Our Team

Donna Sobel / About Us / Our Team
image elderly couple

Compassion, Understanding, and Empathy

Working with an attorney can be intimidating, or even downright scary. Donna Sobel and her team offer a different experience, combining compassion, understanding, and empathy. Together, they provide the elder law expertise and helping hand you need to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Sharon G. Charles, Paralegal

Born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC, Sharon has been working in the legal field since 1989. Starting out as a legal secretary, then obtaining her paralegal certification, and later earning an English degree from James Madison University, she has experience in virtually all areas of the legal practice. However, her preference is, and has always been, just what she does today – estate planning and probate.

Sharon joined Donna Sobel in 2008. She drafts estate planning documents (such as wills, trust agreements, durable powers of attorney, and living wills with health care surrogate designations), in accordance with Donna’s direction. Sharon also prepares all estate probate and trust administration documents and serves as liaison between clients and the Probate Court to ensure smooth and timely probate proceedings. In addition, Sharon drafts correspondence, handles client billing, and maintains Donna’s calendar. As someone who grew up enjoying the company of older generations, it is Sharon’s pleasure and privilege to help and protect one of the world’s most valuable assets – our senior citizens.

Sharon’s empathy extends outside of the office, too. For nearly 20 years she has been a wildlife rehabilitator, working with sick, injured, and orphaned mammals, specializing in opossums and raccoons. Currently in the process of obtaining her own license, Sharon is fortunate to work for a fellow animal lover who allows her to bring tiny orphans into the office when they need frequent attention.

Anita R. Falls, Legal Assistant

Anita is a rare thing: a Bradenton native. In fact, her family has roots in this area stretching back to the 1800s. She was raised to respect her elders and that, coupled with her compassionate nature, makes her perfectly suited to work in Elder Law.

Anita has been with Donna Sobel since 2003, and assists Donna with a variety of tasks, including Medicaid and Veterans Administration planning and eligibility, Medicaid recertifications, Medicaid change of circumstances, estate planning, scheduling, and filing. She enjoys the diversity of her work, as well as the client interaction. It is her pleasure to help families retain what they have worked for all their lives, while ensuring the continued quality care to which they are rightfully entitled.

When not at the office, Anita enjoys reading, going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, walking and playing with her dog, and traveling.

Toby, Office Assistant

Sharon adopted Toby from Friends of Strays in St. Petersburg, on September 5, 2021. He started work at Donna Irvin Sobel, P.A., the very next day and has been our official greeter, playmate, and comforter ever since.

He takes his job very seriously and likes nothing better than to have employees and clients engage in playing tug of war with one of his numerous toys. After a few minutes of spirited playing, he settles down and enjoys being petted and scratched while clients meet with Donna.

Toby has run the office, but if you schedule an appointment with Donna and you are not a dog person, just let us know when you call, and we will make a note to confine Toby while you are here.

Donnal Sobel elder law image of Toby the dog