Since its inception in 1997, one of the primary objectives of the Women’s Caucus Section has been to promote women trial lawyers in all areas of the association. Members of the caucus play instrumental roles in many FJA activities including legislative efforts, the political arena and our CLE program. The caucus works hand in hand with the FJA and its mission of preserving our civil justice system and protecting the rights and safety of Florida’s citizens.
The caucus consists of up to 16 member Board of Directors. The board meets via conference call to which all members of the FJA are invited and encouraged to attend. In addition to other activities, the caucus hosts the Women’s Caucus “Lobby Days” in Tallahassee during the legislative session, participates and promotes women speakers at CLE seminars throughout the year and gather at all major FJA events to socialize and network. Membership in the caucus is open to both men and women and is included with your FJA membership. Goals of the Women’s Caucus include:
- Build membership and raise the profile of women trial attorneys in the FJA;
- Identify and promote women speakers at Continuing Legal Education Programs and FJA Conventions;
- Identify and promote diversity and minorities in both the Caucus and FJA;
- Identify and encourage women to participate on committees and offices within the Caucus and FJA;
- Facilitate the networking of Women Caucus members, FJA members and members of the Florida Bar;
- Inform and educate Caucus members about ways to strengthen the FJA, the Caucus and their individual practices;
- Present a program at the annual FJA convention or Workhorse Seminar;
- Plan and participate annually in FJA Caucus Lobby Days and to otherwise facilitate and participate in FJA lobbying efforts;
- Participate in the various regional FL PAC Task Forces;
- Publish periodic articles and report upcoming and past events in the FJA Journal;
- Highlight the achievements and accomplishments of FJA Women Caucus members in the profession.
The caucus consists of up to 16 member Board of Directors. The board meets via conference call to which all members of the FJA are invited and encouraged to attend. In addition to other activities, the caucus hosts the Women’s Caucus “Lobby Days” in Tallahassee during the legislative session, participates and promotes women speakers at CLE seminars throughout the year and gather at all major FJA events to socialize and network. Membership in the caucus is open to both men and women and is included with your FJA membership.

Michal Meiler
Chair
Ver Ploeg & Marino
Miami

Latoya Harridon-Lodge
Chair-Elect
Law Office of L. H Lodge
Fort Lauderdale

Rachael Gilmer
Secretary
Levin Papantonio Rafferty
Pensacola

Janeen Mira
Treasurer
Pajcic & Pajcic
Jacksonville

Margaret Swope
Immediate Past Chair
Swope Law, P.L.
Palm Harbor
Directors (2022-2024)
Kathryn Avila
Levin Papantonio Rafferty
Pensacola
Rachel Flanagan
Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, PLLC,
Palm Beach Gardens
Janeen Mira
Pajcic & Pajcic, P.A.,
Jacksonville
Directors (2023-2025)
Aimee Ferrer
Grosssman Roth Yaffa Cohen, P.A.
Coral Gables
Nicole Kruegel
Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa
Palm Beach Gardens
Lindsay Reinhart
Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley
West Palm Beach
At-Large Directors (2023-2024)
Jennifer Dinetz
Clark, Fountain, LaVista, Littky-Rubin & Whitman, LLP
Palm Beach Gardens
Caroline Moody
Moody Law, P.A.
Bartow
Shana Nogues
Clark, Fountain, LaVista, Littky-Rubin & Whitman, LLP,
Palm Beach Gardens
Lauren Pozna
Herman & Wells, P.A.
Pinellas Park
8th Annual Women’s Caucus Retreat
June 6, 2023
Four Seasons Resort, Orlando
Over 50 women attended the 8th Annual Women’s Caucus Retreat held on June 6th at the FJA Annual Convention. The full-day workshop was led by Emily Hirsekorn, an attorney and career coach who led a program titled: The Power of Energy Management: Key Strategies for Women Attorneys to Achieve Success and Well-Being.
Participants learned about the importance of “energy management” and how dedicated time to personal development is essential to maximize and sustain success. Topics included: avoiding burnout, establishing work-life balance, and managing imposter syndrome. Members left the seminar with a better understanding of how these topics show up in their lives, how to identify their personal strengths and opportunities for growth in each area, learned one-of-a kind energy management tools and strategies to help create the growth they desired, and developed post-retreat goals and action items to execute over the coming months.
During the lunch hour, the caucus held their annual Membership Meeting. Elections were held for the caucus board of directors, new officers and board members were sworn in, and the Women’s Caucus “Cluck Cluck” Award was presented to Michelle DeLong.
