Christopher has more than twenty five years experience in civil legal aid. He began his legal services career in Central Florida where he developed an innovative medical-legal partnership. Christopher joined Florida Institutional Legal Services, Inc. in 1996 and was its Executive Director until the organization merged with Florida Legal Services, Inc. He has experience in a broad range of civil legal aid, including civil rights and class action litigation, much of it focused on disability and mental health rights. Christopher earned B.A. degrees in Psychology and Political Science, graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Rutgers University. Christopher obtained his J.D. from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley where he was awarded a Berkeley Law Foundation Fellowship. He is admitted to practice before The Florida Bar, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Christopher is a member of the Administrative Law, Appellate Practice, Criminal Law, and Public Interest Law Sections of The Florida Bar.

Currently in administration, Suzanne has a twenty-five year history in public interest law. She started her legal career as an assistant public defender in Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit, representing indigent defendants in juvenile, misdemeanor and felony courts. She then spent over ten years as a legal services staff attorney at Withlacoochee Area Legal Services (WALS) and Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida (CLSMF), practicing in the areas of family law, consumer, housing, fair housing, and public benefits. During that time, she also managed the CLSMF Ocala office and supervised the program’s housing and fair housing units. In 2009, she moved into administration at Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, where she managed the grants and compliance departments and helped administer the program’s case management system. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts in English and a J.D. from the University of Florida. She is a member of The Florida Bar, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

Alexis joined FLS after serving over four years as an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County. At the Public Defender’s Office, Alexis worked on the frontlines of the juvenile, misdemeanor, and felony divisions to obtain favorable results in the criminal cases of hundreds of individuals suffering in poverty. She is a fierce trial attorney who dedicates her life and legal career to representing and empowering the vulnerable clients. Prior to becoming a public defender, Alexis earned her B.A. from Florida State University. Through her work at the Innocence Project of Florida, Alexis developed a passion for social justice and criminal defense. Alexis was invited to attend the University of Miami School of Law as a H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Through Pro Bono Efforts) Scholar. Alexis furthered her commitment to public service advocacy by becoming a Legal Fellow at the University of Miami Innocence Clinic. She graduated in 2015 with her J.D. and earned both the Dean's Certificate of Achievement for “Wrongful Convictions, Causes and Remedies” and the Marco A. Vazquez Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Trial Advocacy.

Brianna is a graduate of the University of Florida. For more than five years, she volunteered her time as an intern on the Florida Institutional Legal Services project, streamlining the intake and records retention processes. She is now a full-time and integral part of the operations and administrative team.

Hector Colon joined FLS as a Compliance Manager. Hector brings his decades of experience from the private sector where he managed large international teams in cutting edge technology and education enterprises. Hector will be helping FLS to comply with our many grant and regulatory requirements which have grown dramatically as FLS has expanded its staff and scope.

Melissa is a Central FL native who joined FLS in 2024 with an interest in helping make a difference for people in the community.

Virginia is a 2026 Florida Funding Legal Aid Civil Legal Aid Summer Fellow placed at Florida Legal Service sand a J.D. Candidate at Barry University School of Law, expected to graduate in May 2027 with an Honors Certification in Environmental and Earth Law.

Virginia serves as Editor in Chief of the Environmental and Earth Law Journal, President of the Environmental Earth Law Society, and Event Coordinator for the Immigration Law Society, and will join Barry University School of Law's Immigration Clinic as a student representative in the fall. She is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator and a volunteer with the ABA Immigration Court Observation and Awareness Project.

Virginia holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Political Science with a minor in History and an undergraduate certification in Applied Research from Walsh University. A study away program at the U.S.-Mexico border in Laredo, Texas in December 2019 sparked her passion for immigrant justice, leading her to work with asylum seekers at the Immigrant Worker Project in Canton, Ohio during her undergraduate years. After graduating, she completed a year of service with AmeriCorps as a Refugee Resettlement VISTA in the Orlando area. The summer of her 1L year, she interned with the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, before going on to intern with the Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Florida in the spring of 2026. This summer, she will also study Public International Law at the Hague Academy in the Netherlands during the month of July.

Virginia is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the vital work of Florida Legal Services this summer, and looks forward to gaining meaningful experience while serving Florida's communities.

Amy Guinan Liem leads our advocacy work in response to the COVID-19 Disaster. Amy has over twenty years experience representing clients before all three branches of government in a broad range of legal advocacy areas, including consumer class action litigation, access to health care, disability rights, and children’s rights. In her former roles at Florida Legal Services, she served as Director of Policy and Advocacy and led our children’s legal services work. Previously, Amy served as legislative counsel for a statewide legal association and as director of public policy for a statewide disability rights organization. She also served as staff attorney for the Florida House of Representatives’ Health Care Services Committee and spent five years in private practice with a law firm specializing in class actions and complex litigation. Amy earned her law degree from the Florida State University College of Law and completed her undergraduate studies at Loyola University at New Orleans. She has served as a member of several state agency advisory boards, including the Agency for Health Care Administration’s Medical Care Advisory Committee, the Florida KidCare Coordinating Council, and the Department of Children and Families’ Independent Living Advisory Council.

