Our Attorneys | Tidwell & Associates

As trusted legal advocates in Gulf Breeze and Pensacola, Florida, we bring an in-depth understanding of the local legal landscape. Our roots in this community run deep, making us a go-to choice for individuals and businesses seeking top-tier legal representation.

Doug Tidwell

Owner and Attorney

As the driving force behind Tidwell & Associates, Doug continues to bring his passion for the law and his love for the Florida Panhandle to every case and client he serves.

Doug Tidwell, a Gulf Breeze native, is the owner and lead attorney at Tidwell & Associates. Doug’s journey into law at Auburn University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2010.

Following that, Doug pursued his Juris Doctorate degree at the Florida Coastal School of Law. Doug’s dedication to gaining legal experience led him to clerkships that helped to hone his legal acumen. His first job landed him at the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee, diving into the intricacies of appellate law. Additionally, he gained invaluable experience while clerking at the St. Johns County Office of the State Attorney near St. Augustine, developing a deep understanding of the nuances of prosecution and criminal law.

Graduating in 2014, Doug returned to Gulf Breeze, bringing with him a wealth of legal expertise and a renewed commitment to community. Today, he proudly resides in the Panhandle community with his family, which includes his wife Victoria, their daughter Adeline, their son Jack, and a Labrador named Tessie.

Beyond the courtroom, Doug’s interests and passions reflect the coastal lifestyle that defines the Gulf Breeze region. An avid golfer, you can find Doug on the golf course as well as fishing in the waters of the Gulf or enjoying a good bird hunt.

Ben Alexander

Attorney

Ben currently handles business law, real estate and property law, homeowner association law, condominium association law, and probates and guardianships at Tidwell & Associates.

Ben is from central Florida and grew up on a small family farm in Ocala, Florida. He later attended Florida State University for both undergrad and law school, obtaining a B.A. in Economics in 2005 and a J.D. in 2008. After graduating from law school and passing the bar, Ben began the practice of law in South Florida, where he helped many homeowners facing foreclosure during the economic downturn and assisted many homeowners with keeping their homes. He also handled many appeals, as well as securities arbitration, during his time there.

Ben later moved to Pensacola, where he continued to practice real estate law, business law, homeowner and condominium association law, and probate and guardianship law. Ben lives in north Pensacola with his wife and many cats and dogs. He is an avid reader of many books, enjoys cooking and hiking, and doesn’t enjoy running half-marathons and marathons … but does them anyway.

Evan Garfinkel

Attorney

Evan grew up in northeast New Jersey before moving down south for college. After graduating from the University of Alabama in 2010, Evan moved to Birmingham where he soon met his wife, Grace. In 2017, they moved to New York City, where Evan attended Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, graduating in 2021. During his time at Cardozo, Evan did a summer clerkship with the New York State Supreme Court, an externship with the Dispute Resolution Section of the New York State Bar Association, and was on the board of the Sports Law Society. After passing the New York bar exam, Evan was an associate at a civil litigation firm in White Plains, New York.

Evan and his wife, born and raised in Gulf Breeze, made the decision to move to the Pensacola area in 2023 to be closer to family. They are the proud parents to three young children who adore their nearby grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. They also have three cats, all names after Harry Potter characters. When not working, Evan enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, swimming and reading.

Meet Our Team

Kelley Parker

Paralegal

Kelley joined Tidwell & Associates, P.A. in 2014. Her prior years of experience as a Florida Realtor and a property manager facilitate her work with our firm, where she is a paralegal working with real estate litigation, general civil litigation, and business litigation. Kelley is vital in supporting our legal team, is a great multitasker, pays close attention to detail, and has an emphasis on communication with clients and excellent customer service.

Kelley is an Alabama native and moved to the Gulf Coast in the 90’s. She has two grown children and enjoys traveling, photography, cooking, and looking for the next great concert.

Leslie Cunningham

Paralegal

Leslie has worked in the legal field for 10 years, and has worked the past 5 years as a paralegal, with focuses on insurance defense, personal injury, family law, civil litigation, and business law. Leslie loves finding new ways to better serve clients.

Leslie is a native of Pensacola, and enjoys seeing the growth and changes happening in the area. When she’s not at work, Leslie enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeremy, and their son. She is a board member of The Joy Committee, and works as their Volunteer Coordinator. Leslie also enjoys learning about history, completing 5K’s, and has a love of Disney, hockey, and traveling.

Meagan Gonzalez

Office Manager

Meagan has lived in the Pensacola area since 2021. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business & professional writing in 2014 and joined Tidwell & Associates, P.A. in 2023 as Office Manager. She brings six years of combined experience in property management and bookkeeping to the Tidwell & Associates team.

When she is not overseeing the day-to-day operations of the law firm she enjoys spending time with her husband, Ryan, and their Australian Shepherd, Seiya. She and her husband also enjoy finding yummy local restaurants, whiskey tastings, and working on home improvement projects in their new home.

Schedule a Consultation Today

For more information about the services we offer at Tidwell & Associates, please reach out to our offices. You can contact us at (850) 434-9805 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.