Defender's Office routinely participates in collaborative efforts in our community to assist in sealing and expunging of eligible criminal records and the restoration of Civil Rights lost with a felony conviction. For more information on these processes and to find out if you are eligible, please call 561-355-7655.
• Juvenile Crimes
  Danielle Berkowitz graduated in 2024 from the University of Miami School of Law and in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications from Tulane University in New Orleans. During law school, she worked at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, the MacArthur Justice Center in New Orleans, the Florida Third District Court of Appeal, and the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia. Her intent in studying law was “to pursue a career as an assistant public defender...[given] the vast differences in the treatment of certain individuals based on race, gender, and socioeconomic status.”
• Homicide
  Studied Education and Spanish at Clemson University, then moved to California, where he obtained advanced degrees from Fuller Seminary and worked in educational technology. After moving to Korea, where he taught college-level courses in religion and culture, he returned to the USA for law school. Michael completed his J.D. at Northwestern University School of Law and then joined PD-15 where he has tried more than 50 cases to jury verdicts, which have included more than 20 felonies where he was lead counsel, included homicide and sexual battery cases, and involved both children and adults. He currently works in the Serious Crimes Division, representing persons charged with sex crimes and serious violent felonies. He is a member of the board of the directors for the New Voices Project, an organization dedicated to using the arts to increase awareness of the Holocaust and the moral lessons for all humanity. Michael spends his remaining free time with his wife, stepchildren, and their cats, and unwinds by enjoying Dodger baseball, cheering on Clemson football, and playing video games.
• Prostitution
  Once admitted to the Bar, attorneys are assigned a caseload in one of the misdemeanor divisions. They represent defendants accused of crimes punishable by up to one year in jail. The breadth of charges is astounding, including crimes such as driving under the influence, battery, marijuana possession, theft, stalking, prostitution, and criminal mischief. Our attorneys handle each of their cases from start to finish, gaining experience at every step of the legal process. They quickly learn to draft and argue motions, litigate strategically, and negotiate favorable pleas. Most important, they learn to try cases to juries. Typically, our lawyers spend one to two years in misdemeanor court. During this time they face more juries than some lawyers do over the course of a career.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Guido Chiaradia earned his first law degree in Argentina and his second law degree in May 2024 from the University Richmond. During his United States’ studies, his experience included internships with the United States Bankruptcy Court and the Supreme Court of Virginia. His prior legal experience in Buenos Aires involved practicing corporate law at two different law firms and pro bono work for the Rotary Club Buenos Aires and volunteering at legal clinics (family counselling and women’s education). He speaks Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
• Intellectual Property

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
  Completed his undergraduate work at the University of Florida and earned his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. While an undergraduate, Daniel was a volunteer in the Public Defender's Office assisting attorneys and investigators at arraignments and first appearances. He also served as a Certified Legal Intern and began trying jury trials during his last semester of law school. Since law school, Daniel has worked at PD-15 except during a 15-month period during which he practiced workers compensation insurance defense. Currently assigned to the South County Courthouse, Daniel has spent time in the Misdemeanor, Felony, and Juvenile divisions. He enjoys spending time with his family cheering on the Florida Gators Football team and loves his parrot who is celebrating her 42nd birthday.

Property Law

• Land Use and Zoning

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy