Alex & Liz speak Spanish fluently
01 — The Mission

When Everything Is On The Line, We're Ready To Fight.

Your Battle. Our Business. Tampa Bay's most dedicated legal team — answering when others won't.

(813) 360-1529
02 — Our Presence

Serving Tampa Bay,
Hillsborough,
Pinellas,
Polk County.

Deeply rooted in the community. Fighting for our clients throughout Florida.

(813) 360-1529
03 — Direct Action

Standing With
You Through
Life's Toughest
Challenges.

One call. Real attorneys. Nights, weekends, or whenever you need us most.

(813) 360-1529
04- How we help

One Mistake,
Doesn't Define You!

Helping our clients confidently figure out what their next move will be.

(813) 360-1529
0
Years of Combined Experience
0
+ Cases Handled
24/7
Available When You Need Us
Personal Injury & Criminal Defense
Core Practice Areas

Serving Tampa Bay - Hillsborough - Pinellas - Polk County and beyond

Practice Areas

Full-Service
Legal Representation.

Select a practice area below to learn how we approach your specific situation.

State Criminal Defense
Florida State Courts
Federal Criminal Defense
Federal Court Representation
Juvenile Criminal Defense
Protecting Young Futures
DUI Defense
Driving Under the Influence
Weapon & Firearm Offenses
Firearm & Concealed Carry
White Collar Crime
Fraud & Financial Offenses
Assault & Battery
Violent Crime Defense
Drug Crime Defense
Possession, Trafficking & Distribution
Theft Crimes
Burglary, Robbery & Larceny
Domestic Violence Defense
Domestic Charges & Injunctions
Sex Crimes Defense
Sexual Assault
Juvenile Defense
Protecting Young Futures
PPP Fraud Defense
Federal Pandemic Loan Fraud
Criminal Record Sealing / Expungement
Clear Your Record

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of any specific outcome. Every case is unique. Contact us for a consultation about your specific situation.

Post-Case Services

Your Case Ends
in a Verdict.
Our Work Doesn't.

A criminal record is a weight that follows you into every job application, every apartment lease, and every opportunity. Florida law provides pathways to seal or expunge certain records — and we fight for your future just as hard as we fought your case.

Included when you hire us: When eligible, we handle your record sealing or expungement as part of your representation — at no additional charge. Not every law firm does this. We do.

Sealing & expungement included with your representation when eligible
Covers arrests, charges dismissed, and certain convictions
Available for first-time and eligible repeat offenders
Free eligibility assessment included
01
Eligibility Review

We analyze your complete record and the charges involved to determine whether you qualify under Florida's sealing or expungement statutes.

02
Application Preparation

We handle all paperwork meticulously — FDLE applications, court petitions, and supporting documentation — so nothing is missed.

03
Court Representation

We appear on your behalf, advocate before the judge, and manage the entire process from filing through the final order.

04
Life Restored

Once complete, you can legally deny the arrest in most contexts. We help you understand what your sealed record means for your future.

Why Shrader Mendez

Experience.
Integrity. Results.

For over a decade, Shrader Mendez has served Tampa Bay and more with a commitment to honesty — telling clients the truth about their situation, the risks they face, and the best path forward. Not just what they want to hear.

Every person who walks through our door gets a frank assessment. No inflated promises. No empty reassurances. Just real guidance from attorneys who genuinely care about your outcome.

We Answer the Phone

Call us on a Saturday night, a holiday, or 2am on a Tuesday. When you need us, we pick up. That's not marketing — that's our commitment to you.

Late Nights & Weekends

Criminal charges don't respect business hours. Neither do we. We return calls promptly and handle emergencies whenever they arise.

You Know Your Attorney

We're a small, dedicated firm. Your case won't be handed to a paralegal or a first-year associate. You work directly with the attorneys fighting for you.

Clear Communication

We explain every step in plain language. No legal jargon designed to confuse. You'll always know exactly where your case stands.

Relentless Preparation

We're not in the business of plea deals that serve the system. We build comprehensive defenses, investigate fully, and are ready for trial.

Community-Rooted

We live and work in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and beyond. We know the courts, the judges, and the local landscape. That local knowledge is a genuine advantage for our clients.

Know Before You Hire

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Lawyer

01

Don't choose based on price alone.

