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In this episode, we pass the mic to Zachariah Wade to discuss building community in law school and as a lawyer through voluntary bar associations. Attorney Zachariah Wade is a born-and-raised Floridian who grew up in Orange and Marion Counties. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University, he earned his law degree from the Stetson University College of Law. During law school, Zachariah became a member of the #1 Trial Team in the nation and competed across the United States. After law school, Zachariah became an Advocacy Skills Trainer for the Stetson Trial Team and now fills the position of Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy with the College of Law. Prior to joining our practice, Zachariah served the people of Pinellas County as an Assistant State Attorney. In his role as an ASA, Zachariah earned his stripes in the courtroom and has handled cases that include drug crimes, domestic violence, DUI/BUI, violent crimes, sexual batteries, traffic fatalities, and murder. Fun Fact - During college, he was a member of FAMU's Incomparable Marching "100" as a member of the percussion section drumline. Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

In this episode, we pass the mic to Pye Young to discuss first-generation Americans and law students. Pye N. Young is the managing attorney of Bay Area Legal Services West Office, located in St. Petersburg, FL. She joined the team in 2019 after maintaining a civil litigation practice for several years. She specializes in assisting veterans in obtaining the VA services they need and provides general legal counsel on other client-related matters. As a Lead Attorney with the Bay Area/ Bay Pines VA Medical Legal Partnership (MLP), Pye and her team established a strong relationship within the VA and expanded legal services to Veterans in a three-county service area. Currently, the MLP is accessed by over 400 Veterans each year. Pye received her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from Florida State University in 2001 and graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2005. She enjoys volunteering in her community, spending time with family, and traveling. She looks forward to expanding Bay Area's mission of creating pathways for change. Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

In this episode, we pass the mic to Debbie Sines Crockett to discuss first-generation Americans and lawyers. Debbie Sines Crockett is a member of the firm’s litigation department, and she concentrates on the areas of commercial and construction litigation. Ms. Crockett is experienced in representing policyholders in litigation against carriers from the trial level through appeal in both state and federal courts. She has considerable experience in assisting clients, mainly general contractors and subcontractors, with complex issues such as additional insured status, contractual indemnity, risk management, and other risk transfer mechanisms. She also reviews and revises construction contracts as to the insurance and indemnity provisions. Her practice includes all aspects and types of insurance recovery, including insurance denials, claim representation, and both first and third-party bad faith/extra-contractual claims. Ms. Crockett moved from Maryland to Southwest Florida in 2004. Just prior to joining the firm, she was an equity partner in the law firm of Boyle, Gentile, Leonard and Crockett, P.A. in Fort Myers, Florida. She began her legal career as a prosecutor in the Baltimore City State Attorney’s Office. Upon moving to Florida, she continued her commitment to public service by working as a CLI prosecutor in the Office of the State Attorney of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in Naples. Ms. Crockett is licensed to practice law in Florida and in Maryland. Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

In this episode, we pass the mic to Barbara Pittman to discuss embracing new opportunities and sports law. Barbara Pittman owns the Law Offices of Barbara Pittman, P.A.. She handles legal matters in the following practice areas: Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Time/Sharing Visitation Rights, Personal Injury, Automobile Accidents, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Law, and Sports Law. She was admitted to practice in 1986, Florida U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida and U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. She graduated from Florida State University with her J.D. Member: American Bar Association; Florida Bar; Hillsborough County Bar Association; National Bar Association; Past President, Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association; George Edgecomb Bar Association; Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers; Florida Association Of Women Lawyers; Carrollwood Bar Association. Biography: Assistant State Attorney, 1985-1988 (Hillsborough County, Florida); Former Chair, Thirteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission; Former Vice Chair, Thirteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission; Former Member, Florida Bar’s 13-F Grievance Committee; Former Member, Florida Bar’s Criminal Procedure Rules Committee; Former Member, Florida Bar’s Continuing Legal Education Committee; Member, Florida Board of Bar Examiners. Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