Richard Hatch has been practicing as a public interest attorney since 2021. He obtained a JD from Duke University School of Law and, prior to joining Florida Legal Services, primarily defending low-income tenants facing eviction. In his free time, he enjoys spending times with his partner and their dog, Molly.

Glorian Maziarka is a licensed attorney in the State of Florida and has litigated cases in several parts of the state in both state and federal courts. Ms. Maziarka is admitted in the Southern District Court of Florida and the Middle District Court of Florida. Ms. Maziarka is originally from Puerto Rico, where she graduated with honors from the University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Ms. Maziarka is a graduate of St. Thomas University School of Law, where she graduated with honors, with a Juris Doctor Certificate in Environmental Law. Ms. Maziarka has vast experience with family law, contract law, housing law, probate, estate planning, guardianship and other areas of civil litigation and transactions. Ms. Maziarka is fluent in English and Spanish. Prior to law school, Ms. Maziarka was a Case Manager in a homeless transitional program and an advocate on ex-offender rights in the Palm Beach County area. In her free time, Ms. Maziarka is an avid baker and cook, likes to write fiction, loves international travelling, going to rock concerts and spending her free time with her husband, child, family and friends.

Xiomara Betancourt is a bilingual (English and Spanish) paralegal with the Children's Health Access Project at Florida Legal Services. Originally from Puerto Rico, she brings more than 20 years of experience in legal aid, with extensive expertise in client legal intake processes. Xiomara joined Florida Legal Services in 2026, where she assists families with health access matters and guardianship cases. Her ability to serve clients in both English and Spanish, combined with her dedication to helping vulnerable communities navigate complex legal systems. In her free time Xiomara loves to create handmade crafts, travel and spend time with her husband, family and friends.

Belkys Garcia graduated from Bronx Community College with an Associate degree in Medical Office Assistance and is a Certified Medical Assistant with a Life & Health License. Belkys has more than 15 years of experience in the medical field, assisting families obtain health coverage. She has participated in many community outreach events providing assistance to vulnerable populations and educating them about their rights. Belkys is passionate about helping those in need, finding ways to make others feel special, and providing our community with the resources needed to facilitate their lives.

Guillermo Gonzalez is a dedicated professional with a strong commitment to service. His excellent communication skills, critical thinking, and bilingual fluency in English and Spanish contribute to his effectiveness in various roles. As an ADAP Eligibility Specialist, Substitute Teacher, and Adult ESOL Instructor, Guillermo has consistently demonstrated initiative, problem-solving abilities, and a positive impact on the individuals and communities he serves. Guillermo is a proud graduate of Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. Hailing from a migrant family, Guillermo's journey reflects resilience, determination, and a deep appreciation for education and community service.

Jennifer Tillery has more than 20 years experience in counseling, case management, advocacy, community outreach and resource networking in the North Central Florida area. She has worked in many social work environments and knows firsthand the needs and barriers that are predominant in these areas. Jennifer has worked with populations including those struggling with homelessness, victims/survivors of abuse, poverty, incarcerated and released citizens, those struggling with addictions, disabilities, trauma, and mental health issues. She served as a Substance Abuse and Employment Counselor within the Florida Department of Corrections, Lead Family Support Specialist for local Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, and has done case management for several agencies within the community. Jennifer has participated in multiple councils including Homeless Services Network of Suwannee Valley and the Children's Partnership Council. She enjoys doing personal ministry work with the homeless and assisting those seeking recovery from addictions and incarceration. Jennifer fights for those in need by being a voice and helper for them when they don't have one. She is personally passionate about helping survivors of abuse and trauma and assisting them in the healing process. Jennifer received her undergraduate degree in Psychology minoring in Criminology. She will be using her experience in case management and resourcing to lead the community in receiving services as an Outreach and Enrollment Specialist here at Florida Legal Services. Jennifer is very excited to engage in this new role and journey!

Since graduating from the University of Florida in 2007, Erika has spent most of her legal career working in public interest law, ensuring that individuals in vulnerable situations have a voice in the judicial process. She started her career working for Legal Services of Northern Virginia, helping survivors of domestic violence with their legal issues related to protection orders, family law related matters, housing and consumer law issues. Upon her return to Florida, she continued her career with Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, where she handled family law and housing law matters, and assisted with the management of a multi-county legal helpline. Erika joined Florida Legal Services in 2018 and continues to assist survivors of domestic violence while also engaging in systemic impact advocacy for vulnerable populations. Erika is a member of The Florida Bar, Virginia bar, and the U.S. Middle District of Florida.

