I’m Colleen Wapole, founder of Wapole Law. With a J.D. from Stetson Law and a Ph.D. in linguistics from Northwestern, I’ve spent more than 10 years working across multiple counties (i.e. Manatee, Orange, and Hillsborough) here in Florida, serving families as a family lawyer in a legal aid organization, a lawyer in the Guardian ad Litem Office, and as an Assistant Public Defender. Besides being a bilingual, licensed attorney (fluent in Spanish and English) and a certified mediator, I am an adoptive mother and have been a teacher who worked with underrepresented populations. I’ve walked alongside children and parents during some of the hardest moments of their lives, and I know how much it matters to have someone on your side who understands both the law and emotions at play.

That’s why I started focusing on family mediation, collaborative practice, dependency mediation, and uncontested adoption. I believe families deserve a respectful resolution for their child’s benefit. One that avoids unnecessary court battles and helps families move forward with less stress and more peace.

My goal is simple: to help you find solutions that protect what matters most and allow you to move forward with dignity.