Speakers

Rosalyn “Sia” Baker-Barnes

Baker-Barnes

Rosalyn “Sia” Baker-Barnes, 2024-25 Florida Bar president-elect, is a partner at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley in West Palm Beach. For more than 20 years, she has successfully pursued justice for victims in personal injury, medical negligence, and product liability cases. Baker-Barnes is Board-Certified in Civil Trial law by The Florida Bar. She is a member of the International Society of Barristers and the American Board of Trial Advocates, and is the chairperson of her firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Committed to professionalism, civility, and service, Baker-Barnes is a past chair of the Board of Governors Legislation Committee, Program Evaluation Committee and past co-chair of the board’s COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Task Force. She also served several terms on the executive council of the Trial Lawyers Section of the Bar. Baker-Barnes was the 95th president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, and the first black woman to serve in this role. She is the co-founder and past president of the Palm Beach County Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers’ Association and a past advisor for the F. Malcolm Cunningham Sr. Bar Association. She is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Lawyers in America. Other notable awards and honors include the Henry T. Latimer Diversity Award, The Florida Bar President’s Award, PBC FAWL’s Pariente Award, the ADL’s Jurisprudence Award, and the Palm Beach County Bar’s Judge Edward Rodgers Diversity Award. Baker-Barnes earned both her law and bachelor’s degrees from Florida State University.

Baradat

Carlos Baradat

Carlos Baradat is an attorney specializing in technology and litigation readiness. As an adjunct professor for seven years, he teaches technology and litigation practice courses. He founded The Baradat Group, offering nationwide services in digital forensics, electronic discovery, cybersecurity, and law office technology to attorneys. He most recently served as vice chair of the Florida Bar Committee on Technology.

Baugh

Lauren Baugh

Lauren Baugh has been the executive director of Lee County Bar Association since 2019. Baugh excels in marketing, fundraising, and legal networking. With diverse experience in real estate, mortgage lending, property management and bookkeeping, she chairs philanthropy and fundraising committees for various organizations, including the Fort Myers YMCA and United Way. Baugh is an alumnus of Bishop Verot High School and Edison Community College.

Jason Berger

Berger

Jason Berger operates a family law and estate planning practice on the Treasure Coast. He has extensive trial experience, including over 100 jury trials. As an assistant state attorney for 11 years, he managed cases ranging from wrongful death to sex crimes. Berger is actively involved in his community and his profession. He has served as president of both the Martin County Bar Association and the Major B Harding American Inn of Court; as chair of The Florida Bar Standing Committee on Professionalism; and as a commissioner on the State of Florida Commission on Ethics. Berger graduated from the University of Florida college of law with honors. He serves as trustee of the University of Florida Law Center Association and the Martin County Alumni Association.

Carla Tharp Brown

Brown

Carla Tharp Brown has served as the executive director of the Palm Beach County Bar Association since September 2016. She has spent more than 20 years as a bar association leader in Florida and Georgia. Prior to joining the Palm Beach County Bar Association, she served as director of the Atlanta Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service and Modest Means Programs. Under her leadership, the association won the American Bar Association’s Cindy Raisch Award for the impact it made in the Atlanta pro bono community.

She served as a consultant for the American Bar Association’s Program of Assistance and Review Initiative and a mentor for the Truancy Intervention Project in Atlanta for several years. She is an active member of the National Association of Bar Executives, the Conference of Metropolitan Bar Associations, and the Florida Society of Association Executives.

Brown received her paralegal certificate from the National Association of Paralegals and earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Ohio University.

Camacho

Juan Camacho

Juan Camacho, a seasoned litigator and strategist with over 14 years’ experience, advocates for individuals, businesses and municipalities. He chaired the Labor & Employment Committee at the Orange County Bar Association and is currently vice president of Membership for the Federal Bar Association – Orlando Chapter.

Jill Davis

Davis

Jill Davis serves as managing counsel for Orlando Health, a 28,000+ employee health-care system with 18 hospitals and nearly 450 locations throughout Florida and Puerto Rico. She provides legal and strategic support to the organization regarding significant issues, manages litigation matters, presents education and training to the organization on various legal topics, and monitors and analyzes relevant legal developments. In addition to her work for Orlando Health, Davis dedicates time to numerous local and statewide legal organizations, including The Florida Bar, the Orange County Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association. Davis is a graduate of Class V of the Florida Bar Leadership Academy and a past president of the Young Lawyers Section of the Orange County Bar Association. Davis is a proud graduate of the University of Florida, where she attended both undergrad and law school.

