Bay Area Legal Services names James D. Thaler 2026 board chair
Judge Claudia Isom and Board Chair Jim Thaler
Bay Area Legal Services has named St. Petersburg attorney James D. Thaler as chair of its board of directors for 2026.
The appointment was announced during the organization’s February 24 board meeting. Thaler succeeds current leadership in guiding the nonprofit legal aid organization, which provides civil legal services to low-income residents across the Tampa Bay region.
Thaler focuses his practice on real estate transactions, business law, and estate planning. He is a past president of the St. Petersburg Bar Association and previously served as a visiting professor and director of the J.D./M.B.A. dual-degree program at Stetson University. He is also a co-founder of the Hope, Health and Sunshine Foundation and has been active in numerous civic and nonprofit initiatives.
Joining Thaler on the 2026 executive committee are:
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Chair-elect Craig E. Rothburd
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Treasurer Alex M. Sarsfield
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Secretary Christine L. Derr
The organization also welcomed three new board members: Jason P. Mehta, Tamara J. Spires, and Ramell Johnson.
Retired senior judge Claudia Isom of the 13th Judicial Circuit officiated the swearing-in ceremony. During the event, Isom praised the board members for their commitment to expanding access to justice.
"In this time when justice is being challenged, your oath matters," Judge Isom said. "I love the motto ‘Creating Pathways to Justice’ because we see it in court every day. When someone needs help outside the divisions where we can appoint counsel, we give them the number for Bay Area Legal. I am proud to say I’m from Tampa and that this agency is here.”
