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 worked for the Carlos A. Costa Immigration and Human Rights Clinic at FIU as a Certified Legal Intern (CLI), representing low income immigrant clients in cases involving, but not limited to, political asylum, citizenship, cancellation of removal, and deportation.  She also ...

My name is Michael’s Deborah Saint-Vil I am a staff attorney at Catholic Legal Services (CLS). I attended Oakwood University in Huntsville AL. where I received my bachelor’s degree in Pre-Law  a concentration in Political Science and minor in History. I received my Juris Doctor from Saint Thomas University School of Law during which time i was the 2014 recipient of the Haitian Lawyers Association Scholarship. My legal training prior to working at CLS includes volunteering at Nadine Gedeon, P.A.

While in law school I volunteered at VIDA Legal Assistant, Inc. where we handle primarily U-VISA cases dealing ...

Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Mrs. Gedeon obtained her first law degree from Université Quisqueya in Haiti. Mrs. Gedeon worked for the Haitian Red Cross for six years, where she developed valuable leadership and managerial skills. She then went on to work as a legal officer at the Haitian Red Cross before she came to the United States.

Mrs. Gedeon earned a Master’s degree in Intercultural Human Rights from St. Thomas University School of Law, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2012.  In May 2014, she earned her Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University ...

Emmanuella Annette Petion Telfort was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She is the youngest of four siblings, and the daughter of two loving and hard-working parents.

Emmanuella attended Florida Atlantic University (FAU). While at FAU, she was an Orientation and Welcome Leader and a member of Konbit Kreyol. At the core of her heart, she has long demonstrated a love for the Haitian community’s rich culture. This is evident in her active membership in Konbit Kreyol throughout her college journey. As a member, she was dedicated to the mission of promoting cultural awareness about the country of Haiti. ...

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 ...

Juana Cetoute is an Attorney at Kelley Kronenberg where she assists in handling matters related to all aspects of liability and casualty defense with a focus on Third Party Insurance Defense. Prior to working as an Attorney, Juana worked as a Law clerk with Kelley Kronenberg. 

Juana received her Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida.  She then went on to receive her Juris Doctor degree from Florida International University College of Law.

While attending law school, Juana served as a Judicial Intern for the Honorable Judge Florence T. Barner of the 17th Judicial ...

Edna Pierre is the managing attorney at Pierre Legal, PA, specializing in personal injury, specifically Plaintiff-side insurance claims, family law, and general civil litigation. Edna earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminology, with a Minor in Child Development, coupled with her 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 been rigorously trained to treat each client with the unique personal attention they deserve. In fact, ...