Cinthia Rolon is a graduate of Post University in Waterbury, CT. She has extensive experience as a paralegal and working with vulnerable populations ensuring they have access to needed information, services, resources and equal opportunities. Her shared passion for social change efforts focused on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination and any other form of social injustice prompted her to start a career with FLS. She currently serves as the Intake Paralegal for both the Eviction Prevention Project and the Connecting Kids to Coverage Project. Her interests outside of work include: reading, volunteering, spending time with her family, and baking.

Anne joined FLS as a 2020 Equal Justice Works Fellow sponsored by the Florida Bar Foundation. Her work focused on improving the lives of the local Haitian community and expanding the legal resources available to them. Anne built on her Fellowship and joined our Survivor Advocacy team, expanding access to justice to the Haitian community across Florida. In 2026, Anne was awarded a second Equal Justice Works Fellowship focused on Disaster Resilience. Anne earned her undergraduate degree with honors in Social Work from The Florida State University. She received her J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law. She has spent her academic career advocating for Haitian immigrants and has experience working with vulnerable populations.

Daphnie Guillaume is an attorney who believes everyone should have access to justice. With over 10 years of experience in public interest law, Daphnie has litigated family, housing, and fair housing cases. After working for several years with the FLS Survivor Advocacy Team, Daphnie was awarded an Equal Justice Works Fellowship in 2026 focusing on Disaster Resilience. Before joining Florida Legal Services in 2022, Daphnie was an attorney at Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, where she vigorously advocated in the family law domestic violence and housing preservation units. Daphnie also served as an attorney at Legal Aid Service of Collier County, where she assisted victims and survivors of domestic violence with a variety of family law issues. In 2006, Daphnie earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from Georgia Southern University. She received her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010. Daphnie is a member of The Florida Bar and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. She has served as Teen Court Judge in both Collier and Lake County, Florida. Daphnie serves on the Board of Directors for Haiti Cheri.

Andrea Costello is an experienced civil rights litigator and advocate. She has litigated significant impact cases at the state and national levels in the areas of juvenile justice reform, racial profiling, reproductive justice, police misconduct, disability rights, access to healthcare, and the rights of political demonstrators. During her career, she has worked at national civil rights organizations, including the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York City and the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund in Washington, D.C. Andrea has also been an organizer for women’s rights and social justice struggles for over 25 years and has a deep commitment to creatively using the law to support communities and grassroots movements working for social change. She received a J.D. from the City University of New York Law School at Queens College in 1998 and received the school’s inaugural Distinguished Graduate Award. She is a member of The Florida Bar, the U.S. Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the New York Bar, the U.S. Southern District of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the District of Columbia Bar and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

Nicole Valdes Hardin worked for over 18 years as an assistant federal defender and state assistant public defender. She is board certified in criminal trial law by the Florida Bar. She has authored and co-authored three publications attacking the science of cell phone tracking in criminal cases and has spoken nationwide on covert tracking and surveillance by law enforcement. Other lectures and publications include the limits of federal criminal jurisdiction in international and maritime law.

A former Florida Bar Foundation Summer Fellow for Florida Institutional Legal Services, Inc., Rachel returned to FLS after ten years of litigating in the private sector. She has litigated hundreds of cases in state and federal court at both the trial and appellate level, with particular experience in motion practice and federal class actions. Rachel has also worked as a judicial law clerk and staff attorney at the Third District Court of Appeal in Miami, Florida, where she handled civil and criminal appeals as well as motions for post-conviction relief. She graduated with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she served as a managing editor on the Florida Law Review and was awarded regional Best Oralist for the 2009 Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court team. She is admitted to practice in the State of Florida and the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida.

Samantha is a Florida Bar Board Certified Juvenile Law specialist. Prior to joining FLS, Samantha worked as an assistant public defender for over 13 years. As a public defender, she dedicated the majority of her practice to representing incarcerated, indigent children and litigated hundreds of cases. Samantha has trained attorneys on the best practices in representing children, and served on the Florida Bar Juvenile Rules Committee. Samantha also worked as a staff attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, where she handled post-conviction relief matters. She is licensed to practice law in California and Florida.

Jessica obtained her BA in Criminal Justice from Monroe College in New York. She started her career as an intern on Rikers Island, NYC Department of Correction as a mental health case manager, then transitioned to working for Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Team as a Paralegal II on the Island. She followed her passion for criminal justice and joined NYC DOC as an Investigator.

