Jennifer M. Szymczak Joins Team

Jennifer M. Szymczak

Jennifer M. Szymczak has joined the firm. Ms. Szymczak received her B.A. in Criminology from the University of Florida and her law degree from Stetson University College of Law. 

Areas of Practice: Personal Injury (including automobile accidents, slip and falls, premise liability, wrongful death, products liability and medical malpractice), State Criminal Defense, Civil Rights Violations, Insurance Claims related to hurricane issues, Bad Faith Insurance Practices, and PIP Litigation. 

She has worked with Michael P. Maddux, P.A. since April of 2008 as a law clerk. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Hillsborough County bar Association and the National Police Accountability Project. 

While in law school, Ms. Szymczak was a certified legal intern with the Office of the State Attorney, Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Pasco and Pinellas Counties. During that time she actively participated in the criminal justice system and performed the functions of a prosecutor through all facets of prosecution including filing charges, performing investigations, responding to discovery, arguing motions and conducting jury trials, under the supervision of an Assistant State Attorney. In addition, she was also a certified legal intern with the Public Defender’s Office, Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Desoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties. During that time, she had the opportunity to actively participate in the criminal justice system and perform the functions of an Assistant Public Defender through all facets of case management, including representing clients during jury and nonjury trials, under the supervision of an Assistant Public Defender. 

Ms. Szymczak is also a Guardian ad Litem, with the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Pinellas County, Florida. She is a court appointed special advocate for an abused, abandoned or neglected child. She works in a team with a program attorney and a case coordinator, to become familiar with all aspects of the child’s circumstances and then makes recommendations to the court to ensure a safe and permanent home for the child.

Michael Maddux, PA adds Hurricane Insurance Claim Representation

Michael Maddux P.A. can help you negotiate through the insurance issues arising from Hurricane related litigation. See The Florida Hurricane Attorney

Now Michael Maddux, P.A. can help you with Hurricane Insurance Claim Representation, State Criminal Defense, FL Statute 3.850, State Criminal Defense Appeals, Federal Criminal Defense, D.U.I., Formal Review Hearings, Federal Criminal Defense Appeals, Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Delinquency Appeals, Juvenile Dependency, Juvenile Dependency Appeals, Personal Injury, Automobile Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premise Liability, Wrongful Death and P.I.P. Litigation.

Statement Of Clients's Rights For Contingency Fee Arrangements

Make sure that before you, the prospective client, arrange a contingent fee agreement with any lawyer, you understand this statement of your rights as a client. This statement is not a part of the actual contract between you and your lawyer, but, as a prospective client, you should be aware of your rights:

1. There is no legal requirement that a lawyer charge a client a set fee or a percentage of money recovered in a case. You, the client, have the right to talk with your lawyer about the proposed fee and to bargain about the rate or percentage as in any other contract. If you do not reach an agreement with 1 lawyer you may talk with other lawyers.

2. Any contingent fee contract must be in writing and you have 3 business days to reconsider the contract. You may cancel the contract without any reason if you notify your lawyer in writing within 3 business days of signing the contract. If you withdraw from the contract within the first 3 business days, you do not owe the lawyer a fee although you may be responsible for the lawyer’s actual costs during that time. If your lawyer begins to represent you, your lawyer may not withdraw from the case without giving you notice, delivering necessary papers to you, and allowing you time to employ another lawyer. Often, your lawyer must obtain court approval before withdrawing from a case. If you discharge your lawyer without good cause after the 3-day period, you may have to pay a fee for work the lawyer has done.

3. Before hiring a lawyer, you, the client, have the right to know about the lawyer’s education, training, and experience. If you ask, the lawyer should tell you specifically about the lawyer’s actual experience dealing with cases similar to yours. If you ask, the lawyer should provide information about special training or knowledge and give you this information in writing if you request it.