FLORIDA ADOPTION ATTORNEY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Case Manager
- Legal Assistant
Legal Assistant & Case Manager Adrianna Gonzalez Adrianna is the newest addition to the Jeanne T. Tate team. The Orlando office welcomes her as Legal Assistant & Case Manager. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2021 obtaining a degree in History with minors in Legal Studies and Pre-Law in the Humanities. Adrianna is also a Florida native who is continuously involved with volunteer work in her community with the eventual desire to go to law school. She is excited to join the team and provide quality service to help families grow. Adrianna@jtatelaw.com
Alivia graduated from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2017 with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. After college, she completed a year of service with Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest and AmeriCorps in Sitka, Alaska, where she worked as a domestic violence advocate. Alivia continued to stay in the Pacific North West, by way of Portland, Oregon, where she worked as a property manager providing housing services to those in need. Alivia moved to Naples, Florida, in 2020 and began working at the firm.
Barbara Thornell Ginn joins the firm after a distinguished adoption practice in Ohio. In 2015, Barbara was invited into the prestigious Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Attorneys.
Daneille joined the firm in 2002 and is a paralegal who works in the Naples office, handling the needs of our clients in Southwest Florida. Daneille has been working in the legal system since 1983 and received her paralegal certificate of completion from Florida International University in 1986. She received her Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) status in 1987 from the National Association of Legal Assistants and in 1988 from the Florida Association of Legal Assistants. Daneille is also a Florida Registered Paralegal.
Daneille received an Associate in Arts Degree in Criminology from Edison Community College in 1996 and received a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Criminology from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2006. Daneille is an associate member of the Collier County Bar Association. Daneille was a founding member of the Adoption Task Force of Southwest Florida, Inc. (ATFSF) and held numerous officer positions of the organization over the years. She has been featured in Florida Legal Assistant Today and the Naples Daily News. Daneille is married with three children, all of whom are adopted, and is a licensed foster parent.
Danelle Barksdale is recognized by her peers & Martindale-Hubbell as "AV Preeminent®". AV Preeminent is the highest peer rating standard.
Job Titles:
- Business Development & Marketing Director
As our Director of Marketing and Business Development, Efriam Knight is passionate about promoting purpose-driven, client-centered organizations.
At Jeanne T. Tate, P.A., client experience is at the heart of the Firm, and Efriam helps connect the community to the Firm's dedicated attorneys and staff. He maintains Jeanne T. Tate, PA.'s brand identity, and implements innovative strategies to deliver crucial resources regarding adoption and surrogacy law.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Adoption Attorney
- Board Certified Adoption Attorney
Erica T. Healey is invited into the prestigious Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Certified Adoption Attorney and the Managing Partner
- Lawyer of the Year and Featured on the Cover of Super Lawyer 's Magazine
Jeanne T. Tate is a Board Certified Adoption Attorney and the managing partner of Jeanne T. Tate, P.A., with offices in Tampa, Naples, Orlando and Merritt Island. Jeanne has an extensive and exclusive practice in the area of adoptions and is a member of the prestigious Academy of Adoption and Reproduction Attorneys and the Florida Adoption Council.
For many years in a row, Jeanne has been named in The Best Lawyers in America, Florida's Legal Elite, and Florida Super Lawyer, including as one of the top 100 lawyers in the State of Florida. Over her career, Jeanne has won several prestigious awards including the U.S. Congressional Angel in Adoption Award, the Tampa Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Leader of the Year, the Florida Adoption Council's Lifetime Achievement Award, the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers (HAWL) Achievement Award, the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award (the highest statewide pro bono award given by the Florida Supreme Court) and inclusion in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers. Jeanne has been appointed to serve on the Adoption Law Certification Committee, the Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court Nominating Committee (twice) and the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (twice). Additionally, Jeanne has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida College of Law where she taught Adoption Law and Procedure for six years.
Jeanne has appeared on local and national television on the subject of adoption, has been active in Interstate Compact Adoptions, and has been integrally involved in adoption issues before the Florida legislature.
Jeanne is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, signifying that the legal community ranks her "at the highest level of professional excellence."
Education
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COLLEGE OF LAW
Juris Doctor with Honors, 1981
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Florida Adoption Attorney Jeanne Tate was the featured cover story on the 2021 Super Lawyers Magazine by Thomson Reuters. This article highlights Jeanne's long history...
In April, Jeanne achieved the 2021 Top-Rated Lawyer Award by Avvo in recognition of her flawless track record and superlative service. Take a look below...
Jeanne T. Tate is recognized by her peers & Martindale-Hubbell as "AV Preeminent®". AV Preeminent is the highest peer rating standard.
Jeanne T. Tate was given a key to the City of Tampa by Major Jane Castor for her outstanding contributions to the field of adoption.
Jeanne T. Tate was also appointed to the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Jennifer joined the firm in May of 2018. She is now our paralegal in the Orlando office. Jennifer previously relocated from the South-Central Pennsylvania area where she had experience working in the child welfare system helping to facilitate adoptions and permanent living situations for children in foster care. She now helps our firm create families by handling termination of parental rights and finalization of adoption cases. Having previously served as our legal assistant/office manager, she is also a stable and skilled asset to our Orlando office.
