“To bring together by association, communication, and organization lawyers who have an interest and commitment to matters affecting the Puerto Rican community; to provide for the exchange among the members of this Corporation such information and ideas related to the practice of law as are calculated to enhance the knowledge and improve the skills of its members; to provide resources and enhance opportunities for the education of future attorneys who demonstrate an interest in matters affecting the Puerto Rican community; to support and work for the improvement of the legal system as it exists in Florida and elsewhere; and to promote improvements in the administration of justice and to increase the quantity and quality of the services and contribution which the legal profession renders to the Puerto Rican community, the State of Florida and the United States of America.”
ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA, INC.
ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA, INC.
MISSION OF THE PUERTO RICAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Madeline Pichardo-Riestra
Attorney Madeline Pichardo-Riestra is the Owner and Managing Attorney of Pichardo-Riestra
Law. She is a former psychologist who has worked with children, juveniles, and adults. As a Psychologist Specialist working for the Florida Department of Corrections, Attorney Madeline provided Mental Health services to incarcerated females housed in General Population, Closed Management, and Death Row.
Attorney Madeline Pichardo-Riestra is the Owner and Managing Attorney of Pichardo-Riestra
Law. She is a former psychologist who has worked with children, juveniles, and adults. As a Psychologist Specialist working for the Florida Department of Corrections, Attorney Madeline provided Mental Health services to incarcerated females housed in General Population, Closed Management, and Death Row.
After years in psychology, Attorney Madeline decided to pursue a career in Law. She attended Florida A&M University College of Law where she concentrated on Criminal Defense while participating at the FAMU Criminal Defense Clinic. Attorney Madeline also interned with the Public Defender’s Office for the Fifth Circuit in Marion County.
After passing the Florida Bar, Attorney Madeline became an Assistant State Attorney for the Fifth Circuit in both Marion and Citrus Counties. As a Prosecutor, Attorney Madeline spent countless hours in the courtroom and prosecuted different level of cases, from traffic violations to felonies. Attorney Madeline has a current track record of successful litigation having handled thousands of criminal and dependency cases. Attorney Madeline has won 100% of all of her jury and bench trials. She possesses a strong interest in courtroom litigation and is a passionate trial attorney.
Pichardo-Riestra Law
Ocala: 1107 East Silver Springs Blvd. Suite 5 Ocala, FL 34470
Orlando: 5401 South Kirkman Rd. Suite #310 Orlando, FL 32819
Telephone: 1-833-218-2525
Facsimile: 1-888-958-7868
E-mail: admin@pichardoriestralaw.com
Edwin Prado Galarza
Mr. Prado is the President, founder and managing partner of Prado Núñez & Associates, P.S.C. (d/b/a Prado Law Offices). The firm is recognized as a premier law firm in Puerto Rico, New York, and Florida, as it prides itself of handling high profile criminal and civil cases. The firm has enjoyed a stellar reputation for sustained excellence for more than 25 years and is a full-service law firm.
Mr. Prado is the President, founder and managing partner of Prado Núñez & Associates, P.S.C. (d/b/a Prado Law Offices). The firm is recognized as a premier law firm in Puerto Rico, New York, and Florida, as it prides itself of handling high profile criminal and civil cases. The firm has enjoyed a stellar reputation for sustained excellence for more than 25 years and is a full-service law firm.
Mr. Prado has emerged as a leading legal authority in the fields of entertainment law and criminal law, and he has successfully represented clients in high profile criminal and civil cases. He is admitted to federal district courts in New York, Puerto Rico and Florida. His firm handles Federal cases throughout the United States, and provides representation in agency and administrative proceedings, as well as requests for reconsideration of inclusion in the Sanctions List promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. He is also part of the faculty of the University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras.
As part of his commitment to the Puerto Rican community, Mr. Prado dedicates significant time to non-profit services, including the fight for voting rights and historical efforts in the area of voter registration in Puerto Rico. His goals as part of the Board of Directors of the PRBAF include: implementing creative initiatives for voter registration; increasing voting rights awareness within the Hispanic community of Central Florida; and becoming a permanent liaison between the legal communities of Puerto Rico and Florida.
Prado Law
513 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 5
Orlando, FL 32804-6866
Phone: 407-420-7926
Fax: 787-977-1410
Email: pradolaw10@gmail.com
Marie E. Masson
Ms. Masson is the current Treasurer of the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida, Inc. and was its President from 2018-2020. Over the last 11 years, she has served the organization’s Board of Directors in various roles, such as Secretary, Vice-President for the Fifth District, Judiciary Committee Member, and HNBA Liaison. In 2017 he was involved in the development and implementation of the Student Transfer and Relocation Program (S.T.A.R.) of the PRBAF, following hurricane Maria.
