Michael C. Berry, Sr. began practicing law after a successful business career in 1991.  After an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army in 1972, Mr. Berry graduated with a B.A. from the University of Michigan.  In 1991 he launched his second career after receiving a Juris Doctorate degree from St. Thomas University School of Law.  Prior to attending Law School, Mr. Berry was employed by national and international  corporations holding various positions including Corporate Analyst, eventually becoming President of a Construction and Manufacturing Company which built low, medium and high-rise glass buildings throughout the U.S. with a few projects offshore.[1]  

Mr. Berry has travelled extensively; practices law in State, Federal and International Forums working in international matters with Diplomats, Law Enforcement, and the Judiciary.  His cases have included matters in Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Fiji, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Russia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, United Kingdom, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Vietnam, and Venezuela...  For example, in 2006, Mr. Berry travelled to Iraq and Kuwait concerning construction contracts while taking the time to build a schoolhouse in Iraq, in the middle of an active war. 

Mr. Berry has been retained by foreign governments in complex international child custody matters and has held many quasi-judicial positions in Florida as a Hearing Officer, Magistrate and Special Master.  In his profession, Mr. Berry has served, and in some instances chaired, committees for local and state bar associations, including the Clearwater Bar Association, Florida Bar Civil Practice Rules Committee, and as Executive Director of the Barney Masterson Inns of Court.  Mr. Berry has lectured and written on International Child Abduction, and mentors lawyers in international child custody cases.   He has contributed numerous hours to the Children’s Legal Aid Society (CLAS), an IRS 501C-3, specifically formed in support of Children’s Rights.  More recently, in 2008, Mr. Berry was privileged as being selected by the Sixth Circuit Judicial Nominating Committee for the final round of judicial appointment to the Sixth Circuit Court in Florida.  Ultimately, Governor Crist selected another highly qualified and deserving candidate for the position.            

ATTORNEY CAROLE A. BANKS

Ms. Banks, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, began practicing after a successful care as a Critical Care Registered Nurse in Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, Maryland, and Florida, a graduate of Christ Hospital School of Nursing in 1981; receiving a B.A. in Criminology and Social Sciences at the University of South Florida in 1995, Ms. Banks attended Stetson University College of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar 1998.  Following her admission to the Florida Bar, Ms. Banks began her legal career in Medical and Nursing Home Defense Litigation.  She then began in-house counsel and risk manager for a healthcare corporation in northeastern U.S. gaining experience in Risk Assessment, Litigation Management, Contract, and Administrative Licensure proceedings.   Ms. Banks began practicing in the area of Family Law after becoming a mother in 2003.  Ms. Banks has extensive experience in Family Law matters dealing with Dissolution of Marriage; Child Custody, Parenting Plans and Time Sharing Agreements; Interstate Child Custody; Relative Child Custody; Relative and Stepparent Adoptions.  Ms. Banks is now emphasizing Domestic and International Parental Child Abduction; International Child Custody; International Family Law; Grandparent and Relative Custody and Visitation Rights; Contract Law; Construction Contracts; Construction Law; Administrative Licensure Proceedings in line with the central practice areas of this Law Firm.