Officers & Directors

Paul was raised in Hillsborough County Florida. He graduated from Brandon High School where he was a Varsity Letterman for BHS’s nationally recognized wrestling program. After high school, Paul attended Florida State University and the University of South Florida. As an undergraduate, Paul was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and majored in Political Science. Paul received his J. D. in 2008. In his last semester of law school, Paul worked as a Certified Legal Intern with the 13th Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender, where he was assigned to represent juveniles charged with Misdemeanor Offenses. After being sworn in as a member of the Florida Bar, Paul joined the 13th Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender.

Over the next eight years Paul zealously and professionally represented indigent clients charged with a multitude of offenses. During his eight years at the Office of the Public Defender, Paul rose to the level of Felony Division Chief and was lead counsel in over seventy-five jury trials, including offenses ranging from DUI, Sex Offenses, Drug Possession and Trafficking, Homicides as well as juveniles charged as adults. In addition, Paul attended numerous certified legal education seminars, including the Gerald T. Bennett Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program, and Advanced Defender College. To this date Paul has litigated over one hundred and forty jury trials and continues to enjoy being appointed cases not only because he loves to help those in need, but he enjoys and excels in trial.

In the private practice setting, Paul expanded his practice of law, representing individuals who were injured in automobile accidents, investigations involving their professional licenses, being held under a Baker Act, and those dealing with substance abuse and their families.

Ms. Pavlidis earned her Bachelor of Science degree, Magna Cum Laude, with Honors Program distinction from the University of Tampa. Ms. Pavlidis received her Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law.

She began practicing law in 2003 and has represented thousands of people accused of a variety of offenses – from misdemeanors and juvenile offenses to felonies punishable by life, including homicides, vehicular homicides, and all levels of sex crimes, including capital sexual battery and child abuse cases. During her career, Maria gained a reputation for trying some of the most challenging and high-profile cases in the Tampa area. She began her legal career as an Assistant Public Defender in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. She worked in the Major Crimes Bureau, a specialized division of the office reserved for the most experienced and skilled attorneys. It was in the Major Crimes Bureau that Maria gained valuable experience handling complex cases.

Maria was honored with the Attorney of the Year Award in 2009 and 2011 by her peers and supervisors at the Public Defender’s Office. In 2019, she received the James H. Kynes Memorial in the Trenches Award for excellence in criminal trial practice. She has given seminars on trial techniques, motion writing, racketeering and conspiracy offenses, mental health and the practice of law and Defending a Baby Death case.

She is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, one of the highest recognitions a lawyer in Florida can receive. Maria is admitted in all Florida State Courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Joel is the founder and manager of Elsea Law Firm, P.A., located in Tampa. There, he practices criminal defense. Joel is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law (’04) and the University of Richmond (’01). Mr. Elsea began his career as an assistant state attorney in Hillsborough County, where he served for over a decade. Joel is also an advocacy skills trainer at Stetson, working with their nationally recognized mock trial team.

Michelle Lambo is a Florida native, born and raised in St. Petersburg. She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in political science and history. She then attended Stetson University College of Law and graduated in 2003.

Ms. Lambo started her legal career as an assistant public defender for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County, Florida. It was during her years at the Office of the Public Defender, where she honed her trial and advocacy skills.

In 2013, Ms. Lambo opened her criminal defense firm which focused on state and federal criminal defense. Ms. Lambo is known for fighting for her clients. She has tried over 100 cases. Ms. Lambo is an aggressive, dedicated and compassionate attorney. She represented clients all over the State of Florida as well as in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Throughout her legal career, Ms. Lambo has stood up for the people, not the powerful. Even going so far as to create a law enforcement list (LEO List) which included officers who were known to provide untruthful testimony and/or false narratives.

Acting on a desire to change course, while still representing the people and not the powerful, Ms. Lambo joined Morgan & Morgan. She now dedicates her practice to representing individuals and families who have been injured due to the negligence of others.

Attorney Michael Maddux has been practicing law since 1992. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Florida. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, where he has also presented on civil rights issues.

Michael served as an Assistant State Attorney and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor in Florida before becoming Board Certified in Criminal Trial Practice in 1999. He is admitted to practice in all federal court districts in Florida, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He also served two terms as president of the Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and is involved with the National Police Accountability Project.

In addition to criminal defense, Michael has developed a thriving personal injury and civil rights litigation practice. He has successfully settled hundreds of cases and is dedicated to pursuing justice for clients wronged by law enforcement through civil suits and internal affairs investigations.

Outside of law, Michael is active in his community, serving as board president for the Timothy Initiative, an elder at his church, and a former Chairman of the Mid-Florida Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. He enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering, cycling, and learning to play guitar.

Gretchen Cothron is the Staff Attorney for the Innocence Project of Florida. Her education and career have been focused on forensic science and wrongful convictions. Prior to joining the Innocence Project of Florida, Gretchen founded a forensic consultation firm, worked as an Assistant Public Defender, and advocated for criminal defendants in private practice. Along with serving on the HCACDL Board, Gretchen serves on the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and is an active member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Tallahassee Women Lawyers. Gretchen previously served as the President of the Greater Tampa Bay ACLU as well as Co-Chair of its Legal Panel, and as an Attorney Advisor for the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund.

Melissa Wilson is a Tampa native and Triple Gator, having received her B.S. (Psychology with Honors, 1999), B.A. (Criminology with Honors, 1999), and J.D. (2002) degrees all from the University of Florida. Upon graduating from UF’s Levin College of Law, Melissa returned home and has been practicing law in the Tampa Metro Area since 2002.

Ms. Wilson has devoted most of her legal career almost exclusively to Criminal Defense Litigation and upon being sworn in as a member of the Florida Bar, spent her first 9 years serving as an Assistant Public Defender for the 13th Judicial Circuit under elected PD Julianne Holt. Although Attorney Wilson specializes in Criminal & DUI/Traffic Law, she also handles some general legal matters as well, including limited Landlord/Tenant Disputes on a case-by-case basis. She also serves as a consultant to other attorneys in assessing cases & motion writing, as well as conducting witness depositions and participating in court hearings and mediation conferences.

Ms. Wilson has served on the Board of Directors for HCACDL since 2018 and is also a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In her spare time Melissa loves to travel, experience live music (& the Arts in general), and nerd out on Star Wars, Marvel, & Bond, James Bond. Additionally, she volunteers with the Tampa Theatre Historic Movie Palace where she has served in various roles on the planning committee for its annual WineFest signature fundraiser since 2018.

Scott A. Swartz, originally from Maryland, relocated with his family to Tampa while in high school. After graduating from The University of Virginia School of Law and becoming a member of the Florida Bar in 2007, Mr. Swartz joined the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel in early 2008. Mr. Swartz has continued to serve the people of Hillsborough County as an Assistant Regional Counsel in both the criminal and civil divisions. Mr. Swartz currently serves as the Circuit Chief of the Regional Counsel’s 13th Judicial Circuit office in Hillsborough County.