TerryAnn S. Howell

 President

TerryAnn S. Howell, Esq., a native of the beautiful island of Jamaica, a licensed attorney in Florida, New York and Pennsylvania and the founder and managing partner of The Law Office of TerryAnn S. Howell, P.A. TerryAnn is a litigation attorney with primary focus on civil, commercial, personal injury and real estate litigation. She is also a licensed real estate agent in Florida.

Prior to embarking on her solo career, TerryAnn was an Associate General Counsel at Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company and before that, a Litigation Associate at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough previously known as Broad and Cassel, where her primary practice area was complex commercial litigation. 

Over the years, TerryAnn has received several awards and recognition, including National Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award being named National Black Lawyer’s Association’s Top 40 Under 40 Attorney in Florida, Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch and Lawyers of Distinction, just to name a few. These awards and recognitions did not happen overnight- they are a result of hard work and determination.

TerryAnn migrated from Jamaica in her early teenage years and completed her high school education at Brooklyn School for Global Studies. TerryAnn graduated with the second highest GPA in her class. TerryAnn went on to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY where she majored in Psychology, minored in Government, and would later graduate cum laude. TerryAnn, took on the challenging task of attending FIU College of Law in its part-time evening program while working full-time during the day. In addition to the already challenging task of work and studies, TerryAnn was also a member of, and competed on FIU’s Trial Team. 

As someone who’s seen her own personal struggles, TerryAnn’s goal is to leave a legacy of giving back to those in need through use of her advocacy skills. She has done this through her former role as a Miami-Dade Assistant Public Defender and a Staff Attorney with Legal Services or Greater Miami where she represented indigent individuals in criminal and civil arenas and through her participation in the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Miami Program as a member of their 41st class. TerryAnn also runs her own non-profit, Grow, Glow, Giveback Corporation which assists low-income individuals overcome all barriers to an education. In furtherance of this cause, TerryAnn also established the TerryAnn S. Howell Book Award in 2018 – a highly selective award given to academically qualified students in need. Recipients must also demonstrate their commitment to service-related acts of service.

Dwayne Robinson

President-Elect

Dwayne Robinson is a partner at Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton and focuses his practice on complex litigation.

Dwayne is a trial-tested lawyer who has represented clients in dozens of appeals in federal and state court, including at oral argument before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal.  Dwayne brings a practical and thoughtful approach in his representative matters.  He has represented clients who have matters simultaneously pending in trial court and appellate court in the same or related cases, assisting them with advancing their litigation goals on multiple fronts.  He interacts with clients daily, timely, and plainly.  He proudly served as part of a litigation and appellate team that secured a victory before the United States Supreme Court.

Dwayne is a member of The Florida Bar; the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida, the United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court Bar. Prior to law school, he was editor-in-chief of The Independent Florida Alligator at the University of Florida, then the largest daily independent, student-run newspaper in the country. He later worked for The Palm Beach Post, covering local government, politics, and the Florida legislature.

Dwayne received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and his Bachelor of Science in Journalism from University of Florida, where he also minored in Business Administration.  He later received his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from University of Florida Levin College of Law, earning the distinction of membership in the Order of the Coif.  There, Dwayne served as Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Law Review.  Thereafter, Dwayne clerked on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit with the Honorable Ed Carnes.

Prior to joining Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, Dwayne was a senior associate at a large local firm, where he focused on commercial litigation matters involving corporate governance disputes, foreign sovereign immunity, employment claims, and federal statutory causes of action.

Dwayne is a committed member of the community. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Lotus House women’s shelter in the Overtown district of Miami. He also served as governor on The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors, representing Miami’s Seat 3. He is past chairman of The Florida Bar’s Media & Communications Law Committee.

Christopher M. Lomax

Immediate-Past President

Chris Lomax is the founder and managing partner at Lomax Legal PLLC, where he focuses his practice on general civil litigation, criminal defense and civil rights matters. Previously, Chris served as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division and worked as a commercial litigator at Jones Day. He also clerked for Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

While at the DOJ, Chris received two Special Commendations for Outstanding Service, a Special Achievement Award, and was recognized for outstanding contributions to DOJ's Attorney Mentorship Program.  

In addition to his legal practice, Chris serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law. He also serves on the teaching faculty for Harvard Law School's Trial Advocacy Workshop and has served as faculty for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.  

In 2012, Chris was an EnVest Foundation 40 Under 40 Award Recipient for outstanding community service. In 2016, he was named one of the 40 Under 40 Outstanding Lawyers of South Florida by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Miami.

 Kayla Mosquera

Vice-President

Kayla Mosquera is an associate in Ball Janik LLP’s Construction Defect and Litigation practice groups. Ms. Mosquera represents owners and community associations in construction defect claims, including litigation and mediation. Prior to joining Ball Janik, she concentrated her practice in civil litigation, with a primary focus in insurance coverage, premises liability, and labor and employment matters.

Ms. Mosquera received her Juris Doctor at Florida Coastal where she was an active member of both its Mock Trial and Moot Court teams, as well as President of the Environmental Law Society. While completing her legal studies, she also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Tanya J. Brinkley in the Eleventh Circuit’s domestic violence division and gained additional litigation experience while working in the felony division of Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. Prior to law school, she attended Howard University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in international relations and a minor in Portuguese. Ms. Mosquera has worked in various legal areas throughout her academic career, specifically as an Honors Legal Law Clerk with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Civil Enforcement, Water Enforcement Division, and as a Communications Intern with the Office of Senator Charles E. Schumer. 

Michael Birts

Secretary

Michael J. Birts, Jr. is an associate at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. He focuses his practice in the areas of sports and entertainment, general liability, automobile negligence, general litigation, and premises liability. Michael received his Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida, graduating with a major in political science. Michael is licensed to practice law in Florida and is a licensed contract advisor for the National Basketball Association and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Ted Delcima

Treasurer 

Ted Delcima represents clients in Commercial Litigation matters as well as, White-Collar Criminal Defense. His experience includes matters involving contract disputes, anti-trust, foreclosures, government investigations, and fraud. As a former licensed financial specialist and business analyst at major financial institutions. Ted now brings a business perspective to his growing legal practice in both a team-oriented and self-directed environment. 

Kyara Herard

Group II Director

Kyara L. Herard is In-House Counsel/Staff Attorney for Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company where she focuses on First Party Property Matters. Prior to joining Homeowners Choice, Ms. Herard worked as an Assistant Public Defender in Misdemeanor, Felony, and Domestic Violence Divisions for the 17^th Circuit Office of the Public Defender under Howard Finkelstein.

Ms. Herard received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Sociology from The Florida State University.  Following receipt of her bachelor’s degree, Ms. Herard went on to obtain her Juris Doctor from Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law with a Certification in Family Law. While completing her legal studies, Mr. Herard was an active student member serving the Admissions Office as she served as Liaison for The Southern Region of the Black Law Student Association, President of the Women Lawyers Association, and a Student Mentor.

Ms. Herard is a licensed member of The Florida Bar, The Southern District of Florida, The District of Columbia Bar, and The New York State Bar.