William D. Umansky (Member) born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 24, 1966; admitted to bar, 1992, Florida and U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. Education: University of South Florida (B.A., Psychology, cum laude, 1988); University of Florida College of Law (J.D., 1992). William D. Umansky has over a decade of experience to offer any client, especially in the area of criminal defense and personal injury. He has an insight into the workings of the prosecution because his career includes experience as both a former Assistant State Attorney in Florida and The City Prosecutor for the City of Orlando. As a former prosecutor, Mr. Umansky was in charge of the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Division. He has also been a Police Academy Instructor, an Adjunct Professor at Florida Metropolitan University, and a Legislative Assistant to a United States Senator. Mr. Umansky's entire career has centered on the legal process, both as a prosecutor and now a defender of those accused of illegal behavior.
During his career, Mr. Umansky has remained involved in his community and is an active part of Florida's legal system. He belongs to the Orange Bar Association, acting as Co-Chair of the Orange County Bar Criminal Law Committee for several years. He is a member of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Central Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.
Mr. Umansky graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and obtained his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. During law school, Mr. Umansky was a member of the University of Florida Trial Team and received a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to the University of Florida Law School. He also earned an award for achieving the top grade for his work in Negotiations and Dispute Settlement. Mr. Umansky also attended the Tulane Institute of European Legal Studies. Mr. Umansky is admitted to practice in the Florida State Courts and the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida.
Professional Associations and Memberships:
·Legal Aid Society, 2008, Event Chairman, Breakfast of Champions
·Orange County Bar Association, 2000 - 2005, Co-Chairman, Criminal Law Committee
·Orange County Bar Association, Gala Committee
·Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
·American Association of Trial Lawyers
·Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Member
·Central Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, 2005 - Present, Board of Directors
·Vice Chairman of Teen Alternatives, Inc., 2003 - 2005
·Orange County Teen Court Judge, 2003 - Present, Board of Directors
·Inns of Court
·Orange County Legal Aid Society, Board of Directors
·Community Involvement, 2003 - Present, Board of Directors, Central Florida YMCA
·Rotary Club of Avalon Park
·East Orlando Chamber of Commerce, 2006 - Present
Speaking Engagements:
·Avalon Park Safe Neighborhood Meet & Greet
Past Employment Positions:
·Assistant State Attorney, 1993 - 1995
·City Prosecutor, 1995 - 1996
·Elizabeth Faiella, P.A. (Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice), Associate
·Best & Anderson (Personal Injury), Associate Practice Areas: Criminal Defense; Sex Crimes; Sexual Assault; Hit and Run; Traffic Violations; Theft; Vehicular Homicide; Drivers License Suspension; Criminal Appeals; Criminal Fraud; Burglary; Assault and Battery; Extortion; Accidents; Animal Attacks; Automobile Negligence; Bodily Injury; Catastrophic Injury; Dog Bites; Motorcycle Accidents; Sexual Abuse; Tourist Injuries; Whiplash; Medical Liability; Medication Errors; Automotive Restraints; Automotive Design Liability; Automotive Crashworthiness; Automotive Products Liability; Motorcycle Products Liability.Email: William D. Umansky
Zahra S. Umansky (Member) born Sari, Iran, August 5, 1968; admitted to bar, 1993, Florida. Education: Stetson University (B.A., Sociology, with honors, 1989); Florida State University College of Law (J.D., 1992).
Zahra Umansky was a former Assistant Public Defender in the 18th judicial circuit in Brevard and Seminole Counties, Florida. As a former Public Defender, Zahra had over a hundred trials including crimes such as robbery, theft, assault, battery, prostitution, drugs, trafficking, dealing in stolen property, fraud, sex crimes, driving under the influence, and many other Felonies and Misdemeanors. She was able to secure many not guilty verdicts and judgment of acquittals protecting her client's right to liberty. After Zahra left the Public Defender's office, she was appointed by the Honorable Glenda Hood, Mayor of Orlando, as the City Prosecutor for the City of Orlando, Florida.
As City Prosecutor, Zahra was successful in the implementation and prosecution of many types of criminal matters including crimes of disorderly conduct, assault and battery, resisting arrest without violence, trespass, indecent exposure of sexual organs, solicitation to commit prostitution and many other criminal and or ordinance violations. Zahra also served as the prosecutor before the City's Nuisance Abatement Board. She was also a legal advisor to the Orlando Police Department on matters involving search and seizure law, trespass, drugs, domestic violence etc. As a legal advisor, Zahra trained police in matters of search and seizure laws, Miranda and other constitutional rights. She reviewed search warrants, wiretap applications, and gave police last minute advice they needed before they made arrests.
While City Prosecutor for the City of Orlando, Zahra was appointed Special Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth judicial circuit to prosecute Firework cases here in Orlando, Florida. As a former prosecutor and legal advisor, Zahra can see and evaluate your case from both sides of the law. As a former police legal advisor, she understands how the Police investigate and secure their evidence and as a former prosecutor, understands how the State of Florida will present their case in court against you. Zahra Umansky is dedicated to defending the rights of her clients and approaches each case with aggressive and diligent representation. At the same time, she treats each client with the dignity and respect they deserve as human beings.
Honors and Awards:
·Orlando Police Department Award of Excellence (2001)
Professional Associations and Memberships:
·Orange County Bar Association, Member
·Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
·Central Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association, Member
Past Employment Positions:
·City of Orlando, City Prosecutor, 1996 - 2003
·Office of the Public Defender, 18th Judicial Circuit, Assistant Public Defender, 1993 - 1996
Fraternities/Sororities:
Alpha Xi Delta Practice Areas: Criminal Defense(100%).Email: Zahra S. Umansky
Gary Jay Schwartz (Member) admitted to bar, 1999, Florida. Education: Rutgers College (B.A., 1994); Brooklyn Law School (J.D., 1996).
Gary Schwartz has been an attorney in the State of Florida for over seven years, with six of those seven years in the criminal justice arena. During this time he has worked as both an Assistant State Attorney and an Assistant Public Defender. During his four years as an Assistant State Attorney Gary handled felony cases ranging from grand thefts to aggravated batteries to DUI manslaughters. During this time Gary worked closely with law enforcement officers, training them on the proper handling of scientific evidence in cases involving blood draws as well as working with them on the preparation of search and arrest warrants. His experience as a prosecutor assists him in anticipating the way the State puts a case together against a defendant, as well as identifying problems in the State's cases. As an Assistant Public Defender Gary spent two years handling felony cases in circuit court. Gary's responsibilities in circuit court included battling charges of sexual misconduct, drug trafficking, robberies and firearms cases. Practicing in the Public Defender's office enabled Gary the opportunity to do what he went to law school for; to defend the rights of a private citizen against the power of the government, which all too often oversteps its rightful authority.
Gary attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey and graduated in 1994 with degrees in English and Sociology. He spent two years working as an editor before enrolling in Brooklyn Law School in 1996. While at Brooklyn Law School Gary was awarded two fellowships for his service in the public interest, specifically relating to his work in the fields of Native American Rights and Political Asylum for Refugees. He was also awarded two prizes for achieving the top grade in his Constitutional Law class.
Gary is passionate about protecting the rights of individuals who find themselves swept up in the criminal justice system. He is dedicated to bringing his experience as a prosecutor and a defense attorney to bear in an intelligent, strategic analysis of your case. Practice Areas: Criminal Defense; Sex Crimes; Sexual Assault; Hit and Run; Traffic Violations; Theft; Vehicular Homicide; Drivers License Suspension; Criminal Appeals; Criminal Fraud; Burglary; Assault and Battery; Extortion; Accidents; Animal Attacks; Automobile Negligence; Bodily Injury; Catastrophic Injury; Dog Bites; Motorcycle Accidents; Sexual Abuse; Tourist Injuries; Whiplash; Medical Liability; Medication Errors; Automotive Restraints; Automotive Design Liability; Automotive Crashworthiness; Automotive Products Liability; Motorcycle Products Liability.
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Lindsey Gergely (Associate) born Arkansas, 1979; admitted to bar, 2006, Florida; 2007, Arkansas. Education: University of Arkansas (B.S., Marketing Management, 2003); Florida State University College of Law (J.D., 2006). Lindsey C. Gergely is the newest member of the Umansky Law Firm. Lindsey came to the firm after serving as an Assistant State Attorney in the Orange County State Attorney's Office. During her time at the State Attorney's Office, Lindsey practiced extensively in both the County and Circuit Courts of Orange County. As a former prosecutor, Lindsey had many criminal jury trials involving crimes such as Possession of controlled substances, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Battery, Battery on a law enforcement officer, Resisting with violence, Resisting without violence, Disorderly conduct, Criminal mischief, Driving while license suspended, No valid driver's license, Driving under the influence, Prostitution, Refusal to obey a law enforcement officer, Animal cruelty, and Motor vehicle title fraud. She earned the title, Champion of Justice, from her supervisors for her work as a prosecutor. At the time she left, she worked her way up to the Domestic Violence Specialty Unit. She handled only cases that involved Domestic relations including but not limited to Domestic violence battery, Violations of Domestic violence injunctions, Stalking, Assault, Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and Violations of domestic violence pre-trial release conditions. While most of Lindsey's training comes from her time in the courtroom, she has extensive criminal law training. She has attended and successfully completed the Driving under the Influence trial advocacy school, the Advance Driving under the Influence seminar, and a seminar on Domestic Violence prosecution. Lindsey graduated with her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor's degree in Marketing Management and a minor in Political Science. While at the University of Arkansas, Lindsey was on the Chancellor's List for her academic achievement and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She obtained her law degree from the Florida State University College of Law. While at Florida State University, Lindsey was an active member of the Women's Law Symposium and the Student Bar Association. Lindsey was also the winner of the Jessup International Moot Court Intramural competition. Outside of the Umansky Law Firm, Lindsey is currently involved in her community. She is a member of the Florida Bar Association, the Arkansas Bar Association, the Orange County, and the Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys meeting with her running group and training for various races with them. She recently completed the Disney Full Marathon and has her sights set on many other races in the future. Member: The Florida Bar; Orange County and Arkansas Bar Associations; Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Practice Areas: Assault and Battery; Burglary; Criminal Defense; Criminal Fraud; Drivers License Suspension; Driving While Intoxicated; DUI/DWI; Expungements; Felonies; Mail Fraud; Misdemeanors; Parole and Probation; Search and Seizure; Sexual Assault; Shoplifting; Theft; Stalking; Traffic Violations; Weapons Charges.Email: Lindsey Gergely