Hanlon Law

Hanlon Law

Google Rating

4.9(32 reviews)

  • 600 Cleveland St # 1100, Clearwater, FL 33755, USA
  • (727) 897-5413
  • No email available
Juvenile/Dependency, Criminal Law

About:

If you are charged with a crime, it is crucial to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Some criminal convictions carry mandatory minimum sentences, which means that the judge will have no discretion over the sentence and must impose a term of imprisonment as part of the sentence. Clearwater criminal defense lawyer Will Hanlon has more than two decades of experience handling matters such as charges of drug crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, theft crimes, white collar crimes, and more. Hanlon Law fights for the accused even before charges are filed and aims to get cases dismissed as efficiently as possible so that a client can move forward with their life. All crimes need to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to get a conviction. You should not assume that a conviction is assured, but also you should not sit back and wait for the prosecutor to prove their case. The earlier that we get involved, the more likely it is that we can have some influence over whether and which charges are brought. Prosecutors are not required to offer you a plea deal, and talking to the prosecutor on your own can result in incriminating yourself. It is better to retain a seasoned criminal defense attorney in the Clearwater area, whether you are facing serious felony charges or misdemeanor charges.

Jurisdiction:Tampa

Practice Area

Juvenile/Dependency

Advocates in CPS cases to separate perpetrator from protective parent, ensure safe visitation, reasonable services, and trauma-informed findings without punishing the survivor.

Criminal Law

Guides reporting, evidence, bail conditions, no-contact orders, prosecutions or defenses, and record sealing, centering survivor safety and informed participation across the criminal process.

Languages

English

Fees

Free Consultation

Education

B.S.
University of Florida
1988
J.D.
St. Thomas University School of Law
1993

Awards

BV Distinguished
Martindale-Hubbell

Associations

Member
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Present
Member
National Criminal Defense College
- Present
Member
American College of Barristers
- Present
Member
The Florida Bar
1994 - Present
Member
Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Present
Member
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Present

Reviews


RATED 5.0

Jun 10, 2025Googlevia Google

Chris Johnson

"I give Nick Chotos and Will Hanlon my highest recommendation."

RATED 5.0

May 10, 2025Googlevia Google

Rebecca Bernhardt

"Will Hanlon is an excellent Clearwater criminal defense attorney who effectively defended my rights with his legal expertise. Mr. Hamlin demonstrated exceptional communication and responsiveness throughout the process. He is a compassionate and understanding lawyer who genuinely cares about his clients. If you are seeking a criminal defense attorney, Will Hamlin is your ideal choice."

RATED 1.0

Apr 10, 2025Googlevia Google

mariacgarth

"When I hired nick back in 2020 he did absolutely nothing for me but claim to write a detailed letter. Suurre. Waste of money could of done it myself and still have the same outcome. Would not hire again, also I think some of the reviews on here might be fake, giving themselves high praises when they can’t even communicate what is going on with your case and the unpreparedness of Nick Chotos. Would not hire this guy again."

RATED 5.0

Feb 10, 2025Googlevia Google

allycat101346

"Niki is awesome and a very hard worker"

RATED 5.0

Sep 10, 2024Googlevia Google

Robert Smilanich

"I want to start by saying that I fully support law enforcement and personal accountability. However, my youngest son made a foolish decision early this year, and a particularly overzealous police officer not only arrested him but charged him with extreme offenses that were completely inappropriate for the situation. I’m convinced that if it had been the officer’s own son or a family friend, he would have handled it differently—perhaps with a stern warning or, at the very most, a misdemeanor charge. With little time to find the right attorney, we came across Michael Haworth and Hanlon Law online. I can’t thank Michael and Mr. Hanlon enough for their professionalism, dedication, and understanding throughout this ordeal. They not only achieved the best possible outcome for my son but also took the time to listen to my fears, ensuring I always felt heard and supported. I was terrified that my son would get trapped in the system, and I couldn’t eat or sleep. But Michael Haworth, with support from Mr. Hanlon, patiently addressed my concerns, presenting realistic options without making unattainable promises. They were committed to resolving this issue, and they did exactly that. I still believe in “law and order,” but this experience opened my eyes to how one bad apple can tarnish people’s view of law enforcement. This officer seemed determined to ruin my 14-year-old son’s life by pushing for a potential prison sentence when he could have chosen a less severe path to teach him a lesson. He also called multiple times once he had nothing to do with it asking questions that the only motive could be to cause some sort of harm on my child, who is doing great now btw. Without Michael Haworth and Mr. Hanlon, my son might have faced a much harsher outcome. They approached the case with creativity and genuine care, always communicating clearly and making me feel confident in their representation. They are truly experts in juvenile law, and their experience and knowledge made all the difference. Over the years, I’ve worked with many attorneys—both corporate and criminal—through my business and for legal matters involving friends, employees, and family. Most attorneys don’t communicate well or fight as hard as they would for their own family. But Michael Haworth and Mr. Hanlon are different. They provided multiple strategies and thought outside the box to make this situation go away. Very few attorneys have such extensive experience and understanding of the legal system for minors in Florida. One bad cop could have ruined my son’s future, but Michael Haworth and Mr. Hanlon cared enough to craft a thoughtful, personalized approach that worked. They got the job done, plain and simple. If anyone finds themselves, or a loved one—especially a minor—facing legal trouble, I wholeheartedly endorse Michael Haworth and Mr. Hanlon."