Lennette has been a paralegal for over 25 years. She has worked in a variety of private and public interest law firms over that time. She is passionate about applying her skills to better the world and help the people who live on it. When not working, Lennette spends her time with her family and rescue pup.

Christie Bhageloe, Esq. is delighted to be back at Florida Legal Services serving as the Director of the newly launched Statewide Veterans Advocacy Project. Christie is a triple Gator, having received her B.A., M.A., and J.D. from the University of Florida. She has worked in the public interest field since her graduation from UF Law in 2010, including for Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, the 9th Circuit Public Defender, Florida Legal Services, and most recently The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program, where she was the Director of the Discharge Upgrade Program.

Brittany Rosen, MSW, Esq., is an Air Force veteran, social worker, and attorney with a passion for assisting veterans in need. After the Air Force she became a social worker specializing in serving survivors of sexual trauma and domestic violence. She obtained her bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Central Missouri and her Master in social work from the University of Kansas. She then used her GI Bill to attend law school at Florida International University. She was granted an Equal Justice Works Fellowship where she created a one of a kind legal program which provided services to female veterans and veterans who had experienced Military Sexual Trauma. She has a passion for public service work and providing services to her fellow veterans in need.

Samantha Domingues Lambourne is a Florida native and recent graduate from Cornell University, where she was the first person to graduate with a bachelors of science in Public Policy. She has previously worked on supporting homeless veterans as an operations manager and student in the Cornell Law Veterans Practicum. She is passionate about advancing equity and opportunity through law, and eager to apply her skills to support veterans in Florida.

Item Marinelva Garcia received her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Psychology from Lehman College. She is certified in preventing shaken baby syndrome, school violence prevention and intervention, and child abuse identification reporting. She has more than 15 years of experience in the medical field. She joined Florida Legal Services in 2023 as an Outreach and Enrollment Specialist.

For over twenty five years Bob has practiced as a legal services attorney in the areas of civil rights, bankruptcy, mortgage foreclosure, consumer, landlord-tenant, family, social security disability and veterans’ law in state and federal courts. Prior to his work with FILS, he was the managing attorney of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc., in Kissimmee and an attorney for Greater Orlando Area Legal Services in Orlando. He received his J.D. from Ohio Northern University and his B.A. from the State University of New York, College at Geneseo. He is a member of the New York and Florida Bars, United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. He is a member of the Public Interest Law Section of The Florida Bar. He has spoken in his areas of expertise - federal civil rights litigation and mortgage foreclosure law - in numerous legal services trainings and seminars.

Joe spent the first two years of his legal career as an Equal Justice Works Fellow practicing Community Lawyering for immigrant families. He has since transitioned such efforts into housing discrimination enforcement and outreach, where he manages Florida Legal Services' Fair Housing Initiative Project via the HUD funded FHOI/EOI programs. He has a bachelor's degree from DePaul University, a M.A. from the University of Colorado in Public Policy, and a J.D. from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, and was a noted character actor from the avant-garde New York City street acting scene of the early aughts. He has over a decade's experience working with vulnerable populations performing community development services and was recognized by the Levin College of Law with the 2018 Helen Gibel Blechman Memorial Community Service Award.

Denise is a Spanish/English bilingual advocate with 18 years experience as a legal aid attorney in Illinois and Florida. She partnered with court and social service providers Illinois in a courthouse-based, post-COVID eviction surge response to prevent homelessness, and she has represented clients in other areas of poverty law, including domestic violence and family law. Denise has developed language access policies and trained lawyers and staff on best practices when working with interpreters and translators. In her early career, she worked in Immokalee, Florida representing migrant farmworkers, and as a domestic violence prosecutor.

Brooke is dedicated to working as a Public Interest Attorney. She has worked for the Public Defender in the 5th Judicial Circuit in Marion County, and for Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc . She is experienced in criminal defense, tenant defense, family law, and consumer protection. She is also a dedicated community organizer. Brooke graduated from the City University of New York, School of Law in 2013 and she is barred in Florida and New York.

Pablo Hereter is a dedicated attorney with a passion for advocating for justice and equity in Florida, with a particular focus on fair housing advocacy. His work with Florida Legal Services is guided by the belief that every client deserves a steadfast advocate; he pledges to walk beside each one, providing unwavering support and counsel. Pablo's approach is rooted in empathy, resilience, and a deep dedication to advancing the rights and well-being of all Floridians, striving to ensure equal access to safe and affordable housing for all.

Rosemary Ramirez is a housing attorney at Florida Legal Services. She is an accomplished professional who brings more than a decade of experience in a variety of legal fields including fair housing, housing, fair lending, consumer protection and corporate compliance. Rosemary has a keen understanding of the social inequities impacting local communities and is a fierce advocate for building inclusive communities.

