Phoenix Zorel Legal, PLLC

Kristina Crotta, Esq.
President & Managing Attorney, Phoenix Zorel Legal, PLLC

Kristina Crotta specifically founded Phoenix Zorel Legal, PLLC in order to help people face and overcome their toughest challenges – just as she has done.  After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in Psychology (with an emphasis in Behavioral Neuroscience), Kristina worked for the Department of Homeland Security before graduating early from law school in 2012.  Kristina began her legal career in Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit as both an Assistant Public Defender and as the Court-Appointed DUI Court Staff Attorney (chosen by the Honorable Judge David Denkin), before she transitioned into civil litigation.  After first serving as Senior Attorney for the Department of Children and Families, Kristina later worked for a number of globally-recognized law firms in Tampa and Orlando, including serving as Corporate Counsel for an AmLaw 100 firm, and as In-House Counsel for one of the nation's largest insurance firms.  Some of her other focus areas included Corporate Law, Insurance Coverage, First-Party Property Defense, Construction Defects, and Products Liability. 

However, in May of 2019, while on the fast track to making partner at her firm, Kristina suffered a debilitating traumatic event that left her unable to walk and without the use of her legs.  Despite the prognosis of an unlikely recovery, Kristina refused to give up.  She spent every day defying the odds by painfully and tirelessly fighting to regain the use of her legs by rebuilding her strength and resilience.  Kristina remained committed to proving the doctors wrong, regardless of how many times she was told her goals were "impossible."  It was this strength and perseverance that ultimately led Kristina to founding Phoenix Zorel Legal, PLLC as a symbol of recovery, renewal and proof that all survivors are tougher than we realize and that each of us is capable of achieving the impossible.

Much like a phoenix rising from the ashes of her own trauma, Kristina wishes to see all of her clients do the same.  She is committed to fighting diligently for each and every one of her clients so that they, too, may know how it feels to overcome the "impossible."

Kristina is admitted to practice in all of Florida's state and federal courts and is active in numerous professional associations, including the Florida Bar Association, Sarasota Bar Association, Manatee County Bar Association, and the American Inns of Court.  For several years, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the Manatee County Bar Association's Young Lawyer's Division and has been published in the Inter Alia (the official publication of the Manatee County Bar Association).  Some of Kristina's recent awards and recognitions include, but are not limited to: Certified Trial Practitioner (NCDC's Trial Practice Institute); Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (top 5% of attorneys in their fields) - 2021, 2023; Best Rated Businesses: Phoenix Zorel Legal, PLLC - 2025; Nationally Ranked Top 10 Family Law Attorneys (NAFLA) - 2025, 2026; Nationally Ranked Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys (NACDA) - 2026; and others.