Civil Liberty Law1802 N. Belcher RoadSuite 100Clearwater, FL, 33765United States (727) 754-4002

Michele Kenyette Rayner

also known as Michele K. Rayner, Michele Rayner

Avvo Rating8.7

Clearwater, FL
Licensed for 9 years

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About Michele

Attorney Michele Rayner-Goolsby is the founder and principal attorney of Civil Liberty Law. Attorney Rayner-Goolsby is an award winning and highly sought after attorney due to her commitment to pursue justice for her clients. Attorney Rayner-Goolsby has been selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers and is a Top-Rated AVVO attorney, and has garnered many community awards.

Born and raised in Clearwater, Florida, Attorney Rayner-Goolsby came back to her hometown to hone her legal skills as a criminal defense attorney for the State of Florida. She later continued her career working with two well-established law firms in the Tampa Bay Area before establishing her own successful practice.

Attorney Rayner-Goolsby is passionate about her client’s rights and takes that approach in every matter she handles. She ensures their rights are protected as if they were her own family. She has successfully represented clients in criminal, civil rights, family law, and personal injury matters.

Attorney Rayner-Goolsby is committed to serving the Tampa Bay Area, as she regularly volunteers with the Pasco County Teen Court, Pinellas County Law Fest, and the Clearwater Bar Legal Fair as a volunteer attorney. She is a member of the Fred G. Minnis Bar Association, where she is the co-chair for community outreach. She previously served on the Florida Bar’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is a founding member of the Women Lawyers of Pasco County. Attorney Rayner-Goolsby is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is the chair of the Social Action Committee and Political Awareness and Involvement.

Attorney Rayner-Goolsby has been featured on CNN, The Today Show, Fox News, Good Morning America, The Root, HLN, The Huffington Post, Blavity, and various local radio, television and print media.

BAR ADMISSIONS:
State of Florida
United States District Court, Middle District

EDUCATION:
Florida Coastal School of Law
Florida State University (B.S. and M.S.)

Practice areas

Civil rights: 25%
Criminal defense: 25%
7 years
Family: 25%
7 years
Personal injury: 25%

Languages spoken

English

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Contact

Civil Liberty Law

1802 N. Belcher Road
Suite 100
Clearwater, FL, 33765

Message

Resume

License

State	Status	Acquired	Updated
FL	Member in Good Standing	2012	12/26/2021

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Avvo Contributions

Legal answers	26
Legal guides	0

Awards

Award name	Grantor	Date Granted
Participation	Pasco County Teen Court	2014
We Are The Hope Award	Office of the Public Defender-6th Circuit	2014
Mentorship	Lawyers for Literacy	2013

work experience

Title	Company name	Duration
Associate	Eloise Taylor, P.A.	2014 - 2015
Attorney	Office of Public Defender, 6th Circuit	2014 - 2014
Attorney	Office Of Public Defender 13th Judicial Circuit, Tampa	2012 - 2014
Legal Intern	Office of the Public Defender, 5th Circuit	2010 - 2011

associations

Association name	Position name	Duration
Florida Bar Leadership Academy	Fellow	2019 - Present
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.	Social Action Chair	2018 - Present
Florida Bar	Diversity and Inclusion Committee	2015 - 2017
Women Lawyers of Pasco	Director for West Region	2014 - 2015
West Pasco Bar Assocation	Member	2014 - 2015

education

School name	Degree	Graduated
Florida Coastal School of Law	JD - Juris Doctor	2011
Florida State University	MS - Master of Science	2006
Florida State University	BS - Bachelor of Science	2003

speaking engagements

Conference name	Title	Date
Honors Program	Stand Your Ground	2015
Annual Meeting	Stand Your Ground	2013

Show full resume

Reviews

4.5 stars4.6 (10)

5 Star		90%
4 Star		0%
3 Star		0%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		10%

Review Michele Rayner

Inspiration!

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
January 8, 2019

Please know you have the support of the entire community in your representation of Ms. James. Thank you for all that you do to represent those who need your help the most. I hope you are successful in getting her all the help she needs and the policy changes that are so desperately needed to protect employees in the future. You are an inspiration and I am proud to know that in February, when I take and hopefully pass the bar, I will lucky enough be among such wonderful professional company as yourself.

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Consulted attorney

Great attorney! Very reasonable.

5.0 stars

Posted by Greg
March 25, 2017

I have used Michelle in many cases. She is very knowledgeable and has a great network of support. She often times gets busy so you have to be patient but you will get what you need from her and she will eventually get all of your problems resolved with the best results possiable.

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

Excellent Attorney! Would hire again!

5.0 stars

Posted by Joe
September 16, 2015

Michele is exceptional and very fair. I was very pleased with our results.

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

GREAT GREAT GREAT

5.0 stars

Posted by mzdeg68
April 19, 2015

Michele walked into the court and stated our case... not mildly either!!! She was most aggressive and got us where we felt good about things! I would recommend her for your legal needs!

Loyal

5.0 stars

Posted by ValTrenda
April 16, 2015

Michele was very information and direct with my case. She was very honest and upfront even when I did not want to hear it. She knows her work and I was confident that we would win!!! Thank you Michele for working so hard for me!

Terrific!

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
March 19, 2015

Michele was terrific! She really offers aggressive representation without a doubt! She keeps you up to date and is an absolute pleasure to talk to. I would strongly recommend her!

