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Top-Ranked Education Lawyers in Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.224 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked education lawyers in Florida are William John Mullowney (LexRank 84.00), Shawn Alan Arnold (84.00) and Shahar Vinayi Pasch (82.80).

This ranking lists the top 24 of the 24 education lawyers LexRanked tracks across Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 24 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Education Law by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. They practice in 9 cities, led by West Palm Beach.

Lawyers ranked
24
Fully verified
24 of 24

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

  1. No change

    William John Mullowney

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 40 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  2. No change

    Shawn Alan Arnold

    Arnold Law Firm · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 26 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  3. No change

    Shahar Vinayi Pasch

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #2, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    1.20 points behind #2 (Shawn Alan Arnold): Experience −1.2.

  4. No change

    Marylin Batista

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.20 points behind #3, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    0.20 points behind #3 (Shahar Vinayi Pasch): Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  5. No change

    Karen Meta Chastain

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 37 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  6. No change

    Youndy Christine Cook

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  7. No change

    Laura Esterman Pincus

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  8. No change

    John Paul Carland II

    Independent practice · Sanford, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  9. No change

    Carlton Jeffrey McInnis “Jeff”

    Independent practice · Fort Walton Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 41 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  10. No change

    Franklin Reese Harrison

    Independent practice · Panama City, FL

    Verified
    • 54 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  11. No change

    David Jeffrey D’Agata

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 23 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 81.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Experience (27.6/30); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.00 points behind #10, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)
    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 25.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    1.00 points behind #10 (Franklin Reese Harrison): Experience −2.4.

  12. No change

    Shawntoyia N Bernard

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 23 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 81.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Experience (27.6/30); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)
    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 25.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  13. No change

    Opal McKinney-Williams

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 81.40: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.20 points behind #12, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    0.20 points behind #12 (Shawntoyia N Bernard): Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  14. No change

    Laurie Ann Dart

    Independent practice · Palm Harbor, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 81.40: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 25.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  15. No change

    Sarah Wallerstein Koren

    Independent practice · Kissimmee, FL

    Verified
    • 21 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 79.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 2.20 points behind #14, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    2.20 points behind #14 (Laurie Ann Dart): Experience −3.6.

  16. No change

    Lisa Anne Carmona

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 36 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 78.85: strongest in Experience (30/30); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.35 points behind #15, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    0.35 points behind #15 (Sarah Wallerstein Koren): Professional credentials −3.8, Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  17. No change

    Nathan Aldrich Adams IV

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 78.85: strongest in Experience (30/30); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  18. No change

    Molly Lauren Shaddock

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 78.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.85 points behind #17, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    0.85 points behind #17 (Nathan Aldrich Adams IV): Experience −6.

  19. No change

    Terry Joseph Harmon

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 78.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  20. No change

    Meagan Lindsay Logan

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 78.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  21. No change

    Heather Kennedy Hudson

    Independent practice · Panama City, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 72.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (18/30). 6.00 points behind #20, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 25.6)

    6.00 points behind #20 (Meagan Lindsay Logan): Experience −6.

  22. No change

    Braxton Allen Padgett

    Arnold Law Firm · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 9 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 64.80: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (10.8/30). 7.20 points behind #21, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 10.8/30 (ranking avg 25.6)

    7.20 points behind #21 (Heather Kennedy Hudson): Experience −7.2.

  23. No change

    Jeffrey James Grosholz

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 7 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 62.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (8.4/30). 2.40 points behind #22, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 8.4/30 (ranking avg 25.6)

    2.40 points behind #22 (Braxton Allen Padgett): Experience −2.4.

  24. No change

    Jolande L Morgan

    Independent practice · West Palm Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 8 years experience
    • Education
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 58.45: strongest in Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (9.6/30). 3.95 points behind #23, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 9.6/30 (ranking avg 25.6)

    3.95 points behind #23 (Jeffrey James Grosholz): Professional credentials −3.8, Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

  • floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 24 profile pages252 facts for 24 lawyers

Education market in Florida

LexRanked tracks 24 lawyers and 1 law firm in education law in Florida. 24 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
24
Law firms
1
Verified professional data
24 of 24
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
24 years24 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in Florida

What sets these Florida education lawyers apart

All 24 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Education Law by The Florida Bar, which only about one in twenty Florida lawyers achieves in any field. The figures come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile, checked in November 2026.

Fact about the 24 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Education Law 24 of 24
Years in practice 7 to 54 (median 24)
Languages besides English Spanish (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer

Where do Florida's top education lawyers practice?

6 of the 24 practice in West Palm Beach; the table shows every city.

City Lawyers in this ranking
West Palm Beach 6
Orlando 5
Tallahassee 5
Jacksonville 2
Panama City 2
Fort Walton Beach 1
Kissimmee 1
Palm Harbor 1
Sanford 1

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with an office in a Florida city we cover and education as a practice area on record. It ranks every education lawyer LexRanked tracks in Florida by the same score and shows the top 24. How we rank.

Find a education lawyer in your city

A lawyer near you knows the local courts; each city has its own ranking of education lawyers.

Florida rules to know

Parents of Florida students have firm rights and deadlines: a special education due process hearing must be requested within 2 years, and school records must be shown within 45 days of a request.

Rule What it means
Due process deadline A special education due process hearing must be requested within 2 years of when the parent knew or should have known of the problem (20 U.S.C. § 1415(f)(3)(C))
School records A school must let parents inspect their child's education records within 45 days of a request (34 C.F.R. § 99.10)
Suspensions Each suspension and its reasons must be reported to the parent in writing within 24 hours (Fla. Stat. § 1006.09)
Weapons A student who brings a firearm or weapon to school is expelled for not less than 1 full year (§ 1006.07)
Eligibility notice Parents must be told they may request a due process hearing on identification, evaluation and eligibility for exceptional student services (§ 1003.57)

Cases are heard in the county where they arise; see which judicial circuit covers each county.

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, prefer a lawyer who regularly works in your county, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask how many matters like yours the lawyer has handled in your county recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to request a special education due process hearing?

Under the IDEA, 20 U.S.C. § 1415(f)(3)(C), within 2 years of the date the parent or school district knew or should have known about the action the complaint is about, unless state law sets another limit.

Can I see my child's school records?

Yes. Under FERPA the school must let you inspect your child's education records within 45 days of your request (34 C.F.R. § 99.10).

Must a Florida school tell me when my child is suspended?

Yes. Under section 1006.09 the principal must try to inform the parent by phone right away, and each suspension and its reasons must be reported in writing within 24 hours.

What happens if a student brings a gun to a Florida school?

Section 1006.07 requires expulsion from the regular school for not less than 1 full year and a referral to mental health services.

Who certifies education lawyers in Florida?

The Florida Bar certifies lawyers in Education Law after at least five years of practice, peer review and a written exam.

What does Board Certified in Education Law mean?

It is a credential from The Florida Bar for lawyers with substantial experience in the field who have passed peer review and a written exam. 24 of the 24 lawyers in this ranking hold it; 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.

Where are the best education lawyers in Florida?

Of the 24 lawyers in this ranking, 6 practice in West Palm Beach, 5 practice in Orlando, 5 practice in Tallahassee. Each city also has its own ranking.

Do I need a education lawyer in my own city?

Any lawyer licensed by The Florida Bar may practice anywhere in Florida, but a lawyer who regularly appears in your county knows its judges and procedures.

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

24 of the 24 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: William John Mullowney, Shawn Alan Arnold, Shahar Vinayi Pasch, Marylin Batista and Karen Meta Chastain and others.

About this ranking

Last updated
Methodology
LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review
LexRanked editorial team,
Independence
Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

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