Voluntary Bar Leaders Annual Conference

Speakers

Barber

Bethanie Barber

Executive Director
Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association Inc.

Voluntary Bar Affiliations: Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Paul C. Perkins Bar Association

Bethanie Barber is the executive director of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association Inc., a 501c3 not-for-profit law firm in Orange County. Barber is passionate about and responsible for carrying out the nonprofit’s mission of providing free legal services to Orange County’s low-income residents, children, and disadvantaged groups. She oversees all operations and fundraising for the organization managing a team of more than 75 staff members, including 26 staff attorneys and 3,200 volunteer attorneys.

Barber has served on the Florida Bar Leadership Academy  and  Legal Needs of Children committees. She a member of the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Paul C. Perkins Bar Association, and Walt Disney Dreamers’ Academy faculty. She is a Central Florida Political Leadership Institute fellow and has been recognized as Florida Trend’s Legal Elite. Barber graduated with highest honors from the University of Florida and University of Florida Levin College of Law.

She and her husband live in Orlando with their two children and poorly behaved dog. Barber enjoys national parks, food quests, history, and sports, particularly baseball. Go, Gators! She also enjoys grocery shopping far more than any one person should.

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Baugh

Lauren Baugh

Executive Director
Lee County Bar Association

Lauren Baugh has been the executive director of Lee County Bar Association since August 2019 and excels in marketing, fundraising, and legal networking. With diverse experience in real estate, mortgage lending, property management, and bookkeeping, she has chaired philanthropy and fundraising committees for various organizations, including the Fort Myers YMCA, and currently sits on the allocations committee with the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties. She is a very proud member of The Florida Bar Voluntary Liaison Committee, currently holding the role of committee chair, and has been Conference co-chair for both 2024 and 2025. When not working or volunteering in her community, you can find her at a concert with her fiancé or crafting with her 14 year old daughter!

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Blair

Scott Blair

Senior Director, Digital Sales
AMP Media

“In my current role as director of Digital Sales, I support legal, finance, medial, travel, tourism and home services. My focus is partnering with clients to drive additional revenues with cross-platform multi-media advertising opportunities. I have 19+ years of experience in sales and business development within the legal industry with a proven track record. I’ve partnered with law firms to increase revenues and to expand their geographic footprint and practice areas. I have a wide range of experience that includes a solo practitioner up to an AMLAW 200 law firm.”

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Byers

Melissa Byers

Executive Director
St. Petersburg Bar Association

Melissa Byers has served 11 years as the executive director of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, a bar association comprising 1,200 attorneys and judges. Under her leadership, the bar launched the wellness theme “Healthy, Happy, Holistic Attorneys” to combat the staggering statics associated with the high rates of suicide, depression, and substance abuse in the legal profession. As a result, The Florida Bar presented the first Health & Wellness Award to the SPBA in 2018. The Florida Bar also awarded the Marshall R. Cassedy Executive Director of the Year Leadership award to Byers in 2020 and Splash Maker Award in 2022. Fun fact: Her previous professional background includes working in the wellness industry at the world-renowned Golden Door Resort and Spa located in San Diego. She then relocated to Los Angeles to privately train actress Karyn Parsons from “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” at Warner Brothers’ Studios. Byers is a sought-after speaker at law firms, bar associations, law schools, and statewide conferences.

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Judge Chappell

Hon. Sheri Poster Chappell

Judge
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Voluntary Bar Affiliations: Southwest Florida Federal Court Bar Association, Lee County Bar Association, Calusa Inn of Court.

Judge Chappell was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve the Middle District of Florida as a U.S. District Court judge May 21, 2013. Before becoming a district judge, Judge Chappell was appointed on April 21, 2003, to serve as a U.S. Magistrate judge in the Fort Myers Division of the Middle District of Florida.

Judge Chappell was appointed as a Lee County Court Judge in April 2000. She served as an assistant state attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit from 1987 to 2000. During that time, Judge Chappell served on the executive council and was named the first female office head of the Hendry and Glades county offices and the Charlotte County office.

In 2024, ABOTA’s Southwest Florida Chapter honored Judge Chappell as Jurist of the Year. In 2024, Judge Chappell also received the Chief Judge’s Commendation for outstanding service to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. She received the William M. Hoeveler Judicial Professionalism Award from The Florida Bar in 2016.

Judge Chappell received her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University Law Center (1987) and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1984. She is a native of Kiel, Wisc.

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Coleman

Joseph Coleman

Managing Shareholder
Coleman Litigation

Voluntary Bar Affiliations: Collier County Bar Association, Lee County Bar Association

Joseph “Joey” Coleman was born and raised in Southwest Florida. He graduated from Florida State University with two bachelor’s degree – one in music and one in political science. Coleman then went on to graduate from the Florida State University College of Law in 2015, graduating cum laude. After passing the Florida bar in 2015, Coleman went back to Southwest Florida and worked at two boutique civil litigation firms before starting his own firm, Coleman Litigation, in 2022. Coleman is board certified in business litigation and AV rated by Martindale Hubbell.

