JALA’s Valuable Team Members
Meet Our Jacksonville Office Team
JIM KOWALSKI, JR., ESQ.
President & CEO
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 325
Email: jim.kowalski@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
James A. Kowalski, Jr. was named the Executive Director (now President and CEO) of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in December 2012. Prior to
taking the post at JALA, he was a civil trial attorney based in Jacksonville, Florida, specializing in consumer protection litigation, including wrongful foreclosure and consumer fraud, complex personal injury, wrongful death, and premises liability litigation. He has earned a rating of AV (Preeminent). Mr. Kowalski is licensed to practice law in Florida and California and has lived and worked in the Jacksonville area since moving to Florida from Northern California in 1989, after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of San Francisco School of Law. Mr. Kowalski served as an Assistant State Attorney from 1989-1996, acting as Division Chief (County Court; Public Corruption Unit) and Senior Trial Attorney in the Special Assault/Sex Crimes and ROC (Repeat Offender Court) Divisions; he was also a member of the on-call
homicide team.
After leaving the State Attorney’s Office in 1996, Mr. Kowalski specialized in litigation and handled matters involving consumer protection, including wrongful foreclosure and consumer fraud, complex personal injury, wrongful death, and premises liability litigation. He has tried more than 65 criminal and civil jury trials to verdict.
Mr. Kowalski has presented numerous lectures in the area of consumer fraud and housing, including presentations on mortgage foreclosure and debt collection litigation and on issues relating to crime victimization, including the use of victim impact testimony in death penalty cases. He is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates (where he currently serves on the Strategic Planning and Membership committees), the Child Protection Team (CPT) Advisory Council, has served on the board of Compassionate Families, Inc., a Jacksonville non-profit dedicated to assisting the families of homicide victims, and is the past vice-chair of the Mayor’s Victim’s Assistance Advisory Council (VAAC). He is a recipient of the Jacksonville Legal Aid Pro Bono award for 2006 and 2008, the St. Johns County Legal Aid Pro Bono award for 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, and the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award in 2009 and 2011, for service rendered in the Fourth and Seventh Judicial Circuits.
Mr. Kowalski served consecutive one-year terms (2014-2015 and 2015-2016) as President of the Project Director’s Association, which includes the
directors of the civil legal aid programs in Florida.
Mr. Kowalski was one of the first consumer lawyers in the nation to uncover the mortgage banking practice of “robo-signing” (Taibbi, Matt, Invasion of the Home Snatchers, Rolling Stone, November 10, 2010) and in December 2010, he testified before the United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary on the topic of “Foreclosed Justice: Causes and Effects of the Foreclosure Crisis.” He also testified before the Florida Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance in 2010, and testified at length before the Florida Supreme Court Task Force on Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Cases in 2009.
In 2011, Mr. Kowalski was named “Consumer Protection Lawyer of the Year” by the Consumer Protection Law Committee of the Florida Bar and was recognized at the Florida Bar’s Annual Conference “For outstanding work protecting the legal rights of Floridians facing foreclosure and helping fellow practitioners of consumer law.” He is the recipient of the 2014 Peter E. Haas Public Service Award from the University of California, Berkeley, for his advancement of legal rights “…for the most vulnerable members of the community, ranging from adults and children who have suffered from a violent crime to those who have been victims of predatory lending and collection practices.” In June 2016, Mr. Kowalski received the Florida Bar Foundation President’s Award for Excellence, in part, for his “…unwavering commitment to improving the delivery of legal aid throughout the state…”
In November 2014, Mr. Kowalski was selected by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga as one of 27 inaugural members of the Florida
Commission on Access to Civil Justice, charged with studying the unmet civil legal needs of disadvantaged, low-income and moderate-income Floridians; he was then appointed to the permanent Commission and served until terming off in June 2018. He also served from 2016-2018 as a member of the Florida Courts Technology Commission.
In October 2018, Mr. Kowalski was named the “Consumer Advocate of the Year” by the National Association of Consumer Advocates at the annual National Consumer Law Center’s Consumer Litigation Conference.
ALVARO ABREGO-SALAZAR
Attorney, Refugee Immigration Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 348
ROBYN ALBERTIE
Staff Accountant
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 326
Email: Robyn.Albertie@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Highly talented, enthusiastic, proficient, and accomplished accounting professional with over ten years of industry experience. Extensive experience in non-profit, public, and private sectors. Strong ability to work in a fast paced, high volume, customer service oriented environment. Additional strength is the ability to exercise good judgment and discretion handling confidential personnel or organizational matters.
AREA OF EXPERTISE OR PRACTICES:
Payroll Processing, Grant Reporting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, and Audit Management
EDUCATION:
Bachelors Business Management
University of Phoenix
CLAUDIA ALCARAZ
Staff Accountant
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 301
Email: Claudia.Alcaraz@jaxlegalaid.org
Claudia joined JALA in 2008 as a paralegal in the Intake Unit at the Jacksonville Office. Prior to working at JALA, Claudia worked as a paralegal for local Criminal Defense Attorneys. Since working at JALA, Claudia has been a paralegal in the Consumer Unit, Pro Bono Unit, Immigration Unit and worked as an assistant to IT/HR/Accounting departments. Claudia is currently working as a Staff Accountant.
Claudia graduated from Florida State College at Jacksonville with a B.A., cum laude, in Business Administration in 2019 and A.S., with Honors in Paralegal Studies in 2015.
- Florida Registered Paralegal – since June 2017
- Florida Public Notary – since November 2009
LAVERNE ANDREASEN, ESQ.
Chief Human Resources Officer
Email: laverne.andreasen@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Ms. Andreasen is JALA’s employment law attorney, providing services to poor workers and the unemployed. She received her B.B.A. in Accounting from Andrews University and her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, graduating with pro bono honors for her contribution to the community. Ms. Andreasen joined JALA as a staff attorney in the employment unit in 2007. Prior to joining JALA’s staff, she was a staff attorney with Three Rivers Legal Services, and practiced family and consumer law with a law office in South Florida. Ms. Andreasen practices in JALA’s main office in downtown Jacksonville.
ZARIAH ANGLIN
Navigator/Legal Assistant, Housing Defense Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 315
VIRGIL BACHTOLD
Chief Facilities/Technology Officer
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 329
JENNIFER BENNETT
Pro Bono Case Administration Coordinator
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 346
TINA BLIZZARD, ESQ.
Intake Attorney
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 342
Email: tina.blizzard@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Tina joined Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in 2021 as an intake attorney in the Duval County office. She provides clients with advice and counsel on consumer, housing and family law, and other legal matters. She also assists individuals in the preparation of simple wills, advanced directives, powers of attorney, and sealing and expunging criminal arrest records. Prior to working at JALA, Tina worked for 7 years as a staff attorney with Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia.
- B.A., Stetson University – Deland FL, 1983
- J.D., American University, Washington College of Law – Washington DC, 1987
- Florida – 1990
- Virginia – 1992
JAMIE BRADY
Paralegal, Refugee Immigration Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 359
Email: jamie.brady@jaxlegalaid.org
MICHELLE BROYLES, ESQ.
Division Chief, Family & Victim Advocacy Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 308
Email: michelle.broyles@jaxlegalaid.
