Our Team

The experienced team of the Law Offices of Paul J. Burkhart, PL specializes in, among other services, Business and Corporate Law, Personal Injury, Family Law, Criminal Defense, Bankruptcy, Intellectual Property, and Real Estate.

The Law Office of Paul Burkhart is a member of the following organizations:

Paul J. Burkhart

Picture of Paul J. BurkhartMr. Paul J. Burkhart, Esquire established his law practice after moving from Baltimore, Maryland to Palm Beach, Florida in 2004. Mr. Burkhart has over fifteen (15) years of business experiences, including establishing and managing the Totts Foundation Charitable Organization and other entrepreneurial ventures.

Utilizing Mr. Burkhart's strong business background, the firm initially focused on Business Law matters and Corporate Governance. As a natural extension of these areas of practice, the firm expanded to include Estate Planning and Real Estate Law among other services.

Mr. Burkhart graduated from the University of Baltimore Law School in Baltimore, Maryland. He was admitted to practice law in the State of Florida on January 24, 2005. Mr. Burkhart is also currently licensed as a Real Estate Sales Associate, FINRA arbitrator, Life, Health and Variable Annuity and notary public licensed in the State of Florida and is a Licensed Title Agent through Old Republic ("The Fund").

Mr. Burkhart's prior experience includes working at a Family Law Clinic, Circuit Court for Baltimore County and an Intellectual Property Law Firm. Mr. Burkhart also owned a collection, tax preparation and direct sales company based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Damian Boz, Jr.

Picture of Damian Boz, Jr.Damian Boz, Jr., Esquire, a New York native, was born on April 19, 1980. He received a Bachelor of Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Throughout his undergraduate education he was employed full time as a litigation assistant by one of Long Island's premier law firms. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend law school at New England School of Law.

Mr. Boz was employed full time while attending New England School of Law as an evening student. Initially, he was employed by one of Boston's most successful personal injury firms. Much of his experience focused on automobile accidents and various other general liability claims. After his second year as a law student, Mr. Boz was hired as a bankruptcy paralegal where his focus was on Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions. Mr. Boz worked closely with a Chapter 7 Trustee and gained extensive knowledge concerning a wide range of issues facing the administration of debtor estates.

Mr. Boz received his Juris Doctor in May of 2008 from New England School of Law. Mr. Boz joined The Law Offices of Paul J. Burkhart in October 2008 and will assist with expanding the firm's practice in the areas of bankruptcy and personal injury. In December of 2008, Mr. Boz was admitted to practice in the State of Massachusetts. Mr. Boz recently sat for and passed the Florida bar exam and expects to be admitted to practice in Florida this coming winter.

Hector A. Rivera, Jr.

Picture of Hector A. Rivera, Jr.Hector A. Rivera, Jr., has 12 years of experience in the practice of personal injury law, with a proven record of obtaining significant monetary awards for medical costs, lost income, expenses and pain and suffering in cases of wrongful death, medical malpractice, car and boating accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, construction accidents and products liability, among other issues. In addition, Rivera has extensive experience in the areas of criminal law, real estate matters, landlord-tenant issues and business law, including start-ups and formation of corporations. He has successfully handled complex contractual matters, insurance negotiations, and liability issues, aggressively defending the rights of his clients and obtaining the best results possible.

Attorney Rivera graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven with a Bachelor of Science degree in communications in 1990, and earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1996. He began his practice in Connecticut, where he worked for several years before moving to South Florida in 2005.

His legal background includes experience as a negotiator and a litigator, and as a managing attorney in several respected South Florida firms. He is licensed to practice in Florida, Connecticut, New York and Washington, D.C.

Rivera, who is fluent in Spanish, is an Ambassador for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County. As a United States Coast Guard licensed captain, he enjoys boating and fishing and is a member of the historic West Palm Beach Fishing Club.

Michael Ryba

A native of Medford, New Jersey, Michael Ryba established, owned and operated a successful sporting goods business for more than twenty-two (22) years and was a franchise owner of "The Athletes Foot", a nationwide athletic footwear chain. After selling the sporting goods business, Michael became one of the top account representatives for Reebok International for the New York Metro Area.

Michael is the business developer for the Law Offices of Paul J. Burkhart. Michael is a graduate of Western Carolina University and Towson University with a degree in Business Administration. Michael is the proud father of a recent graduate of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.

"Go Navy!"

Tara L. Maione

Picture of Tara MaioneTara L. Maione joined the Law Offices of Paul J. Burkhart in February 2009, bringing to the firm her strong administrative and business management background. As the firms' Paralegal and Office Manager, Tara has a wide variety of responsibilities; she enjoys the fast paced atmosphere and being part of a growing team. Using her current knowledge, research skills and past experiences, Tara strives to continually share new ideas to improve productivity and client satisfaction. You may have the opportunity to meet Tara outside of the office as she also attends various business networking and community events throughout Palm Beach County.

Prior to pursuing a legal career, Tara was in the finance and real estate industry for many years. Her experience includes business and finance management, loan processing, loan underwriting, and document and contract underwriting. Her management experience, and familiarity of owning and managing a small business, as well as her more than nine years experience involving commercial and residential real estate closings, including FHA, VA, and Reverse Mortgages, has proven greatly beneficial to the firm. Tara is also an affiliate of a prominent international network of Notary Closing Agents.

In addition to working with the Law Offices of Paul J. Burkhart, Tara stays actively involved in several community activities. She is married, the mother of five children, and a full-time legal studies student. After completion of her Bachelor's degree in legal studies, Tara plans to attend law school and eventually join the firm as an attorney.

Anna Tyson

Picture of Anna TysonAnna Tyson joined The Law Offices of Paul J. Burkhart, PL in March 2010 as an Assistant Paralegal. Anna is a native of Palm Beach County, Florida and is currently attending Palm Beach State College in the Paralegal Studies Program. Anna hopes to graduate in the Spring of 2011 and sit for the CLE exam to become a certified paralegal. Anna brings her valuable customer service experience and background in personal injury law to the firm. Prior to joining The Law Offices of Paul J. Burkhart, PL Anna worked for one of the largest Personal Injury Firms in Palm Beach County.

Anna has been involved in organizations such as the Florida Sportsmen's Conservation Association and has dedicated volunteer hours to local animal shelters such as Paws to Help. Anna Loves to capture the benefit of Florida's many outdoor attributes such as boating off Florida's coast and enjoying the peaceful Westland nature. Anna is a clearly dedicated to helping others. You may see Anna out and about at various business networking and community events throughout Palm Beach County, or out on the water spending time with her family on the weekend.