Ms. Masson is the current Treasurer of the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida, Inc. She previously served as its President from 2018 to 2020. Over the last 18 years, she has served the organization’s Board of Directors in various roles, such as Secretary, Vice-President for the Fifth District, Judiciary Committee Member, and HNBA Liaison. In 2017, she was involved in the development and implementation of the Student Transfer and Relocation Program (S.T.A.R.) of the PRBAF, following hurricane Maria. She was also instrumental in the development of the Legal Services Clinic of the Puerto Rican Community, which was the brainchild of former PRBAF President Anthony L. Suarez. Ms. Masson is an avid advocate for civil rights on issues affecting the Hispanic community. She wishes to continue her commitment to the PRBAF in the role of Treasurer.
Ms. Masson’s litigation practice involves workers’ compensation and labor & employment litigation. She was previously an adjunct professor at Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, FL, a law school that serves historically underrepresented communities. Ms. Masson was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She later attended Florida State University College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2000. She is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
Masson Law Firm, P.A.
Clermont Office:
15701 Highway 50, Suite 204
Clermont, FL 34711
Orlando Office:
5401 S. Kirkman Road, Suite 310
Orlando, FL 32819Phone: 352-777-9222
Fax: 877-737-5312
E-mail: mmasson@massonlawfirm.com
Website: massonlawfirm.com
Delmarie Alicea
Delmarie Alicea – Ms. Alicea has 10 years of experience in the housing and financial industries, which she acquired working for Fortune 500 companies. Lured by issues of justice, she made a career change and began working as a litigation paralegal for a large national firm. She later obtained a BA in Legal Studies from UCF with a certificate in litigation and advocacy. In 2018 she earned a JD from Barry University Law.
Delmarie Alicea – Ms. Alicea has 10 years of experience in the housing and financial industries, which she acquired working for Fortune 500 companies. Lured by issues of justice, she made a career change and began working as a litigation paralegal for a large national firm. She later obtained a BA in Legal Studies from UCF with a certificate in litigation and advocacy. In 2018 she earned a JD from Barry University Law. While at Barry she helped create the Barry Law ACLU Chapter, for which she served as the secretary, and also represented immigrants at the Barry Law Immigration Legal Clinic.
Delmarie has previously worked as a fair housing advocate for Community Legal Services of MidFlorida. For the past year she has worked at Florida Legal Services as an Equal Justice Works disaster relief fellow assisting hurricane survivors and working on risk management policy. She is originally from Puerto Rico and speaks Spanish fluently.
Delmarie joined the PR Bar to continue promoting the great abilities of Puerto Rican attorneys and assist upcoming law students in order to continue diversifying our profession. As Florida’s Puerto Rican population continues to increase and flourish, it is more imperative than ever that our community has adequate representation in both the court and through legislation. It is Delmarie’s goal to be an advocate and supporter of this cause and her involvement with the PR Bar is a key tool in that effort.
Delma Law, PLLC
517 W. Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32804
Phone: 1-689-689-3355
E-mail: delma@delmalaw.com
Website: delmalaw.com
Mark Berrios-Ayala
Mark Berrios-Ayala – Mr. Berrios-Ayala is currently In-House Counsel to Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC. Previously, Mark worked at two firms dealing with personal injury and bankruptcy while a student at the University of Central Florida.
Mark Berrios-Ayala – Mr. Berrios-Ayala is currently In-House Counsel to Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC. Previously, Mark worked at two firms dealing with personal injury and bankruptcy while a student at the University of Central Florida. Mark also worked as the legal intern for the Honorable Migna Sanchez-Llorens of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Miami. He also served as a Certified Legal Intern at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. Being a first-generation college graduate, Mark graduated from Florida International University College of Law in the spring of 2017. During law school, Mark was awarded the pro bono medallion for 200 pro bono hours completed while in law school. Mark obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida in 2014, graduating honors in the major. Mark obtained his Associate of Arts degree from Valencia College in 2011. In his free time, Mark authors articles on trending topics in the Puerto Rican community and is the Vice President of Communications of PROFESA, community organization, and enjoys traveling around the world. With regard to his enthusiasm and commitment to join the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rican Bar Association of FL, Mr. Berrios-Ayala wishes to combine his involvement in the Puerto Rican community and the legal community, and he feels there is no better place than the PRBAF to do that.
Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Co.
