Members of your community since 1971
Results matter. Meet the most highly-rated law firm in Clearwater.
A personal approach means better results
People helped by the firm
50 Years Serving the People of Clearwater.
Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett has been providing legal services to Clearwater individuals and families for over five decades. As a local firm, we protect our client’s rights and relentlessly pursue the best possible outcome in every case we take on.
Senior Partner J. Kevin Hayslett, Esq.
Attorney J. Kevin Hayslett is a recognized figure in the Clearwater area and a former Assistant State Attorney. His legal talents and experience have proven to be a powerful force in the courtroom, where he brings persuasive, well-supported arguments to seek justice for the people he represents. His exceptional breadth of knowledge and experience, along with knowledge of the local courts and personnel, can smooth the way to a positive outcome in the cases he represents. Mr. Hayslett carries forward the legacy of the firm’s founders in service, personalized attention, and legal expertise.
Senior Partner Casey K. Carlson, Esq.
Casey K. Carlson, Esq is a highly respected legal professional with over three decades of experience in the legal industry. As a partner at Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett, Mr. Carlson is known for his exceptional trial skills and personalized service. He is a distinguished member of the Florida Bar, Colorado Bar, and Clearwater Bar Association, and has deep roots in the local community. Mr. Carlson's dedication to serving his clients with the utmost professionalism, integrity, and compassion has earned him a prominent place in the Tampa legal community.
Founding Partner Edward D. Carlson
As a founding partner of Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett, Edward D. Carlson has over fifty years of experience in the legal industry. Mr. Carlson is a trusted name in the legal community, with an extensive legal background that includes serving as a municipal judge in Belleair and Safety Harbor. He is known for his personalized client attention, exceptional legal skills, and deep commitment to service, which have become the foundation of the firm’s continued success in handling complex and challenging cases.
Founding Partner Paul A. Meissner, Jr.
Paul A. Meissner, Jr. is a founding partner at Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett, with over three decades of experience in the legal industry. He is widely recognized for his exceptional legal skills and has earned numerous accolades for his work. Mr. Meissner has also served as an educator at Stetson College of Law in St. Petersburg and an Instructor at the Criminal Justice Institute in St. Petersburg. He has also worked as an FBI Special Agent and an Assistant State Attorney, giving him a unique perspective and invaluable experience in the legal system. As a founding partner of Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett, Mr. Meissner has played a pivotal role in establishing the firm as one of the most successful and respected practices in the the Tampa Bay area and all of Southern Florida.
AttorneyDaviana M. Braniff
Daviana Marie Braniff was born in Clearwater, Florida, but primarily grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. After receiving a scholarship for women’s soccer, Daviana attend...
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AttorneyJennifer A. Burns
Jennifer joined the firm in 2004 and is a partner. She and her husband have a daughter. They enjoy spending time with family and friends.
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AttorneyRyan T. Cox
A native of Florida, Ryan T. Cox graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in criminology before going on to get a master’s degree in criminal justice from UC...
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AttorneyRick Rivera
Rick is a firm partner. He and his wife Patricia enjoy sailing and spending time at the beach. He is an Angel Tree sponsor and a former police officer. He joined the firm in 200...
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AttorneyKaitlyn B. Statile
Kaitlyn Statile attended the University of Georgia where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Sociology. She then went on to earn her j...
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AttorneyAntonio L. Viera
Antonio L. Viera is a partner at Carlson, Meissner, Hart & Hayslett. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico after his parents left Cuba, but has lived in the Tampa Bay Area si...
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AttorneyMatthew B. Wheeley
Matthew Wheeley was born in Haines City, FL and grew up in Clearwater. He and his wife, Dianna, have two grown children who were recently married and live in Tampa. They have tw...
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AttorneyBetty M. Whitman
Betty Marion Whitman resides in Ocala, Marion County, Florida where she began practicing law in Marion County in 1987. Betty started her legal career as a secretary to her fathe...