She is a proud first generation Mexican American. She is a UF Alumnae and received her law degree from the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, DC.

Pia is a two-time graduate of the University of Florida, earning her Bachelor's in Anthropology and Master's Degree in Latin American Studies. Since finishing school, Pia has been part of various nonprofit efforts in the local Gainesville area ranging from children's advocacy to fair housing. She continues to follow her passion for social justice efforts through community-led projects and volunteering.

Marissa Latimer is a recent graduate from the University of Florida, where she graduated with highest honors, receiving a degree in Criminology and Law. She has previously interned at Southern Legal Counsel on a significant panhandling case and later pursued a Fulbright in Colombia, teaching English in rural Montería. Her experience spans across various sectors, including the nonprofit sector, social science research, and the legal field. She is eager to apply her skills and compassion to support individuals facing housing crises as part of the eviction prevention team.

Lola is a University of Florida graduate, earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. During undergrad, Lola researched the mental health effects of wrongful convictions on the exonerees and their families. Since graduating, she worked as a victim advocate serving vulnerable populations and connecting them with vital resources. She has experience working with child advocacy centers, domestic violence shelters, and efforts to end human trafficking. Her passion for social justice continues to grow as she is committed to advocating for marginalized communities and the systemic changes necessary for long term impact and equity.

Laura Pichardo-Cruz has been a public interest lawyer for nearly 20 years. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of Hope Community Center in Apopka, an organization dedicated to the empowerment of immigrants and other vulnerable communities in Central Florida. Prior to this, Laura was an attorney with Community Legal Services of Mid Florida in Orlando for 13 years. During that time, Laura represented disabled adults and children, families denied basic necessities, unemployed workers, disabled veterans, and low income seniors. She supervised a team of attorneys and paralegals that served clients throughout 12 counties in Central Florida. Laura has also practiced immigration law in nonprofits in South Florida and Chicago representing victims of domestic violence, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable immigrants. Laura holds a BA and MA in English from Florida State University and a JD from DePaul University College of Law. She is admitted to practice in Florida, Illinois, and the US Middle District of Florida. Laura serves on the Executive Council of the Public Interest Law Section of the Florida Bar and chairs the Immigration Work Group.

Johana Vesga is an immigration attorney with extensive experience representing survivors of gender-based violence. She was born in Colombia and has lived in the United States since age three. As a first-generation immigrant, Johana is dedicated to using her experiences and her voice to advocate for the immigrant community. Prior to joining Florida Legal Services, Johana ran LIBRE Legal Services, a legal services program she created to provide free immigration legal representation to immigrant survivors of crime in Tampa Bay and surrounding areas.

Johana obtained her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and practiced law in New York City prior to moving to sunny St. Petersburg, Florida. She was a Senior Staff Attorney at the Urban Justice Center's Domestic Violence Project, where she represented survivors of gender-based violence before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and in immigration court. Before her role at the Urban Justice Center, Johana was a Staff Attorney in the Sanctuary for Families Anti-Trafficking Initiative. In addition to her experience providing direct legal representation, Johana also served as an attorney at the New York State’s Office for New Americans Immigration Hotline, where she supervised hotline staff, conducted Know Your Rights trainings, and presented on rapidly evolving immigration policies announced under the Obama administration, appearing on broadcast television networks such as Telemundo and NY1 News. Before beginning her career as an attorney, Johana interned at various non-profits such as Safe Horizon in New York City and Georgia Legal Services in Atlanta. In college, she volunteered with the National Farm Worker Ministry, advocating for farmworkers’ rights in Central Florida.

Andrea holds a B.A. in French and International Studies from Emory University and earned her law degree from Tulane Law School. Andrea has always been deeply passionate about immigration law. During her time at Tulane Law, Andrea seized every opportunity to further her knowledge of immigration law. During her time at Tulane Law, Andrea took every immigration course the school offers, participated in school’s Immigrant Rights’ Clinic, served as president for the school’s Immigration Law Society, and worked at an immigration firm as a law clerk. Her work for Tulane’s Immigrant Rights’ Clinic earned her the CLEA Outstanding Clinic Team Award, a prestigious award given to only one pair of students across the entire law school. Andrea is excited to put her skills and experience to use as an advocate for immigrant communities at Florida Legal Services.

Cristina is a first-generation attorney born and raised in Puerto Rico. She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law in May 2001. Cristina has been a licensed attorney in Puerto Rico since January 2002.

During her more than 20 years of experience, Cristina has worked in diverse areas of the law. For several years, she served as a volunteer for the then-existing Mental Health Commission of the Puerto Rico Bar. As a member of the Commission, Cristina gave conferences to medical and legal professionals about laws regarding mental health and about the rights of mental health patients. She also appeared in Court to represent the families of mental health patients.