Ashlea Edwards

Edwards

Ashlea Edwards is an employment attorney at Akerman, focuses on management-side employment litigation and counseling. She represents employers in harassment, discrimination, whistleblower, leave, retaliation and wage and hour matters. Edwards also defends clients in trial, appellate courts, and administrative agencies like the EEOC. She provides corporate governance counseling, investigations, policy interpretation, handbook drafting, and employment agreement review. A Florida Coastal School of Law graduate, Edwards is deeply involved in local, state, and national bar associations. She serves as president of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, on The Florida Bar Board of Governors, and is a past president of the Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section.

Roselin Figueroa Watts

Figueroa Watts

Roselin Figueroa Watts is an attorney specializing in personal injury and estate planning. Rising from receptionist to legal assistant, paralegal, and attorney, Figueroa Watts comprehensively understands the legal process. She graduated from Valencia Community College with an associate in political science, before attending UCF for a B.S. in Political Science and receiving her J.D. from Florida A&M College of Law. Her commitment to community service is evident through her involvement in the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida and her church. These experiences have reinforced her belief in the power of the law to create positive social change and have shaped her approach to legal advocacy.

Matt Frey

Frey

Matt Frey is a native Floridian and obtained his J.D. from the University of Florida. He is proud to be working with the same small law firm since he has graduated, Campione & Hackney P.A. in Tavares, practicing a variety of civil law, bankruptcy, and real estate litigation. Frey is active in his local and statewide bar associations, volunteers in community groups, and believes he performs his most important work as a lawyer when he is providing pro bono assistance through Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida. He has an active member of the Florida Bar’s Voluntary Liaison Committee and the Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference for the past six years.

John Gihon

Gihon

John Gihon is a Board Certified Immigration and Nationality Law attorney with over 20 years of experience, specializing in immigration litigation in both immigration and federal courts. He served as senior attorney with ICE, handling removal proceedings, and has experience in criminal law. Gihon is also a seasoned trainer and speaker, a two-term past chair of the American Immigration Lawyers (AILA) Central Florida Chapter and immediate past-chair of the Florida Bar Immigration and Nationality Law Board Certification Committee.

Gong Guerrero

Lisa Gong Guerrero

Lisa Gong Guerrero, a Board-Certified Criminal Trial attorney and former state prosecutor with over 145 jury trials, served as president of the Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association. Honored with the Lawrence G. Mathews Jr. Young Lawyer Professionalism Award, she now serves as treasurer of the Orange County Bar Association and is a candidate for Orange County Judge.

Kyleen A. Hinkle

Hinkle

Kyleen A. Hinkle, a member at Burns White’s Tampa office, is a civil litigator specializing in general liability, long-term health-care defense, hospital liability, and medical malpractice defense. She earned her J.D. from Stetson College of Law in 2008 and a B.S. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2003. Recognized as a Leader in the Law by the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL), she is a former president of both the Pinellas Chapter and statewide FAWLs. Actively engaged in local and state bar organizations, Hinkle also serves on the board for the National Conference of Women Bar Associations.

Arti Hirani

Hirani

Arti Hirani, a shareholder at the Winter Park firm Meenakshi A. Hirani P.A. is a dual-licensed attorney in Florida and New York. Her diverse legal experience spans from representing individuals living in cars to high-profile clients. With expertise in various legal matters, including trials, mediations, and negotiations, she is committed to pro bono work and charity. She is currently president-elect designate of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division with a long history of Bar leadership; as the YLD’s 9th Circuit governor, a past president of the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and the youngest president-elect of the Orange County Bar Association, and a board member of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar.

Nicolette A. Kramer

Kramer

Nicolette A. Kramer, a solo practitioner, specializes in condominium and planned development law. She holds a degree in philosophy from Manhattan College and a J.D. from Nova Southeastern University. Previously a senior associate at a boutique law firm, she has been a Florida Bar member since 2011 and serves as president of the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers (2024-2025). Active in various legal associations, she chaired the Health & Wellness Committee at the Orange County Bar Association (2020-2022) and served as vice president of the Orange County Teen Court Advisory Board (2021-2023).

