Last updated on June 23, 2025
One of the benefits of hiring a lawyer is that you will have an expert on your side who knows how to navigate legal proceedings. We are committed to providing our clients exceptional customer service and ensuring they understand their options, so we can help them make informed decisions about what’s best for them during difficult times. Our paralegals and staff are equally committed to delivering quality service to our clients.
Our Attorneys
Our Paralegals and Staff
Jessica Bernhardt
Jessica has been working with the firm since its initial formation and manages the business administration needs of the law office as our Business Operations Manager. She handles our business with skill and efficiency without sacrificing personability and kindness. Jessica treats each client as family and strives diligently to work with each and every client in order to find a representation arrangement that works for them and their specific individual circumstances.
Courtney Reynolds
Courtney Reynolds grew up in a military family and had the opportunity to live in North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Hawaii before moving to Florida. She graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a degree in Justice Administration and a focus on Criminal Law. She and her family now live in the Tampa Bay area and enjoy the many outdoor activities available in central Florida. Courtney has many years of client relations experience and always strives to make clients happy.
Michael Koch
Michael, affectionately known as Coach Mike, has been an integral part of the firm’s success since its inception. As of November 2024, he officially joined the team as Chief Performance Officer.
In his role, Michael is committed to fostering an environment where everyone can contribute, grow, and thrive. His goal is to help the firm continuously deliver an Outstanding Customer Experience and Outstanding Results for its clients.
Michael brings with him a proven history of delivering exceptional results across diverse industries and roles. He has been specifically chosen to lead transformational initiatives and spearhead the launch of high-value products and services. Over the years, Michael has supported numerous business owners in achieving measurable growth and success for their companies. His unique talent lies in identifying opportunities for rapid value creation, leveraging resources effectively, and employing strategies that improve client experience, company culture, and productivity.
Outside of work, Michael loves spending quality time with his wife, family, and close friends. He enjoys staying active through various athletic pursuits and is deeply committed to personal growth. He remains thankful to the teachers and mentors who have generously shared their knowledge, experience, and wisdom with him.
Bryan Hart
Jessica Ross
Jessica Ross is an Executive Assistant for Bernhardt Riley. She has a professional background in administrative coordination and executive support, with an emphasis on human resources and budget analysis. She has a passion for fostering positive workplace relationships and is known for her reliability and friendly, can-do attitude. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Liberty University, where she graduated summa cum laude. Outside of her professional life, Jessica enjoys reading and spending time with her husband fishing, boating, and hiking.
Jill Mello
Jill Mello has been a Legal Assistant for Bernhardt Riley since early 2021. Jill brings her experience as an administrative assistant at a prestigious professional office suit in Pinellas County. Jill’s thoughtful and kind demeanor is a joy for our clients as she is often one of the first points of contacts. Jill continues to expand her legal education as she is in the process of earning a registered paralegal certificate.
Andrea Braun
Andrea Braun is a Civil Litigation Paralegal for Bernhardt Riley. She earned her degree in Associates of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies in 1997 in Kansas City, Missouri where she worked in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Creditor Remedies and Bankruptcy. Andrea relocated to the Tampa Bay Area in 2011 to be closer to her family where she worked in HOA/Condo and Personal Injury Law before joining Bernhardt Riley in 2023. Andrea enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, reading, and playing with her two dogs.
Breanna Talbot
Breanna Talbot is a Paralegal in the Civil Litigation Division at Bernhardt Riley. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies, which she earned from Saint Petersburg College in 2020. Breanna began her paralegal career specializing in workers’ compensation before transitioning to complex litigation, focusing on construction defects for five years. She is a Tampa, Florida native who enjoys learning new things, exercising, traveling and spending time with her family.
Lourdes Transki
Lourdes has been a dedicated and integral part of the legal community since the inception of her career. She has collaborated closely with attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants on a wide range of complex cases and legal processes. Her expertise spans document preparation, court filings, schedule management, and trial preparation, making her a versatile and reliable team member.
Lourdes has devoted much of her career to serving families and children in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Polk counties. This experience has not only honed her legal skills but also equipped her with a deep understanding of the importance of building strong, trust-based relationships with clients. Her commitment to providing compassionate and effective legal support has made a significant impact on the lives of many families.
In 2021, Lourdes earned her bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership, with a minor in Project Management. This academic achievement has further enhanced her organizational and leadership abilities, enabling her to navigate the complexities of the legal field with precision and confidence.
Outside of her professional life, Lourdes treasures time with her family. Whether relaxing at home or exploring the outdoors, she values the balance between her career and personal life, finding joy and rejuvenation in these moments.
Thiago Lanes
Thiago Lanes has been the Debt Defense Coordinator for Bernhardt Riley since 2020. Thiago was born in Brazil and lived there until 2000 when he moved to Connecticut. Thiago attended Western Connecticut State University where he was a two-way starter for the University’s Football program and graduated with a degree in Justice and Law Administration, with a focus on Legal. Thiago’s hard work and professionalism help him effectively handle a large caseload in a manner that is appreciated by clients and respected throughout the industry.
Megan Minter
Megan Minter joined Bernhardt Riley, Attorneys at Law as a legal receptionist in May 2024. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida in 2023, where she was an active member of Phi Alpha Delta, a professional pre-law fraternity. With over nine years of customer service experience across various industries, Megan is eager to apply her skills and knowledge in her new role.
Eli Craven
Eli is originally from Austin, Texas where he obtained his degree in Health Administration. He relocated to Florida and appreciates spending time with his family and soaking up the Florida sunshine. With over 10 years of customer service experience, Eli strives to ensure that customers have positive and informative experiences with our firm.
Blake Kambic
Blake Kambic is a dedicated legal professional with hands-on experience across multiple firms, including roles in collections, construction litigation, real estate, personal injury, and insurance claims. He brings a well-rounded and proactive approach to civil litigation support. Blake has worked closely with attorneys across state and federal cases as well as arbitration matters in Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, and beyond— demonstrating strong skills in case management, document preparation, and client coordination. Known for his diligence, adaptability, and collaborative spirit, Blake is passionate about the legal field and committed to delivering dependable, high-quality support. A transplant to the state of Florida, he enjoys engaging in creative problem-solving in his endeavors, staying up to date with latest pop culture and movie trends, and spending time with his dear friends and family.
Joshua Mayer
Joshua Mayer recently started with Bernhardt Riley, Attorneys at Law and is excited to expand his knowledge in the legal field. Joshua is a proud alumni of Florida State University where he earned his B.S. in Geography.
He has nearly 10 years of customer service experience, including assisting clients at the Social Security Administration. In his free time, he loves to watch sports, tend to his plants, explore new breweries with his girlfriend, and play with his dog, Coco.
