TONYA OLIVER, ESQUIRE
Mrs. Tonya A Oliver, formally Tonya Bertuca was born in St. Joseph, Michigan on July 29, 1971. She attended Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado and graduated Cum Laude with a double major in Psychology and Youth Guidance in 1994. She earned her Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University of Law in 1997. Mrs. Oliver began public service as an intern with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office while attending law school. Mrs. Oliver continued public service as an Assistant State Attorney for the Pinellas and Pasco State Attorney's Office. Mrs. Oliver prosecuted misdemeanors, juvenile and felony charges. Mrs. Oliver brings her courtroom experience and work ethic to her practice.
Mrs. Oliver is married to Scott Oliver a law enforcement office of over twenty years. Scott and Tonya have four children; Amber, Brianna, Kelly and Hunter. Mrs. Oliver is active in her community in coaching youth basketball at the YMCA and Florida Fastbreak. Mrs. Oliver mentors high school students through Teen Court both in Pinellas and Pasco counties and elementary students in the state recognized Justice Teaching Program. Mrs. Oliver also donates her time to Girls Mission Possible, an organization targeting at risk juvenile females in Pinellas County. She is a member of the West Pasco Bar, Inn of Court and the Florida Bar. Her primary areas of practice are Criminal Defense, Juvenile Defense, Traffic Defense and First Responder Workers Compensation under Florida's Heart and Lung Bill.
KATHRYN PELHAM, ESQUIRE
Kathryn J. Pelham was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but grew up in St. Pete Beach, Florida. She graduated from St. Petersburg Catholic High School and went on to attend the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, where in December 2002, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, with a Minor in Economics. In May 2006, Kathryn graduated from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, FL with her Juris Doctor. While attending Stetson, she became a Supreme Court Certified Intern with the 6th Judicial State Attorneys’ Office in Pinellas County, she earned a position as the Senior Judicial Intern working with Judges in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee Counties, and she also held esteemed positions as a Teaching Fellow, Professor’s Assistant and Dean’s Assistant. After graduation, Kathryn became an Assistant State Attorney, working in both Pinellas and Pasco Counties and she prosecuted juvenile felony and misdemeanor charges. In March 2009, she formed Kathryn J. Pelham, P.A., and has experience in practicing Family Law, Adoptions, Criminal Defense and Worker’s Compensation for First Responders under Florida’s Heart Bill. She is a member of the West Pasco Bar, Women Lawyers’ of Pasco, and a Justice Teaching Volunteer. Kathryn is married to a firefighter/paramedic and has one daughter.
TOM VICI, LEGAL ASSISTANT
Tom Vici was born in the Bronx, New York and was raised in Brooklyn, New York. Tom is a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as a cryptologist. Before beginning his career as a legal assistant Tom was in the telecommunications field and was the telecommunications coordinator for a large Japanese international trading company.
Tom and his wife relocated to Orlando, Florida in June 1988 and Tom accepted a position as a legal assistant in a firm which specialized in workers' compensation law from the claimant's standpoint. Mr. Vici became intrigued with the workers' compensation system and served as a legal assistant on a board certified workers' compensation attorney for whom he handled all aspects of client relations and case management.
Upon his relocation to Spring Hill, Florida, Tom worked in various fields of law such as civil litigation and wills, trusts and estates. The calling of workers' compensation law was strong for Tom and he came back to workers' compensation law in 2007 and plans on spending the rest of his career doing what he does best; assisting an attorney in providing superior client services.
Kim santiesteban, attorney
Kim Santiesteban is associated with the Law Office of Tonya A. Oliver, Esquire, P.A. in an “of counsel” capacity. Ms. Santiesteban graduated from University of South Florida in 1989 Cum Laude with a degree in Finance. Following her undergraduate work, Ms. Santiesteban attended law school at the University of Florida, College of Law and was admitted to practice law in April 1993. Ms. Santiesteban is a Certified Circuit Civil & County Mediator and has handled a vast amount civil and personal injury cases from inception through trial or settlement. Ms. Santiesteban took some time off from the practice of law to focus on raising her family and returns to Civil Law to assist in claims related to the Heart and Lung Bill for First Responders. Ms. Santiesteban resides in the Tampa area with her husband and two children.
cheryl powers, attorney
Cheryl Powers also works with the Law Office of Tonya A. Oliver, Esquire in an “of counsel” capacity. Ms. Powers and Ms. Oliver formed a professional relationship during their years of service together at the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office. Ms. Powers graduated from Stetson University College of Law, Cum Laude in May 2001. While at the State Attorney’s Office she prosecuted hundreds of cases and was promoted to Lead Trial Attorney in the DUI Division. Ms. Powers attended and was certified at the Advanced DUI Seminar and was lead counsel in numerous DUI Trial, motions and hearings. In addition to her work at the State, Ms. Powers also has experience in aspects of personal injury, medical malpractice and criminal defense in private practice. Ms. Oliver and Ms. Powers provide effective representation in the area of criminal defense in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando and Citrus Counties.