GET TO KNOW US
Learn about our attorneys and staff.
W. Matthew
Kowtko, Esq.
Owner/ Managing Attorney
Matthew is the owner-managing attorney at the Kowtko Law Group, P.A. Matt’s approach to the practice of law combines pragmatism, innovation, dependability, dedication, and tenacity; he’s a persuasive and successful trial lawyer, as well as an assertive and decisive negotiator. Clients describe him as compassionate, knowledgeable, professional, responsive, and a bull in the courtroom with a keen ability to think clearly and rapidly under pressure. Matthew is a Georgia native and has been helping Sarasota families through some their most difficult times of their lives since 2014. Legal issues often devolve and quickly become emotionally draining, consuming a person's time, energy, and financial resources; being a family man helps Matt empathize with the stress and the emotional toll that come with dealing with the important and sensitive issues involved in family and criminal law matters, making it easy for him to be a good listener, compassionate, patient, and understand his client’s needs. From the moment you meet Matt he will educate you in the process of your family or criminal law case, and him and his team will start working immediately to build an individualized approach and case strategy tailored to your unique situation to defend and protect your rights.
Education
Barry University School of Law
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Juris Doctor, Top 33%
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Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity Member
Georgia State University
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Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Business Economics
Honors
Top 33% of my graduating Law School Class
Three “Book Awards” for the highest grades:
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Business Organization
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Corporate Taxation
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Contracts Drafting
Bar Admissions
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Florida Bar
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Middle District of Florida Court
Civic Organizations & Activities
Legal Aid of Manasota Volunteer Attorney
Women's Resource Center of Sarasota
Manatee Women's Resource Center
Sarasota Pregnancy Center
VITA Income Tax Preparation
President of Young Americans for Liberty
Jay offers clients the experience needed to represent them effectively in a variety of different practice areas, ranging from Florida family law matters, including wills and trusts, to real estate law, contractual disputes, debt collection and various other civil litigation matters. Jay takes pride in providing personal attention to each and every client and guarantees that he will be the attorney working directly with them on the case. Clients will also receive his direct phone line and/or his personal cell phone for communication. Jay offers “hands-on” in depth knowledge, with a proven track record. Jay earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA, Magna Cum Laude, 1993) from Arizona State University and earned his law degree (J.D. 1998) from the Northwestern School of Law (Lewis & Clark College) in Portland, OR., where he also earned the “Outstanding Oral Advocacy in Law” award. Since relocating to Florida in 2002, Jay is active in the residential real estate market, with a particular focus in Foreclosures beginning in 2008 with the “crash” of the world economy. In 2009, Jay became a licensed Florida attorney and worked for a large, multi-state law firm through 2016. In 2016 the Law Office of Jay R. Seigel, P.A. and Seigel Realty Advisors, LLC was established, where Jay’s wife, Hillary, is the office manager and legal assistant (and the “brains behind the whole operation”). Most recently the Law Office of Jay R. Seigel, P.A. moved to the same address as the Kowtko Law Group, P.A., where Jay R. Seigel, Esquire is of counsel.
Jay R.
Seigel, Esq.
