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Elder Law

Top-Ranked Elder Law Lawyers in Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.225 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked elder law lawyers in Florida are Linda Joan Solash-Reed (LexRank 84.00), Vicki Joiner Bowers (84.00) and Laura Fannin Jacqmein (84.00).

This ranking lists the top 25 of the 64 elder law lawyers LexRanked tracks across Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Elder Law by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. They practice in 14 cities, led by Tallahassee.

Lawyers ranked
25
Fully verified
25 of 25

The ranking

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

  1. No change

    Linda Joan Solash-Reed

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 39 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  2. No change

    Vicki Joiner Bowers

    Bowers & Foster Elder Law, P.A. · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  3. No change

    Laura Fannin Jacqmein

    Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  4. No change

    Jacqueline Schneider

    Independent practice · North Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  5. No change

    James Edvin Johnson II

    Independent practice · Bradenton, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  6. No change

    Twyla Lawrene Sketchley

    The Sketchley Law Firm, P.A. · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  7. No change

    Edwin M Boyer

    Boyer & Boyer, P.A. · Sarasota, FL

    Verified
    • 48 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  8. No change

    Walter B Shurden

    Independent practice · Clearwater, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  9. No change

    Victoria Elizabeth Heuler

    Heuler, Wakeman, Solomon Law Group, PLLC · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  10. No change

    Elizabeth Joy Maykut “Beth”

    Gardner Bist King & Wood, LLP · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  11. No change

    Jana McConnaughhay “JANA ELAINE MCCONNAUGHHAY”

    McConnaughhay & Rudd, P.A. · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  12. No change

    Mary Alice Jackson

    Boyer & Boyer, P.A. · Sarasota, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  13. No change

    Ira Stewart Wiesner

    Advocates in Aging, Wiesner Smith PLLC · Sarasota, FL

    Verified
    • 49 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  14. No change

    Linda R Chamberlain

    Special Needs Lawyers, PA · Clearwater, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  15. No change

    Travis Dean Finchum

    Special Needs Lawyers, PA · Clearwater, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  16. No change

    Emma Sleeth Hemness

    Hemness Faller Elder Law · Brandon, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  17. No change

    Laurie Elizabeth Ohall

    Independent practice · Brandon, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  18. No change

    Lawrence Levy “Larry”

    Independent practice · Davie, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  19. No change

    Amy Lynn McGarry

    Independent practice · Cape Coral, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  20. No change

    Stephanie Lynn Schneider “Stephanie”

    Independent practice · Plantation, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  21. No change

    Kathleen Flammia

    Independent practice · Winter Park, FL

    Verified
    • 37 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  22. No change

    Nicola Jaye Melby

    Independent practice · Stuart, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  23. No change

    Joseph Stuart Karp

    Independent practice · Palm Beach Gardens, FL

    Verified
    • 48 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  24. No change

    Horacio A. Sosa

    Independent practice · Davie, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #23, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.20 points behind #23 (Joseph Stuart Karp): Experience −1.2.

  25. No change

    Ailish Christine O’Connor

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Elder Law
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.20 points behind #24, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    0.20 points behind #24 (Horacio A. Sosa): 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 · 18 profile pages203 facts for 18 lawyers

Elder Law market in Florida

LexRanked tracks 64 lawyers and 12 law firms in elder law law in Florida. 64 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
64
Law firms
12
Verified professional data
64 of 64
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
27 years64 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 elder law lawyers apart

All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Elder 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 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Elder Law 25 of 25
Years in practice 24 to 49 (median 32)
Languages besides English Finnish (1), Spanish (1), Swedish (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer

Where do Florida's top elder law lawyers practice?

4 of the 25 practice in Tallahassee; the table shows every city.

City Lawyers in this ranking
Tallahassee 4
Clearwater 3
Jacksonville 3
Sarasota 3
Brandon 2
Davie 2
Bradenton 1
Cape Coral 1
North Miami 1
Orlando 1
Palm Beach Gardens 1
Plantation 1
Stuart 1
Winter Park 1

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with an office in a Florida city we cover and elder law as a practice area on record. It ranks every elder law lawyer LexRanked tracks in Florida by the same score and shows the top 25. How we rank.

Find a elder law lawyer in your city

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

Florida rules to know

Florida elder law covers guardianship, long-term care planning and powers of attorney, which must be signed before two witnesses and a notary.

Rule What it means
Durable power of attorney Signed by the principal before two witnesses and a notary (Fla. Stat. § 709.2105)
Guardianship Court-supervised under chapter 744 when a person cannot manage their affairs
Report abuse Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873

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 is a power of attorney signed in Florida?

The principal signs in front of two witnesses and a notary, under section 709.2105.

Where do I report elder abuse in Florida?

Call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.

What does Board Certified in Elder 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. 25 of the 25 lawyers in this ranking hold it; 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.

Where are the best elder law lawyers in Florida?

Of the 25 lawyers in this ranking, 4 practice in Tallahassee, 3 practice in Clearwater, 3 practice in Jacksonville. Each city also has its own ranking.

Do I need a elder law 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?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Linda Joan Solash-Reed, Vicki Joiner Bowers, Laura Fannin Jacqmein, Jacqueline Schneider and James Edvin Johnson II 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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