He has served as the chair of the Collier County Young Lawyer’s Section, chair of the Collier County Trial Lawyer’s Section, chair of the Lee County Young Lawyer’s Section, and chair of the Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section. Coleman also serves as a fellow with the Florida Bar Business Law Section and on the Florida Bar Young Lawyer’s Division Board of Governors for the 20th Judicial Circuit.

In his spare time, Coleman and his wonderful wife, Whitney Mae, enjoy traveling and going to pop punk music festivals. In college, Coleman played in two different college marching bands in Tallahassee.

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Deveaux

Alexis Dion Deveaux

Attorney
Gunster

Voluntary Bar affiliations: FAWL, HAWL, HCBA, ABA, FL Bar YLD BOG

Alexis Dion Deveaux is a Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star and a dynamic business litigation attorney at Gunster, specializing in complex commercial litigation and professional liability defense. Her impressive track record includes being honored with the Florida Bar YLD’s Lynn Futch Most Productive Young Lawyer Award for 2022-23. Alexis’s dedication to the legal profession shines through her extensive bar service, including her role on the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors and her service on the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) board. She was unanimously appointed by The Florida Bar Board of Governors as the Florida Bar Young Lawyer Delegate to the American Bar Association.

A Stetson University College of Law alumna, Deveaux graduated with honors, earning both her JD and MBA simultaneously. She was an award-winning member of Stetson Law’s No. 1 ranked Trial Team. Her pro bono work spans from Florida to Washington, D.C., showcasing her commitment to community service.

Fun fact: Deveaux started college at just 15 years old and, despite her sweet tooth, has never had a cavity!

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Follick

Josie Follick

Social Media Manager
The Florida Bar

Before Follick became the social media manager at The Florida Bar, she worked as the court publications writer at the Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator. While working with Florida’s courts, she earned her Master’s degree in mass communications from the University of Florida with a concentration in digital strategy. She also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida State University. She spent six years working at Starbucks, starting as a barista and eventually managing her own store. If you ask nicely, she might share some coffee secrets with you.

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Judge Hellmann

Hon. Kevin Hellmann

Judge
Miami-Dade County, 11th Judicial Circuit

Voluntary Bar Affiliations: FACDL-Miami, Columbian Bar Association, Caribbean Bar Association

“I came to Miami from New York in 1996 to work as a public defense lawyer. During orientation at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, I sat next to the woman I am very happily married to for over 22 years. I’ve had over 300 criminal trials as a public defense lawyer. And I’ve lived the past 29 years all in Miami Beach, including in the house used for the movie Moonlight starring Janelle Monáe and Mahershala Ali.”

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Hewitt

Margaret Hewitt

Resources and Services Manager
Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co.

Voluntary Bar Affiliations: Orange County Bar Association

“I grew up in St. Petersburg am a double Gator having received both my BA and JD degrees from the University of Florida, and continue to follow Gator sports. My favorite attraction in Florida is the Kennedy Space Center, and am an avid dog lover and motorcycle aficionado.”

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Hirani

Arti Hirani

Shareholder
Meenaski Hirani P.A.

Voluntary Bar Affiliation: President of YLD

When I am not lawyering and being heavily involved in affiliated organizations, I love to sing and dance to let loose!

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Krell Davis

Jennifer Krell Davis

Division Director, Communications
The Florida Bar

Jennifer Krell Davis joined The Florida Bar Public Information Office in 2001, after graduating law school and working as a staff attorney for the Florida House of Representatives, to assist with special projects. She moved on to the Florida Chamber of Commerce as communications director where she led messaging efforts for legislative advocacy, and political and grassroots outreach. From there she became communications director for the Florida Department of State, covering the arts, elections, corporations, and historical divisions as well as the 2008 Presidential Election. After that she served as press secretary for the Office of the Florida Attorney General and then vice president of Public Affairs for the Florida Ports Council, the professional association for Florida’s 15 public seaports. She rejoined The Florida Bar staff in 2016 as deputy director of Communications leading internal and external digital communications for the Bar. She became communications director in 2021 and Communications Division director in 2023.

Davis received her undergraduate degree in English Literature from Florida State University and her law degree from the University of Florida.

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Leffler

Carleen Leffler

Senior Associate
ShuffieldLowman

Voluntary Bar Affiliation: Volusia County Bar Association

“A fifth-generation native Floridian, I was born and raised in Volusia County and am deeply committed to serving my local community and the legal profession. I am an estate planning and probate attorney with ShuffieldLowman, where I assist clients in navigating complex personal and family matters with care and precision. I currently serve as President of the Volusia County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and am the Immediate Past President of the Volusia-Flagler Association for Women Lawyers. Additionally, I represent the Seventh Judicial Circuit as a Governor on The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors. Outside of my legal work, I’m a proud dog mom to three pups — one of whom I adopted at the Florida Bar Annual Convention.”

