Florida's Premier
Post Conviction and
Criminal Defense Law Firm
When everything is on the line, experience and excellence matter most.
What we do
A dedicated law firm fighting for your rights. Always.
Ripley Whisenhunt, PLLC, specializes in post-conviction representation and complex criminal litigation. We embrace the important challenges that come with fighting some of the most difficult cases in Florida before and after conviction. Our attorneys and dedicated staff are prepared to fight for the rights of any person serving a criminal sentence or facing criminal charges.
Relentless
Whether you're serving time for a wrongful conviction or facing a life sentence, we bring the full weight of our experience to your defense. Appeals, post-conviction, federal motions, new charges — we know how to fight, and we know how to win.
Respected
Our reputation is built on thorough preparation, tireless determination, and fearless advocacy. Having litigated cases throughout every circuit in Florida, Judges and Prosecutors know we won't back down from a fight. Justice matters. Always.
Results
We measure our success in overturned convictions, reduced sentences, acquittals, and restored futures. Every motion we file, every argument we make, every trial and hearing is calculated to get real relief for our clients.
Elite Representation For the Entire Process
If you’re facing criminal charges in Florida, you need a defense team that knows how to fight — and win. At Ripley Whisenhunt, we defend clients against everything from misdemeanors to serious felonies, building smart, aggressive strategies from the moment we’re hired. We know how to challenge the prosecution’s case, suppress damaging evidence, negotiate effectively, and go to trial when necessary. Prosecutors respect us. Clients trust us. If you’ve been arrested, charged, or are under investigation, don’t wait — call us now and get the defense you deserve.
A conviction isn’t always the end — and at Ripley Whisenhunt, we know how to keep the fight going. As experienced Florida criminal appeals lawyers, we help clients challenge unjust verdicts, legal errors, and constitutional violations that occurred during trial. Whether it’s a direct appeal, a sentencing error, or a verdict that simply doesn’t match the evidence, we know how to spot the issues, build the arguments, and present your case to the appellate courts. Timing is critical, and so is experience. If you believe the trial court got it wrong, turn to us — we’re the appellate team that knows how to make it right.
Law firms across Florida — and throughout the United States — turn to Ripley Whisenhunt when the stakes are highest. We provide litigation consulting in complex, high-profile criminal cases, offering deep experience in trial strategy, evidentiary hearings, and death penalty litigation. From assisting with jury selection in capital cases to integrating cutting-edge technology into courtroom presentations, we help legal teams sharpen their approach and strengthen their results. Whether you're preparing for a pivotal evidentiary hearing or navigating a media-sensitive trial, we bring the insight and precision that only come from years of firsthand experience. When the outcome matters, top trial lawyers trust Ripley Whisenhunt.
why we do it
Justice matters. Every case, every client, every time.
We do this work because we believe in redemption, in second chances, and in the idea that one moment or false accusation shouldn’t define a person forever. The criminal justice system gets it wrong more often than people want to admit — and when it does, the consequences can destroy lives. That’s where we come in.
At Ripley Whisenhunt, we defend people at every stage of the process — from the moment they’re accused, to long after they’ve been convicted. We take on serious criminal cases, high-stakes trials, and post-conviction challenges with urgency and intensity. We fight for people who’ve been overcharged, underestimated, or overlooked — because we know that getting it right the first time isn’t guaranteed, we fight to overturn convictions, reduce sentences, and right the wrongs of injustice inflicted upon our clients.
Whether we’re filing post-conviction motions, suppressing illegal evidence, or preparing for trial in a courtroom full of cameras, we do it with relentless focus and a belief that justice belongs to every person. We're willing to fight for it — and that’s exactly what we do.
Who we Are
Our Attorneys and Staff
Daniel Ripley
Partner
Dan leads the firm's post-conviction cases. With more than a decade of experience and thousands of cases, Dan knows how to navigate the most complex post-conviction scenarios with relentless determination.
Craig Whisenhunt
Managing Partner
Craig leads the firm's trial and consulting divisions. He has more than 15 years of experience handling some of the most complex cases in Florida, including RICO, Capital Sexual Battery, and Death Penalty cases.
Jonathan Kornexl
Post-Conviction Paralegal
Jonathan has more than a decade of experience researching and drafting post-conviction motions and pleadings. He is an expert in issue spotting and has firsthand experience navigating the post-conviction process from within DOC. His second chance is devoted to fighting for the same opportunity for others.
Jessica Ripley
Firm Administrator
Jessica assists in running the day-to-day operations of the firm while also supervising staff, coordinating collegiate internships, and client-focused development of firm resources.
Allison Miller
Of Counsel Attorney
Allison Miller has taken an extended leave from the firm to assist the DOJ as "Learned Counsel" in the defense of a high-level detainee in Guantanamo, Cuba. She continues to provide counsel and support to the firm's most complicated cases.
Erica Chong
Criminal Defense Paralegal
Erica balances her full-time enrollment at the University of South Florida with her role at the firm. She is a versatile team member who assists in preparing mitigation presentations, drafting and editing motions, and serves as a direct point of contact with many of our clients.