SUMMARY:
Michelle joined JALA in 2018 as the Deputy Division Chief of the Family Law & Victim Advocacy Unit and became the Division Chief soon after. Prior to working at JALA, Michelle worked as a Senior Attorney, Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, and Florida Qualified Parenting Coordinator in private practice. She helped clients navigate the court system as well as their unique and complex family dynamics.
EDUCATION:
Michelle graduated with honors from Maryville College in 2006. She received her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2009.
JOY BRYANT-BAUCUM
Housing Counselor, Consumer Advocacy & Litigation Unit and Housing Defense Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 381
Email: joy.bryant-baucum@jaxlegalaid.
- Notary for State of Florida, 2008 to current
- HUD Certified since 2008 to current
SHARONMARIE CAPELES SUAREZ
Intake Specialist
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 302
RICHARD CLONINGER
Attorney, Veterans Services
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 380
Email: richard.cloninger@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Richard Cloninger joined JALA in January 2024. Prior to joining JALA, Richard was an assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Corrections. In that role, Richard defended the Department in inmate litigation and worked with Community Corrections to enhance availability of resources for probationers to complete their supervision successfully. Richard retired from the Marine Corps after 20+ years as a Judge Advocate (military attorney). As a Judge Advocate, Richard provided legal assistance to service members, retirees and their dependents on issues ranging from family law, estate planning, and commercial law. Richard also litigated military criminal justice issues as a trial counsel (prosecutor) and a victims’ legal counsel advocating for victims’ rights.
Richard is a member of the Florida Bar, the National Alliance of Victims’ Rights Attorneys and Advocates (NAVRA), and the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). He is also a certified practitioner in the U.S. Court of Criminal Appeals for the Armed Forces as well as in the Northern, Middle, and Southern U.S. District Courts of Florida.
EDUCATION:
Richard received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Florida and received his Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law. He also earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina and successfully completed the Command and Staff Distance Education Program from Marine Corps University, Camp Lejeune, NC.
JACALYN CRECELIUS
Attorney, Veterans Services
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 264
Email: jacalyn.crecelius@jaxlegalaid.org
Jacalyn Crecelius joined JALA in January 2023 as the Attorney leading the Veterans Services Unit. During her time with JALA, she has served veteran clients with various administrative and civil legal problems to include family law, housing, VA benefits, Military Discharge Upgrades, and much more. Jacalyn has expanded the unit’s outreach efforts significantly and initiated a legal clinic with the City of Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Department.
Jacalyn is also a VA Accredited Attorney, Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, Florida Supreme Court Approved Arbitrator, and a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Prior to working at JALA, Jacalyn served as an attorney in the areas of family law, security clearance defense, and insurance/healthcare law as well as the role of mediator in a juvenile diversion program in Toledo, Ohio. She has represented clients in county and circuit court and argued in administrative hearings in front of various federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense and State and the Merit Systems Protection Board.
EDUCATION:
Jacalyn graduated from Otterbein University with a B.A., magna cum laude, in Psychology in 2008. She received her J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2012. Most recently, Jacalyn received her M.A. in Governance and Human Rights from Leuphana University of Lueneburg (Germany).
MARY DEVRIES, ESQ.
Division Chief, Housing Defense Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 3003
Email: mary.devries@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Mary joined JALA in 2017 as a staff attorney in the Clay County office, became the managing attorney of the Clay County office in 2019, and Division Chief of the Housing Unit in 2020. Prior to working at JALA, Mary worked as an attorney and health care navigator in the Economic Justice Program at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Richmond, Virginia. There she worked with clients to obtain and preserve health coverage and benefits, including through Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. In addition, she represented clients in state and federal court and administrative hearings to secure, maintain, and preserve their participation in federally assisted housing programs.
Mary started her legal career in the Housing Unit at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri where she worked for 14 years, primarily representing low-income individuals participating in federally assisted housing programs facing interference with their program participation, eviction and homelessness.
EDUCATION:
Mary graduated from St. Louis University with a B.A., magna cum laude, in psychology in 1997. She received her J.D. and Health Law Certificate from St. Louis University School of Law in 2000.
COURT ADMISSIONS:
- Florida – 2017
- Virginia – 2014
- Illinois – 2001
- Missouri – 2000
LYNN DRYSDALE
Senior Attorney, Consumer Advocacy & Litigation Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 306
Email: lynn.drysdale@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Lynn Drysdale is a consumer protection attorney who has been with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. for almost 3 decades. She represents consumers in individual and class cases and engages in legislative advocacy relating to debt collection, pay day loans, “spot delivery” motor vehicle sales and financing, military pension loans, automobile title loans, pay day loans and mortgages. She teaches foreclosure defense litigation to consumer law attorneys around the state of Florida, has been a trainer for National Consumer Law Center, National Association of Consumer Advocates, the Naval Justice School and other organizations on a variety of consumer issues. She was Co-chairman of the Board of NACA and Chairman of the Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee and has been a contributing writer for the NCLC practice manuals and co-authored The Two-Tiered Consumer Financial Services Marketplace: The Fringe Banking System and its Challenge to Current Thinking About The Role of Usury Laws in Today’s Society, a law review article for the South Carolina Law Review, with distinguished consumer advocate, Kathleen Keest, Esquire. She is presently a member of the Florida Bar Code and Rules of Evidence Committee and was also a member of the Florida Bar Small Claims Rules Committee. She testified before the United States Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee in its “Review of the Department of Defense’s Report on Predatory Lending Practices Directed at Members of the Armed Forces and Their Dependents” in September, 2006 and before the same Senate Committee on July 19, 2011 relating to “Enhanced Consumer Financial Protections, After the Financial Crisis.” She has also testified twice at Federal Trade Commission workshops in Washington D.C. relating to debt collection and once before the Federal Reserve Board at its hearing regarding the Home Ownership Equity Protection Act in Atlanta, Georgia. She testifies annually before the Florida House of Representatives and Senate. She was awarded the 2001 National Consumer Law Center’s Vern Countryman Consumer Law Award and the 2014 Consumer Protection Lawyer of the Year as named by the Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee. She is presently an adjunct consumer law professor at the University of Florida, College of Law.
AREA OF EXPERTISE OR PRACTICES:
Consumer Advocacy and Litigation
STAFF ATTORNEY:
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc., 1988 to present.
Florida Legal Services, Inc., 1996 to 2003
Admitted to Practice State of Florida, Middle District of Florida, 11th Circuit Court of Appeals
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR:
University of Florida, College of Law, Consumer Law Class, Fall of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Florida Coastal School of Law, Consumer Transactions, Spring 2013
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS:
Member, Florida Bar Code and Rules of Evidence Committee, 2015, 2016
Member, Florida Bar Public Interest Law Section, 2014, 2015
Past Chair, Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee, 2008, 2009, 2010 (vice chair), 2011-2012 (chair), 2013, 2014
Member Florida Bar Small Claims Rules Committee, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Board of National Association of Consumer Advocates, 1998 – 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008, Co-Chairman of the Board 2008 – 2012
Member Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association, Member of Board of Directors, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, 2009, 2011, President 2008, Chairwoman 2010
Member Florida Legal Services Consumer Work Group, 1988 – 2012, Chairperson, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2002 – 2015
Member and Chairperson Florida Consumer Law Task Force 2001 – 2011
Licensed County Court Mediator
Member The Florida Bar Fourth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee, 2000, 2001, 2002
TESTIMONY TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE BODIES:
Testified before the Florida Attorney General and the National Mortgage Settlement Monitor at a workshop held in Orlando, Florida , March, 2013.
