This firm is MY GODSEND DREAM TEAM!
Where should I start…read more.. probably from the beginning to really give the best understanding of who and what this firm really does for their clients. So here goes!
I was involved in the most devastatingly tragic accident one could imagine. Which is still on going, so I can't give to many details, but no drugs or alcohol were involved, I had the right of way and the other vehicle ran a stop sign. Immediately, false information was given that the media ran with portraying me horribly and incorrectly. I was referred to a different attorney because he was supposed to be the best. I'll forever remember the night he called to tell me "It's over, you have nothing to worry about, you can move on with your life now!" I'll also never forget the call I got 2.5 months later, when he told me "Charges have been presented. You have to turn yourself in!" It was surreal! All he had to do was speak on my behalf and explain what actually happened to FHP. He said he did, but he didn't! My world became a roller coaster over the next few months with continuance after continuance. No effort from the lawyer I trusted with my life. Let down after let down! At my next hiring, as I was waiting for my case to be called, another defendant was called and he approached with his lawyer. My friend and I watched as this confident, well prepared, pit bull like lawyer represented the defendant by sternly, yet gracefully handing the prosecutor his a$$! We knew in that moment that I NEEDED THAT GUY! That guy was MICHAEL PANELLA! As he walked out, I asked for his card. I did research on him and called the next day. I spoke to his amazing associate, Huda. That was the first time I truly felt I was being heard and understood. When you're in the scariest time of your life, THAT IS EVERYTHING! Not only did she get it, she was so empathetic after only 20 minutes of talking for the first time, she was genuinely mad for me! She said she'd call Mike and he would call me. He called later that day, but I was with my daughter and didn't want her to hear the conversation, so I asked him to call back in 2 hours. He did, but I was 20 minutes from home, I told him I was sorry, I knew it was late so he could call me tomorrow. He said, "Olivia, I have an entire team conferenced in on this call for you. Huda told us your story and our hearts ached for you immediately. We will wait the 20 minutes or whatever it is until you get home!" I was floored!! I called him back 20 min later and we spoke till 1 AM, almost 4 hours! That was my 2nd interaction with Mike and his team and I knew, without a doubt, that this was who I needed if I was going to have a chance to get my life back. At my next court date Mike was there TO REPRESENT ME! That was the first time I stood before the judge confidently, I knew I wasn't alone anymore and I had a Godsend team of warriors that had my back! It was the first time in 9 months that I was able to take a deep breath. It was the first time I had hope. I no longer felt helpless and railroaded by powerful, unlawful, agenda running authority figures! A PRICELESS FEELING! They've fully proved that they'll do whatever is necessary to get you the best possible outcome! They've continued to amaze me with their dedication, prudence and all around determination to unbury me! This has been, without a doubt, the most confusing, tragic, terrifying and life altering situation I never thought I'd be going through! I can say with ALL CERTAINTY, that the miracle my family and I had been praying for, happened that afternoon when God brought Michael Panella and I into that courtroom that day!! The hardest decision I had to make when all of this happened was, what stranger do I entrust my life with? You can only go off of what they are telling you or what their reputation says about them, which is very different than having a real friend that's been represented by them, share their testimony with you! Everybody reading this doesn't know me, but please consider this advice from a friend, because my testimony is real and so is the client dedication of that law firm. Should you find yourself in an unfortunate legal situation, hiring anybody but the Panella Law firm, could mean risking your life!