Personal attention for people in crisis. If you are in crisis, we can help!
After being born in Winter Haven Hospital is 1966, I have lived in Winter Haven, Lake Alfred, Haines City, Auburndale and Lakeland. I Graduated from Auburndale High School in 1984 and started attending Polk Community College. After graduating from PCC I married Caroline, my high school sweetie, and was promoted from truck loader to Package Delivery Driver at UPS. After having my first child, I realized that I wanted to provide more opportunity for my children so I left UPS and moved into family housing at the University of Florida where I had my second son and obtained my Bachelors Degree. From there, I was accepted into one of the best law schools in the Country so I moved to The Ohio State University. While in Ohio, we learned my wife was pregnant with twins and decided we needed to get closer to family so I applied to Florida State University College of Law and landed an internship monitoring criminal law legislation for the Florida Public Defender Association. We were blessed with twin daughters and I completed my law studies and returned to Ohio for graduation ceremonies where I obtained my Juris Doctorate degree. With the help of four amazing children as inspiration I have been blessed with a loyal client base and solid growth since going into private practice in 2001. I have an "empty nest" now, oldest finished with his bachelor's degree at UCF after a collegiate football career and now the twins are Florida State Cheerleaders! Did I mention I was blessed?
Practice areas
Evaluating all of the facts involved in the cause of a motor vehicle accident requires skill and experience. See our website for more!
22 years
We will guide you through the often complicated and emotional process of a divorce and are always available to answer your questions.
22 years
We are a litigation law firm that prides itself on providing quality, cost effective, aggressive representation. Please Call today!
24 years
Our goal is to provide every client with quality representation while helping them gain an understanding of the legal process.
22 years
Personal injury lawsuits arise when a person is injured due to the actions or negligence of someone else. These types of cases may be resolved through a settlement or a formal lawsuit.
Languages spoken
Spanish
Echemendia Law Firm
5473 US 98 South
Lakeland, FL, 33812
Echemendia Law Firm
201 Main Street
Auburndale, FL, 33823
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
FL | Member in Good Standing | 1998 | 05/16/2022 |
Legal answers | 33 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Top One Percent | National Association of Distinguished Counsel | 2016 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | The National Trial Lawyers | 2015 |
Nation's Top One Percent | National Association of Distinguished Counsel | 2014 |
Presidential Recognition | University of Florida | N/A |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | Echemendia Law Firm | 2010 - Present |
Founding Partner | Allen & Echemendia, P.A. | 2000 - 2010 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Lawyers of Distinction | Member | 2017 - Present |
Polk County Trial Lawyers Association | Member | N/A |
Polk County Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys | Member | N/A |
Polk County Bar Association | Member | N/A |
Lakeland Bar Association | Member | N/A |
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | N/A |
Berkley Charter School | President | 2001 - 2003 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Lakelandlegal.com | Alimony Guide | 2010 |
lakelandlegal.com | Florida Driving Under the Influence | 2010 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Ohio State University Moritz College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1997 |
University of Florida | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1994 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Annual Fund Raiser | Legal issues for homeless | 2012 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Criminal Defense |
Posted by Barbie
January 12, 2012
Posted by Amanda
October 20, 2021
Posted by Shellie
August 5, 2017
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March 7, 2017
Posted by Ellen
December 15, 2015
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December 11, 2015
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October 31, 2015
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October 29, 2015
Posted by Larry
October 28, 2015
Posted by anonymous
October 27, 2015
Heather Bryan, Unknown Attorney on Aug 15, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Rafael is an excellent attorney. He is knowledgeable and works hard for his clients.
Jillian Duggan-Herd, Car accident Attorney on Oct 31, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Echemendia provides a much needed service on Avvo. He donates his time to individuals who are in need of immediately legal answers.
Heather Bryan, Unknown Attorney on Aug 15, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Rafael is an excellent attorney. He is knowledgeable and works hard for his clients.
Jillian Duggan-Herd, Car accident Attorney on Oct 31, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Echemendia provides a much needed service on Avvo. He donates his time to individuals who are in need of immediately legal answers.
Andrea DeMichael, Criminal defense Attorney on May 3, 2013
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer. In previous years, I worked as opposing counsel on many criminal matters with Rafael. He was always been a fearless, yet respectful, advocate for his clients. Now that I work with Rafael, his experience and knowledge of the law is extremely apparent and his dedication to his clients and their legal matters is unparalleled. Rafael understands that preparation and familiarity of a case are necessities and achieves great results for his clients.
Jalal Shehadeh, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 17, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Echemendia is an experienced lawyer who achieves positive results for his clients. I was opposing counsel to Mr. Echemendia on several occasions. Mr. Echemendia's experience and knowledge helps his clients, as he commands the respect of judges and other lawyers. He was respectfully adversarial on every occasion. That meant he knew how to deal with the parties in a respectful and courteous manner to get the best possible negotiated resolution, but in the event a negotiated resolution wasn't possible, Mr. Echemendia had no hesitation taking the case to trial to benefit his clients. Mr. Echemendia is an excellent legal advocate.
Darla Snead, Unknown Attorney on Mar 13, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Rafael is a very knowledgeable and experienced attorney who truly cares about the clients he represents. He is a skilled trial attorney who will stand up to his opponents. Rafael is very devoted and works tirelessly to get the best possible outcome for his clients. He is well respected in the legal community by fellow attorneys and the judiciary.
Michael McGinn, Unknown Attorney on Feb 27, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Rafael is an intelligent, thoughtful attorney who is well respected throughout the Tampa Bay Area legal community. Rafael is willing to do what it takes to get the best outcome for his clients, whether that means going to trial or carefully negotiating a settlement.
Krista Mahalak, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 23, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Rafael Echemendia has the experience to assist his clients on any matter, big or small, due to his years of experience in the local criminal justice system. He treats every client with personal attention and kindness, no matter the circumstances. He and his office staff are very attentive, are accessible to clients, and are quick to return phone calls. He is fair, honest, hardworking, and intelligent. Rafael is adept at balancing his life as a family man and a community lawyer. I would not hesitate to refer a family member or a friend to Rafael.
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