Of Counsel Attorney
Nia Sharan, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Nia was in raised in Sarasota, FL. She participated on her high school debate team and went onto graduate from the University of Central Florida concentrating in humanities, political science, and legal studies in which she received honors on the Dean’s andPresident’s lists. She graduated from the St. Thomas University School of Law in an accelerated two-and half-year program also achieving honors on the Dean’s List and Book Awards for the highest examination grades in Contracts and Immigration Law. She served on the executive board of the service chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, was a research assistant for the St. Thomas Human Rights Institute with their L.L.M./M.A. Program, and interned at the law school’s Immigration Law Clinic representing battered women threatened with their immigration status and in trial, clients seeking political and religious asylum from persecution at the Miami-Dade federal courthouse. She has also volunteered in the community with several organizations. Through her church, she has served as a case manager, worked with the Coalition for the Homeless, working with teenagers at these rescue missions to transition from high school to college, and assisted in rebuilding homes in impoverished neighborhoods. She worked with the Adult Literacy League by teaching adults to read and write English and with the cancer foundation for children with cancer. She also served with the Juvenile Justice System as Secretary and board member of Teen Court and as a board member in Teen Alternatives, the financial funding body for Teen Court, where teenagers in the program can gain scholarships for college. Nia has also worked with several members of the Florida legislature and constituentswhere she has an interest in the political process in meeting the needs of the people. She has done Guardian Ad Litem work helping parents and children to reunify and has extensive experience in civil and criminal litigation. In civil litigation, Nia has representedseveral victims of personal injury and other civil matters. As a criminal defense attorney, Nia worked at the Public Defender’s office where she gained valuable jury trial experience and was committed to the causes of her clients. She is well versed in both civil and criminal motion and hearing practices. Nia is a passionate and dedicated attorney to whom her clients are the focal point. She brings empathy, compassion, hard work and understanding.
Susana C.
Kowtko
Director of Marketing &
Client Relations
Mrs. Kowtko manages the client relations and administrative operations, as well as the marketing and advertising operations of the firm. Mrs. Susana Kowtko was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where she studied Graphic Design prior to moving to the United States where she obtained a technical degree in Graphic and Web Design, an associate's degree in Marketing & Advertising, and a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management. Mrs. Kowtko has extensive work experience in graphic design, web design, sales, and marketing.
Before moving to Sarasota from Orlando, FL, Mrs. Kowtko worked as an Integrative Marketing Solutions Consultant at Entravision Communications (Univision - Orlando, and Salsa 98.1 FM WNUE). And prior to deciding to help her husband grow his law firm she worked at AgeVital Pharmacy, Inc., in Sarasota,FL, in the capacity of Assistant Manager & Marketing Executive. Susana is also an active local Realtor and grows her real estate business in her spare time. Her favorite things to do are spending time at the beach with her daughter Isabella, going to concerts with her husband Matt, and traveling with her family. Susana’s favorite countries and U.S. states (other than Florida) are Spain, France, and Germany, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. She also loves doing hot yoga, Zumba, and Latin dancing.
Mrs. Enge is an integral part of the Kowtko Law Group in the capacity of front desk legal receptionist and client services personnel. Her roll includes the handling of all incoming phone calls, scheduling appointments, routing incoming and outgoing phone calls, and assisting attorneys and the marketing director with various clerical and administrative tasks. Mrs. Yenny Enge was born in Bogota, Colombia where she studied Airlines Administration and obtained her associate degree in the same field, after obtaining her degree she held various customer service positions with Avianca Airlines which is one of Colombia’s largest and most prestigious airlines, until she moved to the United States of America. Since then Mrs. Enge has held many corporate and retail customer service positions including top managing position, and she has over fifteen years of experience dealing with clients, customers, and managing employees. On her free time Yenny enjoys everything that Sarasota has to offer including going to the beach, boating and watching beautiful sunsets with her husband.
Yenny A.
Enge
Receptionist &
Legal Secretary
Hillary Seigel
Mrs. Seigel grew up in Richmond, Virginia and graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Economics. After graduation she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she worked for several national banks in various roles, including mutual fund analyst, financial planning associate and paralegal for Bank of America Investments legal department. In 2003 she continued her journey south and moved to Sarasota, Florida. After moving, she worked as a Charitable Associate within the wealth management division of Wachovia and later as a personal lines Insurance Agent for over six years. Most recently, Hillary joined her husband in his growing legal practice and serves as his legal assistant, organizer, cheerleader and overall voice of reason. When she is not working, she is balancing life with her two teenage daughters Sydney and Skylar, her husband Jay and her two rescue dogs. She enjoys yoga, painting and dreaming of a cabin in the woods with her husband.