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Judge Martin

Hon. Janeice Martin

Judge
20th Judicial Circuit

Voluntary Bar Affiliation: Collier County Bar, Collier Women’s Bar, Inns of Court

After having been born on an Army base, I’ve lived in Naples all of my life. I’m a 2nd generation lawyer, and a 2nd generation judge. I’m passionate about my work, especially my work in presiding over our nationally recognized Adult Drug Court. I’m a past president of the Collier County Bar, and bench/bar relations are incredibly important to me. It’s an honor to be invited to be a part of this event.

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McGill

Maritza McGill

Director
Legal Specialization & Education, The Florida Bar

Voluntary Bar Affiliation: CLE Regulators Association

Maritza McGill is a graduate from The Florida State University and is the director of the Legal Specialization and Education (LSE) Department of The Florida Bar. She was employed by the Bar from 1982 to 1997 as a Program Administrator, and returned in 2012 as assistant to the director of LSE. In 2015, she was promoted to certification specialist, in 2018 to assistant director of LSE and in 2022 to director. As LSE director, Maritza has oversight of the certification program, course accreditation and CLE/BSCR compliance of members.

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Judge Nicola

Hon. Tamara Nicola

Judge
Collier County, 20^th Judicial Circuit

Voluntary Bar Affiliation: Collier County Bar

“I have lived in Naples since I was 5 and my dad was a lawyer. Although he practiced in the areas of estate planning and real estate, I always wanted to be a litigator. I started my practice in a spare office in my dad’s firm and, although he did not help me learn to litigate, he was certainly there to mentor me and introduce me to those who could. Those first 10 years of practice were some of the best and made me who I am today. Ultimately, I decided to become a judge over a cup of coffee with Judge Janeice Martin in a ski resort. Sometimes, some of the best ideas can come from vacations. She and I continue to go skiing, annually, every year. Maybe the next conversation will be about retirement. I have so many fun facts that it is hard to pick just one. Here it goes: I have been hand building and throwing pots since high school. Before becoming a judge, I signed them and donated them to silent auctions. Now, I donate them anonymously. If I were not a lawyer/judge, I would be a potter.

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Obi

Valeria Obi

Labor & Employment Counsel
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida

Voluntary Bar Affiliations: Past president, George Edgecomb Bar Association; past president, Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association; board of directors, Hillsborough County Bar Association; membership director, Florida Association for Women Lawyers

Valeria Obi is an alumna of Florida State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, and Stetson University College of Law, where she attained her juris doctor. Presently, she holds the position of Labor & Employment counsel for one of the most recognizable brands in the world, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida LLC, where she oversees all aspects of the company’s employment-related legal matters. In her role, Obi offers comprehensive legal guidance to the Human Resources team, encompassing contract review and drafting, conducting thorough investigations, policy and manual development, and delivering employee training sessions. Furthermore, she extends her legal expertise to provide ongoing commercial support to various business units within the organization, contributing to the seamless operation of multiple facets of the company’s operations. Outside of the office, Obi is deeply engaged in various community endeavors. Additionally, in her spare time, she enjoys traveling and averages about seven new countries per year.

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Pierre

Reno Pierre

President-Elect Designate
Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division

Voluntary Bar Affiliations: Haitian Lawyers Association, TJ Reddick Bar Association, Broward County Bar Association.

Reno Pierre is an assistant county attorney at the Broward County Attorney’s Office, where he primarily handles real estate, housing finance, and civil litigation matters. Prior to joining the County Attorney’s Office, Pierre was a criminal prosecutor where he handled misdemeanor and serious felony cases. He is heavily involved in several legal bar associations and professional organizations. Currently, he serves as president-elect designate of the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors of the Haitian Lawyers Association, and is an active member of the TJ Reddick Bar and Broward County Bar associations.

Pierre obtained his JD from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He further pursued an LL.M. degree in Real Property Development through the Robert Traurig-Greenberg Traurig program at the University of Miami School of Law. During law school, Pierre gained valuable experience as a judicial intern for the Hon. Judge Robert W. Lee of the 17th Judicial Circuit, and worked as a clerk for a prestigious civil litigation firm in Gainesville. Pierre is also a recipient of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce Top 20 Under 40 Young Professional Award.

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Richter

Wayne Richter

Founder
Law Offices of R. Wayne Richter P.A.