1110 W. Commercial Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: 954-958-1200
Email: mb0727@universalproperty.com
Rudwin “Rudy” Ayala
Rudy Ayala received his Bachelors from Quinnipiac University Magna Cum Laude in 2007 and his Juris Doctor as a Goodwin Scholar from Nova Southeastern University in 2010. He was admitted to the Florida Bar the same year and is licensed to practice in all state courts in Florida, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Rudy Ayala received his Bachelors from Quinnipiac University Magna Cum Laude in 2007 and his Juris Doctor as a Goodwin Scholar from Nova Southeastern University in 2010. He was admitted to the Florida Bar the same year and is licensed to practice in all state courts in Florida, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Rudy is a long-time member of the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida, having previously served on the Board of Directors as a Vice-President. His commitment to the issues affecting the Puerto Rican community and the Hispanic community as a whole manifests itself through his extensive history of service to the legal community. Rudy is also a member of various other voluntary bar organizations, including the Broward County Bar Association; Palm Beach County Bar Association (Professionalism Committee; Committee for Diversity and Inclusion); Broward County Hispanic Bar Association; and the Hispanic National Bar Association, where he currently serves as the Region VIII Representative for the Young Lawyers Division, which encompasses all of Florida. Rudy has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2015 – 2018), and 2019 Best Lawyers in America© for Personal Injury – Plaintiff. He is AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell®. He is fluent in English and Spanish.
Ft. Lauderdale Office:
100 SE 3rd Avenue, Ste. 1100
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394
Phone: 954-449-8700
Fax: 954-763-6093
Orlando Office:
121 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 1500
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407-675-3590
Email: rayala@jaycohenlaw.com
Hans H. Hertell
Hans H. Hertell is a partner and member of the Media + Entertainment and Intellectual Property Groups at Pryor Cashman LLP. Hans has over a decade of experience navigating domestic and international disputes from inception through trial. He has successfully defended and prosecuted contract, non-compete, copyright, trademark, First Amendment, business torts, and related matters. His clients include content creators, distributors, brand makers, promoters, influencers, and other key players in the worlds of technology, music, television, film, and the performing arts.
Hans H. Hertell is a partner and member of the Media + Entertainment and Intellectual Property Groups at Pryor Cashman LLP. Hans has over a decade of experience navigating domestic and international disputes from inception through trial. He has successfully defended and prosecuted contract, non-compete, copyright, trademark, First Amendment, business torts, and related matters. His clients include content creators, distributors, brand makers, promoters, influencers, and other key players in the worlds of technology, music, television, film, and the performing arts. He regularly advises these clients on intellectual property transactions, rights management, and branding matters. He has been named a leading attorney in Media + Entertainment: Transactions by The Legal 500 and a “Rising Star” in entertainment and sports law by Super Lawyers.
Hans’ practice is also international. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, he has used his multicultural upbringing to handle international deals and disputes, with a focus on Latin America, in energy, real estate, infrastructure, and other industries, and both for and against sovereign governments. He has conducted arbitration proceedings in foreign languages and under the auspices of leading arbitration centers, including the ICC, ICDR, ICSID, and JAMS. He has been named a Future Leader in arbitration by Who’s Who Legal.
Beginning his legal career as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Hans maintains an active practice representing clients and causes related to Puerto Rico, and devotes his time as a Director of PRBAF to promoting access to justice and equal rights for Puerto Ricans living in Florida, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere in the U.S.
PRYOR CASHMAN LLP
255 ALHAMBRA CIR., SUITE 800
MIAMI FL 33134
Direct Tel: 786-582-3011
hhertell@pryorcashman.com
Sonimar Lozada-Rodriguez
Sonimar Lozada-Rodríguez is the owner of SLR Legal Services & Advocacy. Ms. Lozada-Rodriguez is an attorney with 15 years of experience, admitted to practice in the State of Florida, as well as in the Courts of Puerto Rico and the federal United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.
Sonimar Lozada-Rodríguez is the owner of SLR Legal Services & Advocacy. Ms. Lozada-Rodriguez is an attorney with 15 years of experience, admitted to practice in the State of Florida, as well as in the Courts of Puerto Rico and the federal United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. In her prior professional career in Puerto Rico, she worked as a mortgage bank manager for 8 years before becoming an attorney in 2007. This professional step led her to expand her experience on the corporate and contract law practice, in which she now focuses. Ms. Lozada-Rodriguez has been living in Florida for 3 years, where she has established her own practice in state court. She also practices remotely in Puerto Rico, where she serves local and foreign clients. Ms. Lozada-Rodriguez focuses her practice in the areas of contracts and adoption law and works as an in-house counsel for several business clients located in Puerto Rico and Florida. Her sincere desire to support the Puerto Rican community in Florida and to further expand her professional connections to better serve her clientele inspired Ms. Lozada-Rodriguez’s involvement with the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida.
SLR Legal Services & Advocacy
Website: www.slozada.com
E-mail: sony@slozada.com
Florida Office:
P.O. Box 702112, Saint Cloud, FL 34770
Phone: (407) 350-5416
Puerto Rico Office:
P.O. Box 13885, San Juan, PR 00908
Phone: (787) 614-1413