Testified, Mortgage Servicing Policy Briefing for the CFPB, FDIC, OCC and FTC sponsored by the National Consumer Law Center: A Report from the Field, July, 2012.
Testified before the United States Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Hearing “ Enhanced Consumer Financial Protections, After the Financial Crisis,” July, 2011.
Panelist by Invitation, Federal Trade Commission Workshop, Washington D.C., Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration, December, 2009.
Panelist by Invitation, Federal Trade Commission Workshop, Washington D.C., Collecting Consumer Debts – The Challenges of Change, Debt Collection Litigation: Current Issues, October, 2007.
Testified before the United States Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Hearing “ Review of the Department of Defense’s Report on Predatory Lending Practices Directed at Members of the Armed Forces and Their Dependents,” September, 2006.
Presenter Conference of State Bank Supervisors and National Association of Consumer Credit Administrators Pay Day Lending Regulator Summit, 2004.
Speaker by invitation, Federal Reserve Board hearing regarding the Home Ownership Equity Protection Act hearing, Atlanta, GA, June, 1997.
SAMPLE OF PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Contributing writer for National Consumer Law Center, Consumer Publications, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2014.
Contributing writer for National Association of Consumers Advocates, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009.
Contributing writer for Consumer Financial Services Law Report, 1999, 2000.
Trainer National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014.
Law Review Article: The Two-Tiered Consumer Financial Services Marketplace: The Fringe Banking System and its Challenge to Current Thinking About The Role of Usury Laws in Today’s Society, South Carolina Law Review, Volume 51, Number 3, Spring 2000.
Trainer Practicing Law Institute Consumer Financial Services Litigation Training, 2002, 2007.
Presenter Twelfth Annual Seminar Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar, 2004.
Presenter Eighth Annual Florida Neighborhoods Conference, Economic Empowerment Consumer Savvy for Neighborhoods, September, 2004, 2006.
Trainer Consumer Law Seminar – A Day of Consumer Law Training for Judge Advocates, Legal Officers and Senior Leadership, Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, February, 2005, 2007.
Presenter Housing Partnership of Jacksonville’s Housing Roundtable, Predatory Lending, February, 2005.
Presenter Navy – Marine Corps Relief Society Mayport – Professional Development Day, Consumer Scams Targeting the Military, March, 2005.
Presenter Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Assembly, Washington, D.C. Consumer Abuses Against the Military, March 2005, 2007.
Presenter and Panelist, Addressing Predatory Lending Abuses, Florida Bar Continuing Education Seminar- Liability of “Fringe” Lenders: Payday Loans, Refund Anticipation Loans, etc. and Panel Discussion: Legislative Initiatives to Combat Predatory Lending, 2005 .
Presenter The Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council – Fall Forum – Crimes of the 21st Century, September, 2005.
Organizer and Presenter Naval Legal Service Office Southeast, Jacksonville Consumer Law Symposium, October, 2005.
Trainer Safeguarding the Consumer and Housing Client in 2006, Florida Legal Services, “Foreclosure Assistance Scams and Equity Skimming,” January, 2006.
Presenter, The Eleventh Annual Consumer Financial Services Litigation Institute Training, “Fringe Lending, Litigation and Legislative Updates, “New York City, New York, March, 2006.
Trainer, The Florida Bar’s Consumer Law Symposium, “Legal Aid Advocates” Perspective and Experience in Consumer Protection Cases,” Tallahassee, Florida, May, 2006.
Panelist, Law Matters, WUFT, television broadcast- pay day lending, March, 2007.
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Annual National Seminar, Philadelphia, PA, Representing Members of the Military and their Families, April, 2007.
Trainer, Consumer Law Issues for the Navy JAG and civil service attorneys stationed at Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville Naval Air Station and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, May, 2007.
Panelist by Invitation, WJCT’s First Coast Forum television broadcast “Mortgaging the American Dream,” July, 2007.
Trainer, National Consumer Law Center, Mortgage Seminar, St. Louis, Missouri, September, 2007.
Co-Authored nationwide pay day lending ordinance manual “Controlling the Growth of Pay Day Lending Through Local Ordinances and Resolutions” November, 2007, updated March, 2010 and October, 2012.
Panelist by Invitation, Askew Institute “Consumer Protection in the Digital Age,” March, 2008.
Presenter by Invitation, Governor’s Hope Now Mortgage Task Force, March, 2008.
Trainer, National Consumer Law Center, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Seminar, Nashville, Tennessee, March, 2008.
Trainer, Nassau County Bar Association Pro Bono Mortgage Foreclosure Panel, June, 2008, July, 2008.
Presenter, Florida Attorney General Consumer Issues Training, June, 2008.
Trainer, Southeast Regional Legal Services Officers Training Symposium, Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other collection issues, August, 2008.
Panelist, Florida Dispute Resolution Conference: Mediation and Justice for All, Ethics Plenary: Justice, Fairness, & Ethic in Mediation, August, 2008.
Trainer, National Consumer Law Center Consumer Law Litigation Conference, Predatory Lending and the Military and Evidentiary Issues in Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Litigation, October, 2008.
Organizer and Presenter, Sixteenth Annual Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association Seminar, October, 2008.
Trainer, AARP, The National Legal Training Project, Representing Victims of Abusive Debt Collection Practices, Washington, D.C., December, 2008.
Developed and presented a Truth in Lending Webinar for the Florida Attorneys Saving Houses program, January, 2009.
Presenter FHA’s Loss Mitigation Program, Florida Foreclosure Law/Foreclosure Timeline, March, 2009.
Trainer, Jacksonville Bar Association’s Defending Foreclosures in Florida, Florida Coastal School of Law, March, 2009.
Trainer, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Saving Homes and Protecting Income, April, 2009.
Presenter, Jacksonville Human Rights Commission’s Passport to Fair Housing, Predatory Lending, April, 2009.
Trainer, Jacksonville Bar Association Elder Law Section Seminar “Current Issues in Elder Care from the Legal Perspective” April, 2009.
Presenter, Eleventh Circuit Judicial Conference of Federal Court Judges, April, 2009.
Presenter, Florida Bar Association, Consumer Protection Law Committee seminar “Representing Main Street” Mortgage Foreclosure Defense, June, 2009.
Panelist, WJCT’s Facing the Mortgage Crisis 90 minute call-in television program, August, 2009.
Guest, WJCT’s Facing the Mortgage Crisis 30 minute call-in radio program, August, 2009.
Trainer, National Consumer Law Center Consumer Law Litigation Conference, Four classes on Debt Collection , including the ABC’s of debt collection, the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other consumer protection litigation tools and strategies, October, 2009.
Panelist by Invitation, Federal Trade Commission Workshop, Washington D.C., Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration, December, 2009.
Speaker by invitation, City of Jacksonville Task Force on Foreclosure, January, 2010.
Trainer, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida Defending Debt Collection Cases, Orlando, Florida, February, 2010.
Speaker, Credit Reports and Fair Credit Reporting Rights, Deaf Rights Night, Duval County and Simulcast live to Crystal River, Florida for the Citrus/Marion County Hearing Impaired Programs, February, 2010.
