Associates

Christine Barrett graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law where she earned both her Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Taxation. During her law school career, Christine served as the Secretary of the Tax Law Society and provided extensive pro bono legal service at the University of San Diego’s State Income Tax and Sales and Use Tax Clinics. She also volunteered with the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division. Prior to attending law school, Christine earned her Bachelor’s degree in History at the University of Central Florida.

While residing in California, Christine clerked at the San Diego County Employees Retirement Association and practiced as a discovery associate at a national securities and class action firm. In 2013 she decided to return to her home state of Florida. Prior to joining McDonald Toole Wiggins, Christine was an associate attorney at a large Orlando-based firm where she focused her practice in the areas of real estate, civil litigation, and taxation.

In her spare time, Christine enjoys yoga, cooking, reading, and spending time with her husband, Sean.

With a meticulous eye for detail, Estevan quickly and ambitiously rose to the level of a Felony A position, Assistant State Attorney, with the Ninth Judicial Circuit, State Attorney’s Office. From the multiple trials resulting in favorable verdicts, ranging from Trafficking in Controlled Substances to Aggravated Batteries with Great Bodily Harm, Estevan polished his advocacy and courtroom skills to best represent the members of the community of Orange County, Florida. Currently, Estevan focuses on defending companies and their employees in litigation related to premises liability, automotive negligence, and general personal injury cases.

Born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Estevan grew up in Chicago, Illinois, before attending Florida Gulf Coast University, where he graduated with a B.S. in Business Management and served as the Student Government’s Chief Justice. Estevan then attended The Florida A&M University where he graduated in the top 25% of his class and was an active participant in the Guardian Ad Litem Clinic and Hispanic-American Law Student Association.

During law school, Estevan was a Corporate Paralegal with a Fortune 500 company, whereby he directly handled pre-litigation tasks related to labor and employment disputes as well as claims involving issues of premises liability, products liability and intellectual property. He also handled discovery matters and client intakes for insurance, first-party property, and contract lawsuits.

In his free time, Estevan enjoys traveling, volunteering with La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Fraternity Inc., and rooting for the Orlando Magic.

Tiffany Gutierrez focuses her practice in the areas of civil litigation, personal injury, product liability, and insurance litigation.

Prior to joining McDonald Toole Wiggins, P.A., Tiffany gained significant experience in her last semester in law school externing at the United States Department of Energy Office of the General Counsel working mainly in the Office of the Environment and the Office of Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property. Tiffany also interned with the Honorable Jay P. Cohen at Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal.

Tiffany graduated cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she served as an editor on the Florida Law Review. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Florida.

 

 

Francesca focuses her practice areas on defending businesses in the areas of products liability, premises liability, and general liability.

Francesca is from Northeastern Pennsylvania. She received her undergraduate degree from King’s College in English, graduating magna cum laude. Upon moving to Florida, she attended law school at Florida A&M University College of Law where she graduated at the top of her class. During law school, Francesca worked full time as a paralegal at a criminal defense firm, which quickly led to her first associate attorney position as a criminal defense attorney. She has also practiced Family Law in the Central Florida region, which lends a hand to her unique experience in both civil and criminal litigation matters. Prior to joining the firm, Francesca has undergone extensive training in trauma informed courts and collaborative law.

Francesca was inspired to become an attorney by her late aunt, Christine Trottini, whose poise and passion for the law was infectious. She has long recognized that the legal system is one of the more complex written rules of society, and practicing law as an attorney is one of the most respected professions in the workplace. Francesca takes her knowledge, respect, and experience, and turns it into dedicated and committed client representation.

Flor Leiva focuses her practice in the areas of products liability, premise liability, and general liability.

Flor began her legal career working at an insurance defense firm representing insurance carriers in first-party property suits. She then had the honor and pleasure of serving four years as a judicial law clerk at the Fifth District Court of Appeal, clerking for Judge F. Rand Wallis and Chief Judge James A. Edwards. Upon leaving the Fifth DCA, Flor came to work with us here at McDonald Toole Wiggins, where both Judge Wallis and Judge Edwards previously worked.

Flor received her undergraduate degree from Florida State University, and then went on to earn her law degree from Barry University School of Law. During law school, Flor competed in national Moot Court competitions and served on the Executive Board of Barry’s Moot Court program. She also worked as a legal assistant and law clerk while completing her studies.

In her free time, Flor enjoys yoga, outdoor activities, traveling, and exploring local farmer’s markets with her dog.

John is an Associate Attorney at McDonald Toole and Wiggins, PA whose practice focuses on general liability defense including product liability matters, motor vehicle accidents and trucking litigation. He earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law and is admitted to practice in Florida. Throughout law school, John served as the Vice President of the Federalist society and was a member of the second amendment society. In addition, John worked as law clerk for the honorable Judge John E. Steele in the Middle District of Florida Fort Myers Division, and he was an intern for the United States Attorney’s Office of Tampa helping to prosecute both white collar crimes and drug traffickers. He then worked as a CLI for both the Tampa and Sarasota State Attorneys’ office where he gained courtroom experience.

Upon graduation, John worked for Florida’s largest Civil Defense firm defending some of the nation’s largest retail stores and insurance companies. John now serves as part of a team that is national counsel for a major truck servicing company and a major forklift manufacturer, including the defense of personal injury cases involving company vehicles.