Attorney Profiles
Jason D. Sammis
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Sammis Law Firm, P.A.
Jason D. Sammis focuses exclusively on criminal defense. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia in 1996, before earning his J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law in 1999. While at the University of Florida College of Law, Jason was a member of the prestigious Florida Law Review and Chair of the Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Board.
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Leslie M. Sammis
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Sammis Law Firm, P.A.
Leslie M. Sammis is focused on criminal defense and civil asset forfeiture. She graduated from the University of Florida College of Law (UF), with Honors, in 1999. Leslie completed internships with the State Attorney’s Office prosecuting felony offenses, the United States Attorney’s Office in Tampa working with federal prosecutors, and a federal judicial internship with the Honorable Henry Lee Adams, Jr., United States District Judge, for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. As a former Assistant Public Defender for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Leslie represented clients in misdemeanor, juvenile, and felony court.
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Joshua L. Monteiro
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Sammis Law Firm, P.A.
Joshua L. Monteiro graduated magna cum laude from the State University of New York in Potsdam before earning his law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. As a former Assistant Public Defender for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Tampa and the 6th Judicial Circuit in Dade City, Joshua gained extensive jury trial experience by defending clients charged with the full spectrum of criminal offenses. He has represented clients charged with minor misdemeanors such as criminal traffic violations and DUI to the most serious felony offenses for drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and sexual battery. In addition to his legal and educational experience, Joshua served over 27 years in the U.S. Army, on both Active and Reserve duty. Joshua worked as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Dismount, and eventually commander. He deployed numerous times as an officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. His experience in the Army has provided him with a wealth of leadership and decision-making skills.
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Katherine A. Aranda
Associate Attorney
Sammis Law Firm, P.A.
Originally from New Jersey, Katherine Aranda moved to Tampa, FL, to attend the University of Tampa. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Katherine earned a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, FL. Katherine competed on the nationally ranked Trial Team, worked with the Innocence Project on prosecutorial misconduct cases, and completed a semester of clinical work with the Public Defender’s Office in Clearwater. After law school, Katherine served as an Assistant Public Defender for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, FL. She gained extensive jury trial experience by defending clients charged with an array of criminal offenses ranging from misdemeanor traffic violations, DUIs, and Petit Thefts to serious felony offenses for aggravated battery, firearm offenses, and drug trafficking.
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Dominique Celerin
Associate Attorney
Sammis Law Firm, P.A.
Dominique Celerin earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami School of Law. After Dominique returned to Tampa, she served as an Assistant Public Defender in Hillsborough County for over three years. Dominique has defended a wide array of clients charged with juvenile offenses, misdemeanor offenses, felony violations of probation, and serious felony cases. She has also successfully written and argued several motions to suppress, dismiss, and bond motions. Dominique’s trial and litigation experience included handling serious charges such as sexual battery, aggravated stalking, possession of a controlled substance, and DUIs.
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Idalis Vento
Associate Attorney
Sammis Law Firm, P.A.
Idalis M. Vento earned a Bachelor of Arts in History at Stetson University and a Juris Doctorate degree from New England Law in Boston. While in law school, Idalis completed internships at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in the Environmental Crimes Section and the Committee for Public Counsel Services, working on public defense cases in Quincy, MA. She previously worked as an Assistant Public Defender at the Office of the Public Defender in Montgomery County, Maryland. Wanting to learn both sides of the law, Idalis worked as an Assistant State Attorney at the 13th Judicial Circuit before joining Sammis Law Firm.
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Jocelyn Dopson-Rodriguez
Associate Attorney
Sammis Law Firm, P.A.
Jocelyn Dopson-Rodriguez earned her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida and her Juris Doctor from the Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, FL. As a former Assistant Public Defender for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Tampa, Florida, Jocelyn tried numerous jury and non-jury trials to verdict. Since joining the Sammis Law Firm, Jocelyn has focused exclusively on criminal defense and civil asset forfeiture.
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