Trustworthy and Dependable

5.0 stars

Posted by Tanya
March 18, 2015

Feel confident that you can trust Mrs. Whitfield with any of your legal needs. She is trustworthy, dependable, and professional. She is also down to earth and makes the whole process simple, explaining each step of the process along the way answering all questions. If she doesn't know the answer (which isn't very often) she will find out and get back to you quickly. I have actually known Michele since college when she was my RA. So when it came time to do my prenuptial agreement, I couldn't think of anyone better to handle it for me than someone I trusted to look after me back in college. She is and always has been an amazing woman and has become a phenomenal lawyer.

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
March 16, 2015

Mrs. Whitfield always responded in a timely manner to my requests and because of her legal advice, I received a favorable outcome with my situation.

One of these best

5.0 stars

Posted by Jason
March 16, 2015

She gave me amazing legal advice on how to fight a very ugly custody battle. With her impeccable insight I was able to gather the correct tools to complete the process!

She quit on me she will quit on you.

1.0 star

Posted by Chad
June 17, 2021

So her ads say attorney Michele Rayner won't give up fighting for you but she sure gave up fighting for me and my divorce she actually took almost $7,000 from me and quit on me twice and left me in a much worse position than when I hired her to represent me. She did not give the judge or me a valid reason for quitting she just quit after telling another attorney she would represent me to the end. She also didn't give me an itemized list of expenses like she said she would and just kept all my money that I had to beg and borrow and work hard for. One of the reasons I hired her is to protect my land in Georgia that I bought with my house money from my nana but she couldn't even do that so now my wife is entitled to half of that. So I would definitely say she would quit on you and not finish the fight and this comes from my own personal experience. I am not divorced yet because she quit on me.

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

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Attorney endorsements

(35)

Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Millicent Daniels, Civil rights Attorney on Dec 16, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. If you want a lawyer that GOES THE DISTANCE for EVERY CLIENT, hire Michelle Rayner! I have witnessed Mrs. Rayner's tenacity, compassion and brilliant legal strategy play out to her clients' benefit TIME AFTER TIME! She communicates well with clients and is highly respected within the legal community. Mrs. Rayner is THE REAL DEAL!!!! pensive stratefy can une

Sharon Watson, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 15, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Relentless zealous advocate and amazing Criminal Defense attorney.

Millicent Daniels, Civil rights Attorney on Dec 16, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Sharon Watson, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 15, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Relentless zealous advocate and amazing Criminal Defense attorney.

Rahul Aggarwal, Unknown Attorney on Mar 13, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services.

Dazi Lenoir, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 13, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Attorney Whitfield is an awesome criminal attorney who advocates zealously for her clients. She is very passionate about her clients and ensuring the best possible results. She is always prepared having researched all relevant issues. I highly endorse this lawyer.

Deborah Pino, Family Attorney on Aug 19, 2016
Relationship: Friend

I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Whitfield is your go to attorney! She is gold star and first class. If you are looking for an individual with great research skills and the ability to get the job done, look no further. Your legal needs will be met by her firm. She will identify and evaluate your issues and determine the next appropriate action. She is very professional and her credentials speak for themselves. Her performance record is outstanding! She is a great asset to the legal community and I am honored to call her friend.

Daphne Shaw, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 18, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Stellar advocate who goes to great lengths to obtain the results that her clients deserve. I endorse this lawyer. She is awesome!

Angelique Kelley, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 8, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Very knowledgeable and a strong advocate for her clients

Nakeshia Walls, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 23, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. She is a knowledgeable member of the legal community dedicated to meeting the needs of her clients.

Jhenerr Hines, Family Attorney on Jun 6, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Michele is an star attorney who provides top-notch legal counsel to her clients. Her strong client reviews speak volumes about her commitment to excellence in advocacy. I endorse this lawyer.

Charis Campbell, Family Attorney on Apr 21, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Michele is an zealous and tenacious attorney. She truly cares about her clients and fights for their rights. She is a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. I confer with Michelle regularly to determine strategy and/or plan of action to litigate cases. I endorse this lawyer!

Caila Coleman, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 1, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I had the pleasure of attending law school with Michele and seeing her graduate and grow in her career. She is confident, knowledgable, and willing to fight for her clients. She is also a great source of reference for other attorneys.

Thien-Vu Le Hogan, Unknown Attorney on Feb 2, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Joanna Foard, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 2, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Michele is a hard working and dedicated advocate of justice. I am lucky to call her a friend and fellow attorney in the community. She doesn't stop until the job is done and if she's on your side, you will be alright!

Ana Perez, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 30, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Anne Raduns, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 29, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Rebecca Nunez, Unknown Attorney on Jan 28, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Davey Jay, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 28, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Tiffany Brown, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 28, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Annette Newman, Unknown Attorney on Jan 28, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Michelle Shupe-Abbas, Family Attorney on Jan 28, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Show recent endorsements

Millicent Daniels
Sharon Watson
Deborah Pino
Daphne Shaw
Jhenerr Hines
Charis Campbell
Caila Coleman
Tiffany Brown
Annette Newman

Show who Michele has endorsed

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Michele Kenyette Rayner

About Michele

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Resume

Reviews

Inspiration!

5.0 stars

Great attorney! Very reasonable.

5.0 stars

Excellent Attorney! Would hire again!

5.0 stars

GREAT GREAT GREAT

5.0 stars

Loyal

5.0 stars

Terrific!

5.0 stars

Trustworthy and Dependable

5.0 stars

Excellent

5.0 stars

One of these best

5.0 stars

She quit on me she will quit on you.

1.0 star

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