Following her passion to help others, in 2015, Cristina started practicing immigration law as a volunteer for a nonprofit organization, which immediately made her decide to devote her career to this field of the law.

Throughout these years, Cristina has worked on employment-based visas, family petitions, and removal defense, among other areas of immigration law. Cristina’s goal is to help immigrants with compassion, empathy, and diligence, understanding the importance and seriousness of the work she performs.

* Not admitted in Florida; admitted in Puerto Rico.

Prior to becoming an Attorney, Emily taught high school in Polk County. After being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2018, she worked for the Office of Regional Counsel and the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Recovery. She is excited to join Florida Legal Services and passionate about working on the Unaccompanied Children project.

Evan graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in English. Prior to becoming an attorney, she taught elementary and middle school. Evan completed her J.D. at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, FL. While in law school, she earned a Certificate of Concentration in Environmental Law and was awarded the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award upon graduation. Evan previously spent 7 years working at the Council on American-Islamic Relations - Florida, providing immigration assistance to low-income families.

Iara Rodriguez received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Puerto Rico where she has been barred since 2001. In 2012, Iara graduated with honors from Loyola University with a Masters of Science in criminal justice administration and a minor in cyber forensic criminology. Iara has served as a public defender for indigent communities accused of felonies and misdemeanors. She has also taught criminal justice at the university level. After relocating to Orlando, attorney Rodriguez has focused on immigration law, while also handling litigation and discovery in areas ranging from Big Pharma to federal regulatory matters.

* Not admitted in Florida; admitted in Puerto Rico.

Kati Isabel Gonzalez-Paez is originally from Venezuela, and joined FLS as a Paralegal in 2018. At FLS, she has worked on prison litigation including but not limited to mental health issues, juvenile solitary confinement and institutional sexual violence. She currently works with unaccompanied immigrant children with our Immigrant and Migrant Rights Project. Isabel earned a Law degree in 2012 from Central University of Venezuela, then in 2017 she completed a Paralegal education at Capital University-Columbus Ohio and she is currently a L.L.M Candidate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Isabel has worked in her home country as a voluntary attorney with a non-profit organization (Foro Penal Venezolano) providing legal assistance and representation to arbitrarily detained people and political prisoners.

Not admitted in Florida; admitted in California

Leah is passionate about advocacy, justice, and making a difference in the lives of others. She holds a M.Ed. in TESOL from Grand Canyon University (2011) and a B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Central Florida (2007). Leah obtained her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law, with a concentration in Social Justice Advocacy. During law school, Leah began her career in immigration law, working in removal defense. Additionally, she was the Vice President of the Immigration Law Student Association and a student representative on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is also a Guardian ad Litem volunteer in the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Leah is now an Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow and is currently working as an attorney in the Unaccompanied Children's Project. Before becoming an attorney, she was an educator in the public school system and abroad, committed to the support and academic success of underserved students from diverse backgrounds.

Mara Mandell graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1990. After graduating law school, she served as a prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office for the 12th Judicial Circuit where she was promoted to head the Capital Sexual Battery felony division, prosecuting offenders charged with horrendous crimes against children. After leaving the State Attorney's Office, Mara opened her own successful family and criminal law practice before becoming a Staff Attorney for the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee. Mara has always been passionate about helping others and being a voice and advocate for those who need it most. Mara taught several college level classes, including Legal Research & Writing Criminal Law and Bankruptcy, as well as at the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Police Academy.

Mara is admitted to practice law in Florida, Arizona, New York, and Washington DC.

Rebecca Klonel grew up in Central Florida with her parents and two siblings. She is a proud double hatter who graduated from Stetson University in 2016 with a B.A. in Political Science and Stetson’s College of Law in 2020 with a J.D. concentrating in Social Justice Advocacy. Rebecca knew she wanted to work in public interest law in law school and was active competing on the Moot Court Board at Civil Rights and Liberties competitions, serving as the Vice President of the Federal Bar Association, and the Pro Bono Chair for the Florida Association for Women Lawyers at Stetson. Rebecca has represented Veterans in their appeals against the VA’s denial of their benefits, juveniles in their dependency & delinquency cases in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, and Floridians who have been accused of criminal misdemeanor charges in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Rebecca also worked with Southern Legal Counsel assisting with research for impact litigation challenging laws discriminating against homeless individuals and the Fines & Fees Justice Center fighting to reform Florida’s fines and fees system. She is excited to be a part of the Florida Legal Services team.

Angel has been working with unaccompanied minors for several years and enjoys working with this vulnerable population.

