Bartow, FL

Kevin Humphries has since served as a Partner in private practice of his own for more than 15 years. He previously served as both a Partner for a local law firm as well as a Felony Prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office of the 10th Judicial Circuit. Kevin Humphries as founding Partner of Lopez and Humphries, P.A. has practiced law on a wide diversity of cases both at the County and Circuit Court levels and in State Court in Hillsborough, Dade, Hardee, Pinellas, Osceola, Polk and Highlands counties. He has also handled cases in Federal Court in the United States Middle District Court for Florida in Tampa and Orlando. Kevin’s work has been showcased on numerous forms of media throughout the entire country. He has been featured locally on Fox 13 news, Bay News 9, ABC Action news, NBC, the Lakeland ledger and the Orlando Sentinel to name a few. He has been a guest speaker nationally on the Dr. Drew show. Kevin has had his jury trials covered live on national television on Court TV and True TV where he has been characterized as excellent by hosts and panelists alike. Kevin has a wealth of real jury trial experience that has been honed over the past 19 years. He has tried more than 70 jury trials to include capital murder cases, money laundering, complex commercial trucking accident cases, and motor vehicle crashes. His jury trials have occurred in multiple Circuits throughout the State. In his practice, he has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers which is an honor given to less than 2.5 % of practicing attorneys. He has also garnered verdicts in excess of one million dollars at trial and negotiated some of the largest settlements in (excess of 25 million), in the history of Florida for his clients. In addition to being a trial lawyer, he has served as an Adjunct Professor of law as well as a guest judge for trial team competitions at his alma mater Stetson University College of Law. It was at Stetson University College of Law that Kevin was a member of the National Championship Trial Competition Team and received the Ralph Harris Ferrell competition award for individual excellence in intercollegiate competitions. It was also at Stetson where he clerked with Chief Judge Demers from the 6th Judicial Circuit who has acknowledged Kevin in his DUI manual every year since its inception for his assistance in preparing this crucial manuscript. Off campus, Mr. Humphries acted simultaneously in several leading roles as Vice President for the Student Division of the Federal Bar Association, Stetson’s Liaison of the City of Saint Petersburg, Lieutenant Governor of Resolutions for the Law Student Division of the American Bar Association, Dean’s Assistant and Co-Chair of Stetson’s Social Committee. Kevin’s active role in his profession mirrors his involvement in voluntary bar and legal organizations. He has been President of the Lakeland Bar Association, President of the Polk County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, President of Polk County Trial Lawyers Association, Chair of the Grievance Committee for the 10th Judicial Circuit, Member of the Fairness and Diversity Committee for the 10th Judicial Circuit and a frequent Teen Court Judge. Attorney Kevin Humphries’ discipline, dedication, compassion and commitment to the practice of law coupled with his natural and learned skills, will make him a worthy advocate for you in your time of need.

Melodie López has been practicing law since 1994. She began her career trying criminal cases at the Public Defender’s Office and then the State Attorney’s office. After that, she began practicing civil litigation. In 2009 Melodie opened the law firm of López and Humphries, P.A. with her partner Kevin Humphries. Melodie has tried over one hundred jury trials during her career in many jurisdictions, including Polk, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough and Dade County. She has litigated multiple complex criminal cases, and in the civil arena, commercial truck accidents, auto accidents, and multiple premises liability cases. Melodie has been featured several times on Nancy Grace, CNN, and also the O’Reilly Factor on Fox. She has also been interviewed by all of the local television networks and several newspapers, including Bay News 9, Fox 13, ABC, NBC, Univision, the Lakeland Ledger, the Orlando Sentinel, and the Tampa Tribune. Melodie has served twice on the Florida Bar Grievance committee and was appointed chairperson both times. She was also appointed by the Governor to serve on the Judicial Nominating Commission for Polk County. She is currently the President of the Lakeland Bar Association, a member of Polk County Trial Lawyers Association, and frequently volunteers for community events for veterans and children. She has also coached baseball and soccer. Melodie is known for both her compassion and her zealous representation of her clients. She battles in the courtroom with a competitive spirit, always with her clients in mind.

