Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, P.A. Announces Name Change

(Naples, Florida) January 30, 2023 – Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, P.A., a leading Naples, Florida business litigation and family law firm, announced that it has changed its name to Coleman, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé, Diaz & Torrez, P.A. Christyna Torrez, who focuses her practice in the area of commercial litigation and has worked as an attorney at the firm since 2007, has been added to the firm name. William Hazzard focuses on his mediation and arbitration practice.

“We pride ourselves on providing unparalleled attention to our clients and have a proud tradition to serving our community,” said Founding Member Michael Coleman. “Christyna truly embodies these values, which serve as the foundation of our firm, and we are honored to recognize her by adding her to name to the firm name.”

Christyna is “AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated” by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating an attorney can receive for their professional ethics and legal ability by their peers and the judiciary. She was named a Top Lawyer in Business Litigation and Civil Litigation by Naples Illustrated Magazine, and recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the area of Commercial Litigation along with Founding Member Michael Coleman. She has represented countless businesses and individuals in a variety of matters including shareholder disputes, trust and estate litigation, employment litigation, real estate and property litigation, complex residential and commercial foreclosures, business torts, hospitality litigation, and general contract litigation. Christyna has significant experience in the courtroom in state court, Federal court, and appellate court, and also assists clients with negotiations to avoid and resolve litigation through settlement. She is the incoming President of the Collier County Women’s Bar Association and serves as a director for the Collier County Bar Foundation. Christyna is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

“I am humbled to be recognized by having my name added to the firm,” said Christyna Torrez. “It has been an honor to work with this group, and I look forward to continuing the hard work that we consistently perform for our clients. It is a privilege to work with such an outstanding team of colleagues including the invaluable mentorship that I’ve received from Michael Coleman, William Hazzard and Damian Taylor throughout my career, in addition to the many contributions from our hardworking associate attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff.”

Robert Bernstein joins Young Lawyers Board

The Young Lawyers would like to congratulate Robert Bernstein, Courtney Darnell, and Christian Haman, who will be joining your board of directors for the 20/21 season. Mellissa Stubbs and Kimberly Swanson will support the board in a variety of ways.

We encourage all of you to do the same. Join us for virtual events now and live ones when we are able. The YL is innovative, fun, dedicated, and supportive. We are your voice in the CCBA. Get involved! We look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Sonia Diaz Appointed Chair of the Leadership Lunch Series Committee of the Leadership Collier Foundation

In her role, Sonia will provide leadership and support to the Committee and report to the Alumni Advisory Council. The Committee is responsible for planning, preparing, and implementing five Leadership Lunch Speaker events each calendar year for Leadership Collier Foundation Alumni and their guests. The speakers are selected by the Committee with topical issues and events of interest to Leadership Collier Alumni in areas such as Leadership, Economic Development, Government, Education, Healthcare and the Arts. The Committee has four fundamental concepts: education, stewardship, networking, and recreation. The next event will be on October 22, 2019 and will focus on a critically important issue to our community.

Dale Klaus, Michael Coleman, Damian Taylor, Sonia Diaz and Reuben Doupé Were Recognized as Top Lawyers 2019 by Naples Illustrated magazine.

Naples Illustrated partnered with the firm Professional Research Services and asked licensed Collier and Lee counties attorneys who they would recommend in the area. Nominees were then evaluated on the basis of survey results, status of their licenses, and their standing with The Florida Bar. Qualifying attorneys who received the highest number of votes were recognized.

See the Article

Five Attorneys at Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, PA were Selected as Florida Super Lawyers

Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, PA, a Naples, Florida business litigation and family law firm announced that that four attorneys in the firm were recognized as Super Lawyers ® and one as Super Lawyer ® for the fifth straight year. Attorneys Damian Taylor, Dale Klaus, Sonia Diaz and Reuben Doupé were selected as Super Lawyers, while Michael Coleman was named Florida Super Lawyer ® for the fifth straight year.

Super Lawyers selects attorneys utilizing a vigorous patented multiphase selection process including nominations, independent research, peer evaluation and final selection. The goal is to create a list of outstanding attorneys, which can be used as a resource for other attorneys, businesses and consumers seeking legal counsel.

Doupé Appointed as Treasurer of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Reuben Doupé, Marital and Family Law Partner at the firm, was appointed Treasurer for the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. The AAML was founded in 1962 "To provide leadership that promotes the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law." Reuben is one of only 1650 Fellows of the AAML in the 50 United States. To be represented by a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is to be represented by a leading practitioner in the field of family law. Fellows are recognized by judges and attorneys as preeminent family law practitioners with a high level of knowledge, skill and integrity.

Oquendo Recognized with Excellence in Advocacy Award

Sarah Martin Oquendo, an Associate in the Family Law practice, recently received the Excellence in Advocacy Award, by the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program, for her outstanding work representing children with certain special needs in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. Her impressive and dedicated work representing some of Florida’s most vulnerable dependent children under § 39.01305 was valued by not only the children she represents, but by her peers who recognized her for this award.

Law Firm of the Year 2018

At the 10th Annual Barrister's Bash, our law firm was recognized as the Law Firm of the Year 2018 by Legal Aid for our continued support and commitment to Legal Aid and the Southwest Florida community.