Heather Visali graduated Cum Laude from Stetson College of Law in 2002, where she served on the Trial Advocacy Team and was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Honor Society. She interned during her third year of law school at the Pinellas County State Attorney’s office, where she was offered a job as an Assistant State Attorney before she even graduated./
Upon graduation, as an Assistant State Attorney, Heather prosecuted misdemeanors and felonies, gaining trial experience by participating in hundreds of bench and jury trials. Most meaningful to her during her experience as a prosecutor was prosecuting juvenile sex crimes. Although the subject matter was emotionally difficult, Heather formed bonds with many of the young victims, many of whom wrote letters to her years afterwards about the difference that it made in their lives to have someone believe in them and fight for them. This left a lasting impression on Heather and led to her passion for helping children through the practice of family law.
Giving birth to her son in 2005 led Heather to move from St. Petersburg back to Jacksonville to be near family. Her desire to help children drove her to pursue the practice of family law. She joined the firm of Holbrook, Akel, Cold, Stiefel and Ray, P.A. in early 2006 and began handling both complex commercial litigation cases and family law cases. She enjoyed her work there, but soon realized that she wanted to devote all of her time to her passion for family law. This led her to join a small family law firm in 2013, where she developed a wealth of experience in this area.
Since making that transition, Heather has become a master family law practitioner, handling all manner of complex dissolutions, paternity cases, child support enforcement hearings, domestic violence cases, modifications, and contempt matters. Because Heather received her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Florida, she has specialized knowledge that has helped her tremendously in guiding clients through the emotionally charged divorce process. Her emotional IQ, coupled with her strong trial litigation background, helps her fight aggressively for clients’ interests, while encouraging them and alleviating their fears and worries throughout the difficult process.
Heather joined Sasso & Guerrero in August 2021, merging easily into our alliance of aggressive advocates devoted to the practice of family law. Heather is also a member of the Florida Family Law Inns of Court and the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar.