Board of Directors

Geralda David developed a passion for law at a very young age.  After earning her B.A. degree with honors at Florida International University (FIU), she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an attorney.  She received her Juris Doctorate from FIU Law in 2013.  While attending FIU Law, Geralda spent a summer studying abroad in Seville, Spain.

Geralda David developed a passion for law at a very young age. After earning her B.A. degree with honors at Florida International University (FIU), she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an attorney. She received her Juris Doctorate from FIU ...

Veronique Malebranche was born and raised in Haiti. Ms. Malebranche moved to Miami with her family after 15 years in Haiti. She is a graduate of Florida International University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in International Business, followed by a Juris Doctor from Benjamin L. Crump at St. Thomas University College of Law.

While in law school, Ms. Malebranche served on the board of the Public Interest Law Society as the Liaison between her law school and the several ...

Loune-Djenia Askew is the Founding Attorney at Askew & Associates, P.A., a multi-practice law firm and title company in Lauderdale Lakes, FL. Prior to opening her own firm, she practiced in the areas of academic and business law, with a focus in administrative and regulatory law; commercial procurement and licensure; and state court litigation.

Mrs. Askew earned her Juris Doctorate from Florida International University, College of Law, where she graduated cum laude and in the top 15% of her class. Upon graduation, Mrs. Askew received the Murray A. ...

NARINAH JEAN-BAPTISTE, ESQ.,

Narinah Jean-Baptiste has been practicing law and an active member of HLA for one year. She is an associate at Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman representing municipalities in complex land use and zoning issues.

As a member of HLA, Narinah participated in volunteering events, such as (1) the Temporary Protective Status (TPS) and Citizenship Drive Events, during which she assisted eligible participants in renewing their work permits, petitioning for visas and sorting through federal issues; (2) Beach Clean-Ups, during which HLA facilitated the beautification of Fort Lauderdale Beach; and (3) the HLA Gala, during which ...

Emmanuella Telfort is an Associate General Counsel at Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Company. She handles all aspects of liability and casualty defense specifically focusing on First Party Property Insurance Defense. Emmanuella is a member of the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association; Miami-Dade Chapter Florida Association for Women Lawyers; and she is currently serving a second term as Treasurer for the Haitian Lawyers Association (HLA), and previously served two years as a Director for the organization.

Emmanuella graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Communications and a Minor in Political Science. ...

Frandley Julien is a former Miami-Dade County prosecutor. He is also a prolific essayist whose writings on Haitian politics are regularly published by The Miami Herald, The Sun Sentinel, Jamaica Observer, and Le National, a Haitian daily of which he is a partner. He currently practices criminal defense, immigration, personal injury, and family law out of his office located North Miami Beach.

From 2001 to 2004, Julien published a slew of articles on the notion of social contract in Haiti’s Le Nouvelliste. These pieces were informed by his thesis that Haiti’s shortcomings stem from its elites’ failure to ...

Samuel R. Rony, Esq., born and raised in Haiti, has transformed his life's journey from a teenager navigating political turmoil to a successful law practitioner in the United States. Emigrating with his family in pursuit of a better future, Rony faced the challenges of adapting to a new country. Despite the hurdles, he utilized his high school years to master English and excel in American football. 

Post-high school, Rony's athletic dreams were halted when his parents discouraged him ...

Cherly Lucien is a first-generation attorney who currently serves as a Law Clerk for a Federal Judge in the Southern District of Florida. Prior to this role, Cherly gained invaluable experience at a law firm specializing in white-collar crime. As a graduate of FIU Law, Cherly brings a unique perspective to the legal field. Cherly is also committed to making a meaningful impact in the legal community and beyond.

Reno Pierre is an Assistant County Attorney for Broward County, where he primarily handles Real Estate, Real Property, Housing Finance, and civil litigation matters. Prior to joining the Broward County Attorney’s Office, Reno was a criminal prosecutor in Broward County, where he handled misdemeanor and serious felony cases. In addition to serving on the HLA Board of Directors as the HLA Gala Chair, Reno is heavily involved in several other legal bar associations and professional organizations. Currently, Reno serves on the Board of Governors for the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division representing the 17^th Judicial Circuit. He ...

Edna Pierre is a Florida-based Attorney, specializing in Plaintiff-side personal injury cases, family law, and general civil litigation. Edna’s journey began when she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology with a Minor in Child Development, coupled with her joint Master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Administration, all from Florida State University. To complete her educational journey, Edna obtained her Juris Doctor at Stetson University College of Law.

With her broad background in Social Work, Edna has ...