Giasi Law, P.A.

Melissa Giasi, Esq., Mike Giasi, Esq. & Erin Berger, Esq.

APPELLATE LAW / PROPERTY INSURANCE 

LAW / CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Founded in 2015 by Mike, Giasi Law is a dynamic boutique law firm that was created to provide superior and aggressive legal representation and counsel to each of its clients. Mike is both a skilled civil litigator and a seasoned criminal defense attorney who uses his trial talents to help clients in both arenas. Mike zealously defends clients charged with violating Federal or state crimes. In doing so, Mike takes his role as counselor seriously and firmly believes that part of his representation is to help each client navigate the scary and intimidating process of defending against criminal charges. This means that Mike remains accessible to his clients and also that he makes it a priority to explain each step of the process and making sure his clients have all the information they need to make these difficult decisions. Mike focuses on defending clients charged with insurance fraud and other financial crimes, but he has extensive experience defending RICO, trafficking and other drug crimes and has tried over one hundred cases to verdict. Most of his time in civil court is spent acting as an advocate for policyholders wronged by insurance companies but Mike has had much success for clients involved in business and contract disputes. Mike is also frequently hired by clients named in personal injury lawsuits to supervise the attorneys hired by the insurance carrier.

Melissa joined forces with Mike at Giasi Law in 2018. She is board certified by the Florida Bar in Appellate Practice. Most of her time is spent prosecuting and defending appeals in Florida’s district courts of appeal and the Florida Supreme Court, but Melissa also handles Federal appellate cases as well as select commercial litigation cases at the trial court level. Melissa is an expert in appellate practice and her clients rely on Melissa to navigate the obstacles that frequently arise during jury trials as well as the minefields of appellate preservation. Melissa does not just step in after a case is over. As appellate counsel, she is often actively involved in cases far before the case goes to trial. Melissa frequently appeals adverse rulings prior to trial with the goal of giving her client the best possible chance to prevail at trial while simultaneously preserving her client’s right to challenge an unfavorable outcome.

Erin Berger joined Giasi Law in 2019. Her primary focus is appellate work, but she also brought with her 15 years of litigation experience in various areas of law including real estate, first- and third-party insurance claims, construction, general business and employment law. Erin gained valuable experience in trial and appellate advocacy early in her career when she worked as a law clerk for the Honorable David A. Monaco at the Fifth District Court of Appeal, and then went on to work as a law clerk for the Honorable Marcia Morales-Howard, a District Court Judge with the Middle District of Florida. Erin took that foundation and training and has built a successful career focusing on appellate advocacy. She has prosecuted and defended lawsuits and appeals on behalf of large institutional lenders and insurers, as well as individual homeowners in every appellate court in Florida, including the Florida Supreme Court.  Having represented various clients on both sides of a dispute, Erin is able to see each case from many perspectives and offers each client invaluable advice in navigating the court system and creating the best possible chance for success. 

The true glue that unites the talent at Giasi Law is the passion that both Melissa, Erin and Mike have for helping their clients get the benefits they are entitled to from insurance companies. At the trial court level, Mike determinedly litigates all matters pertaining to the rights of an insured in all first-party actions, including undervaluation and underpayment of a claim, denial of coverage, and insurer bad faith. At the appellate level, Melissa and Erin are both working tirelessly to level the playing field for insureds who are forced to sue their insurance companies.

Giasi Law is proud to be featured in this issue of Tampa Style Magazine.