Trainer, Fourth Judicial Circuit Foreclosure Mediation Certification Training, February, 2010.
Speaker, National Consumer Law Center Fair Debt Collection Training Conference, How Debts are Collected, Developing a Fair Debt Legal Services Practice and Effective Legal Services Private Attorney Partnerships and the New LSC Fee Rules, March, 2010.
Trainer, Florida Foreclosure Law/Foreclosure Timeline, FHA’s Loss Mitigation Program sponsored by federal HUD, May, 2010.
Trainer, The Jacksonville Bar Association and Federal Bar Association (Jacksonville Chapter) 2010 Ehrlich Nimmons Trial Advocacy Seminar, Mortgage Foreclosure Litigation: An Area You Can Not Seem to Escape, June, 2010.
Panelist, Residential Foreclosure Seminar, Sponsored by the Consumer Protection Law Committee of the Florida Bar, June, 2010.
Trainer, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Series, Gainesville, Florida, August, 2010; Orlando, Florida, September, 2010; Tallahassee, Florida, December, 2010; Pensacola, Florida, December, 2010; Naples, Florida, January, 2011; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February , 2011; Melbourne, Florida, March, 2011; Miami, Florida, April, 2011; Jacksonville, Florida, June, 2011; Tampa, Florida, July, 2011, Key West, Florida, August, 2011; Gainesville, Florida, August, 2013; Daytona Beach, Florida, October, 2013; Tampa, Florida, August, 2014.
Trainer, Private/Public Partnerships in Consumer Law – National Consumer Law Center, January, 2011; September, 2012.
Trainer, Consumer Law Tips for Non-Consumer Lawyers, Florida Bar Public Interest Law Section, March, 2011.
Trainer, Naval Justice School Legal Assistance Course; Newport, Rhode Island, UCC and Motor Vehicle Sales and Finance, April, 2011.
Trainer, Florida Bar Foundation Internship Program, Mortgage Foreclosure Litigation, May, 2011.
Trainer, Three Rivers Legal Services, Consumer Law for Pro Bono Attorneys, June, 2011.
Trainer, National Consumer Law Center, Mortgage Foreclosure Litigation Conference, July, 2011.
Trainer, Max Gardner’s Bankruptcy Boot Camp, ABC’s of the UCC, March, 2012.
Trainer, 2012 Consumer Law Conference hosted by the University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas, “View from the Trenches‑ Practicing Consumer Law,” May, 2012.
Presenter, The Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee seminar “Significant Changes in Consumer Protection Law,” Orlando, Florida, June, 2012.
Trainer, National Consumer Law Center, Mortgage Foreclosure presentations, October, 2012.
Developer and Trainer, Florida Legal Services, Consumer Law Group Mortgage Foreclosure , Training, June, 2013.
Developer and Trainer, Webinar, JALA and Florida Consumer Action Network, Changes to Florida Mortgage Foreclosure Laws – 2013 Session Overview, August, 2013.
Developer and Trainer, Attorneys Fees and Legal Aid Attorneys, Florida Legal Services, January, 2014.
Developer and Trainer, Webinar, CFPB and Amendments to Regulations X and Z, February, 2014.
Developer and Trainer, Florida Legal Services Consumer Law Group Annual Training, June, 2014.
Trainer, Florida Bar Annual Meeting, Regulation Z and X, Orlando, Florida, June, 2014.
Trainer, Florida Housing Coalition, Annual Conference, Regulation Z and X, Orlando, Florida, September, 2014.
Trainer, NAS Jacksonville, Navy JAG Officers Annual Training, Regulation Z and X, October, 2014.
Trainer, National Consumer Law Center Annual Conference, Intersection between Consumer Awards and Public Benefits, Tampa, Florida, November, 2014.
Panelist, Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee CLE, Making a Big Impact on Consumer Law, June, 2015.
Trainer, Obtaining Attorney Fee Awards in Legal Services Programs, Community Legal Services of Mid Florida, December, 2015.
PARTIAL LIST OF CLASS CERTIFICATIONS:
Bennett v Coggin Cars, LLC, 2004‑CA‑2883
Hubbell v Sonic Payday, Ltd, et al. 2006‑CA‑6275
North Star Capital Acquisitions, LLC v. Krig, 3:07‑cv‑00264‑TJC‑MCR(consolidated with next three cases)
Capital One Bank v. Miller, 3:07‑cv‑00265‑TJC‑MCR
Capitol One Bank v. Livingston, 3:07‑cv‑00266‑TJC‑MCR
Capital One Bank v. Brannon, 3:08‑cv‑01016‑TJC‑MCR
McClure v. Avenue Motors, Ltd., 2007‑CA‑9207
Lankhorst v. Independent Savings Plan Company d/b/a ISPC, 3:11‑cv‑390‑J-34JRK
AWARDS INCLUDE:
Community Service Award, D. W. Perkins Bar Association, Inc. October, 1997
Northeast Florida Consumer Council Consumer Advocate of the Year, 1999
The National Consumer Law Center’s Vern Countryman Consumer Law Award, 2001
Consumer Protection Law Committee of the Florida Bar, Consumer Protection Lawyer of the Year, June, 2014
ALEXIS ERDELYI
Paralegal, Consumer Advocacy & Litigation Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 382
JESSICA FARMER
Attorney, Probate & Social Security
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 320
Email: jessica.farmer@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Jessica joined JALA in 2024 as a staff attorney in the Jacksonville office to handle probate and social security cases. Prior to working at JALA, Jessica worked as an estate planning and tax attorney at Purcell, Flanagan, Hay & Greene, P.A. There she worked with clients to establish estate plans, coordinate probates, and advise on tax matters.
EDUCATION:
Jessica graduated from The University of Alabama, in accounting in 2016. She received her J.D. from Samford University Cumberland School of Law in 2020. She received her Tax LLM from The University of Florida in 2021.
MARCUS FERRARI
Fair Housing Testing Coordinator, Fair Housing Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 398
LUIS FOSTER
Paralegal, Refugee Immigration Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 359
Email: luis.foster@jaxlegalaid.org
SUZANNE GARROW
Attorney, Fair Housing Unit & Coord.
Eviction Defense Self-Help Project
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 374
Email: suzanne.garrow@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Suzanne joined JALA in 2016 as an intake attorney and joined the Fair Housing Unit as a staff attorney in 2019. She has also been the Coordinator of the Eviction Defense Self Help Project since its inception in 2018.
Prior to working at JALA, Suzanne worked as a law clerk attorney to the Honorable Patricia D. Barksdale, United States Magistrate Judge, Middle District of Florida. Suzanne spent most of her prior practice as a shareholder in Heisler, Feldman, McCormick and Garrow, P.C., Springfield, MA. The firm is a “private legal aid” firm with a busy litigation practice focusing on low-income clients and exclusively representing tenants in landlord/tenant disputes, including eviction defense and fair housing, consumers in consumer rights disputes and employees in wage claims, complaints of discrimination, wrongful termination, and other related claims. Prior to that, Suzanne was an associate at Day Pitney LLP, Hartford, CT, representing primarily Fortune 100 and 500 companies in employment discrimination complaints, wage complaints and other employment claims. Prior to that she was law clerk to the Honorable Kenneth P. Neiman, United States Magistrate Judge, District of Massachusetts.
