Public by Default Scholarship Winner
2026 Winner: Melissa Hancer

Bio: I am an incoming freshman at the University of Florida. In high school, I founded a nonprofit chapter called Mind4Youth Windermere to support youth mental wellness. I connected my team with global partners like BetterHelp and UNICEF to provide free resources to our community. I also actively advocate for pediatric care through our school’s Dance Marathon network. I plan to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at UF. My ultimate goal is to become a medical provider who treats the physical body while also understanding what is behind healthcare laws.
Reaction Statement: Winning the Public by Default Scholarship is an incredible honor. Writing my essay about the emotional impacts of Florida’s public records law was a very eye-opening experience for me. This generous award will really help relieve the financial burden of my undergraduate education. I am so grateful to the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter for supporting my academic journey!
Meet Your Team
Over 100 Years of Combined Experience Handling Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, DUI, and Family Law Related Matters.
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Jason K.S. PorterFounding AttorneyRead BioJason K.S. Porter, Esquire, has earned an excellent reputation among clients and peers for his legal skills and dedication to his clients.
He has been awarded a 10.0 Superb Avvo Ratingin both personal injury and criminal defense. His high-quality professional service has been recognized by his peers with a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Rating.
These awards are testimony to his personal standard of excellence in the legal field. He has many devoted and grateful clients.
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Nicole M. CarlucciFamily Law AttorneyRead BioNicole Carlucci is an experienced and compassionate family law attorney who has practiced law and worked in legal education in Jacksonville for nearly thirty years. With a broad range of legal knowledge and experience, she focuses exclusively on family law.
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Jon LorimierMulti-Practice AttorneyRead BioMr. Lorimier has a wealth of knowledge in family law practice and is dedicated to achieving his client’s goals while simultaneously making navigating the legal process as easy as possible. Through Mr. Lorimier’s years practicing family law, he has assisted hundreds of clients with their most personal issues, balancing a firm grasp of the law and zealous advocacy with a desire to be compassionate and empathetic with his clients.
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Richard C. WatsonPersonal Injury AttorneyRead BioA lifelong resident of the Jacksonville area, Mr. Watson grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. After attending high school in Jacksonville, Mr. Watson attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. There, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Languages. Mr. Watson later attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate in 1991.
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Jeanna FieldFamily Law AttorneyRead BioJeanna Field developed her interest in law after working as a Realtor in her early twenties, where she saw firsthand how important strong legal guidance can be in people’s lives. Although she initially pursued a degree in Aviation Computer Science, she realized her passion was not in programming but in helping individuals navigate meaningful life transitions.
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Jason K.S. Porter (ES)Abogado FundadorRead BioJason KS Porter, abogado, se ha ganado una excelente reputación entre clientes y colegas por sus habilidades legales y su dedicación a sus clientes.
Ha recibido la máxima calificación (10.0) en Avvo tanto en lesiones personales como en defensa penal. Su servicio profesional de alta calidad ha sido reconocido por sus colegas con la calificación AV Preeminent® de Martindale-Hubbell®.
Estos premios son testimonio de su excelencia en el ámbito jurídico. Cuenta con numerosos clientes fieles y agradecidos.
Strong communities build a stronger future, and we're proud to invest in the city we call home. We give back because this is where we live, work, and raise our families. When you choose our firm, you get trusted legal counsel and you support a team that's committed to making a difference locally.
Serving the Jacksonville Community Since 2004
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Award-Winning Counsel
Top-Rated Ethics & Legal Skill – AV Preeminent® Rating
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Extensive Experience
Over 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience On Your Side