Bay Area Legal Services Swears-In 2025 Board of Directors
Bay Area Legal Services Swears-In Officers and Welcomes New Members to 2025 Board of Directors
At Bay Area Legal’s February 18th Board of Directors meeting, the nonprofit law firm proudly announced the appointment of Jeff Cox to serve as 2025 Board Chairperson and opened a new Pinellas seat appointed by the St. Petersburg Bar Association.
Jeff has served on Bay Area Legal Services’ Board of Directors since February 2020, holding roles such as Board Secretary, Chair of the Veterans Committee, Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, and member of the Sustaining Law Firm and Stewardship Committees. He is currently the Director of Global Content Marketing at vLex and previously served as Senior Manager of Content Strategy at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.
Being sworn in as Chairperson of Bay Area Legal Services’ Board is a great privilege in my career. I’m grateful for the outstanding leadership at Bay Area Legal and the many supporters who help make our work possible — creating pathways to justice through legal services, education, and community partnerships."
Joining Jeff as 2025 Board Officers are James D. Thaler as Chairperson-Elect (Thaler Law Firm, P.A.), Craig
E. Rothburd as Treasurer (Craig E. Rothburd, P.A.) and Alex M. Sarsfield (Paskert Divers Thompson) as Secretary.
J. Coy Stull (Carlton Fields), Bruce Denson (Bruce H. Denson, P.A.) and Eladio Ramirez (Mentors for Hillsborough County Veterans) were also instated as our newest members. Judge Darren D. Farfante, Chief Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit, officiated the swearing-in ceremony on February 18, 2025. Judge Farfante, who serves as Chair on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, commended the board members for their service and advocacy.
Meet Your 2025 Board of Directors
Members of Bay Area Legal’s Board of Directors serve as ambassadors, educating the community and building relationships that support our mission.
Their fiduciary duties include financial and program oversight and broad policy-making.
Bay Area Legal’s impact is strengthened by their leadership, dedication, and commitment to expanding access to justice for those who need it most.
Chairperson: Jeff Cox
Chairperson-Elect: James D. Thaler, Jr.
Treasurer: Craig E. Rothburd
Secretary: Alex Sarsfield
Michael A. Bedke
Rebecca C. Bell
Caroleen B. Brej
Cynthia Davis-Gryce
Bruce H. Denson
Christine L. Derr
Vivian Cortes Hodz
Valorie Hoppenworth
Yolanda V. Lee
Evan M. Malloy
Paul Martinez
Giesi Oller
Andrew M. O'Malley, Chairman Emeritus
Yohance A. Pettis
Eladio Ramirez
J. Coy Stull
Barbara Williams
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