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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach/Miami)
Alexia Nechayev, from Miami, Florida, is a dedicated advocate for youth with lived experience in foster care and with homelessness. After being placed in foster care as a teenager, Alexia experienced firsthand the stigma surrounding the system, as well as the challenges of navigating a system that didn’t provide support for her to advocate for herself. This experience motivated her to create change, ensuring that other youth in care have the tools and resources she lacked.
She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Florida International University, and upon graduation worked as a Hope Navigator with the Department of Children and Families which allowed her to assist clients through individualized care plans, further deepening her commitment to improving the lives of marginalized youth. Alexia is now applying to law schools with the goal of advancing her advocacy work through a legal career. As the Events and Meetings Chair for Florida Youth SHINE (FYS), she creates opportunities for foster and homeless youth to collaborate and push for meaningful change. She is also an active member of the Policy and Initiative Team for Florida Youth SHINE, where she helps create and shape policies that directly impact youth in foster care. One of her proudest accomplishments is helping to develop the Foster Care Bill of Rights, a law that she feels would have made a difference during her own time in care.
In addition to her work with FYS, Alexia serves on the Board of Directors for the parent organization of FYS, Florida’s Children First. In this role, she contributes to strategic decision-making while advocating for the rights and welfare of children statewide.
Every year, she travels to the state capitol to advocate for bills she and her peers have helped shape, including key pieces of legislation that benefit foster and homeless youth. However her advocacy extends beyond her state, as she represents Florida Youth SHINE at national conferences such as the National Leaders 4 Change Conference.
Through her internship with the National Foster Youth Institute, Alexia continues to refine her advocacy skills, preparing for a future where she can contribute meaningfully to both policymaking and the legal system. Guided by the belief that “the blue sky is always there,” she remains committed to ensuring that every youth in foster care has the power and support to advocate for themselves.