HCBA officers for the new bar year are: President-elect Vivian Cortes Hodz, Cortes Hodz Family Law and Mediation, P.A; Immediate Past President Matthew Hall, Barnes & Thornburg; Secretary Christine Derr, Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A.; and Treasurer Scott Stigall, Gunster.

HCBA directors are Sean Bevil, Becker & Poliakoff; Amy Casanova-Ward, Florida Department of Financial Services; Alexa Cline, Office of the Attorney General – Office of Statewide Prosecution; Jason Imler, Imler Law; Keith Ligori, Ligori & Ligori, Attorneys at Law; Elba Martin, Florida Office of the Attorney General; Web Melton, Bush Ross, P.A.; Valeria Obi, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida; Sara Peacock, Allstate Insurance Staff Counsel; and Jeff Wilcox, Hill Ward Henderson.

The board also includes ex-officio members: Chief Judge Christopher Sabella and Judge Laura Ward, both of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, and John Few, Morgan Stanley, who is the incoming president of the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation.

As part of the event, the HCBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) also installed its new president, Alexa Cline with the Office of the Attorney General – Office of Statewide Prosecution, and its 2026-27 board of directors.

The YLD officers are President-elect Christian Katchuk, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court; Immediate Past President Amanda Keller, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP; Secretary Quinn Cockrell, Hill Ward Henderson; Treasurer John Gerding, 888 Legal, PLLC; Liaison to the HCBF Kayli Smendec, Greenberg Traurig, P.A.; Parliamentarian Lauren Maier, Latitude Legal; and Historian Amy Currotto, Banker Lopez Gassler.

YLD directors are Julia Ammerman, Probasco Singer Bayne, PLLC; Tito Gonzalez, Imler Law; Sara Jawad, Hahn, Loeser & Parks, LLP; Haneen Kantar, Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP; Hillary Thornton; McIntyre, Thanasides, Bringgold, Elliott, & Grimaldi, P.A.; Tiffani Thornton, The Law Office of Tiffani K. Thornton; and Briana Zupko, Office of the Attorney General, Office of Statewide Prosecution.

The YLD’s ex-officio members are Judge Jessica Costello and Judge Francis Perrone, both of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.

TO GREGORY C. YADLEY

YLD ALSO PRESENTS ANNUAL AWARDS AT DIVERSITY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

Tampa, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) honored outstanding members of the local legal community at its annual Diversity Membership Luncheon on January 14, 2026. The event recognized attorneys and members of the judiciary whose leadership, professionalism, and service have made a meaningful impact on the legal profession and the community.

2025 HCBA Outstanding Lawyer Award - Gregory C. Yadley, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick,
LLP

Gregory C. Yadley received the HCBA’s 2025 Outstanding Lawyer Award, one of the association’s highest honors, recognizing an attorney who has made a significant impact on the local legal community through exemplary personal and professional ethics.

Yadley is a senior partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP and has practiced law in Hillsborough County since 1981. With more than 40 years of experience, he advises clients ranging from emerging startups and nonprofits to Fortune 500 corporations, focusing on corporate and securities law.

Highly regarded at both the state and national levels, Yadley has served as chair of The Florida Bar’s Business Law Section and has held multiple leadership roles with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including service on the SEC’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee. He is also a longtime chair of the Federal Securities Institute and M&A Conference and an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

In addition to his legal accomplishments, Yadley has demonstrated a deep commitment to mentorship, legal education, and community service. He has been actively involved with numerous professional, civic, and cultural organizations throughout Tampa Bay and beyond, reflecting his belief that strong communities are built through leadership, education, and service.

2025 YLD Robert W. Patton Outstanding Jurist Award - The Honorable Nick Nazaretian, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court

Judge Nick Nazaretian received the HCBA Young Lawyers Division’s Robert W. Patton Outstanding Jurist Award, which honors a member of the judiciary who exemplifies integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to mentoring young lawyers.

Throughout his career, Judge Nazaretian has distinguished himself through his leadership on the bench and his dedication to the fair and efficient administration of justice in Hillsborough County. He is widely respected for his judicial temperament, preparedness, and commitment to treating all parties with dignity and respect. His approach to the law reflects the highest ethical standards and reinforces public confidence in the justice system.

Beyond the courtroom, Judge Nazaretian has remained actively engaged with the legal community, particularly in supporting young lawyers through mentorship, education, and professional development initiatives. His continued accessibility and willingness to guide emerging attorneys exemplify the spirit of service and leadership embodied by the Robert W. Patton Award.

