Palm Beach County Office of the Public Defender

10/13/2026

Join us in celebrating attorneys’ Greta Schultz and Raymon Burns on securing a complete verdict at trial!

Greta, a University of Florida and UM School of Law alum, brings a deep commitment to public interest defense, shaped by her experience with the Miami-Dade Public Defender and Federal Public Defender’s Office. She teamed up with Raymon, an FAU and Nova Southeastern Law graduate and treasured Resource Director in our misdemeanor division, whose dedication and sharp advocacy were on full display throughout the trial.

Their thorough preparation and relentless courtroom advocacy ensured that justice was served and our client’s rights were fiercely defended. Our office is incredibly proud of Greta and Raymon for their hard work and dedication to our clients. Outstanding victory, team!

10/12/2026

Please join in congratulating attorneys’ Milan Gacioch and Christina Black on securing a complete trial verdict!

Their sharp advocacy, thorough preparation, and courtroom dedication protected our client's constitutional rights and delivered justice. Milan, a Georgetown University Law Center alumna, brought extensive courtroom and clinic experience representing clients and advocating across public defense systems. She partnered with Christina, a South Florida native and Nova Southeastern Law graduate who dedicated years to educating and coaching local students in before bringing her passion for advocacy to our team.

Our entire office is incredibly proud of Milan and Christina for their hard work and tireless commitment to client defense. Congratulations on a well-deserved victory!

10/09/2026

True justice doesn’t stop at the courtroom door—it’s about setting people up to thrive long after the case is closed.

“It’s not every day we get good news,” says ’s Jennifer Loyless, who helped establish Palm Beach County's and joined up the team from to become a community partner for our clients.

A huge thank-you to Kanisha Taylor, Vanessa Cadet, and Mikayla Guerrier from Florida Rural Legal Services for joining last week to share how their vital civil legal services can make all the difference for our clients. From pretrial advocacy to sentencing and beyond, breaking cycles and paving real pathways for successful community reintegration takes a united front.

When we join forces, our clients get more than just a defense—they get a future. We are proud to partner with passionate community champions who fight for whole-person justice!

10/08/2026

Please join in congratulating appellate attorney Paul Petillo on securing an important reversal from Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal so his client can received a new trial.

Paul’s sharp appellate advocacy successfully challenged improper expert opinion testimony admitted under the guise of lay investigation, safeguarding our client’s constitutional right to a fair trial. A cornerstone of PD-15’s Appellate Division since 1990, Paul earned his JD from Loyola Law School in New Orleans after completing his undergraduate studies at Cal State San Bernardino. Known for his formidable legal writing as well as his dry wit, Paul continues to be an invaluable champion for our clients and the integrity of the law.

Our entire office is proud of Paul’s tireless dedication and brilliant work on this appeal. Congratulations, Paul!

Read the full opinion here:https://flcourts-media.flcourts.gov/content/download/2496380/opinion/Opinion_2024-2667.pdf

09/29/2026

Please join us in congratulating attorneys’ Maria Fahmy and Mason Kanigowski on their recent trial victory!

Both Maria and Mason have been with our office for a year, continually impressing us with their exceptional talent, sharp courtroom skills, and enormous potential as advocates. Both are proud alumni of the University of Florida Levin College of Law: Maria—who was recently promoted to our Felony Division—while Mason brought strong advocacy experience from his time interning with Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel.

Our entire team is incredibly proud of your hard work, dedication to our clients, and tireless defense of constitutional rights. Outstanding job, Maria and Mason—we’re eager to see what you achieve next!

09/24/2026

Congratulations to attorneys’ Dustin Michael Feinberg and Joseph Patrick Walsh on a hard-fought verdict in a challenging felony trial. Dustin led the case with Joe as co-counsel, directing the focus of the jury to the lack of evidence and incompetent investigation.

Dustin brings a psychology background from Lynn University, a Master’s in Social Work focused on underserved communities, and a JD from the University of Miami to his advocacy. Joe earned his JD from St. Thomas University, has tried more than 100 criminal jury trials, is Florida Bar Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law, and is qualified to represent people in death penalty cases.

Their recent win underscored the importance of thorough investigations and the power of principled advocacy to protect constitutional rights.

09/23/2026

Huge congratulations to attorneys’ Alexis Bauman and Kortney Lightfoot on securing a complete verdict in a felony trial last week!

Alexis, an American University Washington College of Law alum and former clerk for the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, teamed up with Kortney, an FSU Law graduate and seasoned advocate from the 2nd Circuit PD’s Office in Tallahassee who just notched her very first trial victory here at PD15. Together, their courtroom preparation and fierce advocacy protected our client's constitutional rights and delivered justice.

Our office is incredibly proud of your tireless dedication and hard work. Outstanding job, Alexis and Kortney!

09/18/2026

Two of ’s highly skilled and experienced homicide attorneys, Stephanie Gagerie and Mike Work, secured three verdicts in a double homicide and attempted homicide trial last week, prevailing in a complex self-defense case before a unanimous 12-person jury. Stephanie is a Michigan State University College of Law alum currently in the Major Crimes Division. Mike is a Northwestern Law alum who has tried 50+ jury trials and recently served as president of the Palm Beach Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PBACDL) in 2025–2026. Congratulations to Stephanie and Mike on this outstanding result.

09/16/2026

“Denying people with serious mental illness access to court-ordered mental healthcare is both cruel and unconstitutional,” so we’re keeping an eye on this new lawsuit that may have direct impact on some of our clients.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Disability Rights Florida (DRF), Florida Justice Institute (FJI) and Terris, Pravlik & Millian, LLP (TPM) filed a federal lawsuit against the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) challenging the state’s yearslong pat...

09/16/2026

Congratulations to lawyers Dustin Feinberg and Jared Hollander for a great win on a felony trial! Dustin came to our office in 2025 after having worked in civil practice. Jared has been with PD15 since 2024. This talented trial team secured a verdict for their client, who gave his heartfelt thanks at being able to return to his daily life and work without the threat of a prison sentence hanging over his head. Dustin and Jared, we are proud of you!