EDUCATION:
Suzanne graduated from Smith College. She received her J.D. from Northeastern University.
COURT ADMISSIONS:
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2016
- Florida, 2016
- United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, 1999
- United States District Court, District of Connecticut, 1999
- Connecticut, 1999
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1997
HONORS AND AWARDS:
- 2006 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Adams Pro Bono Publico Award
- 2008 Massachusetts Bar Association, Access to Justice Award
- 2009 American Bar Association, Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access
- 2009 Women’s Bar Foundation, Celebrate Pro Bono Award
- 2009 and 2010 Commendation, Volunteer Lawyer’s Service
- 2012 and 2013 Appreciation for pro bono service to the Women’s Bar Foundation
- 2013 Springfield No One Leaves, Legal Shield Award
BRANDI GREEN
Paralegal, Community Economic Development
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 369
Email: brandi.green@jaxlegalaid.org
AMANDA GRISWOLD
Paralegal, Fair Housing Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 391
KAREN HARDCASTLE
Paralegal, Social Security Advocacy Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 304
JUDY HARGITAI
Attorney, Long-Term Care & Social Security
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 373
DENNIS HARRISON
Chief Development Officer
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 296
Email: dennis.harrison@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY
Dennis joined JALA in October 2016, and currently works as the Chief Development Officer in the Development and Fundraising group. At JALA, Dennis handles fundraising and events as well as oversees the JALA website and JALA Board management. Prior to joining JALA, Dennis worked for more than 25 years in executive management at the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, DC, where he was responsible for managing the business and revenue generating aspects of the association – including business development, sponsorship sales, convention marketing, convention operations, exhibit sales, event management, and fundraising.
RENU HEDA
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 338
Email: renu.heda@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
A valued staff member since 1994, Ms. Heda is the Chief Financial Officer for Jacksonville Legal Aid, Inc. She provides leadership and strategic direction for all financial functions in accordance with GAAP, FASB117 and OMB Circular 133 principles. Working closely with the president of the organization, she prepares the annual budget, facilitates the annual independent audit and oversees all accounting functions.
In her role she directly supervises all accounting and administrative staff, oversees reporting for various federal, state and local grant awards and is a primary liaison to the Board of Directors, presenting the financials during all regular and executive committee meetings.
Heda holds a bachelor’s degree from the Loreto College, University of Calcutta.
JACLYN F. HORN
Attorney, Family & Victim Advocacy Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 345
Email: jacki.horn@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Jaclyn joined JALA in 2019 as a staff attorney in the Jacksonville office. Prior to working at JALA, Jaclyn worked in personal injury and civil litigation.
EDUCATION:
Jaclyn graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2014 with a B.A. in Political Science, with an emphasis in International Relations and Comparative Politics, and a certificate in Criminal Profiling. She received her juris doctorate from the University of Florida Levin School of Law in 2017.
ORGANIZATION/MEMBERSHIPS:
- Member – Florida Bar (2017- present)
- U.S. District Court, Southern, Middle and Northern districts of Florida
- Chester Bedell Inn of Court, Pupil and Member, 2016-2018
- Family Law Inn of Court, Member, 2022
JASMINE HYMAN
Assistant to Human Resources Officer and Facilities Officer
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 317
AARON J. IRVING, ESQ.
Director of Pro Bono
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 363
Email: aaron.irving@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Aaron is a Florida native and was raised in a small town in Central Florida. Aaron joined JALA as the Director of Pro Bono in September 2022. Prior to working at JALA, Aaron owned and operated his own law firm in Jacksonville, Florida (Integrity Law, P.A.). His primary areas of practice at Integrity Law included Family Law, Probate and Estate Planning, as well as Personal Injury. Aaron also served as a court appointed Guardian ad Litem in family law matters while in private practice.
In addition to his work at JALA, Aaron is an adjunct professor of law at Florida State College at Jacksonville where he teaches litigation in the paralegal department.
Aaron was sworn into the Florida Bar in 2010 and during his tenure in the private realm, was actively involved with JALA as a pro bono volunteer attorney.
Aaron is a member of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral and his interests outside of work include running, gardening and reading.
EDUCATION:
- Aaron graduated from the Florida State University with a B.S., cum laude, in Political Science. He received his J.D. degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2010.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
- Member, the Florida Bar
- Advisory Committee Member, Florida State College at Jacksonville (Paralegal Department)
- Barrister, the Florida Family Law American Inn of Court.
LECTURES, CLE PRESENTATIONS, and PUBLICATIONS:
- CLE Instructor, City of Jacksonville/Florida State College at Jacksonville Business Law, Legal Consideration for Business Owners.
- Irving, Aaron and Farquhar, Troy. “Temporary and Concurrent Custody Under Florida Statutes Chapter 751 and Fictive Kin.” The Florida Bar Family Section Commentator, XXV, No. 4, 2021. pp. 10-15
- Irving, Aaron and Farquhar, Troy. “Guardian ad Litem and Social Evaluators in Family Law.” The Florida Bar Family Section Commentator, publication, Spring 2022.
ISAIAH E. JAMES
Attorney, Fair Housing Director
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 335
Email: isaiah.james@jaxlegalaid.org
JENNIFER JEROME, ESQ.
Director of Intake
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 367
Email: jennifer.jerome@
SUMMARY:
Prior to joining JALA Jennifer worked as a Certified Legal Intern with the Family Law Clinics at Florida Coastal School of Law. Jennifer joined JALA in 2009 as a part-time staff member in the Family and Victim Advocacy Unit. Jennifer assisted in taking injunction for protection cases part-time and worked as a volunteer pro bono attorney on family law matters. Jennifer was extended an offer of full-time employment and was brought on to lead the re-entry programs from 2010-2012. During her time in the re-entry program, she worked with individuals with criminal records in obtaining credentials for employment through administrative processes and sealing and expunging criminal arrest records. From 2013-2015 she was tasked with leading the Family and Victim Advocacy unit. She led the work on JALA’s first Legal Assistance to Victims grant and the transition to broader coverage of services under the Victim of Crimes Act Grants. She assisted survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence leave abusers, gaining visitation orders, and identified other civil legal issues that may be impacting the survivor including immigration matters, housing, and consumer matters. Then she was asked to transition to the managing attorney for the Clay County office in 2016-2019. There Jennifer continued to supervise the Family and Victim and Advocacy unit and became a general practitioner for the residents of Clay County. Jennifer left to join Three Rivers Legal Services as an intake attorney in 2019 and rejoined JALA in 2020 as our Director of Intake. Jennifer assists clients with advice and counsel on consumer, housing, family law, and other legal matters. She assists individuals in the preparation of advanced directives, powers of attorney, and sealing and expunging criminal arrest records. She also assists individuals with worker identification credential denials and identity document issues.
EDUCATION:
Jennifer graduated from the University of North Florida with a B.A. in Political Science, summa cum laude in 2003. She received her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2008.
