- Criminal Defense AttorneyLakeland, FL
- DUI LawyerFlorida DUI Defense
- Family LawDivorce, Custody, Alimony
Lakeland Criminal Defense Attorney
Experienced Defense for Your Criminal Charges
When you are facing serious consequences, such as jail time, fines, or probation, you need to have a criminal defense attorney with experience, knowledge, and a stellar reputation with the courts, judges, and prosecutors sitting next to you in court. Any criminal charge can affect your life, your job, and your family. There is no such thing as a “minor” offense.

Put Our Legal Experience to Work for You
If you’re looking for an experienced criminal defense attorney in Lakeland, FL, we can help. Michael VanDerZee has over 15 years of experience in federal, state, and military courtrooms litigating criminal cases. He will aggressively fight for your rights and provide you with the level of service you deserve. As a former Prosecutor, Michael knows how the state will prepare its case and what issues can decimate the state’s evidence. With over 150 jury trials and countless contested motion hearings forming the foundation for your defense, let him put his experience in criminal defense to work for you.
Whether you need to legal representation for a DUI, felony, or another criminal matter, call our Lakeland practice today for a free consultation.

Michael J. VanDerZee
Managing Partner & Principle Litigator
DUI Lawyer | Lakeland, FL
Representation by an Experienced Lakeland DUI Lawyer
In Lakeland and the surrounding central Florida area, DUI is one of the most common charges people face. Although DUIs are very common, the burden these charges produce on your life can be quite substantial. If you’re like most people, getting to work every day, taking care of yourself or your family, and running ordinary errands are a big part of your life. To accomplish these tasks, you probably rely on your personal vehicle for transportation. If you have been recently charged with a DUI, your driver’s license is in jeopardy and the way you live may need to change radically. This is why it’s important to have an experienced DUI lawyer to represent you.
It’s important that, after being arrested for DUI, you immediately contact a DUI lawyer. After being arrested, you only have ten days to challenge the administrative suspension of your license, so it is critical to act fast. If you don’t appeal the administrative suspension, or alternatively, if you lose your appeal, you then begin the period which the DMV calls “hard” time. This period lasts for ninety days and you are then able to apply for a hardship or business purpose only (BPO) license.
Although appeals administrative license suspensions are rarely won, it does happen. Whether you win or lose, the appeal is important for a variety of reasons. For one, the arresting officer in your case has to testify. The manner in which the officer testifies at your DMV hearing will provide your DUI lawyer with invaluable information on the state’s case against you. The more knowledge your DUI lawyer has while preparing your defense, the better your chances are of attaining positive results.
Michael J. VanDerZee, our firm’s principle litigator, is an experienced and highly qualified Lakeland DUI lawyer, and is ready to help fight your DUI charges. He served as a Florida State prosecutor for five years and was honored in 1997 as Mothers Against Drunk Driving prosecutor of the year. He has handled countless DUI cases and because of his experience as both a prosecutor and defender, Michael knows exactly how the state will structure their case against you, and consequently, precisely how to best tear it down. If you want to benefit from our experience and get a DUI attorney that emphasizes service, call us today. If you want to learn more about DUI charges their criminal penalties, continue reading below.


Family Law Attorney | Lakeland, FL
Lakeland Divorce Attorney for all Family Law Needs
Legal issues that present problems for your family life are always difficult to face. Whether it’s a divorce or custody dispute, the challenge is emotionally taxing, mentally exhausting, and can also be very costly. When dealing with an issue of family law, it is important that you have the time and energy to focus on the obstacles facing you and your family. To best accomplish this, it is important to have an experienced family law attorney that you trust. In this capacity, you can focus your attention to your family, and leave the legal issues to your family law attorney.
We understand how important your family is to you. If legal issues are threatening you and your family’s rights, we will do our best to deliver positive results in a cost effective manner. Call us and we will answer any questions you have to help you get through this tumultuous time with the least amount of stress possible.
There’s no doubt about it. Divorces may be one of the hardest things for a person to go through, especially when there are children involved. To handle this delicate matter, it’s important to have a divorce attorney with experience, integrity, and dedicated service. Our firm offers these qualities and more. We cannot promise a certain result, but we can promise that we will serve you with the utmost care and to the best of our abilities.
You may not need representation today, but if you feel divorce or custody issues may be in your future, you should not waste time in contacting a family law attorney as soon as possible. It’s important to know ahead of time the consequences of divorce, what obstacles may arise in divorce proceedings, and the potential legal ramifications for you and your children. A family law attorney will help you be prepared for a divorce, should one occur, and will ensure that your rights are protected.
Divorce Law and More
Our Family Law Attorney can help you with legal representation in the following matters:
- Filing for divorce
- Divorce proceedings
- Marriage dissolution
- Marriage annulment
- Child Custody