Voluntary Bar Affiliations: Martin County Bar Association

Richter enjoys voluntary bar service and currently serves as vice chair of the Florida Bar Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee. He is also a member of the Florida Bar Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, the Florida Bar 19th Circuit Grievance Committee, and serves on the board of directors of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Richter’s past leadership roles include serving as president of the Martin County Bar Association and as president of the North County Section of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. He also previously served on the Florida Bar Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee.

With over 22 years of experience in criminal defense litigation in both State and Federal courts, Wayne is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible peer rating for legal ability and ethical standards. He earned his BA in Political Science from Florida Southern College in 1999 and his JD from South Texas College of Law – Houston in 2002.

Richter lives in Palm City with his wife of 20 years, Katie. Together, they have three children: Claire (17), John (15), and Kara (13). Outside of his legal work, Wayne enjoys spending time on the water and remains a loyal—albeit long-suffering—Miami Dolphins fan.

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Rosa

Braulio Rosa

Executive Director
Broward County Bar Association

Voluntary Bar Affiliations: BCBA, ABOTA Fort Lauderdale, ASFMA, CLPSF, NDBA

Rosa received his undergraduate degree from Florida Atlantic University and went on to earn two master’s degrees there: one in education and the other in public administration. Rosa has been at the Broward County Bar Association, which is fast approaching 4,000 members, since 2011 and serves as the executive director. In addition, Rosa serves as the executive director of four other organizations: Association of South Florida Mediators & Arbitrators, Collaborative Family Law Professionals of South Florida, North Dade Bar Association, and American Board of Trial Advocates Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Rosa’s prior experience includes 18 years of working in high levels of local government and education. Rosa has received numerous awards, including the 2021 Marshal R. Cassidy Sr. Award from the Florida Bar; 2024 Exceptional Service to the Community Award by TJ Reddick Bar Association; 2022 Community Pillar Award by Broward County Hispanic Bar Association; and 2019 Voluntary Bar Associations Presidents’ Award. Rosa served as vice chair of The Florida Bar’s Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee 2022-23 and served as an appointed liaison to the Florida Bar Board of Governors 2023-24. Rosa is currently the co-chairperson for the 2025 Florida Bar Convention and serves on the Broward College Paralegal Advisory Committee.

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Sanchez Aslan

Yineth Sanchez Aslan

Staff Counsel
Geico

Voluntary Bar Affiliations: Broward County Hispanic Bar Association

Sanchez Aslan serves as staff counsel for GEICO. She previously served as a prosecutor at the Broward SAO. She holds bachelor’s degrees in legal studies and philosophy, and a law degree from NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law. At NSU, Sanchez Aslan served as Trial Association president, ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law bilingual editor, and Moot Court competitor, leading NSU to a 2015 National Championship. Sanchez Aslan’s service extends to founding NSU’s Trial Advocacy Summer Institute and Interpretation and Translation Assistance Program.

Since 2016, she has mentored bar takers and led statewide initiatives supporting student employment, mental health, female empowerment, and professionalism. In partnership with Broward County Public Schools, she founded Florida’s only legal bilingual conference for ESOL students. Sanchez Aslan’s work has earned her the 2020 Top 40 Under 40 Award, the 2021 Hispanic Woman of Distinction Award, and the 2023 Mujer CEO Award. In 2023, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed June 3 as “Yineth Sanchez Aslan Day” in her honor. She is a past president of the BCHBA and currently serves as a Florida Bar YLD 17th Circuit Governor.

Sanchez Aslan is a big K-Drama fan and is learning Korean.

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Shoup

Craig Shoup

Executive Director
Jacksonville Bar Association

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Smith

Kathy Smith

Public Defender
20th Judicial Circuit

Voluntary Bar Affiliation: Lee County Bar Association, Collier County Bar Association

In 2008, Smith was elected Public Defender for the 20th Judicial Circuit serving the citizens of Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades, and Lee Counties. Smith obtained her BA and JD from The University of Florida, and earned an MPA from Florida Gulf Coast University. Smith specializes in representing clients living with mental illness and is a past recipient of Advocate of the Year awarded by Lee Mental Health. Furthermore, Smith was honored with a Florida Senator’s Proclamation for her advocacy on behalf of mentally ill clients. Because of her passion to assist clients living with and recovering from mental illness and substance abuse issues, Smith was appointed on behalf of the Florida Public Defender Association to serve on the Supreme Court’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force as well as the Supreme Court’s Steering Committee developing Standards for Florida’s Problem Solving Courts. In addition to Smith’s role as Public Defender for the 20th Circuit, she has served on the board of directors for many local organizations including the PACE School for Girls in Lee County, Southwest Florida Addiction Services, Lee Mental Health Inc., Hope Clubhouse, and the Lee County Homeless Coalition.

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Collier County Bar Association
Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar
Hillsborough County Bar Association
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Lee County Bar Association
Martin County Bar Association
Palm Beach County Bar Association