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Krista Mahalak

also known as Krista Hendrick
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Avvo Rating9.7
  • Winter Haven, FL
  • Licensed for 18 years
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About Krista

Krista Mahalak is a family law and general litigation trial lawyer who has been practicing for 15 years and places excellent communication with her clients as a top priority. Having tried over 100 cases to a jury, Krista is comfortable in a courtroom. Krista also feels strongly that because of the potential emotional and financial toll of prolonged litigation, a successful mediation may often be a better alternative to a trial.

 

 

Practice areas

AppealsLitigationFamily
  1. Family: 50%

    13 years, 200 cases

  2. Litigation: 45%

    18 years, 300 cases

  3. Appeals: 5%

    18 years, 30 cases

Languages spoken

English

Contact

99 6th Street SW
address map

Sharit, Bunn & Chilton, P.A.

99 6th Street SW
Winter Haven, FL, 33880

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
FLMember in Good Standing201012/20/2020
NEInactive200210/19/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers4
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
AV RatedMartindale-Hubbell2019
Pro Bono AwardFlorida Bar2015
Pro Bono AwardFlorida Bar, Young Lawyers Division2014
Pro Bono Service AwardFlorida Bar2012
2002 Student Advocacy AwardInternational Academy of Trial Lawyers2002
Outstanding Clinical Trial Student of the YearUniversity of Nebraska College of Law2002
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
AttorneyPeterson & Myers, P.A.2019 - Present
AttorneySharit, Bunn & Chilton, P.A.2016 - Present
AssociateFrost Van Den Boom, P.A.2010 - 2016
ProsecutorLancaster County Attorney's Office2002 - 2009
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Willson American Inn of CourtMember2017 - Present
Florida Bar, Family Law SectionMember2015 - Present
Polk County Trial Lawyers AssociationMember2015 - Present
Florida BarMember2010 - Present
Florida Bar, Judicial Nomination CommitteeMember2018 - 2019
American Bar AssociationMember2015 - 2017
Lakeland Bar AssociationMember2014 - 2015
Willson American Inn of CourtMember2010 - 2014
Robert Van Pelt American Inn of CourtMember2002 - 2003
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
University of Nebraska College of LawJD - Juris Doctor2002
Bethany CollegeB.A.1998
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Tenth Circuit Professionalism RoundtableProfessionalism Panel Member2016
Dollars & Sense Radio ProgramFinancial Issues Related to Florida Divorce2016
City of Winter Haven Lunch and LearnModern Family Law Issues2015
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Sturgeon v. Gourmet Foods & Products, 2015 Lexis 13755 (Fla. 2d DCA 2015)Case affirmed on appeal.
City of Winter Haven v. Landings WH Partners, LLC,Affirmed on appeal.
Jensen v. Jensen, 2015 Fla. App. LEXIS 2331 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014)Affirmed on appeal.
Campbell v. Campbell, 138 So. 3d 445 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014)Affirmed on appeal.
Harbsmeier v. Harbsmeier, 138 So. 3d 446 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014)Affirmed on appeal.
State v. Hense, 276 Neb. 313 (2008)The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the trial court.
In re Interest of E.M., 13 Neb.App. 287 (2005).Case affirmed by Court of Appeals on Appeal.

Reviews

(3)
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Review Krista Mahalak

Capable and brilliant!

Posted by

Krista handled my case is a timely and professional manner. She always returned my phone calls/emails and went above and beyond the call of duty. I trust her advice implicitly, based on her education and extensive experience. There is not anyone else I would choose to represent me.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Very Talented Attorney

Posted by

Krista is a very Talented and well rounded attorney. I've used several attorney's in the past and i feel that she is much easier to talk and work with. She far exceeded my expectations and i would highly recommend her.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Great Communicator

Posted by

Krista listens carefully to client questions and concerns and responds quickly and clearly with advice and direction. Krista made me feel very comfortable and kept me informed about my case every step of the way. I would be happy to refer my family, friends and even strangers to her and I'm sure they will be happy with her legal expertise.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Attorney endorsements

(6)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Nicholas Zbrzeznj

Krista is intelligent, hard-working, practical, professional and a dedicated advocate for her client. She is also always willing to share her time and insights with other attorneys. I highly endorse Krista as a skilled family law and civil litigation attorney.

Kelli Mitchell, Family Attorney on Jan 2, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I highly endorse Krista Mahalak as a superb family law attorney. We were opposing counsel on a post judgment family law matter, and her professionalism, knowledge of the law and dedication to her client was second to none.

Shawn Jiles, Litigation Attorney on Sep 28, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mrs. Mahalak I one of the best lawyers around town, and she is an even better person. I Highly endorse this attorney.

Bradford Stewart, Family Attorney on Aug 6, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer for family law, personal injury/wrongful death, and general civil litigation. We have worked together on medical malpractice matters and, of all things, a patent infringement matter. Krista is tenacious and not the least bit intimidated by any opponent, yet she retains an empathy for her clients that serves them (and her) well.

Lydia Zbrzeznj, Family Attorney on Mar 18, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Rafael Echemendia, Commercial real estate Attorney on Jan 12, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Krista came to Polk County with great trial experience as a prosecutor. Krista quickly found herself at one of Polk County's most prestigious law firms. Krista always has a smile on her face and walks in the door loaded for bear. Don't let her smile fool you, she is a very competent lawyer and a blessing to her clients.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$285-$285/hour
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check, Credit Card