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AttorneyMelodie B. Jaffe
Melodie Brosious Jaffe has lived in the Tampa Bay area for over 20 years. She and her husband have three children together. She enjoys boating, horseback riding and ...
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AttorneyAnne F. Borghetti Of Counsel
A team dedicated to you Our Attorneys
The legal team at Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett works together with a team approach that has proven to greatly benefit the people we represent. Each attorney on our team brings dedication, commitment, and experience to every case, focusing on serving the individual with integrity, legal skill, and personalized representation.
Personal Injury Law
When another party acts in a negligent or reckless manner, and the act injures another person, a personal injury claim or lawsuit must be filed. At Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett, our legal team is recognized as the premier personal injury firm in Clearwater, trusted to go the distance in quality of service with legal excellence. In addition, the firm is known for delivering personalized, compassionate representation.
When represented by our firm, your case will be managed by local Clearwater legal experts, not a large, impersonal, national law firm with a cookie-cutter approach that floods the airwaves with ads – who you may never even meet in person. Our roots in the Clearwater community are both deep and wide, and we are committed to seeking full justice in every case we take on.
Worker's Compensation
The working people of Clearwater are the foundation of the local culture, keeping our streets and roads in good repair, constructing and repairing structures of all types, and serving the public in businesses of all kinds. A workplace injury can occur in any work environment. After a workplace injury, illness, or condition, the expectation is that the workers' compensation system will pay benefits, medical bills, or the cost of retraining a seriously injured person, or a death benefit to the close family in fatal accidents. Unfortunately, many valid claims are denied or delayed, leaving workers and their families without the needed support. That's when Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett can help.
Our legal team is committed to fighting for the rights of injured workers throughout the Clearwater area. Over our years in practice, focused strictly on serving the local community, we are honored to have achieved a reputation as the premier law firm in the area. We deliver support, legal counsel, and effective action to assist injured workers in seeking justice and the compensation they deserve.
Giving you a clear way forward.
DUI
DUI offenses carry heavy penalties under state law. Even a first-time misdemeanor can mean six months in jail or more, fines, and a permanent mark on your criminal record. If you are accused of a drunk driving offense in Clearwater, exercise your right to remain silent and contact a DUI defense attorney from Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett.
The consequences of a DUI conviction can last a lifetime, particularly if you have a prior offense on your criminal record. Don’t take chances, but ensure you are represented by a DUI defense lawyer who can work within the criminal justice system to help you seek a positive outcome, whether alternatives to jail time, a reduced or dismissed charge, or being found “not guilty” at trial.
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Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability benefits are paid to those who suffer from physical, emotional, or mental impairments. The system was put in place as a safety net for the disabled, but only about half of applications for benefits are approved. If your application for benefits was denied, the Clearwater legal team at Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett could help you appeal the decision and pursue the benefits you deserve.
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Criminal Defense
If you are facing criminal charges, selecting the right defense lawyer could be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. The Florida criminal justice system is extremely tough and handled by aggressive prosecutors who are intent on achieving a conviction – whether you are innocent or guilty. At Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett, our criminal defense lawyer gives every case the time, attention, and focus it deserves. When representing our clients, our goal is to seek the best possible outcome, whether reduced charges, dismissed charges, alternative sentencing, or a “not guilty” verdict in court.
Learn More about Criminal DefenseOur Locations Serving West Florida & Beyond
Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett serves the entire West Florida area, with convenient office locations in Tampa, Clearwater, Spring Hill, New Port Richey, St. Pete, and Bradenton. With over 50 years of serving clients in the local area and supporting our communities, you can expect superior service, integrity, and compassion from a highly-rated local law firm with deep ties to the region and its people.
Tampa
727-219-2272
Clearwater
727-219-2272
Bradenton
727-219-2272
New Port Richey
727-219-2272
Spring Hill
727-219-2272
St. Pete
727-219-2272