2025 YLD Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award - Amanda Keller, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Amanda Keller was named the Young Lawyers Division’s Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year in recognition of her professional excellence, leadership, and service to the legal community.

As the current president of the HCBA Young Lawyers Division, Keller has played a central role in advancing the organization’s mission and strengthening engagement among young attorneys. During her leadership tenure, she has helped expand programming focused on mentorship, professionalism, and community service, while fostering meaningful collaboration between the YLD, HCBA leadership, and the judiciary.

Keller’s leadership extends beyond the HCBA. She is actively involved in several legal professional organizations including Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers, where she co-founded and led their Paths to Leadership Program, and as a Fellow in The Florida Bar’s Wm. Reese Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy (Class X). Keller also was appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to the Thirteenth Circuit Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee, and by the Florida Bar President to the Civil Procedure Rules Committee, reflecting the confidence placed in her judgment and integrity. Through her continued involvement and leadership, Keller has made a lasting impact on the legal profession and serves as a role model for emerging attorneys throughout Hillsborough County and across Florida.

2025 YLD Outstanding Government/Non-Profit Lawyer of the Year Award - Daniela Estefany Mendez, Tampa General Hospital

Daniela Mendez received the Young Lawyers Division’s Outstanding Government/Non-Profit Lawyer of the Year Award for her exceptional service and commitment to public interest work. Mendez’s pro bono contributions have been particularly noteworthy. She has provided more than 900 pro bono hours since 2019, most of which have been spent in service of Hillsborough County’s most vulnerable children through Crossroads for Florida Kids, Inc. Mendez, who grew up in one of Puerto Rico’s most dangerous public housing projects, uses her personal experiences to build inroads with clients, inspiring them to achieve meaningful outcomes and the invaluable sense of being truly seen and heard in court. Mendez’s extraordinary ability to transform her experiences into effective, compassionate advocacy has made her an invaluable resource for some of Crossroads’ most challenging cases. Mendez was recently recognized by the president of The Florida Bar with the Annual Pro Bono Service Award for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, honoring her outstanding commitment to expanding access to justice for underserved individuals.

Matthew Hall to Lead HCBA as 2025-26 Association President

Tampa, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) is pleased to announce its new president, Matthew Hall, who is a partner with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP in Tampa, and its newly installed 2025-26 board of directors. The new bar year will begin July 1, 2025. The installation of officers & directors took place on June 12 at the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center in Tampa.

HCBA officers for the new bar year are: President-elect Amanda Uliano, Law Office of Amanda M. Uliano; Immediate Past President Anthony “Nino” Martino, Older Lundy Koch & Martino; Secretary Vivian Hodz, Cortes Hodz Family Law and Mediation, P.A.; and Treasurer Scott Stigall, Gunster.

HCBA directors are Sean Bevil, Becker & Poliakoff; Amy Casanova-Ward, Florida Department of Financial Services – Office of the General Counsel; Jason Imler, Imler Law; Amanda Keller, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP; Elba Martin, Second District Court of Appeal; Web Melton, Bush Ross, P.A.; Valeria Obi, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida; Sara Peacock, Allstate Insurance Staff Counsel; Jason Whittemore, Wagner McLaughlin & Whittemore; and Jeff Wilcox, Hill Ward Henderson.

The board also includes ex-officio members: Chief Judge Christopher Sabella and Judge Laura Ward, both of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, and Grace Yang, GrayRobinson, who is the incoming president of the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation. 

As part of the event, the HCBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) also installed its new president, Amanda Keller with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, and its 2025-26 board of directors. 

The YLD officers are President-elect Alexa Cline, Office of the Attorney General – Office of Statewide Prosecution; Immediate Past President Nicole Gehringer, Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A.; Secretary Quinn Cockrell, Hill Ward Henderson; Treasurer John Gerding, 888 Legal, PLLC; Liaison to the HCBF Kayli Smendec, Greenberg Traurig, P.A.; Parliamentarian Julia Ammerman, Probasco Singer Bayne, PLLC; and Historian Tiffani Thornton, The Law Office of Tiffani K. Thornton.

YLD directors are Alexis Deveaux, Gunster; Tito Gonzalez, Imler Law; Sara Jawad, Becker & Poliakoff; David Kalteux, Ford & Harrison LLP; Christian Katchuk, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court; Natasha Khoyi, Gunster; and Briana Zupko, Office of the Attorney General, Office of Statewide Prosecution. 

The YLD judicial liaison is Judge Elizabeth Rice of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. The YLD board also includes ex-officio member Jessica Kramer, Holland & Knight, LLP.

Click here to view a program flyer.

Click here to view an overview video.

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