Home

Practice Areas

Firm Profile

Attorney Profile

Contact

Samuel G. "Sam" Crosby graduated from Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, in 1973 with majors in English and Philosophy. Sam attended the University of Florida Law School graduating in 1976. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1976 and worked with the Public Defender's Office until 1978.

Sam was Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar in 1987. Less than 2% of all Florida lawyers have attained the Civil Trial Certification. Sam was certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit and County Civil Mediator in 1987. Sam has been judged by his peers as an "av" lawyer, the highest ranking that can be attained by a lawyer.

Since 1978 Sam has been in private practice in Lakeland, Florida with Miller, Crosby & Miller, P.A. and its predecessors. Sam’s practice includes representation of families and small businesses in negotiation, litigation and mediation. Sam is also very active mediating cases for attorneys and their clients from throughout Central Florida.

The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) is an invitation only organization of Trial Lawyers whose peers have chosen them to join for their jury trial advocacy skills and for exhibiting the virtues of civility, integrity and professionalism. Sam was invited to join ABOTA and joined in 2008.

Sam has served the community and the profession in the following capacities: President of the Lakeland Bar Association; Chairman of the Board of the Lakeland Housing Authority; President of the Polk County Trial Lawyers Association; Chairman of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Nominating Committee; Chairman of one of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committees; member of the Florida Bar Civil Procedure Rules Committee, a guardian ad litem for children in family law litigation and member of the Florida Bar Eminent Domain Committee.

Richard "Rick" A. Miller was born on December 29, 1956 in Lakeland, Florida. He attended college and law school in Florida and graduated from law school with honors in 1981. In 1989, Rick became "board certified" in Real Estate Law, a certification attained by less than 1% of all Florida lawyers.

Rick represents buyers, sellers and lenders in residential and commercial real estate transactions and also practices in the area of Wills and Estates. He has been judged by his peers as an "av" lawyer, the highest ranking that can be attained by a lawyer.

Rick has served on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee and Real Property Certification Committee and was Chairman of both committees during his tenure. Currently, he is an Appellate Special Magistrate for Polk County Code Enforcement and he serves on the City of Lakeland Civil Service Board.

Rick is married to the former Betty McAlpin and they have four children, ages 16 - 22. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoys hunting and fishing in his leisure time.

Sozon C. Vatikiotis (pronounced So-zone Vatee-key-otis) grew up in the coastal community of Tarpon Springs, Florida. After graduating from Tarpon Springs High School in 1999, Sozon attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history and a minor in communications. Following undergraduate school, Sozon continued his education at Stetson University College of Law, where he graduated with honors in 2005. In addition to graduating with honors, Sozon was the recipient of the Victor O. Wehle Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy.

Upon his admission to the Florida Bar in April, 2006, Sozon became an Associate with the law firm of Miller, Crosby & Miller, P.A. He soon became aware of the growing number of people who constantly incur extensive medical, nursing home and assisted living facility expenses on a daily basis. Realizing these expenses can often be avoided through proper government benefit planning, Sozon decided to concentrate his practice in the area of Elder Law, with a heavy emphasis on Medicaid planning. He routinely counsels those in need of nursing home and assisted living facility care on the complexities associated with Medicaid and other government benefit programs. Sozon also practices in the areas of Wills, Trusts and Estates, Guardianship Law, Real Estate and general civil litigation.

Sozon resides in Lakeland, Florida with his wife, whom he met while attending Stetson University. An avid outdoorsman, Sozon spends as much time as possible with his family and friends enjoying the water and woods.

SAMUEL G. CROSBY
Board Certified Civil
  Trial Lawyer
Supreme Court
   Certified Civil
   Mediator

RICHARD  A. MILLER
Board Certified Real
  Estate Lawyer

SOZON C. VATIKIOTIS

Attorney Profile