Florida's Children First

Anne Alper, Esq. – Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Anne received her B.A from the University of Florida, her Master’s in Child Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, and her J.D. from the University of Miami College of Law. She has devoted her career towards helping children, and received the Pro Bono Award in Broward County. Complete Bio

Paolo Annino, Esq. – Tallahassee, FL

Paolo received his M.A. in Philosophy from Trinity University, his J.D. from Florida State University, and his Pd.D. in Legal Philosophy from Fordham University. He is currently a Clinical Professor and supervising attorney in the Public Interest Law Center at Florida State University. Complete Bio

Charles Auslander, Esq. – Miami, FL

Charles received his B.A. from the University of Virginia and his law degree from George Washington University. He is currently the Chief Operations and Programs Officer within The Children’s Trust organization. He has organized a firm-based dependency pro-bono project to represent guardians in dependency court as well as… Complete Bio

Melissa Lader Barnhardt, Esq. – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Wells Fargo Private Bank Fort Lauderdale, Florida   Melissa is currently the Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Fiduciary Specialist of the Fort Lauderdale Wells Fargo Private Bank office after nine years as the Vice President and Trust Officer in the Wealth & Investment Management Department of the Miami and Fort Lauderdale SunTrust Bank offices. […]

David S. Bazerman, Esq. – Lake Worth, FL

David Bazerman was a doctor of podiatric medicine in private practice until a traumatic injury forced his medical retirement in 1987. He then received his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University in 1996. He served as Director of the Dependency Law Project of the Legal Aid Service of Broward County until he became the Director of […]

Mary Brennan, Esq. – Jacksonville, FL

Mary received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maine, her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law, and her Master’s in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. In 2001, Mary joined JALA as the Project Director for the Mental Health Advocacy Project. Complete Bio

Joseph V. Camerlengo, Esq. – Jacksonville, FL

Joseph received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and his J.D. as well. He is currently the president of Camerlengo Law Group, P.L. in Jacksonville. Among his other accomplishments he was formerly on the Board of Directors for the Duval County Teen Court, and he was a former Volunteer Teen Court Judge.

Christopher J. Card – Tampa, FL

Chris received his B.A. in Economics from Oakland University, his Master’s in Social Work from Wayne State University, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the School of Social Work at the University of South Florida. Chris serves as the South Region Vice President for Providence Services Corporation responsible for… Complete Bio

Nicole R. Coniglio, Esq. – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nicole R. Coniglio is an Associate in Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky, Abate & Webb’s Children’s Rights and Foster Care/Disabled Persons Damages Division.  Ms. Coniglio focuses her practice on disabled persons damages litigation. Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Coniglio practiced real estate law and focused on reviewing and analyzing title reports, resolving title issues and […]

Andrea Costello, Esq. – Newberry, FL

Andrea received her B.A. from the University of Florida and her J.D from the City College of the City University of New York. She is currently a practicing attorney with Florida Institutional Legal Services, Inc., which is a nonprofit law office that provides free legal assistance to indigent people incarcerated in Florida.

Joel S. Fass, Esq. – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Joel Stephen Fass is known by his peers and clients as a skilled litigator, negotiator and client advocate. Since partnering with Mike Colodny in 1974, Mr. Fass has practiced in the areas of personal injury, commercial litigation and civil rights.  He has turned his experience and courtroom aptitude to the benefit of his clients, which […]

Mark & Susan Forst – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Mark Forst is the proud and successful owner of his own small company, A.M.E.’s Uniforms in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He and his wife, Susan, are enthusiastic and committed child advocates in the area. They recently developed a relationship with Florida’s Children First, which grew very strong in a short amount of time. Complete Bio

Debbie & George Garcia-Bengochea – High Springs, FL

Debbie and George have devoted their lives and careers towards rehabilitation, with animals. They are the proud owners of Gentle Carousel, Inc. which is an all volunteer nonprofit public charity organization that assists therapy sessions with miniature horses. With the help of caring volunteers, they visit over 4000 adults and children each year.

Gerard F. Glynn, Esq. – Orlando, FL

Professor Glynn received his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University, his law degree from American University, Washington College of Law, Master’s in Justice also from American University, and his LLM, Master’s in Legal Advocacy from Georgetown University Law Center. Complete Bio

Evan J. Goldman, Esq. – Lauderhill, FL

Evan earned his B.A. from American University and his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. He currently serves as the Manager of Public Affairs and Organizational Development for the Children’s Services Council of Broward County. He has extensive government, not-for profit and… Complete Bio

Nancy Gregoire, Esq. – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nancy W. Gregoire attended the University of Florida, receiving her B.A., with honors in 1965; and her Masters in Education in 1970; as well as graduating from the University of Miami College of Law with honors, in 1984. Nancy became a Florida Bar Certified Appellate Attorney in 1994. Complete Bio

Walter Honaman, Esq. – Plantation, FL

Walter earned his B.A. in anthropology from Franklin and Marshal College, Master’s in Intercultural Human Service Management from the School of International Training, and his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University. He is currently the supervising attorney of the Children’s Advocacy Program of… Complete Bio

Jay Howell, Esq. – Jacksonville, FL

Jay is currently an attorney representing child and adult victims of crime in a variety of civil cases. In 1984 he founded and served as the first Executive Director of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington D.C. He has authored Florida statutes on the issues of sexual predators… Complete Bio

Christopher M. Jones, Esq. – Newberry, FL

Chris graduated from Rutgers University with Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and Psychology. He received his law degree from the University of California in Berkeley where he was awarded a Berkeley Law Foundation Fellowship. He is currently the Executive Director of Florida Institutional Legal Services, Inc. (FILS), which… Complete Bio