Organizational Memberships/ Court Admissions:
- Florida Courts (2008)
- Member of Jacksonville Bar Association (2008-present)
- United States District Court, Middle (2013)
- Barrister with the Florida Family Law Inn of Courts (2015-2018)
- Victim Advocate Certification (2013-2018)
EDITH JONES
Intake Attorney
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 268
Email: Edith.Jones@jaxlegalaid.org
- FL in 1985
LAKELIN LOYD
Paralegal for the President and CEO
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 357
Email: lakelin.loyd@jaxlegalaid.org
M. KIMBERLY MARTYN, ESQ.
Chief Operating Officer
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 310
Email: kim.martyn@jaxlegalaid.org
AREAS OF EXPERTISE OR PRACTICE:
Kim has been representing Northeast Florida’s vulnerable since 1995 on a range of legal issues, with an emphasis on family law and domestic violence. She has been serving on the management team since 2002.
EDUCATION:
- J.D./Florida State University College of Law
- B.A./Political Science/Florida Atlantic University
COURT ADMISSIONS:
- The Florida Bar
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS:
- Member/The Jacksonville Bar Association 1996-present
- Associate/Florida Family Law American Inn of Court 1999–2011
- Legislative Liaison/Domestic Violence Intervention Project (Jacksonville, Florida) 1999–2008
- Clearinghouse Attorney/Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence 1999–2005
- Trainer/Jacksonville Sister Cities Association, Domestic Violence Prevention Program (Murmansk, Russia) 2002
- Representative/Mayor’s Domestic Violence Task Force (Jacksonville, Florida) 1997–1998
- Member/Clay County Bar Association 1995
PUBLICATIONS:
- Author, Chapter 21, Representing Victims of Domestic Violence, FLORIDA DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE, (Fla. Bar CLE 8th–15th eds. 2006-2023)
- Steering Committee, FASTRAIN: INJUNCTIONS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (Fla. Bar CLE 3rd–4th eds. 2006, 2008)
CITED AS AUTHORITY:
Pickett v. Copeland, 236 So.3d 1142, (Fla. 1st DCA 2018)
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR:
Domestic Violence Law, Florida Coastal School of Law (Jacksonville) 2013, 1999–2003
CLE LECTURES:
“Temporary Custody by Extended Family and Guardian Advocate Proceedings for the Pro Bono Attorney,” Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. (May 2010 and Mar. 2012) (webinar)
“Child Relocation, Serving the Poverty Law Client in Family Court,” Family Law Umbrella Group, Florida Legal Services, Inc. (Jan. 2009)
Advocating for Battered Women and Children in Custody, Visitation, and Child Protection Cases,” National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (Aug. 2002)
“Domestic Violence Issues and Procedures (Petitioner’s Perspective),” Annual Family Law Seminar, The Jacksonville Bar Association (Mar. 2002)
RAFAEL MAS
Attorney, Housing Defense Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371, ext. 375
Email: rafael.mas@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Rafael joined Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. (“JALA”) in 2023 as a Staff Attorney in the Jacksonville Office Housing Law Unit. Prior to working at JALA, Rafael represented both Plaintiffs and Defendants in actively litigated cases encompassing first-party property, general and premises liability, construction defect, uninsured and underinsured motorist, and landlord-tenant law among other areas of practice.
Prior to becoming a member of the Florida Bar, and as part of his professional development, Rafael served as: a Clerk with the Honorable Barbara Areces; a Fellow for the University of Miami School of Law Health Rights Clinic; a Clerk with Falk, Waas, Hernandez, Cortina, Solomon, & Bonner P.A.; and Clerk for the legal department at Memorial Healthcare System. After becoming a member of the Florida bar in 2017, Rafael gained experience as an Associate Attorney at: Alvarez, Feltman, Da Silva, and Costa; Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, and McCoy; and Gaebe, Mullen, Antonelli & DiMatteo.
EDUCATION:
Belen Jesuit Preparatory High School
Florida International University
University of Miami School of Law
COURT ADMISSIONS:
Florida Bar
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
CAROL S. MILLER, ESQ.
Division Chief, Community Economic Development
Phone: (904) 224-1572
Email: Carol.miller@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
After graduating from law school, Ms. Miller spent four years in private practice and then joined Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. in 1984. She covered Baker County from 1985 to 1994. In Duval County, Ms. Miller switched from family law to transactional law, representing community groups producing affordable housing in 1989. In 1997, Carol began a program in which she represents community development corporations and recruits volunteer transactional attorneys to co-counsel or represent client groups on a project by project basis.
AREA OF EXPERTISE OR PRACTICES:
Ms. Miller has nineteen years of experience specifically serving community organizations engaged in revitalizing poor neighborhoods, handling a variety of cases, such as real estate transactions, title and probate cases, construction disputes and state and federal tax compliance. She also trains non-profit boards and neighborhood leaders. Ms. Miller taught Community Lawyering to legal services attorneys and classes on how to incorporate and file for tax exemption to neighborhood leaders. Since 2012, Carol has participated in annual trainings for CPAC members about Robert’s Rules and Florida Sunshine laws.
EDUCATION:
University of Florida B.A.
University of Florida J.D.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS:
Jacksonville Bar Association
Florida Housing Coalition
HONORS AND AWARDS:
Ms. Miller has served as president of three non-profit boards and participated in the Florida Bar Foundation’s Leadership Initiative as a mentor. She has received numerous awards from non-profit organizations and several from the City of Jacksonville.
MEDIA CITATIONS:
Article in Financial News and Daily Record in June 2007 by David Chapman called, “Giving Back to the People”.
ELAINA S. MILLER, ESQ.
Attorney, Family & Victim Advocacy Unit
Phone: (904) 224-1572, ext. 331
Email: elaina.miller@jaxlegalaid.org
Elaina joined JALA in 2022 as a staff attorney in the Family and Victim Advocacy Unit. Prior to joining JALA, Elaina worked in private practice specializing in civil litigation, family law, and personal injury.
Elaina graduated with honors from Flagler College in 2018 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. She received her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2021, where she was President of the #1 nationally ranked Moot Court Honor Board, staff editor on Law Review, and President of Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society. Elaina was also elected class graduation speaker as well as the recipient of the Jerome K. Coble Award for Distinguished Public Service.
TRISH MIRACLE
Paralegal, Ryan White Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 337
LENLEY MORAGA
Intake Specialist
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 322
CINDY MUNERA VISBAL
Paralegal, Refugee Immigration Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 336
Email: cindy.munera@jaxlegalaid.org
FAHRETA MUTIC
Attorney, Refugee Immigration Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 324
NIKEETA PAL
Intake Attorney
Phone: (904) 356-8371, Ext. 347
Email: nikeeta.pal@jaxlegalaid.org
Nikeeta joined Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in 2019. She was part of the Family Law and Victim Advocacy Unit for 2 years and is currently part of the Intake Unit. Nikeeta assists clients with advice and counsel on consumer, housing, family law, and other legal matters. She assists individuals in the preparation of simple wills, advanced directives, powers of attorney, and sealing and expunging criminal arrest records. She also assists individuals with identity document issues. Prior to working at JALA, Nikeeta worked with the Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida’s Refugee Resettlement program.
- B.A., University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, 2011
- J.D. University of South Carolina School of Law, 2014
- Florida – 2019
LORENA PAREJO
Legal Assistant, Refugee Immigration Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371, Ext. 274
MICHAEL PELKOWSKI
Attorney, Consumer Advocacy & Litigation Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 303
Email: michael.pelkowski@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Michael Pelkowski joined Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in 2018 after nearly 10 years in private practice in St. Augustine. The majority of his career has been spent practicing consumer law, particularly with respect to mortgage borrowers and consumer debtors. Representing them in both defending lawsuits and filing offensive claims under many different consumer protection statutes.