John F. Kynes

Kynes

John F. Kynes has served as executive director of the Hillsborough County Bar Association since 2011. His background includes more than 19 years of public affairs and administrative experience at the federal, state, and local levels. From 2000 to 2006, Kynes served as district director for former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis in Tampa. Previously, Kynes served as director of intergovernmental relations for the City of Tampa, and, also, as an assistant to Florida Lt. Gov. Buddy MacKay in Tallahassee. From 1983 to 1987, Kynes worked as a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Lawton Chiles in Washington, D.C. Kynes holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in journalism and public affairs from American University in Washington, D.C. Active in the community, Kynes serves on the development council of Bay Area Legal Services, and he has served on the boards of the Salvation Army, Tampa Bay Little League, Exchange Club of Tampa, and the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation.

Stacy Kynes

Kynes

Stacy Kynes, CPA, is a senior manager in the accounting services division of 1Source in Tampa, where she leads a team providing accounting and consulting services across various industries. With a career starting at Arthur Andersen in tax compliance, Kynes has also worked as an educator and financial consultant. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Florida, and she attained her Certified Public Accountant license in the state of Florida in 1995. Active in the community, Kynes is a Key Women’s Leadership Forum member.

Leffler

Carleen Leffler

Carleen Leffler, an attorney at ShuffieldLowman, is the governor for the 7th Judicial Circuit on The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors. She’s president of the Volusia/Flagler Association for Women Lawyers and president-elect for the Volusia County Bar Association’s YLD. Leffler has been a member of The Florida Bar’s Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee since 2019.

Ana Maylin Lopez

Lopez

Attorney Ana Maylin Lopez’s journey began in Havana, Cuba, relocating to Miami at age two. Graduating in Communications from FSU with honors and scholarships, she pursued law at Nova Southeastern University. Lopez started her career in 2003, focusing on insurance defense before founding Lopez Law “Justice for All Legal” in 2010. Specializing in personal injury cases, Lopez is recognized for her compassionate advocacy. As president of the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida, she led impactful community initiatives, including Pathways to the Bench.

Millcarek

Lauren Millcarek

Lauren Millcarek is the career law clerk for U.S. District Judge Skip Dalton. Previously, she practiced complex federal litigation at Holland & Knight and Shutts & Bowen. Millcarek has served as president of the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the Orlando Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, as well as chair of the Orlando Federal Grievance Committee.

Ginger Miranda

Miranda

Ginger Miranda is a seasoned trial attorney with over two decades of experience in Florida. She has spent her career fighting injustice with professionalism and integrity. Miranda also actively contributes to her community through volunteer work with the Girl Scouts, serving on the board of directors and as a Girl Scout leader. She is also a board member of the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida and has been involved with the Justice Teaching Program for over a decade, educating children about the legal system. Miranda’s knowledge and experience make her an enthusiastic and zealous advocate for her clients. She received her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law School.

Ana “Ani” P. Rodriguez-Newbern

Rodriguez-Newbern

Ana “Ani” P. Rodriguez-Newbern is a former media producer turned attorney. She works with her family firm Tangel-Rodriguez & Associates in Orlando, representing the Florida Department of Revenue in child support enforcement matters in Orange County. Rodriguez-Newbern also volunteers as a board trustee for the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. A first-generation American, she earned her bachelor’s degree at Florida State University and her J.D. from the Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law. She is the 2024 VBLC chair and was most recently appointed by Florida Bar President Roland Sanchez-Medina to chair the Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee in 2024-2025.

Andrea D. Ortiz

Ortiz

Andrea D. Ortiz is the director of Pro Bono Services at Community Legal Services. Ortiz started with CLS as a pro bono attorney and served on the board before officially joining staff in 2021 as a helpline attorney. Prior to CLS, Ortiz practiced insurance defense, first party property claims, and estate planning. She enjoys volunteering in her community and worked as a poll clerk through the Orange County Adopt-A-Precinct Program and served on leadership boards for the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida and Women on the Rise International.

Mona Rosey Payne

Payne

Mona Rosey Payne is a government attorney and member of The Florida Bar. She was admitted to the bar in 2010 after completing her J.D. at the Barry University – Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law. Payne practices criminal defense as a public defender of the 5th Judicial Circuit in the Lake County Public Defender’s Office. She serves on the 5th Circuit Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee. Payne is president of the Lake County Bar Association and serves in the Osceola County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.