In this episode, we pass the mic to Judge Claudia Isom to discuss women in the law and the judiciary. Claudia Rickert Isom became a member of the Florida Bar on October 23, 1975. She was elected to the judiciary and served as a circuit judge in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit for 28 years before retiring in December 2018. Judge Isom currently serves as a senior judge. During her judicial career, she served in Family Law, Criminal Justice (Felony), Juvenile Dependency, Juvenile Delinquency, Circuit Civil, East Division (Plant City), the Probate, Guardianship and Trust Division and Circuit Civil Division. She previously chaired the Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Professionalism and the Rules of Judicial Administration Committee. Judge Isom served on the Florida Bar Rules of Civil Procedure Committee and the Code and Rules of Evidence Committee. Isom is a member and past president of the Tampa Bay Inn of Court and served as the judge member of the 13th Judicial Circuit’s Diversity Team for eight years following the Supreme Court’s creation of Court Diversity Teams. Judge Isom retired from the bench in 2018 and currently serves as a senior judge. Since retirement, Judge Isom has become a certified mediator and remains involved in diversity awareness and bias elimination initiatives. She is a member of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges Executive Committee and currently co-chairs its Senior Judges Committee. Judge Isom is a frequent trainer in the area of diversity and reducing bias in the judicial branch. Judge Isom served twelve years as a member of the Supreme Court’s Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity and chaired its Education Subcommittee. A 1975 FSU College of Law graduate, Judge Isom has been married to her law school classmate, Woody Isom, for 50 years; is the mother of four children (including two lawyers); and grandmother to six granddaughters. Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

In this episode we pass the mic to Kristin Norse to discuss developing an appellate practice and women in the law. Kristin Norse is a partner at Kynes, Markman & Felman, P.A., where she practices exclusively in the areas of appellate practice, litigation support, and trial consulting in state and federal courts. Ms. Norse has over 30 years of experience in Florida trial and appellate courts. She received her juris doctorate degree from Boston University School of Law, and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, cum laude, from Boston University’s College of Arts and Sciences. After law school, she joined Hampton, Stoddard, Griffin & Runnells, P.A., and later worked with the firm of Harris, Barrett, Mann & Dew, P.A. After seven years in private practice, Ms. Norse became a senior staff attorney for the Honorable Chris W. Altenbernd at the Second District Court of Appeal. She remained in that position until joining Kynes, Markman & Felman, P.A. Ms. Norse is the current chair of the Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee and a past Chair of the Appellate Practice Section and a past Chair of the Appellate Court Rules Committee. She is a past president of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers. She has served on The Florida Bar’s Citizen’s Advisory Council as a lawyer member, and on the Special Committee on Gender Bias. She is also a mentor for Starting Right Now, and a mother to a law student and wife to an attorney who works for Bay Area Legal Services. Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

In this episode, we pass the mic to Jessica Duclair - The Bar Exam Mentor, to discuss developing a mindset and military service. Jennifer’s Story: “Passing the Bar the first time and getting a job right after is the coveted route. No other outcome crossed her mind. She prided myself on having never failed at anything before. I believed this Bar Exam would be no sweat. I went and sat for the Bar, and I failed. You’re talking about the girl who started college at age 15, was traipsing around the world worry-free with a degree in hand by age 20, and had gotten through a top-tier Law School curriculum while raising a child— alone, serving in the military and working!She couldn’t even begin to add up how failing the Bar had happened.”… Jennifer cracked the riddle to the Bar Exam retake cycle, uncovering the ONE THING Law schools and Bar reviews hadn’t been covering in class—mindset prep. With the proven, repeatable process that Jennifer created, she went on to blast through barrier after barrier to achieve each new goal she set. Armed with a set system to transform any hurdle into fuel for success, she turned to helping others who experienced the same setbacks she once did. She began teaching and coaching Bar Exam takers on how to transform setbacks, shift mindset, and blast past barriers so they could excel on the Bar Exam and beyond. Jennifer competently guides committed, resourceful, and coachable. Bar Exam takers to shorten their wait between graduation and swearing-in date and to close this chapter of academia so they can finally move on to their attorney lives. Links - https://jenniferduclair.com/articles/top5, https://jenniferduclair.com/[email protected], https://linkedin.com/in/jenniferduclair The manual that I offered is here- https://www.jenniferduclair.com/manual-to-bust-bar-exam-blocks That is in addition to the first-time taker's mindset training; I also offered it here - https://www.jenniferduclair.com/triumphant Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

