Dancers

Debra Henley is the Assistant Dean for Career Services and Professional Development at Florida State University College of Law. She developed and teaches the “Florida Legislative Practice” course at the law school. Prior to FSU, she served seven years as the Executive Director of the Florida Justice Association and was also the association’s Legislative Director for 18 years. Debra is currently a member of the CLE Committee of the Florida Bar, and the Governmental and Public Policy Advocacy Committee. She serves as a career mentor for “Ladies Learning to Lead” and conducts mock interviews for FCI Big Bend “After Reentry” program.

Rachel Borntreger is a family law attorney at the Law Office of Linda A. Bailey, practicing litigation and family-focused alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and collaborative divorce. A Tallahassee native, Rachel is dedicated to serving our community as a Rotarian with Tallahassee Sunrise Rotary, a mentor for Legal Aid Foundation’s Thunderdome program, and a volunteer Guardian ad Litem.   Rachel is also a journeyman potter, member of LeMoyne Center for the Arts and lover of her German Shepherd, Sam.

Mr. Rambana is a managing partner at Rambana & Ricci, PLLC and was described by New Yorker magazine as “an experienced immigration attorney”. He concentrates on criminal immigration issues and regularly represents clients before U.S. Immigration Courts across the country. He has served as Congressional liaison for the American Immigration Lawyers Association and was Vice President of the International Affairs Council.

Brandi Thomas is a partner at the Akbar Law Firm. Brandi is a legal professional whose primary areas of practice are Family Law and Personal Injury. Brandi is skilled in adoptions, family mediation and bankruptcy. She is active in her community, giving back in the areas of child welfare, economic development and social issues affecting the minority community. She is involved in several legal and community service organizations and is committed to providing pro-bono services to people that cannot afford legal representation.

With her husband’s selection as Florida State University’s 15th President, Jean has enthusiastically embraced the role of FSU’s First Lady and on a daily-basis participates in university activities supporting faculty, students and alumni in their goals and achievements. Over the years, multiple boards benefited from her dedicated service, including a local non-profit which raised one million dollars to build Quigley House – a center providing crisis intervention and temporary shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Mrs. Walker serves as executive partner of Holland & Knight’s Tallahassee office and practices in the firm’s Public Policy & Regulation Group. Mrs. Walker’s practice encompasses all aspects of Florida administrative law, and she regularly advises clients on Florida state and local government procurement matters, public utility law, ethics and election law issues, including campaign finance, gift laws and lobbying laws. Mrs. Walker has received many honors, including 25 Women You Need to Know with the Tallahassee Democrat, Joy Aukema Taps Children Advocate of the Year Award, Florida Legal Elite, and Women of Distinction Award with the Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle, Inc.

Catherine Chapman is a shareholder with Guilday Law with practice areas in civil litigation, nursing home defense, healthcare, and many others. She graduated Cum Laude from the Florida State University. She has previously served as a staff attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Former president of the Tallahassee Women Lawyers, she was awarded the 2013 Inspirational Service Award for her dedication to giving back to her community.

After serving on the bench for over 20 years, Nikki Ann Clark continues to give back to her community by joining us as a celebrity dancer in LSNF’s Dancing with the Stars Tallahassee!

Judge Nikki Ann Clark has been an instructor for Continuing Legal Education Courses on mortgage foreclosure, ethics, procedures for high-profile cases, and creation of the trial record since 1995! Her dedication to LSNF’s mission or providing access to justice for all is longstanding! She has been awarded the LSNF’s Children’s Advocate Award for her dedication to helping Florida’s youth, and was also an attorney at LSNF between 1979 and 1981.

I’ve learned that when people hire a lawyer, it’s not a fight they want, they just want it to be over. They want to know that I’m taking care of it. There is no such thing as a peaceful lawsuit, but I give my clients the next best thing: the best and fastest resolution possible with the least amount of intrusion into their lives.

If there has to be a fight, I’ll handle it. If an agreement needs to be hammered out, I’ll get it done. Unless you’re a lawyer, you don’t enjoy litigation. I get that.

I represent people of all ages and walks of life. Each client’s situation is unique, but every person who comes to me needs help and feels vulnerable. My clients know that I respect and appreciate their worries.

Dina is a family law attorney and Florida Supreme Court certified family mediator at the Pennington, P.A. law firm. She previously served on the North Carolina District court.

Dina’s life in the law has focused her professional efforts toward families, children, and the belief that pro bono services are a vital part of any attorney’s mission. She has also received the Tallahassee Legal Aid Foundation’s glass starfish award.