Daniel D. Moody is a Central Florida attorney and experienced trial lawyer who has been pursuing justice for personal injury victims since 1985. He is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, the Bar's highest level of recognition, held by fewer than 2% of Florida attorneys. Mr. Moody has a background in science and is a licensed pilot, which provides unique insight into medical malpractice and aviation cases. He has achieved numerous multi-million dollar recoveries for clients and is a life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He holds an 'AV Preeminent' rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

David R. Carmichael

David R. Carmichael, BCS., Esq. is an exceptionally experienced trial lawyer who uses his courtroom experience to guide his corporate, municipal and individual clients’ cases to successful resolutions. He has completed several hundred civil and criminal jury trials, thousands of non-jury trials and evidentiary hearings, hundreds of mediations, nearly one hundred appeals and Writs, as well as dozens of arbitration proceedings. He dedicated a decade of leadership as a senior executive with the Office of the State attorney, where he served as a Special Prosecution Director. He tried capital cases, implemented the Kayla McKean Act, then created the procedures for, and successfully tried three of the first four Jimmy Ryce Civil Commitment trials in Florida. He then transitioned into his role as a Partner with Polk Counties Oldest Law firm, Boswell & Dunlap. David assumed responsibility for defending the Polk County School District from litigation in 2005 and continues to do so to this day. But his role with the district grew over the decades, recently he served as the Acting School Board Attorney, and now handles all Labor and Human Relations matters for the District; EEOC cases, as well as appeals and arbitration matters, while still providing advice and counsel to the Board and Superintendent. David continued to have success in litigation for clients at all levels, leading ultimately to being asked to serve as the interim police attorney for the City of Lakeland Police Department. This interim label was removed in 2017, and David serves as Police General Counsel to date-his success in that position leading to him being retained by each Polk County municipal Police Department and Florida Polytechnic University to act as their General Counsel and serve as a Magistrate. David served on numerous Bar grievance committees, acting as Chairman twice, which led to him acquiring the expertise to provide representation to attorneys navigating Bar Discipline. With his Courtroom and appellate experience to draw on, Bar discipline has become one of his primary areas of practice.

Caroline G. Moody is an attorney at Moody Law, bringing a unique perspective from her previous work as a medical malpractice defense attorney. She is dedicated to representing victims of medical malpractice and other personal injuries, using her insight into defense tactics to build compelling cases. She was recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

With over 30 years of legal experience, Timothy O. Coyle, Esq. brings a powerful combination of courtroom expertise, negotiation skills, and compassion to the clients of Lopez & Humphries, P.A. His practice focuses on personal injury law, including cases involving auto accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, and insurance disputes. Mr. Coyle began practicing law in 1992 after earning his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law, following a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University, where he graduated with honors in 1989. Throughout his career, he has been a partner at several well-respected law firms in Florida, where he litigated complex personal injury and insurance cases on behalf of injured clients and policyholders. He is a member of the Florida Bar, admitted to all Florida state courts as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Mr. Coyle is also a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an elite group of attorneys who have won million-dollar verdicts or settlements for their clients. Locally, he remains active in the legal community through membership in the Lakeland Bar Association, the Polk County Trial Lawyers Association, and the Polk County Trial Lawyers Inn of Court. His deep roots in Lakeland-where he has lived since early childhood-give him a strong understanding of the people and values of Central Florida. Mr. Coyle is honored to lead the firm’s efforts at its newly established Northeast Lakeland office, located at 1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Suite 2, Lakeland, FL 33805. His presence at this location reflects Lopez & Humphries, P.A.’s continued commitment to expanding access to experienced and compassionate legal representation across Central Florida. Clients in the Northeast Lakeland area can expect the same high standards of professionalism and advocacy for which Mr. Coyle and the firm are well known. Clients appreciate Mr. Coyle’s approachable demeanor, strategic insight, and relentless pursuit of justice. Whether in settlement negotiations or at trial, he is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for those whose lives have been impacted by injury or negligence.

Seth Benton Claytor

Attorney Seth Benton Claytor is a law partner at the law firm of Boswell & Dunlap, LLP. In 2011, Seth began his career with Boswell & Dunlap, LLP, and represents clients in a wide range of legal matters. As a Polk County lawyer, Seth serves as the Assistant City Attorney for Lake Alfred, Winter Haven, and the Town of Dundee. Seth also focuses on assisting and representing clients in personal injury matters. As a Polk County personal injury attorney, Seth is a dedicated advocate and represents clients and families suffering injury(ies) arising out of automobile collisions, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death cases. Seth graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida and earned his B.S.B.A. in Business Finance, and Seth earned his Juris Doctor at the University of Florida, Frederick G. Levin College of Law. Seth thereafter attended the University of Miami College of Law and earned a Masters of Law in Real Property Development. Seth is licensed to practice in the U.S. Tax Court, Middle and Southern District Courts of Florida, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and all Florida state courts. In addition, Seth also handles cases involving real estate law, land use, and foreclosure. In 2011, Seth made Polk County his home. Since that time, Seth has become a husband, father and valuable member of the law firm of Boswell & Dunlap, LLP, and Polk County community. Have you been injured? Do you need help resolving a legal issue? Seek the help and assistance of Seth Benton Claytor, LL.M, Esq. Seth, along with his partner(s) and skilled legal team, will work tirelessly to protect your legal interests.