Frederick Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D. – Davie, FL

Dr. Lippman received his degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Columbia University College of Pharmacy and holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration. He has been a community pharmacist for over 20 years, and currently serves as the chief academic officer and Chancellor of Health Professions of… Complete Bio

Danna Magloire, Esq. – North Miami, FL

After graduating from St. Thomas University Law School, she joined the Eleventh Circuit Public Defender’s Office in Miami, FL. As an Assistant Public Defender, she had opportunity to handle juvenile delinquency cases. After leaving the Public Defender’s office, Dana shifted toward Immigration Law. Complete Bio

Jon Mills, Esq. – Gainesville, FL

Jon received his B.A. from Stetson University and his J.D. from the University of Florida. Former Dean of the University of Florida College of Law, he is now the Founding Director, in the Center for Governmental Responsibility. Among other notable public service achievements, he is known for… Complete Bio

Heather Morcroft, Esq. – Orlando, FL

Heather received her B.A. in Art History and English from Vanderbilt University and her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University. She has over twenty years experience practicing law with experience in complex litigation issues, including class actions and appellate work. Complete Bio

Robin S. Moselle, Esq. – Plantation, FL

Robin received her B.S. from Tulane University and her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University School of Law. She currently practices commercial litigation and collections with Jacobson, Sobo & Moselle, P.A. Among other board participation, she is the 2010 chair of Legal Aid Services of Broward County and… Complete Bio

JoNel Newman, Esq. – Coral Gables, FL

JoNel received her B.A. from the University of Missouri and her J.D. from Yale University. She is currently an associate professor of clinical legal education at the University of Miami. She teaches professional responsibility and directs the Health and Elder Law Clinic.

Teresita Chavez Pedrosa, Esq. – Hialeah, FL

  Teresita Chavez Pedrosa is a partner at Diaz Briscoe Medina. Ms. Chavez Pedrosa is a seasoned litigator who has worked on behalf of leading tobacco manufacturers in product liability cases, she has represented major pharmaceutical companies in litigation regarding the alleged side effects of medications and has advocated for oil companies in numerous tort […]

Jessica Rae, Esq. – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Jessica Rae has represented hundreds of children and teens in Child in Need of Assistance and Termination of Parental Rights proceedings, first as a staff attorney and then as a supervising attorney at the Legal Aid Bureau in Baltimore City, Maryland.  As Legal Aid’s Assistant Director of Advocacy for Children’s Rights, Jessica supervised the statewide […]

Diana Ragbeer, Esq. – Miami, FL

Diana Ragbeer was elected to the FCF Board of Directors in March 2008. She is the Director of Public Policy and Communications for the Children’s Trust in Miami. Her responsibilities include: legislative and advocacy efforts on behalf of children and families at the state, federal and local levels in areas such as… Complete Bio

Julie A. Reynolds, Esq. – Tampa, FL

Julie is currently an attorney in Tampa with over 16 years of experience including previous employment with the Office of the Public Defender and as general counsel for a for a human services organization that provides contracted services for children in the state delinquency and… Complete Bio

Veronica Robinson, Esq. – Hollywood, FL

Veronica Robinson Gelin is currently the Managing Partner for the Florida Operations of the Law Offices of E.F. Robinson. Veronica Robinson Gelin has been practicing law since she graduated in 1995 from University of Florida College of Law and a vast amount of her legal experience has been in the representation of governmental entities in […]

Stacie J. Schmerling, Esq. – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Stacie J. Schmerling joined Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky, Abate & Webb in 2010 as an Associate in the Firm’s Foster Care/Disabled Persons Damages Division, where she practices in the area of civil rights and child welfare.  Ms. Schmerling previously served as a law clerk for the Firm. Ms. Schmerling, a former child protective investigator for […]

Jodi Seitlin, Esq. – Jacksonville, FL

Seitlin Law Firm, P.A. Jacksonville, Florida   Jodi Seitlin has been a passionate child advocate since 1985 when she first became a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer in her hometown of Miami, Florida. As she grew familiar with the juvenile dependency and related legal systems in place at that time, Jodi became convinced that as an […]

Jodi Siegel, Esq. – Gainesville, FL

Jodi received her B.A. from New College in Sarasota, FL, and her J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law. She is currently an attorney and Executive Director with Southern Legal Counsel, Inc, a non-profit public interest law firm. She is also an Adjunct Professor for… Complete Bio

Kele Stewart, Esq. – Coral Gables, FL

Professor Williams earned her B.S. from Cornell University and her J.D. from N.Y.U. Law School. She is currently the Associate Professor of Clinical Education and Associate Director of the Children & Youth Law Clinic at the University of Miami School of Law. As a former social worker for… Complete Bio

Susan L. Stockham, Esq. – Sarasota, FL

Ms. Stockham has been practicing law in Florida since 1982. Her practice is limited to adoption and surrogacy. In her 30 years of practice she has assisted over 2,000 couples in domestic, independent and agency adoptions, and international adoptions. Ms. Stockham is a Florida Bar Board Certified Adoption Law Attorney and a member of the […]

Justin Taylor – Jacksonville, FL

Justin is a former foster youth from Jacksonville who was placed in care at age 12 and aged out with a lot of questions and no answers or support. A short while later Justin found Florida Youth SHINE and became one of the original members of the Jacksonville chapter.  Through his involvement with FYS and […]

Melissa S. Zelniker-Presser, Esq. – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Melissa Zelniker-Presser is currently a Managing Attorney for the Broward County branch of the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. Melissa is the Manager for both the criminal and civil divisions. Prior to her work with the Conflict Office… Complete Bio

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