Carlson, Meissner, Hart & Hayslett
Daviana Braniff has a passion for defending the rights of the accused in the greater Tampa Bay Area. As a highly skilled trial attorney in the area of criminal defense, Daviana is a zealous advocate for those who need help having a voice.
During her undergraduate studies, Daviana met someone that changed the course of her professional life. She had the opportunity to complete an internship working for the former Chatham County Chief Public Defender Michael Edwards. Mr. Edwards encouraged Daviana to apply to law school and she was ultimately accepted into his alma mater of the University of Georgia School of Law.
While attending law school, Daviana enrolled in the prosecutorial clinic under retired professor Alan Cook. Along with classroom training, she was able to hit the ground running working at the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. Daviana had the opportunity to immediately handle cases in court working on major felonies under the supervision of ADA Ramona Toole. Being able to work alongside such a talented and accomplished attorney gave Daviana the experience needed to take over a complex caseload as an Assistant State Attorney in Pinellas County Florida after graduation.
While at the Office of Bernie McCabe, State Attorney, Daviana handled over 30 jury trials between 2015 and 2018 as well as vast amounts of motions and hearings. While working hundreds of cases each year, Daviana began establishing her outstanding reputation in the legal community and had the privilege of meeting Kevin Hayslett on the opposite side of many cases. In December of 2018, Mr. Hayslett saw the enormous potential in Daviana and offered her a position with his firm. In her first year there in 2019, she was voted a top 40 Under 40 Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers.
The attorneys at Carlson, Meissner, Hart & Hayslett have been proudly serving clients in the Tampa Bay community since 1971. Since this time, their attorneys have worked tirelessly to help clients protect their rights and reach the best possible outcome in their cases. Along with representation in criminal defense, the firm also specializes in personal injury, Social Security disability, and workers’ compensation cases. Together, the team of attorneys have over 125 years of combined legal experience.
Although based out of her Clearwater office, Daviana has created an extensive professional network working with cases in a large geographical area including Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk, Hernando, Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Daviana represents clients in all types of crimes including traffic, misdemeanors, and felonies; however, she specializes in major crime and complex trial cases.
Daviana and her husband Daniel call the city of Dunedin home, along with their son James and their loving dog Stella. She has a devotion to giving back and being involved with her community, and can be reached for a free consultation for any criminal legal matter.
Memberships: Florida Bar 2015, Clearwater Bar Association, West Pasco Bar Association, Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International.
250 N. Belcher Rd, Ste 102, Clearwater, FL 33765 | P: 727-698-4422
www.carlsonmeissner.com | Daviana@carlsonmeissner.com
