Shirley, Griffin Merrill

I am a native of the Tampa Bay area and have lived here for the past 36 years. After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Political Science and Criminal Justice, I began my legal career at Stetson College of Law’s prestigious law school in Gulfport, Florida.  During my time there, I focused my training in litigation in all areas of Criminal and Civil Trial Practice, becoming a member of Stetson's nationally top-ranked trial team, and competed with schools from around the country, beating teams from Harvard, Georgetown and Duke.

After receiving my Juris Doctorate degree from the Stetson College of Law, I began my tenure with the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office as a Prosecutor in the Sixth Judicial Circuit working with State Attorney Bernie McCabe. During my time there, I held many positions, including Lead Trial Attorney in the County Court Misdemeanor Division, where I, among other things, was asked to teach new prosecutors and law enforcement about various topics, including DUI law and enforcement. Further, I served as a Felony Prosecutor, focusing in the areas of Domestic Violence, Stalking, Child Neglect and Sexual and Child Abuse. Throughout my career as an Assistant State Attorney in Pinellas County, I  prosecuted over 3,000 criminal cases and took over 60 cases to trial.

Upon fulfillment of my contract with the Pinellas County State Attorney's office, I began my solo practice in St. Petersburg, Florida, where I focused in the areas of Divorce, Marital and Family Law and Criminal Defense, helping people throughout the Tampa Bay Area, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Sarasota and Manatee counties.  Eventually my solo practice grew into a successful partnership with offices in both Pinellas and Hillsborough County.  Since turning my focus toward Divorce, Marital and Family Law, I have been successful helping my clients with litigating matters ranging from Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Paternity, Disestablishment of Paternity, DNA tests, Modifications and Enforcements,  Restraining Orders and Injunction and Child Relocation.

I hold a license to practice law throughout the State of Florida and in the Federal Court for the Middle District of Florida. I am a member of the Florida, Hillsborough, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Bar Associations, as well as a member of the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers.  I can be seen on Fox 13 News Ask-A-Lawyer and heard on www.KnockoutRadio.com.

I take pride in my no-nonsense, knowledgeable and thorough representation of my clients in Family Law, (Child Custody, Child Support, Paternity, Disestablishment of Paternity, DNA tests, Modifications and Enforcements, Restraining Orders and Injunction and Child Relocation) cases,