Cristina is a graduate of Ohio State University. Over the past decade, she has worked in a wide variety of professional capacities in both the private and public sector. Cristina has experience serving vulnerable populations through her extensive volunteer work in her community.

In her home country of Venezuela, Cristina obtained a law degree at the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho University. Afterwards, she spent time in humanitarian volunteer work through the Red Cross. She later worked in tax control and audits as a junior attorney. Upon arriving in the USA she has worked as a legal assistant and then as a paralegal in the immigration field, developing her understanding of the challenges that Hispanic migrants face. Cristina is now staff member of the immigration court help desk where she combines her passion for legal work with those in need.

Cynthia Hernandez is a graduate from Florida State University. Currently, she is dedicated to advocating for the most vulnerable populations in Florida. Her background in International Relations provides her with a perspective and well-rounded understanding that she applies to her work defending the rights and interests of the state's diverse communities.

Emily Martinez is a graduate from the University of South Florida, obtaining her degree in International Relations. In this field, Emily has volunteered and worked with various international social justice organizations and programs. In her recent Americorps program, Emily was able to create and implement a policy to help undocumented youth in foster care receive immigration relief and documentation through multiple resources and partnerships. Emily looks forward to continuing this work through her Immigration Court Helpdesk Paralegal role.

Karina obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland. Her interest in serving vulnerable populations started when she volunteered at Esperanza Center, teaching English to immigrants and refugees. Her career has primarily been in healthcare serving patients. Most recently, she worked with Bethany Christian Services, assisting them connect clients in the community to programs that help families and children thrive. Her passion has always been to serve people and come alongside those in need. Karina followed that desire to have a direct impact in the community by working with our Immigrant and Migrant Rights Project assisting unaccompanied immigrant children.

Michelle is a graduate of the University of Central Florida. She is a social justice advocate and Massachusetts native, who joined FLS in 2018 as an intake coordinator. She has worked with clients seeking assistance from our Institutional Legal Services, Immigrant and Migrant Rights, and other advocacy projects. Michelle currently works with our Immigrant and Migrant Rights Project assisting unaccompanied immigrant children.

Patricia’s lifelong love and passion for tending to others led her to work at the Salvation Army as the Community Center Assistant Director. She organized programs offered by the community center such as women’s ministry groups, after school programs, Vacation Bible school studies, summer camp, family events, and social services. She is excited to continue restoring hope and faith for communities through her role as a paralegal on the Unaccompanied Children Project.

Stephanie works as the Pro Bono Coordinator at Florida Legal Services. She joined FLS from Stetson Law's Office of Career and Professional Development, where she supported students pursuing public interest careers and led the College of Law's pro bono initiatives. Previously, Stephanie worked as a tenant lawyer in New York City, where she collaborated with tenant organizers and represented low-income individuals and tenant associations in affirmative and defensive litigation, including rent strike, harassment, eviction, and repairs-related cases. She began her career as a law clerk for the Superior Court of New Jersey. At New York Law School, she served as a Pro Bono Scholar with the Legal Aid Society's Law Reform Unit. Stephanie earned her JD from New York Law School and her BA from the University of Miami.

Jorge grew up in Puerto Rico and moved to Florida in 2015. He has spent most of his career working in public interest law. He started working for Community Legal Services(CLS), where he provided legal assistance in many areas of law, including housing, family, consumer, and public benefits law. At CLS, Jorge would also oversee staff trainings and addressed the most pressing needs in the community by leading outreach and education events. He implemented and led the Eviction Records Research Project, where he trained, mentored, and supervised over 200 volunteers, mostly law students, who reviewed, researched, and gathered data for over 10,000 eviction records in Orange and Seminole County.

He was elected to the Executive Council of the Public Interest Law Section of the Florida Bar where he serves as a member of the Professional Development Operating Committee, and the Consumer/Tenant Protection Workgroup.

In 2024, he joined FLS as the Director of the Statewide Training Initiative.

Nicole is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University in Davie. She worked in private practice for 6 years focusing on assisting survivors of trauma. She has represented victims and survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other crimes in immigration matters, assisting them with seeking relief under VAWA, U and T visas. Nicole has also represented families seeking adjustment of status before USCIS, and clients in removal proceedings seeking asylum, cancellation of removal, and other relief. Nicole has been the Co-Chair of the Immigration Law Section of the Broward County Bar Association for three years; a Director on the Board of the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association; and a member of the STRIPES Committee of the Broward Human Trafficking Coalition. She has frequently presented at CLEs and conferences speaking on various immigration topics, including visas and other relief for victims and survivors of human trafficking, current issues in immigration law and policy, and immigration consequences of criminal conduct.