Judi is the firm's office manager and works out of the Tampa office. Judi joined the firm in November of 2004 and ensures that operations run smoothly by providing administrative, operational, and facility support to the staff. She is a long term valued employee who keeps all the essential parts of our firm together. Judi was previously the office manager of a local architect firm and has lived in Tampa for over 20 years. She has a wonderful daughter, Ryan.
Kevin Healey is Of Counsel for our Firm since 2021.
Kimberly is a Paralegal in the Tampa office. She is primarily responsible for termination of parental rights cases, stepparent and second parent adoptions, relative and grandparent adoptions, contested adoptions, non-relative cases involving older children, adult adoptions, interventions, search & reunion and name changes. Kimberly began her legal career while simultaneously obtaining her undergraduate degrees. She specializes in complex litigation and brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm having worked in many different areas of law. Kimberly graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Kimberly plans to further her educational pursuits and obtain her Juris Doctorate degree.
Job Titles:
- Accountant
- Executive Assistant
Kristin joined Jeanne T. Tate P.A. in February 2020 as the Accounting and Executive Assistant. Kristin graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She brings over ten years of administrative experience to our team. As an adoptive parent of two wonderful sons, Kristin is passionate about adoption and loves her role with the Firm.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant & Paralegal Liaison
Lisa was with the Tampa office of Jeanne T. Tate, P.A. for over 18 years as a paralegal responsible for stepparent, relative, second parent, adult, older child adoptions, name changes, terminations of parental rights and adoption finalizations. In May 2019, she returned as a paralegal/administrative assistant and paralegal liaison. As a paralegal, she is responsible for working in the area of surrogacy and finalization of adoptions, and the liaison to the other paralegals in the Orlando and Naples offices.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Board Certified Adoption Attorney
Board Certified Adoption Attorney Martha Curtis is no stranger to relative adoption. She's been handling these cases for over 30 years. Below, Martha addresses one...
Martindale Hubbell has Announced Danelle Barksdale as an AV Preeminent Rated Adoption Attorney for 2021
Melanie Dodd started with the Firm in 2021 with a strong background in all areas of accounting and budgeting. She brings that experience with her in managing the books at Jeanne T. Tate, P.A.
Melanie moved to the Tampa area in 2021 with her daughter Lucy after living in Springfield, Illinois. She previously worked for the Illinois Department of Agriculture for 20+ years, working 9 of those years in various Fiscal roles. She has vacationed in Florida and is excited to begin this new adventure in the state.
Job Titles:
- Supervisor
- Paralegal
- Senior Paralegal
Sue is a senior paralegal supervisor who has lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1980 and has worked in the legal field since 1980. Sue previously worked as a legal assistant and paralegal at Holland & Knight and Hill Ward Henderson, two large Tampa-based law firms. She has focused on adoption since 1993 and has been Jeanne's "right hand" since the inception of the firm with an unsurpassable dedication to her career and the clients we serve.
Meredith joined the firm in 2021 as a Paralegal in the Tampa office. She is primarily responsible for termination of parental rights cases, contested adoptions involving older children, interventions, and relative/step-parent adoption proceedings. With some paralegal experience at a small civil law firm in Tampa, Meredith joins our staff with an abundance of skills empowering the forces behind our dedicated attorneys and distinguished firm!
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Certified Family Mediator
Nicole Ward Moore is a Board Certified Adoption Attorney and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator who manages and operates the Orlando office. Nicole has been practicing with the firm since opening the Orlando office in 2005. Nicole practices exclusively in the area of adoption law throughout the State of Florida and in conjunction with out-of-state placements. Nicole also represents adoptive parents in adoption finalizations and represents several adoption agencies in private adoption placements. Nicole is also a member of the prestigious Academy of Adoption and Reproduction Attorneys, the Florida Adoption Council, the Orange County Bar Association, and the Florida Bar.
Nicole handles domestic adoptions, DCF Interventions, relative adoptions, stepparent adoptions, adult adoptions and recertifications of foreign adoptions. Nicole often speaks publicly on the subject of adoption and appeared on the O'Reilly Factor in 2007. In 2008, Nicole accepted an adjunct professorship teaching adoption law at Barry Law School in Orlando, Florida.
Nicole graduated with high honors from the University of Florida in 2001 with a B.S. degree in Journalism and Communications. Nicole then received her J.D. degree in 2004 from the University of Florida, College of Law, where she graduated with honors. Prior to opening the Orlando office, Nicole worked for the Department of Children and Families as a Juvenile Dependency Attorney, prosecuting parents that abused and neglected their children.
Robert L. Webster III, Esq. has been selected as the Winner for the 2021 Best of Tampa Awards in the category of Adoption Agency.
We are pleased to announce that Florida Adoption Attorney Robert L. Webster III, Esq. was selected as the winner of the 2021 Best of Tampa...
Teresa is a Paralegal in the Tampa office. She brings a wide variety of experience with her and works closely with Heart of Adoptions, Inc., handling termination of parental rights and finalization of adoptions for infants and older children. She is also responsible for DCF/Chapter 39 adoption finalizations, incoming adoption finalizations and relative adoptions. Having business and accounting experience, she also assists, as needed, in our Accounting Department.