Our Lawyers
Robert G. Thornhill III (Tri) - Attorney
Tri Thornhill was born and raised in Winter Haven. He has lived in Polk County almost his entire life. He is a sixth generation Floridian. He is Florida Bar Board Certified in Civil Trial law. This is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida. He is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest professionalism and ethical rating from the nationally recognized service for rating lawyers.
Tri currently serves as chair of the 10th Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee, which was formed by the Florida Supreme Court to receive, screen, and act upon complaints of unprofessional conduct by attorneys. Tri served as a member and the Chair of the Grievance Committee for the Florida Bar, a committee that evaluates ethical complaints against lawyers in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. In the past, Tri has served as a reader for the Florida Bar examination essays. He also serves as Inn Administrator for the Willson American Inn of Court, an invitation only association of lawyers and judges of the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Tri is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates.
With respect to charitable work, Tri is a member of Kiwanis Club of Lakeland. He is a volunteer for the Justice Teaching program which teaches the judicial system to middle school children. Tri delivers groceries to home bound seniors through VISTE, a Lakeland organization that serves the elderly. He is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Tri graduated second in his class from the University of Florida School of Law, was on Law Review, received the Book Award for Torts, Contracts, and Property, and received Order of the Coif. He was magna cum laude from Dartmouth College and second in his class from Winter Haven Senior High. Prior to working at Howell & Thornhill, Tri worked as a law clerk for Judge Federico Moreno, the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Tri is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
When he is not mowing or pressure washing, he enjoys running and triathlons.
Sherri Scarborough - Attorney
Sherri Scarborough - Attorney
Sherri Scarborough was born and raised in Haines City and now resides in Winter Haven. Mrs. Scarborough is certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in Civil Trial Law, a distinction less than 2% of Florida Lawyers hold. She is the only female attorney in Polk, Hardee and Highlands County that is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law.
Sherri is a member of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee for the Florida Bar, a committee that investigates and assesses ethical complaints against lawyers in Polk, Hardee and Highlands County. She is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest professionalism and ethical rating from the nationally recognized service for rating lawyers. Sherri is a member of the Winter Haven Rotary and the Winter Haven Women’s Bar Association.
Sherri is a member of the Lawyers Advising Lawyers program for the Florida Bar. This program assists young attorneys who do not have much experience in a particular field in resolving legal issues. As a Lawyer Advising Lawyers member, Sherri has the opportunity to mentor young attorneys and teach them the value of practicing with diligence and professionalism.
She attends the Church of the Redeemer. Sherri is a former Assistant State Attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida. She has tried more than 50 jury trials and over 30 trials before the court. She is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts. She graduated from Troy State University and Nova Law School in 1993. She is married, has two children and enjoys sports, fishing and spending time with her family.
Spencer Pastorin - Attorney
After serving in the United States Air Force, and obtaining his bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska of Omaha, Mr. Pastorin then attended Nova University, where he obtained his law degree.
Prior to joining Howell & Thornhill as a civil trial attorney, Mr. Pastorin worked as an Appeals Referee Supervisor with the Florida Department of Labor, and then became employed as an Assistant Public Defender in Polk County. As a criminal defense attorney, Mr. Pastorin has tried over 60 criminal jury trials. As a Civil Trial Attorney at Howell & Thornhill, Mr. Pastorin has tried jury trial cases against insurance companies and businesses for violations of State and Federal laws.
Spencer volunteers with different organizations and groups. He is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest professionalism and ethical rating from the nationally recognized service for rating lawyers.
Spencer is admitted to practice in all Florida State courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He is the only family member to have served in the U.S. Air Force, while his grandfather served in the Army, and others served in the Navy. Spencer is a member of the Central Florida Trial Lawyers’ Association, Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association, and the Florida Justice Association. He is listed as one of the Top 100 in The National Trial Lawyers, Civil Practice Plaintiff.
When not working, Spencer loves to spend time with his family, enjoys traveling, going to theme parks, or poring over a good book with a nice cup of coffee.
Ryan McCarthy - Attorney
Ryan McCarthy was born and raised in Winter Haven, Florida. He obtained his B.A. from Emory University and his J.D. Santa Clara University. Prior to joining Howell & Thornhill, Ryan was an Assistant Public Defender for the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
As an Assistant Public Defender, he handled cases from inception through trial, which included numerous felony and misdemeanor jury trials. As a civil trial attorney at Howell & Thornhill, Ryan’s practice is focused on litigation where he represents injured parties against businesses and insurance companies. Ryan is admitted to practice in all Florida State courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest professionalism and ethical rating from the nationally recognized service for rating lawyers.
Ryan is a member of the Willson American Inn of Court and the Florida Justice Association. He is admitted to practice in all Florida State courts as well as the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Ryan lives in Winter Haven and attends the Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Wales.
Timothy E. Kiley - Attorney
Timothy E. Kiley - Attorney
Tim Kiley was raised in Mt. Dora, Florida. Prior to joining Howell and Thornhill, Tim practiced in commercial litigation, business, and health law with a firm in Lakeland, Florida.
Tim is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, and the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. In law school, Tim was a member of the Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy. He is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and the United States District Courts for the Middle District of Florida and the Southern District of Florida. Tim is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest professionalism and ethical rating from the nationally recognized service for rating lawyers.
Mr. Kiley has also advocated successfully on behalf of clients before appellate courts in the state of Florida. Some of these cases include: Moro Aircraft Leasing, Inc. v. Int’l Aviation Mktg., 206 So. 3d 814 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016), Plane Crackers, LLC v. Texas 1845, LLC, 139 So. 3d 308 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014), and Rose v. Carper-Stone, 129 So. 3d 371 (Fla. 2d DCA 2013).
Tim is a past President of the Board of Trustees of the Learning Resource Center of Polk County, and past chair of the Board of Directors of Alliance for Independence, Inc. He is a member of the Lakeland Bar Association and the Wilson American Inns of Court.
Tommy Ray - Chief Investigator
Tommy Ray helps investigate the cause of crashes, photographs vehicles and crash sites, deals with property damage issues, photographs the horrible injuries of our clients, and meets with clients to help prove the cause of a crash. Prior to Howell & Thornhill, Tommy was a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), a state-wide enforcement agency. Tommy worked numerous high-profile cases including the Gainesville student murders, the dismantling of several complex methamphetamine smuggling organizations, and more recently the Serrano Quadruple Murder case that occurred in Bartow. Tommy also helped create the Cold Case Playing Cards which have been introduced in the State and County prison system. While at FDLE, Tommy was awarded the Special Agent of the Year award in 2006. He also received the rarely awarded FDLE Enforcement Commissioner’s Medal in 2008. Prior to the FDLE, Tommy worked with the Polk County Sheriff Office and the Winter Haven Police Department.
Nancy Schiwitz - Registered Nurse
Nancy Schiwitz has practiced as a registered nurse for 35 years. Ms. Schiwitz reviews medical issues and nursing home charts for Howell & Thornhill. Ms. Schiwitz has served as a supervisor of a surgical unit, director of quality assurance, and director of several nursing homes. She is certified in risk management and quality assurance.