Claire Del Rosso began her legal career in 2017 and has represented clients throughout Florida, Washington, Maryland, and the D.C. area. Prior to joining Florida Legal Services, Ms. Del Rosso served as General Counsel for Acceleration Academies (a nationwide, fully- accredited high school dropout re-engagement organization, engaged in public-private partnership contracts with large urban school districts). Before becoming corporate General Counsel, Ms. Del Rosso had served as Assistant State Attorney and as Assistant Public Defender for Orange County, Florida, litigating criminal cases from intake through trial. Her subsequent work with nonprofit organizations has been considerable—with a primary focus on extending protections for victims of domestic or sexual violence.

Ms. Del Rosso is a dual citizen of both France and the United States and speaks both languages with native proficiency. Ms. Del Rosso earned her Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law. While in law school, Ms. Del Rosso served as Human Trafficking Coordinator for the Department of Juvenile Justice and assisted the Police Nationale de France Bordeaux with human trafficking victim support. She also received her MBA from the University of Florida in 2020. Ms. Del Rosso is a member of the bar and authorized to practice law in the following jurisdictions: all State and Federal Florida courts, Minnesota, Washington State, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

I attended UF for undergrad then went to Washington & Lee University for law school. I worked for the Georgia Legal Services Program in Valdosta, GA for 10 1/2 years and for Three Rivers Legal Services in Lake City for over 8 years.

Michelle Harper was previously the Supervising Attorney for the Injunction for Protection Legal Project at Women in Distress of Broward County. For over three years, Ms. Harper provided hundreds of survivors of domestic, dating, repeat, stalking and sexual violence with legal advice and representation. She assisted in securing dozens of temporary and permanent injunctions for protection for her clients. From 2016 through 2017, Ms. Harper was an Associate Attorney at BeharBehar, where a substantial portion of her practice included defending general liability claims, such as premises liability and personal injuries, and professional negligence defense. From 2014 through 2016, Ms. Harper was an Associate Attorney at Saxena White, P.A., where she concentrated in the areas of complex litigation and large securities class actions. She is a member of the Broward County Bar Association, where she sits on the Hispanic Lawyers Committee and serves as a Director for the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association.

Ashley Perez received her Juris Doctorate from Barry University School of Law and worked as an Assistant Public Defender after law school. She later joined the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association as a Family Law Staff Attorney.

Oneka received her Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law in 2013 and her LLM in Immigration and Naturalization Law from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Prior to joining FLS, Oneka was a Solo Immigration and Social Security Law Practitioner, owning and managing her own thriving law office. She has also spent some time as a Staff Attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Mid New York where she was recruited to build capacity in the Refugee Citizenship Project. Oneka has received many awards, and held leadership positions on various nonprofit boards. Notably,in 2022 she received the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley Salute to Outstanding Women Award in the area of Social Justice. She comes with an aggregate 9 years of experience in the field.

Emilia Soliman is a graduate from Stetson University College of Law, where she was one of ten nationwide recipients of the Fellowship for the Ms. JD Foundation, a non-profit organization in partnership with the American Bar Association’s Commission in Women in the Profession. While in law school, Emilia worked for the Orange County Attorney’s Office in Orlando and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida in the Criminal Division. Her passion for human rights, equality, and social change motivated her to become one of the co-founders of Stetson’s Human Rights Committee.

Stephanie graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 2014 and, since then, has focused her practice on legal research and writing. From serving as a judicial staff attorney with the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Jacksonville to clerking for two judges at the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee, Stephanie is familiar with the entire life of a case, from inception through appeal. Her passion in particular for ensuring the safety of Florida’s children led to her to volunteer as an appellate attorney for the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, where she represented the best interests of Florida’s dependent children in various proceedings. She also cares deeply about ensuring the sanctity of the legal profession, and proudly serves as a Grievance Committee member for the Florida Bar.

Mitzi has been a paralegal for over 25 years. For the last six years she has worked in the Family Law sector assisting clients who have been victims of domestic violence.

Jeanette Ocasio joined FLS in 2022 after serving three years for the Public Defender's Office in the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida, first as an investigator and then as a legal assistant. In her role as investigator with the Public Defender's office, she conducted intake interviews with newly appointed defendants. As a legal assistant, Jeanette provided support to misdemeanor attorneys throughout pre-trial status and to prepare for trial.Prior to that, Jeanette was a victim advocate for domestic and sexual assault victims for over 15 years in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Through her victim advocacy work she provided targeted outreach to marginalized immigrant, migrant, and farm working communities. She also worked in programs with incarcerated survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Jeanette holds an Associates of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Ashworth College, an Associates of Arts in Paralegal Studies from Keiser University, and a Bachelors of Science in Legal Studies with Honors from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is currently a Juris Doctor candidate at Lincoln Memorial University-Duncan School of Law.