The cheapest attorney is rarely the best option when your freedom, finances, or future are on the line. Look for experience, attention, and a genuine commitment to your case.

02

Don't hire a lawyer you're not comfortable with.

You'll be sharing sensitive information and making important decisions together. If you don't feel heard or respected in the first conversation, trust that instinct.

03

Beware of 'slam dunk' promises.

No honest attorney can guarantee an outcome. If a lawyer tells you exactly what you want to hear without caveats, that's a red flag — not a green light.

Don't face this alone.

Your first consultation is completely free. We listen, we assess, we advise.

(813) 360-1529
The Team

The People
In Your Corner.

Real attorneys. Real commitment. When you call us, you reach the people who will actually handle your case.

🇪🇸 Alex Mendez & Elizabeth Garcia speak Spanish fluently — Hablamos español.
Brian L. Shrader

Brian L. Shrader

Managing Partner
Criminal Defense · Federal Cases · Business Litigation

Brian L. Shrader

Managing Partner
Alex Mendez

Alex Mendez

Partner
Criminal Defense · Consumer Protection · Personal Injury

Alex Mendez

Partner
Attorneys & Staff

The Full Team.

Cady Nessralla

Cady Nessralla

Paralegal
Criminal Defense · Personal Injury · Consumer Protection

Cady Nessralla

Paralegal
Lexi Friedrichs

Lexi Friedrichs

Paralegal
Legal Assistance · Case Support

Lexi Friedrichs

Paralegal
Elizabeth Garcia

Elizabeth Garcia

Legal Assistant
Legal Assistance · Administration

Elizabeth Garcia

Legal Assistant
Sharon Gaumond

Sharon Gaumond

Director of Operations
Business growth and Operations

Sharon Gaumond

Director of Operations
Community Involvement

Rooted in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Legal Aid
Tampa Bay Legal Aid

Legal support for underserved communities

Hillsborough Schools
Hillsborough Schools

Youth legal education programs

Local Outreach
Local Outreach

Community know-your-rights workshops

Veteran Support
Veteran Support

Specialized representation for veterans facing charges

Annual Toy Drive
Annual Toy Drive

Holiday gifts for Tampa Bay children in need

Guardian Ad Litem
Guardian Ad Litem

Helping abused, abandoned and neglected children.

Client Reviews

Don't just listen to us —
hear what our clients say.

And if we can't handle your matter ourselves, we'll refer you to someone who can. When you call us, you always get an answer.

"When I got my DUI charge, I was terrified. Shrader Mendez picked up the phone on a Sunday evening and walked me through everything calmly and professionally. They fought hard for me and got a result I never thought possible. I can't recommend them enough."

Marcus T.
10 days ago

"This firm truly cares. They answered every one of my calls, explained everything clearly, and never made me feel like just another case number. The personal attention you get here is something you won't find at bigger firms."

Lucia R.
1 month ago

"I hired Shrader Mendez for a drug charge that could have cost me my future. They were thorough, prepared, and absolutely relentless. My record is now sealed and I can move forward. Worth every penny."

Devon W.
3 months ago

"The level of communication I got from this firm was remarkable. Late nights, weekends — they were always reachable. When you're going through something this stressful, knowing your attorneys are in your corner 24/7 makes all the difference."

Sarah M.
3 months ago

"I was facing serious assault charges and thought my life was over. The attorneys at Shrader Mendez investigated every detail, challenged the evidence, and secured an outcome that let me get my life back. Professional, smart, and truly dedicated."

James C.
5 months ago
Read all reviews on Google

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Things You May Not Know

The Intelligence Grid.

Fast, actionable legal knowledge. No jargon, no paywall. Just what you need to know.

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Free Consultation

The First Call
Costs Nothing.

Tell us about your situation. We'll listen, assess your case honestly, and explain your options — with no obligation and no judgment.

Availability

We answer calls on nights, weekends, and holidays. When you're in crisis, we don't have business hours.

Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. The information you provide is confidential. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.

SM
Shrader Mendez
Shrader Mendez
Attorneys at Law

Standing with you through life's toughest challenges. Tampa Bay's most dedicated legal team.

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Contact
(813) 360-1529admin@smjustice.com
5502 N. Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
Available
Nights · Weekends · Whenever You Need Us

© 2026 Shrader Mendez, Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Viewing this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes. This firm is responsible for the content of this advertisement.

Florida Bar Member