About Our Firm
The firm of Mario, Gunde, Peters, Rhoden and Kelley focuses its practice of law in the litigation of criminal cases, family law matters, and most recently has been representing clients in probate and wills cases. The firm is sensitive to public criticism of attorneys and the fact that the general public seems to have developed a distrust, if not a dislike, for the legal profession as a whole. We feel that part of our professional obligation is to treat clients in a professional, but friendly manner and we prefer to have clients closely involved in their cases, because we believe that attorney-client teamwork is what ultimately makes for success.
When a client comes to our firm, they can expect an in-depth discussion of their case; an honest opinion of its strong points and weaknesses; an approximation of how much time and money it will take to resolve; and an educated idea of what the outcome will be when the case is eventually tried before a judge or jury. Our aim is to give our clients a realistic picture of their legal position versus “pie-in-the-sky” fee talk that disappears after the retainer is paid.
Certainly not every case is winnable, but honest effort by an attorney almost always leads to better results. Cases and clients are initially evaluated. Based upon out interview with the client, we make a determination as to whether we and the client can bring the needed resources and effort to the case that will result in a good resolution of the client’s problem. Our goal is to have each client assured that once his or her case draws to a close, they will feel they have been well represented and that they have obtained the best results possible given the unique circumstances of their case. Aside from coming away with a feeling of having had good, solid representation, it is our goal that our clients will also have an improved view of attorneys and the important work they do in our communities.
Our Philosophy
We are not in the practice of law solely to make money.
We share a commitment to helping others and believe that
by doing our best for each client, we elevate our profession.
Meet Our Attorneys
- Anthony P. Mario, Esq.
- David Anton Gunde, Esq.
- Barbara Helm Peters, Esq.
- Kenneth E. Rhoden, Esq.
- Michael J. Kelley, Esq.
- Kelly McCormack Ingram
Mr. Mario is the founder of our firm and has been a practicing attorney in Brevard County since 1976. He began practice as a court-appointed attorney representing indigent defendants in criminal cases. He has also been an instructor in the Corrections Training Institute and has taught criminal law at Brevard Community College. In 1979 Mr. Mario began to concentrate on representing clients in DUI cases and criminal defense matters. In 1980, he expanded his practice to include litigation in divorce and other family law matters. He also handles litigation in a variety of civil matters.
Mr. Mario is a member of the Florida Bar’s Family and Criminal Law Divisions and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has served on Brevard Community College’s Criminal Justice Advisory Board. Mr. Mario is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District in Orlando. He is a member of the Brevard County Bar Association and he has been named in the Florida Law and Leading Attorneys Guidebook.
Mr. Mario graduated from Utica College of Syracuse University with a B.A. in English and graduated With Honors from the University of Florida Law School in 1975.
Mr. Gunde is a member of the Florida Bar and Brevard County Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida and concentrates in marital and family law, criminal defense and general civil litigation. He is a member of the Florida Bar’s Family Law and Criminal Law sections. Mr. Gunde received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Business Management with high honors from Nova University 1984. In 1987 he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida College of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1988.
A veteran trial lawyer, Mr. Gunde believes that effective litigation includes settlement negotiation. If a fair and reasonable out-of-court resolution is not possible then an aggressive and zealous approach to litigation at trial must be pursued.
Mrs. Peters is an experienced trial attorney with emphasis on family law and criminal defense. She is a member of the Florida Bar Association, the Brevard County Bar Association, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Family Law and Criminal Law sections of the Florida Bar. She joined the firm after serving as an Assistant Public Defender where she had an active trial practice in the handling of felony and misdemeanor jury trials as well as being responsible for the drafting of appellate briefs and arguing appeals.
Mrs. Peters graduated Magna Cum Laude in receiving her Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School and was further honored by being named to the Order of the Coif, a legal honor society. Mrs. Peters graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado. She was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. In April 2000, Mrs. Peters received the Professionalism Award from the Brevard County Bar Association, “for her tireless pursuit and practice of the highest ideals and tenets of the legal profession and for consistently demonstrating the essential attributes of professionalism: Character, Competence and Commitment”. She is currently serving on the Brevard County Bar Association Board of Directors.
Mr. Rhoden has over 23 years of experience aggressively representing thousands of clients. He has tried hundred of cases including complex death penalty cases, first degree murders, capital sexual batteries, robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, kidnapping and many other felonies and misdemeanors, including DUI. Mr. Rhoden is experienced in appeals and other post conviction work.
He has extensive experience in family law cases including sophisticated divorce trials and appeals.
Mr. Rhoden has lectured at Brevard Community College, the Law Enforcement Academy and for divorce recovery. He is available to speak regarding constitutional, criminal and family law.
Mr. Rhoden graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida in 1983 from the Florida State College of Law in 1985. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1986. Mr. Rhoden has been a Brevard County resident since 1975.
Mr. Kelley is an experienced trial attorney with heavy emphasis on criminal law defense. A member of the Florida Bar since 1999, he has focused on criminal defense as a public defender and then in private practice prior to joining the firm. Mr. Kelley graduated from Mercer University Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate degree. There he was an active member of the Delta Theta Phi Law fraternity and Criminal Law Society. Prior to attending Law School, Mr. Kelley graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Legal Studies. A member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mr. Kelley brings to the firm his excellent trial skills, a true compassion for his clients and a dedication to serving their best interests zealously.
Mrs. Ingram is a member of the Florida Bar Association, Connecticut Superior Court, American Bar Association, and Brevard County Bar Association and concentrates in family law and criminal defense. She is a member of the American Bar’s Family Law, Criminal Law, and Litigation sections. Mrs. Ingram received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Central Florida in 1993. In 2008 she graduated Cum Laude while receiving her Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University and was admitted to the Florida Bar.
Mrs. Ingram joined the firm after serving as an Assistant State Attorney where she handled hundreds of criminal cases. She also has drafted appellate briefs and argued appeals. Mrs. Ingram has been a resident of Brevard County since 1978.
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