MEET THE TEAM
michael p. maddux
Attorney
Attorney Michael Maddux has been a licensed attorney since 1992. Mr. Maddux received his B.A. in Political Science from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Florida Law School. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a former member of the American Bar Association.
Mr. Maddux was an Assistant State Attorney for three years with the State Attorney’s Office for the 13th Judicial Circuit of Florida. He served as an Assistant State Wide Prosecutor for almost two years with the Office of the Attorney General. He has been Board Certified in Criminal Trial Practice by the Florida Bar since 1999. He is admitted to practice in the Northern, Middle, and Southern federal court districts in Florida, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
He is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and has presented to the organization on civil rights issues. He served as a two term president of the Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He is a member of the National Police Accountability Project. Mr. Maddux also served as moderator for the Hillsborough County Bar Association Criminal Law Section’s seminar, “The Collateral Consequences of Crime,” which examined the administrative and statutory schemes designed to sanction, track, expose, deport, and otherwise impact criminal defendants in Florida and address issues concerning immigration, the Department of Motor Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Sex Offender Registration Requirements, and administrative sanctions again licensed professionals. He has attended Trial Lawyer’s College at Thunderhead Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming, dedicated to training lawyers to obtain justice and protect the rights of people from corporate and government oppression.
Mr. Maddux’s extensive criminal trial experience has helped him establish a thriving personal injury practice involving automobile accidents, wrongful death, products liability, slip and falls, insurance coverage questions, and all types of injury cases. Mr. Maddux has settled hundreds of cases without the necessity of trial. If your goals can’t be met through settlement, he will litigate. He understands that some cases need fierce advocacy and others need peacemaking compromise.
Mr. Maddux has developed a niche practice in civil rights litigation. His criminal defense work allowed him to see violations that needed civil remedies. He actively pursues justice for those wronged by law enforcement through civil suits in federal and state court and assistance with internal affairs investigations. Mr. Maddux acknowledges the difficult job that law enforcement performs, while also demanding that law enforcement diligently follow state and federal constitutions, internal policies and standards of decency.
Michael has been actively involved in the Big Brother/Little Brother Program, is a former Chairman of the Mid-Florida Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar, and is an elder at his Presbyterian church where he serves on the Compassionate Outreach Committee. He is also board president for the Timothy Initiative: a men’s recovery home that believes in finding recovery through a relationship with Christ. Michael enjoys time with his wife and kids, learning to play guitar, volunteering with his ministry programs, cycling, and being nature.
Email: mmaddux@madduxattorneys.com
Jennifer Szymczak
Attorney
Attorney Jennifer Szymczak joined the Maddux Law team in 2008 as a law clerk following her first year of law school at Stetson University College of Law. She graduated in 2010 and continues to practice on the Maddux Law team. Jennifer’s practice is focused on Civil Rights litigation, criminal defense and personal injury law. She is the managing attorney of the Maddux Law, Gainesville, FL office.
Jennifer is a member of the Florida Bar, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, the Middle District of Florida and the Southern District of Florida and the United States Federal Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Jennifer has tried cases in both Florida State Court and Federal Court and had the honor of presenting oral arguments to a panel of judges in the Eleventh Circuit Federal Court of Appeals.
Jennifer is active in the legal community. She is a graduate of the Florida Bar Leadership Academy Class V. She is a member of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Florida Bar Criminal Law Section. Jennifer also served as a member of the Florida Bar Advertising Grievance Committee.
Jennifer has continued her legal training by attending Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyer’s College Regional Seminars, Trojan Horse Method Seminars and Trial Lawyer’s University Seminars, to name a few.
During her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her daughter outside. As a graduate from the University of Florida, she is an avid Gator Fan and can be found on the weekends cheering on her team. She actively participates as a Unified Partner in the Special Olympics. Jennifer is a runner and recently completed her goal of running a half marathon. Fun fact about Jennifer, she has dual citizenship in the US and Czech Republic and is fluent in both languages.
Previously known as Jennifer Salter.
Email: jszymczak@madduxattorneys.com
adam dinsbier
Attorney
Attorney Adam Dinsbier joined the Maddux Attorneys team in 2012 as a law clerk after graduating from Stetson University College of Law. While in law school, he interned at both the State Attorney’s Office and Public Defender’s Office. Adam practices Criminal Defense, Civil Rights, and Personal Injury law.
Adam is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to the Middle District of Florida. Adam has tried criminal and civil cases in both Florida State Court and Federal Court.
In his free time, Adam spends time with his dog that he adopted as a homeless puppy.
Email: adinsber@madduxattorneys.com
carrie tonski
Paralegal
Carrie Tonski is the firm’s criminal defense paralegal and has worked for Michael P. Maddux, P.A. since 2005. Carrie is a seasoned paralegal with more than 30 years of experience in the areas of personal injury, civil rights violations and criminal defense matters at both the federal and state levels. Carrie holds the designation of Florida Registered Paralegal and is a member of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association.
Originally from New Jersey, Carrie made Florida her home after serving four years in the United States Air Force. During her free time, Carrie enjoys spending time with her family, working out, and writing her biography.
Email: ctonski@madduxattorneys.com
Cheyla Gonzalez
Paralegal
Cheyla Gonzalez, the firm’s Personal Injury paralegal joined our firm in September 2018. Cheyla has been a paralegal since 2004. Besides being experience in Personal Injury, Cheyla has experience in Workers’ Compensation, Maritime Law, Family Law and Criminal Law. Cheyla is a member of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association.
Cheyla was born in Habana, Cuba and moved to the United States when she was nine years old with her family. She has three beautiful kids, Alejandra, Zoe, and Miguel. She is inspired by women like Frida Kahlo and Oprah Winfrey. Here are her favorite quotes from Frida and Oprah:
“I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to better.” - Frida Kahlo
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.” - Oprah Winfrey
During her free time, some of Cheyla’s favorite things to do are spending time with her children, traveling, trying new restaurants, walking and going to the beach.
Email: cgonzalez@madduxattorneys.com
CHRIS RAGANO
Executive Assistant
Chris Ragano joined Maddux Attorneys in 2021. Chris received his B.S. from Florida State University in 1992 and his J.D. in 1996.
Chris is a native Floridian and grew up in the Miami area before moving to Tampa. He is involved with local ministries such as Dorothy Day Tampa, Love Inc., and Open Arms.
In his free time, Chris enjoys spending time with his dog Arty, a Sapphire Samoyed, as well as cooking on the Big Green Egg.
Email: chris@madduxattorneys.com
JODI TRASTER
Executive Assistant
Jodi Traster joined Maddux Attorneys in 2022. She is a Tampa native who gradauted from H.B Plant High School in 2016 and Florida State University in 2020.
Jodi is Michael's executive assistant. In addition to assisting with daily operations, she is also responsible for managing the firm's marketing and social media. Her works allows our community to see our commitment to justice and drive for positive change.
During her free time, Jodi spends time with her family, friends, and beloved dog, Tucker.
Email: jodi@madduxattorneys.com