Michele Rayner - Lawyer in Clearwater, FL

Michele Kenyette Rayner

Family Attorney at Clearwater, FL

About
Contact
Reviews
Cost
Resume

Inspiration!

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.

Great attorney! Very reasonable.

About Michele

Learn Michele’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

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.)

Photos and videos

Licensed for 10 years

State FL

Status Member in Good Standing

Acquired 2012

Updated 11/23/2022

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

Contact Michele

Civil Liberty Law

1802 N. Belcher Road

Suite 100

Clearwater, FL, 33765

Message Get Directions

Reviews

Write A Review

4.6 / 5.0

10 customer reviews

5 Star

90%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

10%

Posted by anonymous | January 8, 2019

Inspiration!

Read less

Posted by Greg | March 25, 2017

Great attorney! Very reasonable.

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.

Posted by Joe | September 16, 2015

Excellent Attorney! Would hire again!

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

Posted by mzdeg68 | April 19, 2015

GREAT GREAT GREAT

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!

Posted by ValTrenda | April 16, 2015

Loyal

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!

Posted by anonymous | March 19, 2015

Terrific!

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!

Posted by Tanya | March 18, 2015

Trustworthy and Dependable

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.

Read less

Posted by anonymous | March 16, 2015

Excellent

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.

Posted by Jason | March 16, 2015

One of these best

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!

Posted by Chad | June 17, 2021

She quit on me she will quit on you.

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.

Read less

View all reviews

View less reviews

Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 8.8 (Excellent)

Work Experience

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

View all work experience

Education

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

Associations

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

View all associations

Languages Spoken

English

Honors and Awards

Participation
Pasco County Teen Court
2014

We Are The Hope Award
Office of the Public Defender-6th Circuit
2014

Mentorship
Lawyers for Literacy
2013

Speaking Engagements

Honors Program
Stand Your Ground
2015

Annual Meeting
Stand Your Ground
2013

Attorney endorsements

Received (35)

Given (26)

Endorse Michele

Millicent Daniels

Civil rights Attorney | Dec 16
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 | Jul 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Relentless zealous advocate and amazing Criminal Defense attorney."

Rahul Aggarwal

Unknown Attorney | Mar 13
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 | Feb 13
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 | Aug 19
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 | Aug 18
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 | Aug 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Nakeshia Walls

Criminal defense Attorney | Jul 23
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 | Jun 06
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 | Apr 21
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 | Mar 01
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 | Feb 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Joanna Foard

Divorce and separation Attorney | Feb 02
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!"