We Are Gulfcoast Legal Services
A team of dedicated attorneys and advocates committed to providing free legal assistance to individuals with low incomes or in difficult circumstances
7.5k
Total number of individuals impacted, including other household members
$315k
Achievements in Legal Cases: Recoveries, Avoidances, and Successful Outcomes
50
Volunteers
236
Participations in outreach events, connecting with 3,688 individuals
Changing Lives Through Justice
We champion justice by enhancing access to the legal system, especially for those whose race, ethnicity, income, age, disability, gender, or sexual orientation pose obstacles. We strive to provide exceptional advocacy, vigorous representation, and effective legal education for the communities we serve.
Board of Directors
Jason Miller, Esq. B.C.S.
Immediate Past Chair
Najmy Thompson, P.L.
Ben Sorrell, Esq
Chair
Shutts & Bowen, LLP
Bradley Muhs, Esq.
Trenam Law
Richard Kennedy, CPA
Treasurer
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Tracy Merry, CPA
AmeriLife
Professor Kristen Adams, Esq.
Stetson University College of Law
Cynthia Batt, Esq.
Stetson University College of Law
Elise K. Winters, Esq.
Secretary
Elise K. Winters, PA
Jennifer Corinis, Esq.
Secretary
Greenburg Traurig
Sandrine Guez, Esq.
Private Practice
Brian Bailey
METRO Inclusive Health
Our Team
Administrative Team
- Theresa Prichard, Esq. – Chief Executive Officer
- Noelle Clark – Chief Advocacy Officer
- Emely Laporte – Compliance & Information Systems Manager
- Tara Meyer – Fiscal & HR Manager
- Francis Berrios – Grants Billing Manager
- Francine Henderson – Fiscal Accounting Specialist
- Gabrielle Holland – Grants and Resource Development Manager
- Jasmin Jackson – Client Services Specialist, St. Pete Office
- Erin Alston – Client Services Specialist, Bradenton Office
Housing Team
- James Kushner, Esq. – Deputy Director of Housing
- Alexandra Bueno, Esq. – Managing Attorney
- Marie Taylor – Senior Attorney
- Patricia Osborn – Staff Attorney
- Elvia Garcia – Paralegal
- Taylor Paulin – Paralegal
Financial Stability Team
- Sara Jones – Deputy Director of Financial Stability
- Bao Le – Managing Attorney, LITC program
- Kathryn Hynes, Esq. – Staff Attorney, Birth Certificate program
- Haley M. Brown, Esq. – Staff Attorney
- Mishell Brown – Senior Supervising Paralegal
- Janette Batista – Paralegal
- Annie Elias – Paralegal
- Kiley Woods – Paralegal
Family Law Team
- Aimee Trinoskey – Deputy Director of Family Law
- Colleen Wapole – Supervising Attorney
- Samantha Stribling – Staff Attorney, Family Justice Center
- Brenna Cameron – Staff Attorney
- Mellina Fortunato – Staff Attorney
- Brenda Rivers, FRP – Senior Supervising Paralegal
- Ana Laura Sotta-Penrose – Paralegal
- Cynthia Jenkins – Paralegal
Immigration Team
- Lisa Murray, Esq. – Deputy Director of Immigration & Human Rights
- Jacquelyn Bradford, Esq. – Senior Supervising Attorney
- Daniela Camacho, Esq. – Managing Attorney
- Martha Tellez – Supervising Attorney
- Luis Echeverri – Senior Paralegal
- Vilma Fry – Senior Paralegal
- Cynthia Cuebas – Paralegal
- Betsy Baltodano – Law Graduate
Special Projects Team
- Jerica Johnson, Esq. – Deputy Director of Special Projects
- Yadira Leyja – Victim Advocate
- Jill Star – Managing Paralegal
Our Story
Gulfcoast Legal Services (GLS) was formed in 1978 as a non-profit legal aid organization to serve low-income clients who otherwise may not be able to afford an attorney.
GLS serves the greater Tampa Bay area with offices in Pinellas and Manatee Counties. Each office is staffed by experienced attorneys, paralegals, and support staff who provide high quality legal services in civil matters for eligible clients ranging from consultation and advice to full representation in court or before administrative agencies. Services are provided at no cost to the client. GLS attorneys not only work out of the offices but also visit homeless shelters, soup kitchens, senior centers, and abuse shelters to reach clients. Each GLS location hosts pro bono outreach clinics.
GLS attorneys also conduct informational seminars for clients, industry leaders, and private practice attorneys, and work closely with other local human services agencies to coordinate client services.
Change Your Life With GLS Now
You can apply for legal services 24/7 via our online form. We will contact you to let you know if your application has been accepted or not. Emergency cases (domestic violence and urgent housing matters) will be prioritized and contacted first.
Request Assistance
Contact Us
GLS serves clients across the Greater Tampa Bay area, including Manatee, Pinellas, Wimauma, and Sarasota counties, as well as Desoto, Lee, and Hillsborough counties.
Applications can be completed in person. GLS accepts walk-ins Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please note that GLS closes to walk-ins Monday through Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and does not accept walk-ins after 12:30 p.m. on Fridays
Manatee Office
1112 Manatee Ave E, 2nd Floor, Bradenton, FL 34208
941-746-6151
Pinellas office
501 1st Ave N, Suite 420, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-821-0726
Sarasota Office
250 Tamiami Trail S, Suite 201-D Venice, FL 34285
800-230-5920
Wimauma Office
*next to Beth-El Ministries, 18238 US-301S, Wimauma, FL 33598
727-821-0726