Atty. Melissa Wilson

Atty. Melissa Wilson

Attorney Melissa Wilson is Of Counsel with Darrigo & Diaz Personal Injury Attorneys, bringing with her more than 20 years of criminal & civil litigation experience. Melissa is a Tampa native and Triple Gator, having received her B.S., B.A., and J.D. degrees all from the University of Florida.

Tampa Tampa 24 yrs experience 24 year
Call (813) 435-5456 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Melissa Wilson at a glance

Melissa Wilson is an Of Counsel based in Tampa, Florida, practicing at Darrigo & Diaz Personal Injury Attorneys. They have 24+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2002. Their practice focuses on dui/dwi, trusts, probate, criminal defense, and estate planning. Admitted to practice in Illinois (2002) and Florida (2002). Educated at University of Florida Law School (J.D., 2002) and University of Florida (B.A., 1999). Serands clients in Tampa, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Attorney Melissa Wilson is Of Counsel with Darrigo & Diaz Personal Injury Attorneys, bringing with her more than 20 years of criminal & civil litigation experience
  • Melissa is a Tampa native and Triple Gator, having received her B.S., B.A., and J.D. degrees all from the University of Florida
  • Upon graduating from UF’s Levin College of Law, Melissa returned home and spent her first 9 years as an Assistant Public Defender for the 13th Judicial Circuit, with 4 of those years as a Felony Division Chief supervising 5 other attorneys in addition to her own strenuous case load
  • Though Ms. Wilson devoted the bulk of her legal career specializing in Criminal Defense Litigation, her practice evolved to include various aspects of civil law and complex family matters
  • She has also served as a consultant to other attorneys in assessing cases & motion writing, as well as conducting witness depositions and participating in court hearings and mediation conferences
  • Ms. Wilson prides herself on being an outside the box thinker with a unique way of viewing things, and after conducting nearly 70 jury trials, is also regarded as a formidable advocate with a proven record of success
  • Ms. Wilson has served on the Board of Directors for the Hillsborough Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers since 2018 and is also a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • In her spare time Melissa loves to travel, experience live music (& the Arts in general), and nerd out on Star Wars, Marvel, & Bond, James Bond
  • Additionally, she volunteers with the Tampa Theatre Historic Movie Palace where she has served in various roles on the planning committee for its annual WineFest signature fundraiser since 2018

Practice Areas Explained

Melissa Wilson's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Melissa Wilson handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

DUI / DWI Defense

Find experienced DUI and DWI defense attorneys near you. Compare verified profiles, read client reviews, and consult about your case for free.

Melissa Wilson is one of 29,976 dui/dwi attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dui/dwi attorneys in Florida →

Trusts

Melissa Wilson is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Florida →

Probate

Melissa Wilson is one of 128,014 probate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse probate attorneys in Florida →

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Melissa Wilson is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Florida →

Estate Planning & Probate

An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

Melissa Wilson is one of 226,536 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in Florida →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Florida

Practicing law in Florida. Legal matters in Florida are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Tampa are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Florida state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Florida brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Florida courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Tampa or all attorneys in Florida.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Melissa Wilson

Where is Melissa Wilson's law office located?
Melissa Wilson's law practice is located in Tampa, Florida. The firm is Darrigo & Diaz Personal Injury Attorneys. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Melissa Wilson handle?
Melissa Wilson focuses on dui/dwi, trusts, probate, criminal defense, estate planning. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Florida.
How long has Melissa Wilson practiced law?
Melissa Wilson has 24+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2002.
Where did Melissa Wilson go to law school?
Melissa Wilson earned their education at (J.D., 2002); (B.A., 1999).
How can I contact Melissa Wilson for a consultation?
You can contact Melissa Wilson directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Education

J.D.
University of Florida Law School
- 2002
B.A.
University of Florida
- 1999

Bar Admissions

Illinois
Admitted: 2002
Florida
Admitted: 2002

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