Support Staff & Other Qualified People in Our Network
that are Prepared to Help with Your Case
Hailey Praught: Legal Assistant
Hailey is the person who scheduled your appointment and greeted you when you arrived for your initial consultation. She manages Frank’s and Marc’s calendars and speaks with them frequently throughout the workday.
Hailey holds a Bachelors of Arts and Sciences degree in English Literature from the University of South Florida. She graduated cum laude from the Honors program. Her position affords her the opportunity to deal with “Judicial Assistants” (Judge’s secretaries), and the Clerks of Court on a daily basis. She has spent time at the “Criminal Justice Center,” the Traffic Divisions and the Clerk’s office, and is very familiar with court procedures. Hailey is thus experienced with court settings and can answer your questions on what generally takes place at your arraignment, pre-trial conference, or trial.
As a member of the office staff, the law extends to Hailey the attorney-client privilege. If you have a question or concern, please feel free to speak with her when you call. She can most likely answer specific questions concerning the status of your case, or the results of a particular court appearance. Hailey is an integral part of our office’s representation of you. If you have a question that needs immediate attention, you should contact Hailey. If she is unable to answer your question, she will contact Frank or Marc and then relay the response back to you as soon as possible.
Hailey is also in charge of managing all written work produced and any legal fee billing during your representation. She may find it necessary at times to telephone you in connection with an upcoming court appearance. It is therefore critical that you keep her informed of any changes in your address or telephone number. Should you have a question about appearing at your court date or any outstanding balance on your fee account, Hailey will be happy to assist you.
Brandy Henson: Legal Assistant
In addition to her regular tasks as a Legal Assistant, Brandy often assists clients in our video-room with their review of instructional DVD's prepared by Frank and Marc. These audio/video materials supplement the hard copy instructions most clients receive in the early stages of their representation.
Brandy is a lifetime St. Petersburg resident who attended the St Petersburg College Paralegal Course of Study. She has also completed Florida Bar sponsored continuing legal education courses. Brandy has over a decade of experience as a Legal Assistant and is quite adept in her computer skills. She is responsible for regularly accessing Pinellas County's Criminal Court Computer System for information imperative to the representation in each client's case.
As a member of Frank and Marc's staff, the law extends to Brandy the attorney-client privilege. If you have a question or concern, please feel free to speak with her when you call.
Pota Papakos: Law Clerk
Pota is originally from Milford, Connecticut and is currently a student at Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida. Pota has excelled at Stetson Law and was invited to join the Honors Program this year. She recently gained valuable experience in criminal law practice through a semester-long judicial internship with The Honorable Judge James V. Pierce in Pinellas County.
Before entering law school, Pota completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism at the University of Florida, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Pota minored in Classical Studies and speaks fluent Greek. While attending UF, she was an editor at The Independent Florida Alligator, the largest student-run publication in the United States. She also volunteered at the St. Francis House Homeless Shelter and was an Athens Fellow for The Next Generation program.
As Frank and Marc's law clerk, Pota’s duties include legal research, the drafting of memoranda of law, and the organization of case materials for the attorneys' review. She will, at times, attend court proceedings with Frank or Marc in order to assist them in providing a high level of service to their clients. Pota will also help the attorneys coordinate clients’ appearances in court and assist clients in finding their way around the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center.
As a member of our staff, the law extends to Pota the attorney-client privilege. Anything that you say to her regarding your case is kept in strict confidence. Accordingly, if you have a question or concern, please feel free to speak with our law clerk when you call. She can make sure that any significant facts or concerns that you might have are made known and are properly addressed.
Shawn Crane: Law Clerk
Shawn’s fascination with the criminal justice system began at a young age. He is the son of long time Pinellas/Pasco Circuit Court Judge Shawn Crane. Judge Crane has handled a multitude of complex cases over the years, including having recently presided over the murder trial of Lawrence Tener, which drew state-wide media interest.
Raised in Palm Harbor, Florida, Shawn is currently a law student at Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida. He has completed courses in both constitutional and criminal law and plans on graduating with a concentration in trial advocacy. While enrolled at Stetson Shawn furthers his understanding of the local legal system and gives back to the community by volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem. As a guardian, Shawn represents the interests of children involved in issues of dependency and custodianship in Pinellas and Pasco County.
Prior to entering Stetson’s College of Law, Shawn graduated with honors and was awarded multiple degrees in the areas of English and History from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He has worked as an intern deputy clerk with the Office of the Clerk for the Circuit Court in Pinellas County where he assisted clerks in their courtroom duties for numerous trials and various proceedings.