In addition, Mr. Pelkowski has experience representing clients in asserting their rights under the Fair Housing Act.
AREAS OF PRACTICE:
- Foreclosure Defense
- Debt Defense
- Consumer Protection
- Fair Housing Law
EDUCATION:
- B.A., Business Administration, University of Florida, 2004
- J.D., Florida State University College of Law, 2008
ASHLYN PENNINGTON
Paralegal, Refugee Immigration Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 366
AURA PEREZ ENCARNACION
Intake Specialist
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 349
Email: aura.perez@jaxlegalaid.org
ANDREA PINZON, ESQ.
Division Chief , Refugee Immigration Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 334
Email: andrea.pinzon@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Andrea Pinzon is the Division Director of the Immigration Unit of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA), a nonprofit civil legal services provider in the Northeast Florida Area. As Director of the Immigration Unit at JALA, Andrea represents hundreds of clients in immigration proceedings at all levels. Andrea began her legal career helping others at the University of Florida School of Law, where she assisted children and victims of domestic violence at the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic.
Prior to joining JALA in 2017, Andrea was in private practice and worked in the areas of contracts, foreclosure and business immigration, where she specialized in helping fellow athletes obtain immigrant and non-immigrant visas in order to live in the United States.
At JALA, Andrea started and developed AIRE (Assistance with Immigration at a Reduce Expense) in 2017 and has been able to grow AIRE through a combination of (1) a sliding-scale affordable fee structure and (2) because of the great demand for immigration services in the Northeast Florida. In addition, Andrea is currently very active in class action work on behalf of separated families at the border, representing many families in their immigration proceedings.
Andrea is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Jacksonville Florida Bar Associations. She is licensed by the Supreme Court of Florida and California and is admitted to practice before U.S District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Andrea received her first Law degree in her native Bogota, Colombia; her Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Laws in International Law from University of Florida, Levin Collage of Law; another Master of Laws in Business Law at the University Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne in Paris, France; and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of North Florida.
Andrea was a participant at the Athens 2004 Olympics representing Colombia as a swimmer. She still enjoys staying active today by doing CrossFit and teaching kids how to swim as a co-founder (with five-time Olympian swimmer Omar Pinzon, her brother) of the Omar Pinzon Foundation, a non-profit that focuses on promoting water safety knowledge while gaining swimming ability for low-income children in Jacksonville, Florida, and Bogota, Colombia.
DARNESHIA PITCHFORD-HUNT
Paralegal, Housing Defense Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 275
STEPHEN PITEL, ESQ.
Director
Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership (NFMLP)
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 327
Email: stephen.pitel@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Stephen Pitel joined Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in 2015 after five years in private practice. Since 2019, Mr. Pitel has been the Director of the Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership (NFMLP). As the NFMLP director, he assists pediatric patients and their families with a variety of civil legal matters and collaborates with JALA’s pediatric medical partners on finding legal solutions to issues with the social determinants of health. Prior to taking over the NFMLP, Mr. Pitel directed JALA’s Fair Housing Unit, representing individuals in state and federal litigation and administrative proceedings as well as managing JALA’s Fair Housing grants and testing program.
EDUCATION:
- B.A., University of Rochester, 2006
- J.D., Vermont Law School, 2010
ORGANIZATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS:
- Florida Bar
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- Jacksonville Bar Association
- Jacksonville Federal Bar Association
LOIS RAGSDALE, ESQ.
Pajcic & Pajcic
Litigation and Advocacy Fellow
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 358
Email: lois.ragsdale@jaxlegalaid.org
Lois Ragsdale received her B.A. in Speech Communications and Theatre Arts from the University of Richmond in 1980, and her J.D. from the School of Law at Tulane University in 1985. She has provided legal services to indigent individuals throughout her legal career in both the civil and criminal arena.
Her career began in New Orleans as an attorney with New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation and later as the staff attorney for the Juvenile Court Judges and Court Administrator in Orleans Parish. She moved to Richmond, Virginia and was one of three senior staff attorneys serving the State of Virginia with the Department of Rights for Virginians with Disabilities (the protection and advocacy office for the State of Virginia).
One more move brought her to Jacksonville, Florida in 1992, where she has remained. Since settling in Jacksonville, she has worked with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid as a staff attorney, a senior staff attorney, a prior Director of Litigation, and the current Director of Advocacy and Litigation. In between those title changes, she worked for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Office of the Public Defender, as an attorney in misdemeanor and then felony court. Her assignments within the Public Defender’s Office included Division Chief of the Special Defense Unit and Division Chief in several Circuit Court divisions.
Her career has also included teaching at Florida Coastal School of Law in the Experiential Learning Department; specifically teaching a Housing Rights Clinic, a Criminal Defense Clinic, Trial Advocacy, and other experiential learning courses. She rose from Assistant Professor of Professional Skills to Associate Professor of Professional Skills to full Professor of Professional Skills. While at the law school she coached mock trial teams to competition and assisted with moot court team practices.
She is a “graduate” of NITA’s Basic Trial Skills, Advanced Trial Skills, and Teacher Training. She is also a “graduate” of Stetson’s Educating Advocates seminar. She is a member of the Florida Bar Association, the Jacksonville Bar Association, the Jacksonville Women Lawyers’ Association, the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and the Northeast Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. She is a Florida Bar Foundation Fellow. She is a past recipient of JALA’s Equal Justice Award (2001, 2013); JALA’s Pro Bono Award (2015); and JWLA’s Woman Lawyer of the Year (2006). She maintains her associates’ status for the Virginia and Louisiana bars. Her current practice focuses on consumer and housing issues and includes the direct supervision of many attorneys practicing in those areas at JALA.
JULISSA ROA
Paralegal, Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership (NFMLP)
Phone: (904) 356-8371, Ext. 370
Email: julissa.roa@jaxlegalaid.org
Julissa is a graduate of Colorado Technical University, Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
Julissa’s analytical skills and appreciation for details has led her into a career in the legal field as a paralegal for Immigration lawyers. It is her attention for details and the ability to analyze facts, coupled with her unique ability to multitask different aspects of the law practice that has earned Julissa the success that she has enjoyed as a paralegal.
Worked as a paralegal for an Immigration law firm for over 11 years. Fully bilingual with English and Spanish.
ANNIE RODRIGUEZ
Attorney
Consumer Advocacy & Litigation Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371, Ext. 382
Email: annie.rodriguez@jaxlegalaid.org
Annie York Rodriguez joined JALA in 2020 and has practiced as a staff attorney in a variety of cases since then, including housing justice, consumer protection, and domestic violence advocacy. Currently, Annie focuses on foreclosure defense, debt defense, eviction defense, credit reporting, consumer finance, debt collection practices, and Fair Housing cases. Annie also has experience in family law matters. Annie is a veteran of the US Navy and is committed to serving the needs of veterans. Annie is licensed to practice law in Florida and the Middle District of Florida. She is a member of the National Association of Consumer Attorneys, Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association, and the Jacksonville Bar Association.
EDUCATION:
Annie graduated from the University of North Florida with a B.A., summa cum laude, in International Relations in 2007. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2015.
