THE ARROYO TEAM
Attorneys Phillip Arroyo and Josephine Arroyo are not just partners in The Arroyo Law Firm but are also partners in life as husband and wife. They have a combined 13 years of experience as Florida licensed attorneys ready to take on your case together.
Phillip Arroyo, Esq.
Managing Partner and Owner
Phillip Arroyo is a criminal defense trial attorney licensed to practice law throughout all Florida state courts and the Middle District Federal Court. He holds a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Florida A&M College of Law and was selected to serve in the White House Internship where he worked within the office of the Vice President of the United States analyzing domestic and economic issues in Washington, DC during 2012. Upon entering private practice after more than 15 years in public service, Arroyo has been able to get many of his clients' felony and misdemeanor cases dismissed and has obtained Not Guilty verdicts during jury trials where years of prison time were at stake and his clients' lives and reputations were on the line. He is passionate about criminal defense and is known to be seen visiting clients at the jail late at night and on weekends. He has experience and has effectively handled all types of criminal cases from misdemeanor batteries and petit thefts, all the way up to serious felony sex crimes, drug trafficking and murder cases, among many others. He has appeared in local and national media as a legal analyst in both english and spanish media outlets such as Channel 13 news, Wesh and spanish speaking national TV network Univision. Before private practice, Arroyo served within the Appellate Division of the Office of the Public Defender for the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Mr. Arroyo authored over 12 appellate briefs and obtained reversals for his clients. After his time handling criminal appeals, he served within the trial divisions of Volusia County and Seminole County where he handled hundreds of cases from arrest to jury trial and gained extensive experience handling both felonies and misdemeanors throughout his legal career. During his time at the 18th judicial circuit, Arroyo was assigned as lead defense counsel to represent defendants before the Veterans Court, a diversionary program for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces accused of crimes due to substance abuse and mental health issues such as PTSD. ​In 2021, Mr. Arroyo was appointed by the President of the Florida Bar to the Committee on Governmental and Public Policy and the the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and remains an active contributing member of the Florida Bar and the legal profession in Florida. Arroyo is originally from the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico where he served as Special Assistant to the island’s Democratic Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013 and was also appointed by the Republican Governor of Puerto Rico to the island's Advisory Board on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in 2009. He was appointed to the Puerto Rico Interagency Committee on Illegal Gun Trafficking by the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico in 2010. Arroyo is also on record at the United Nations where he has testified on multiple occasions in regard to Puerto Rico's colonial political status with the United States. He enjoys a simple life in Central Florida with his wife Josephine Arroyo, Esq., partner at The Arroyo Law Firm and professor at Rollins College and their dog Oliver.
Josephine Arroyo, Esq.
Partner
Josephine Arroyo is admitted to practice in the Florida and U.S. Middle District Court of Florida. She received her LL.M. degree at The George Washington University Law School. She holds a Juris Doctorate from Florida A&M University College of Law, where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class. ​In 2021, she was honored in Orlando Business Journal’s as one of the 2021 Women Who Mean Business. In 2017, she was appointed to serve on the City of Orlando, Mayor’s Green Works Task Force and was recognized by U.S. Congressman Darren Soto as a community leader as a part of Hispanic Heritage month and the FAMU College of Law presented her with the Distinguished Alumni Awards. ​She worked as an associate attorney in trial litigation focusing on personal injury, product liability, and workers compensation. As Attorney Phillip Arroyo’s wife, she has assisted on criminal cases with her husband since he began his criminal defense career. She has always been a fighter for justice and brings her passion to criminal defense. She cares about being the voice of the most vulnerable and recognizes the injustices within the criminal justice system. She has served as a volunteer attorney for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, helping formerly incarcerated individuals restore their right to vote. While in law school, she received several scholarships, including the prestigious Holland & Knight Scholarship and won the Third Best Oralist Award during the Stetson International Moot Court Competition, where her team reached the semifinals. She worked as a summer associate for the Holland and Knight Orlando office and worked as a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge Frederick J. Lauten. Even before attending law school, she worked as a paralegal in law firms for over 8 years. She is an Assistant Professor at Rollins College in the Department of Social Entrepreneurship teaching law and ethics. While at Rollins College she received three teaching awards, the Hugh F. McKean Award, an Outstanding Faculty Award, and the Walter E. Barden Distinguished Teaching Award. She is actively involved in the local community as an avid speaker and advocate. She is Puerto Rican and Nicaraguan and enjoys a simple life in Central Florida with her husband Phillip, and their dog Oliver.
Ruby Perez
Legal Assistant
As a first-generation Dominican-American pre-law student, Ruby brings a unique perspective and deep understanding of the struggles faced by many in our community. She is committed to using her legal education and experience to advocate for those who are often overlooked and underserved. She believes that everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their background or circumstances, and is dedicated to fighting for equality and fairness in our legal system. As a first-generation college student with a passion for the legal field, Ruby is determined to become a lawyer and make a positive impact in the lives of others. Her years of legal experience at an early age have only reinforced her commitment to this path, and she is confident that she has the skills and dedication necessary to succeed in this challenging but very rewarding career.
France Berrios
Legal Administrative Assistant
As a proud immigrant who was born and raised in Venezuela, Ms. Berrios was able to experience firsthand the challenges of living in a country with political and economic instability. Her mother being a university professor and her father, himself a lawyer, emphasized the importance of social responsibility, advocacy, and justice from a young age. After moving to this great country in 2019, France was able to experience the struggles faced by many in our community. The criminal justice system can be daunting and confusing, especially for those who are not familiar with the laws of their new country. This drive to help her fellow immigrants navigate the complexities of the legal system has led her to pursue a career as a legal Administrative Assistant at The Arroyo Law Firm.