Hall & Rheingans, PLLC was formed on January 1, 2014 and merged the practices of Wayne C. Hall and Matthew R. Rheingans. Collectively, the firm has almost 50 years of legal experience. Both lawyers are AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest legal rating an attorney can receive based on their legal abilities and ethics from the oldest and most prestigious lawyer rating service.
Wayne Hall is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates. This means he is a board certified specialist in the area of wills, trusts and estates. Board certification recognizes attorneys’ special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice. Certification is the highest level of evaluation of the competency and experience of attorneys in the 24 areas of law approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida. Only 6 % of eligible Florida Bar Members, or approximately 4600 lawyers are board certified. Wayne Hall has been practicing law in Venice, Englewood, North Port, Sarasota and the surrounding areas since 1980 and was partner for 26 years with the firm of Hall and Anderson, P.A.
Matt Rheingans concentrates his practice in preparation of wills, trusts, estate planning, Medicaid planning for nursing home care, and probate and trust administration. Matt is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Elder Law. Matt is the only Board Certified Elder Law attorney practicing in Venice, Englewood, North Port and South Sarasota County. Matt is currently the President-Elect of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys (AFELA) , which is the preeminent organization for private practice elder law attorneys in the State of Florida. In 2015-16, Matt served as Treasurer of AFELA and in 2016-17, Matt served as Secretary of AFELA. Matt is also active in the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar, having served on the Medicaid/Government Benefits Committee of the Elder Law Section for multiple years. Matt enjoys a Superb rating from Avvo.com, a consumer rating service for professionals and he was awarded the Clients’ Choice Award from Avvo.com for 2012, 2013 and 2014. Matt has practiced in Venice, Englewood, North Port, Sarasota and the surrounding areas since 2003.
Our certified paralegal, Debbie Cristello, is a key member of our legal services team. She has been a legal assistant since 1991 and is experienced in all areas of our legal practice.
Matthew Rheingans Biography
Education:
- Stetson University, B.B.A. 1995
- University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., 1998
- University of Kentucky Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Law
Bar Admissions:
Admitted:
- Kentucky, 1999 (inactive)
- Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, 2000
- Florida, 2003
- Middle District of Florida, 2005
- Oregon, 2007 (inactive)
Professional and Civic Associations:
- Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys, President-Elect (2017-2018) Secretary (2016-2017); Treasurer (2015-2016); Mid-Year Un-Program CLE Co-Chair (2014-2016)
- Venice-Englewood Bar Association: 2006-07, Treasurer; 2007-08, President.
- Sarasota County Bar Association: 2007-08 Peer Review Committee Member.
- Venice Estate Planning Council: 2010-11, Vice-Chairperson; 2011-12, Chairperson.
- Sertoma International Service Club of Venice: Member, Secretary (2006-07); Sgt. At Arms (2012-2014).
- Loveland Center Board of Directors, 2010-2016; 2011-12 (Secretary; Governance Committee Chair), 2012-2013 (Vice-Chair), 2013-2014 (Board Chair).
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Member.
- Florida Bar Elder Law Section Member, Medicaid/Government Benefits Committee Member (2012-2016)
- Florida Bar Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section Member.
Professional Accomplishments:
- Gulf Coast Community Foundation Leadership Institute, Class of 2010.
Wayne Hall Biography
Education:
- Wake Forest University, B.A., 1972
- Emory University College of Law, J.D., 1975
Bar Admissions:
Admitted:
- Florida, 1975
Professional and Civic Associations:
- Venice City Attorney, 1984-1989
- Partner, Hall & Anderson, P.A. 1986-2013
- Board Certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates by the Florida Bar since 1993
- Special Counsel to City of Venice, 1989-2013
- Sarasota County Bar Association, Member
- Venice-Englewood Estate Planning Council
- Florida Bar Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section Member
- Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation, Chairperson (2013-2014)
- Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County, Current Board Member.
- Venice Hospital Foundation, Past President
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters Foundation, Past President
- Sertoma International Service Club of Venice, Past President
- Manasota Civil War Roundtable, Past President