Braulio Rosa

Rosa

Braulio Rosa has served as executive director of the Broward County Bar Association, one of Florida’s largest voluntary bars, since 2011. With 18 years of experience overseeing various programs for local government and educational organizations, he brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Rosa was the 2021 recipient of the Marshall R. Cassedy Sr. Award, which recognizes those who have provided extraordinary service to The Florida Bar. He serves as a member of the Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee and co-chaired and was a host of the 2023 Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference in Fort Lauderdale. Rosa holds two master’s degrees from Florida Atlantic University.

Ruiz

Amy  Ruiz

Amy Ruiz, a Tampa native, earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 2000 and a J.D. from Florida State College of Law in 2004. She served as an assistant public defender and assistant state attorney before opening her own law firm in 2012. Fluent in Spanish, she’s deeply involved in Tampa Bay’s Hispanic community, and is a past president of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association.

Roland Sanchez-Medina Jr.

Sanchez-Medina Jr.

Roland Sanchez-Medina Jr., a partner at Sanchez-Medina, Gonzalez, Quesada, Lage, Crespo et al., specializes in corporate and securities law, with expertise in mergers, acquisitions, and real estate transactions. Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell, he’s listed among Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite. Formerly with McDermott, Will & Emery and Holland & Knight, he’s a past president of the Cuban American Bar Association and will attend the Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference as the newly sworn-in president of The Florida Bar.

Elina Magaly Santana

Santana

Elina Magaly Santana, shareholder, and co-founder of Santana Rodriguez Law P.A., leads the firm’s Immigration Law practice, representing clients nationwide and specializing in various areas including family-based residency, deportation defense, and more. Santana earned her J.D. from Boston University School of Law and is actively involved in community service and professional organizations. She was born in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents, giving her a deep personal connection to immigration issues. She is also the former and future president of the South Florida Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Brandon Sapp

Sapp

Brandon Sapp is the founding partner of Brandon Sapp Law PLLC. Sapp has experience in both defense and plaintiff representation, managing wide range of personal injury cases, from auto accidents to wrongful death claims. He has served in various Florida Voluntary Bar positions including president of the Paul C. Perkins Bar, president of the Young Lawyers Section of the OCBA. He was most recently re-elected to serve on the executive council of the Orange County Bar Association. He holds a law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Craig Shoup

Shoup

Craig Shoup was named executive director of the Jacksonville Bar Association in February 2019. In this role he oversees the day-to-day operations of the approximately 2000-member organization. Prior to being named executive director, he was the chief of staff for the Jacksonville Bar from December 2017 to February 2019, where he worked closely with the executive director to handle day-to-day operations and special projects. Before that, he served in the administration of the 4th Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s office for nine years and was a special assistant to the Clerk of the Court in Duval County.

He is a Flagler College graduate and a member of the National Association of Bar Executives and the Florida Bar Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee, and a regular speaker at the Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference. His community involvement includes serving on the board of directors for the DePaul School of Northeast Florida, the City of Jacksonville Southeast Citizen Planning Advisory Committee, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, and the Zoe Gaudet Endowed Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Jacksonville.

Lisa Terwilliger

Terwilliger

Lisa Terwilliger has been executive director of the Collier County Bar Association for 17 years, managing daily operations, strategic initiatives, events, and membership. With a background in legal services and nonprofit management, she is skilled event planning and management, nonprofit finances, long range planning, fundraising, business development, government relations, publishing, and working with volunteers and boards. She attended both Franklin & Marshall College and Hodges University.

Taylor Tremel

Tremel

Taylor Tremel graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.A. in 2010 and later earned a J.D. from Florida A&M University College of Law in 2014. Currently he is attorney at Bowen|Schroth. His accolades include the DUI Prosecutor Excellence Award and winning the American Bar Association Regional Moot Court Competition. With a passion for community service, Tremel has been recognized with awards such as the Lake County Pro Bono Attorney of the Year and the Guardian of Justice Award. His professional journey encompasses roles as a special education attorney, assistant state attorney, and assistant public defender. He is actively involved in various legal committees and associations, and most recently served as vice president of the Lake County Bar Association and president of the Lake County Bar Young Lawyers Section.

Christina Russo Walters

Walters

Christina Russo Walters serves as the senior managing attorney of Medical Legal Partnerships for Community Legal Services. In this position she offers no-cost legal aid to low-income clinic patients in Orlando, addressing various legal needs, from immigration to Social Security, aiding clients in securing benefits for improved family well-being and overall health. She received her J.D. from the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law in 2012. She is active in the Orange County Bar Association and serves as program director for CFAWL.