Jessica Merker is a Staff Attorney and Internship Coordinator at the Second District Court of Appeal, State of Florida. She owns and operates Merk The Moment LLC, a custom typewriter poetry collective that provides on-demand poems at events and weddings and commissioned poems to honor the moments that matter most. After a short conversation, you will receive a poem typed on handmade paper using a vintage typewriter. Jessica: It's been a joy to foster this creative side of myself, and I will always be grateful for Journey to Esquire for emphasizing wellness and finding fulfillment in every aspect of my life. Fun Fact- her first time reading one of her poems to an audience was during her Scholar Presentation! Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

Destiny (Rawls) Davis graduated from Stetson University College of Law with a Juris Doctor, Law in 2021 and Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor of Science - BS, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies in 2017. Activities and societies: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated - Gamma Tau Chapter Order of Omega Greek Honor Society Activities and societies: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated - Gamma Tau Chapter Order of Omega Greek Honor Society Destiny works at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County Staff Attorney Education Advocacy. She is also the Young Lawyers’ Board Member for the Palm Beach County Justice Association Community involvement - https://www.pbcja.org/board-of-directors/ https://legalaidpbc.org/children/ Fun Fact - Outside of work, I am currently planning my October 2023 wedding. I have minimal experience with event planning so this has been a journey! Contact - [email protected] Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

Jemima Pierre Zetrenne lives in Tampa Bay, Florida, along with her husband, Luksonne and daughter, Zoie. She is originally from Long Island, New York so she visits Florida frequently to spend time with family, and her husband’s family is from Pompano Beach, Florida, so they visit there frequently as well. She has lived in Florida since 2006 and the Tampa Bay Area since 2009. She is also a first-generation American of Haitian descent. Currently, She's an assistant state attorney here in Hillsborough County. She has been a practicing criminal law attorney for 3 years. Prior to that, Jemima was a paralegal/legal assistant in civil litigation. She has worked in solo practitioners’ offices, small to mid-size law firms and for in-house counsel of a Fortune 500 company. Jemima graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in criminology and her Juris Doctor from Thomas M Cooley Law School. She's a member of The Florida Bar, The Hillsborough County Bar Association, and The Tampa Club. She enjoys doing public work, especially working for the State. When she is not working, she loves to spend time with her family and relax at home. Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

Breyon graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2021 with a Juris Doctor and a Masters in Business Administration and from Florida A & M University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), in Business Administration and Management in 2012. He was a Staff Attorney for Judge Tangela M. Barrie at the Superior Court of DeKalb County. He is a legal professional with a demonstrated history of working in the legal services industry. Skilled in legal writing, research, advocacy, and leadership. Experience drafting and negotiating government and commercial contracts. HE recently accepted an offer at a law firm. Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support

This podcast episode is part of our Where are they Now? Alumni Update Series, where we check in with our alumni to see how they're doing, celebrate their accomplishments and reflect on the lessons they learned from the program. Denia Angelino is a Class of 2021 alum. Denia Angelino is a daughter of undocumented immigrants, a first-generation Latina graduate of Stetson Law, and a California barred attorney. At seven months pregnant, Denia started her first semester of law school, and she experienced what it was like to be both a part-time and full-time student while taking care of her daughter. Following graduation, Denia took the California Bar Exam in July '21 and passed on the first try. Denia was admitted to the California Bar in January '23 and now practices landlord/tenant habitability law as a first-year associate, where she works on cases for tenants in Los Angeles, CA, who live in the same rough neighborhoods Denia grew up in. Denia is also a content creator who mentors the next generation of diverse women lawyers. Aside from lawyering and mentoring, Denia is also a volunteer assistant coach to Cal Poly Pomona's Mock Trial team. Currently, Denia enjoys living in San Diego, CA with her husband, six-year-old daughter, and their dog Mila. Social Media Website: www.journeytoesquire.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dive... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneytoEsq/ YT: https://youtube.com/@journeytoesquire Twitter: @JourneytoEsq                 https://mobile.twitter.com/journeytoesq Instagram: @JourneytoEsq  https://www.instagram.com/journeytoesq/ www.journeytoesquire.com [email protected] @JourneytoEsquire --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/journey-to-esquire/support