At Alers Law Firm, we are committed to guiding clients through the complexities of criminal defense and family law with compassion, clarity, and unwavering advocacy.
We know that legal challenges—whether involving DUI, battery, custody disputes, or other serious matters—can be overwhelming. That’s why we take a personalized, strategic approach to every case, ensuring our legal solutions are tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
Our experienced attorneys work diligently to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome, offering clear guidance through every step of the legal process. At Alers Law Firm, we also believe that effective communication is the cornerstone of exceptional legal service. To better serve our diverse community, we proudly offer fully bilingual legal support in both English and Spanish.
Our bilingual team ensures that every client—regardless of language—can fully understand their rights and options. We’re passionate about making legal representation accessible, approachable, and empowering for everyone we serve. With Alers Law Firm by your side, you’re never navigating the legal system alone.
Attorney Chavelys Y. Alers
Chavelys Y. Alers – Former Prosecutor, Bilingual Trial Attorney, and Passionate Legal Advocate
Attorney Chavelys Y. Alers, a proud Puerto Rico native raised in Vega Baja and Dorado, is a bilingual attorney fluent in English and Spanish. After moving to Central Florida, she graduated with honors from Boone High School and later earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and an Associate’s in Music Business from the University of Miami. Inspired by her father’s early encouragement, she pursued her passion for law and earned her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law.
Alers began her legal career as a prosecutor in Lake County, Florida, gaining extensive courtroom experience handling serious felony and misdemeanor cases. She later worked in civil litigation at a national firm before founding her own law practice in 2017, focusing on criminal defense and family law. Her casework includes DUI, drug offenses, sex crimes, domestic violence, and more.
A seasoned trial lawyer in both County and Circuit Courts, Alers also serves as a legal analyst for Univision and was honored with admission to the Supreme Court of the United States, where she was sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor and the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Attorney James W. Smith III
James W. Smith III – Veteran Criminal Defense Attorney, Educator, and Federal Court Litigator
With over 20 years of experience dedicated almost entirely to criminal law, Mr. Smith has served as a trial and appellate attorney in the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. His military career included roles as defense counsel, prosecutor, and chief of international and military justice.
In federal and state courts, Mr. Smith has handled a wide range of criminal cases, including white-collar crime, sex offenses, drug charges, violent crimes, and appeals. His notable victories include full acquittals in high-profile cases and successful appeals that overturned lengthy sentences, such as in United States v. Luther Wayne Smith. He’s also known for achieving favorable outcomes in complex cases like child pornography and statutory rape.
Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Smith is a respected legal educator. He teaches criminal law, evidence, and trial practice at Florida A&M University College of Law, and regularly trains attorneys through the National Criminal Defense College and Federal Bar Association. A retired Army veteran, published author, and two-time “Professor of the Year,” he remains deeply involved in the legal and local community—with passions that include distance running, mud races, and trivia competitions.