COURT ADMISSIONS:
Annie was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2016.
CIERA SMALL
Paralegal, Family & Victim Advocacy Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371, Ext. 345
Email: ciera.small@jaxlegalaid.org
MOLLIE STEWART
Attorney, Housing Defense Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 350
Email: mollie.stewart@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY
Mollie joined JALA in 2021 as a staff attorney in the Duval County Office. Prior to working at JALA, Mollie was a volunteer attorney in the Pro Bono Unit at JALA assisting clients in the Eviction Defense Self Help Clinic. Before Mollie joined JALA she was a Bar Prep Instructor at Florida Coastal School of Law where she taught and developed bar preparation courses as well as coached and counseled third year students and recent graduates preparing for the bar exam. Mollie began her law career in Vermont as a partner in the private law firm, Mickenberg, Dunn, Lachs & Smith, PLC. There Mollie served as primary legal counsel for many local affordable housing organizations.
EDUCATION:
Mollie received her JD from Vermont Law School where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
COURT ADMISSIONS:
- Florida-2017
- Vermont-2001
AMY SUTEMEIER
Victim Advocate/Grant Specialist, Family & Victim Advocacy Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 353
DEBRA TALLEY
Pro Bono Case Placement Manager
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 362
Email: debra.talley@jaxlegalaid.org
HEATHER THACKER-SANCHEZ, ESQ.
Ryan White Director
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 360
Email: heather.kilpatrick@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Ms. Kilpatrick is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University and Florida Coastal School of Law. In law school, Ms. Kilpatrick served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Coastal Law Review. Ms. Kilpatrick began her legal career at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. in 2002. Between 2002 and August, 2006, Ms. Kilpatrick specialized in family law at JALA. In August 2006, Ms. Kilpatrick accepted the position as Staff Attorney for JALA’s Ryan White Unit. In that Unit Ms. Kilpatrick represents clients in family law matters, Social Security cases, and other general areas of law. Ms. Kilpatrick is married and has five children. Ms. Kilpatrick practices at JALA’s main office in downtown Jacksonville.
APRIL THOMAS
Legal Assistant, Ryan White Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 310
Email: april.thomas@jaxlegalaid.org
AYLMAR THOMPSON
Paralegal, Veterans Services
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 354
Email: aylmar.thompson@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Aylmar (Alamar) joined JALA in 2020 as a Paralegal for the Veterans Service Unit in the downtown Jacksonville office. From there, Aylmar has assisted the Housing Unit with developing the Evictions Answer builder, IT, and ArcGIS software for JALA.
Before working at JALA, Aylmar worked as an Operations Specialist 2nd Class for the United States Navy from 2009 -2017. He served on the USS Doyle (FFG-39) from 2010-2011 and the USS Carney (DDG-64) from 2012-2016. His expertise was in Surface, Air, Sub-Surface Warfare, and Ballistic Missile Defense for the US Southeast region. Aylmar was honorably discharged in 2017 from the United States Navy to pursue a legal career.
EDUCATION:
- Aylmar graduated from the University of Maryland University College with a B.S. in Legal Studies in 2019.
ASSOCIATIONS:
- Florida Public Notary – Since May of 2020
ADAM THORESEN, ESQ.
Division Chief, Consumer Advocacy & Litigation Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371, ext. 202
Email: Adam.Thoresen@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Mr. Thoresen joined Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in 2009 shortly after his graduation from law school. Since 2012 Mr. Thoresen has focused his practice on consumer protection and housing law in both St. Johns and Duval County.
Mr. Thoresen represents consumers and tenants in state and federal litigation and is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates. In addition, Mr. Thoresen is an active participant with the Florida Legal Services Housing Umbrella Group.
Mr. Thoresen has a passion for credit reporting and background check issues and currently works in Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s main office in downtown Jacksonville.
AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Consumer Protection; Fair Credit Reporting; Florida Landlord-Tenant Law; Government Subsidized Housing; Class Action Litigation; Fair Housing
EDUCATION:
B.A., Virginia Tech University, 2004
J.D., Florida Coastal School of Law, 2008
COURT ADMISSIONS:
Florida Bar
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
JAMES TYER
Attorney, Housing Defense Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 333
Email: james.tyer@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
James re-joined JALA in June 2022, and currently works as a staff attorney in the Housing Defense Unit under the Eviction Protection Grant. At JALA, James represents tenants in eviction actions as well as helps tenants avoid or reduce various negative impacts of evictions. Prior to rejoining JALA, James worked in the Community Economic Development Unit at Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. where he assisted small businesses and non-profits with various transactional legal matters. Before his time in Miami, James worked in JALA’s consumer and housing units for 2 years. Before returning home to practice in Florida, James worked at the Public Justice Center in Maryland where he provided litigation support for a novel legal strategy, including consumer law violations, against unlawful bail bonds practices.
EDUCATION:
James received his J.D. cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in August of 2017. He received his B.A. from the New College of Florida in 2014.
COURT ADMISSIONS:
- Florida-September 2019
- District of Columbia-July 2018
MARISSA VETTER
Eviction Protection Grant Manager
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 389
Email: marissa.vetter@jaxlegalaid.org
SUMMARY:
Marissa Vetter began her 30-year housing career by serving the most at-risk clients at the Jacksonville Housing Authority. She gained valuable experience in Section 8 and Public Housing programs. She has also worked as a real estate agent, adding another prospective to homeownership. Since returning to affordable housing and counseling 11 years ago, she was the Program Director of a HUD Housing Counseling Agency for 10 years and in 2022 joined Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc as a HUD Eviction Grant Manager and HUD Housing Counselor. She has a real heart for foreclosure prevention and rental counseling, helping families retain their housing during hardships. Marissa is the current Chair of the Florida Housing Counseling Network, a nonprofit organization that is a collective voice and advocate for housing counselors in Florida.
EDUCATION:
- B.A. in Sociology from the University of Florida
ANGELA VILTRO
Attorney, Family & Victim Advocacy Unit
Phone: (904) 356-8371 ext. 376
Email: angela.viltro@
SUMMARY:
Angela joined JALA in 2019 as a staff attorney in the Jacksonville Office Family Law Unit. Prior to working at JALA, Angela worked as an attorney with DiFranza Law, P.A. in Jacksonville, Florida. She worked in the areas of Guardian Advocacy, Guardianship, Estate Planning, Advance Directives, and Probate. In 2019, Angela was honored at the 20th Annual Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Awards Celebration with the “Kathy Para Outstanding Pro Bono Award” for donating more than 125 hours of pro bono time in 2018. Angela volunteered at JALA’s Eviction Defense Clinic, which includes representing clients facing evictions. She also volunteered at JALA’s Guardian Advocacy Clinic, helping families obtain legal rights to make legal and medical decisions as a Guardian Advocate of their children with developmental disabilities who are about to turn 18, She also volunteered at JALA’s Advance Directives Clinic where she assisted low-income clients with the preparation of advance directive forms such as power of attorney and living will documents. Angela also volunteered in JALA’s pro bono unit.
EDUCATION:
Angela graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A., magna cum laude, in Economics and Criminology in 2010. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2014.
ORGANIZATION/MEMBERSHIPS:
- Member Florida Bar (2017 to present)
- Member Jacksonville Bar (2019 to present)
- Member Florida Family Law American Inn of Court (2021 to present)