As Frank and Marc’s law clerk, Shawn’s duties include legal research, the drafting of memoranda of law, and the organization of case materials for the attorneys’ review. He will, at times, also attend court proceedings with Frank or Marc in order to learn more about the criminal justice system and to assist them in providing a high level of service to their clients. Shawn will help attorneys to coordinate clients’ appearances in court, as well as assist clients in finding their way around the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center.
As a member of our staff, the law extends to Shawn the attorney-client privilege. Anything that you say to Shawn regarding your case is kept in strict confidence. Accordingly, if you have a question or concern, please feel free to speak with our law clerk when you call. He can make sure that any significant facts or concerns that you might have are made known and are properly addressed.
Charles Lukey: Private Investigator
Charles Lukey's experience began many years ago as an investigative reporter where he ultimately became the recipient of the coveted U.P.I. News Investigator of the Year award. He later founded Gator Investigators and has since been the leading detective in many high profile cases arising out of Florida's West Coast area. Although his organization is headquartered in in St. Petersburg, he has detectives strategically located throughout the entire State of Florida. His firm specializes in criminal, arson, and domestic issue investigations, but he is often retained in anticipation of civil litigation as well.
Charles holds a Class A agency license, a Class C private investigator license (Florida's highest level of licensure), a Class G statewide firearm license, a concealed weapons permit and a Master Mariner License. In addition to his past military experience, he holds various firefighting, first aid, and first responder certifications. Because of Mr. Lukey's extensive investigative experience and varied background, he has been invaluable at times in uncovering exculpatory or mitigating evidence on behalf of our clients.
As an expert and independent contractor, Mr. Lukey's fees and expenses are, of course, not included within the legal fee quoted or paid to Russo & Russo. If you believe that Charles Lukey could be of assistance in your case, you should discuss the matter further with Frank or Marc.
Rick Swope: Accident Reconstruction and DUI Consultant
Rick is an accident reconstruction specialist and DUI consultant. His past experience includes work as a Sheriff's Deputy and law enforcement instructor. He has been declared an expert in court over 600 times and provides effective testimony in connection with the operation and short comings of the Intoxilyzer 5000 breath testing machine.
Rick holds a Masters degree from the University of Miami in the area of Technology and Engineering. He has published numerous articles associated with breath testing, field sobriety tests and the investigation of accidents involving impaired drivers. Rick has been a featured speaker at Emory University, Harvard Law School, and at numerous other seminars and lectures across the United States.
As an expert and independent contractor, Rick Swope's fees and expenses are of course not included within the legal fee quoted or paid to Russo & Russo. Rick's address and phone number are as follows: P.O. Box 290547, Davie, FL 33329. Telephone number: (954)476-7640. If you believe Rick Swope could be of help to you, you should discuss the matter further with Frank or Marc.
Carla Barnes: Accountant and Client Billing
Carla Barnes attended Ohio State University. She worked for over three decades as treasurer and office manager for a large machine company which manufactured special packaging machinery. The business supplied such American Powerhouse companies as Pilsbury, General Motors, General Electric, and Sylvania. Carla was honored to be the "Woman of the Year" by the American Business Women's Association, Skyway Chapter. For the past eight years, she has served on the Industrial Technologies Advisory Committee at PTEC (Pinellas Technical Education Centers) and is currently the chairperson for the committee. Carla has been doing accounting work since 1978.
Carla is responsible for maintaining our client's trust accounts, paying for costs associated with their defense and keeping our clients up to date with respect to any financial obligations associated with their case. Carla's education and experience make her a valuable resource in dealing with criminal cases that involve white collar crime, misappropriation of funds, as well as, complex restitution issues.
Ariel Capote: IT Support
Ariel is the computer Network Administrator for our office. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of South Florida and is the President of A Consulting, Inc. Ariel has an extensive background in the areas of telecom and data and holds three Microsoft certifications. These include both Microsoft System Administrator and System Engineer designations. Through Ariel's help, our office maintains a seamless data connection with the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center, the Clerk of Court and the the DHSMV.
Answer First Communications, Inc.:
Answering Service
Our office employs Answer First Communications to insure that we are available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The professional staff at Answer First will take your information and promptly page either Frank or Marc with your message, insuring that your call is returned quickly, even if we are out of the office or if you need to reach our firm on a weekend or holiday. Visit Answer First on the web at http://www.answerfirst.com.
