Veronica Robinson, Esq. – Hollywood, FL
Veronica Robinson Gelin is currently the Managing Partner for the Florida Operations of the Law Offices of E.F. Robinson. Veronica Robinson Gelin has been practicing
Veronica Robinson Gelin is currently the Managing Partner for the Florida Operations of the Law Offices of E.F. Robinson. Veronica Robinson Gelin has been practicing
Stacie J. Schmerling joined Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky, Abate & Webb in 2010 as an Associate in the Firm’s Foster Care/Disabled Persons Damages Division, where
Seitlin Law Firm, P.A. Jacksonville, Florida Jodi Seitlin has been a passionate child advocate since 1985 when she first became a Guardian Ad Litem
Jodi received her B.A. from New College in Sarasota, FL, and her J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law. She is currently an attorney and Executive Director with Southern Legal Counsel, Inc, a non-profit public interest law firm. She is also an Adjunct Professor for… Complete Bio
Professor Williams earned her B.S. from Cornell University and her J.D. from N.Y.U. Law School. She is currently the Associate Professor of Clinical Education and Associate Director of the Children & Youth Law Clinic at the University of Miami School of Law. As a former social worker for… Complete Bio
Ms. Stockham has been practicing law in Florida since 1982. Her practice is limited to adoption and surrogacy. In her 30 years of practice she
Justin is a former foster youth from Jacksonville who was placed in care at age 12 and aged out with a lot of questions and
Melissa Zelniker-Presser is currently a Managing Attorney for the Broward County branch of the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. Melissa is the Manager for both the criminal and civil divisions. Prior to her work with the Conflict Office… Complete Bio
FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach)
Hello, My name is Alexia Nechayev. I am 25 years old and I am an alumna of Florida International University where I received my B.A. in Psychology. My future career goal is to be a Lawyer. I was in care for about one year from age 17 to 18. Prior to entering care, I only knew about the negative stigma regarding foster care and while in care that narrative was unfortunately my experience.
In school I felt like I was on display because my status in care was broadcast to other students and in my placement behavior was leveraged for “privileges” that should be a natural right of all children. Because I did not know my rights I did not know that what I was experiencing was wrong. Today this is exactly why I advocate, because I don’t want this to be the same for other youth who are experiencing foster care.
This is my second year on the FYS Statewide Board and I’m happy to be the Events and Meetings Chair this year because my main goal through advocacy is to reach as many people as possible. My favorite thing as a board member is to see how comfortable members become while working together. The community needs to know that youth in foster care are real people, going through some of the hardest moments of their life and youth need to know that their voice is powerful. I believe that we have to speak up and bring these issues to people’s attention so that they do not forget us. Advocacy, education and consistency is the only way.