Board, Members & Past PresidentsOur Organization

Michelle Harper specializes in domestic violence and has a significant track record in securing both temporary and permanent injunctions for protection. Throughout her career, Michelle has skillfully guided hundreds of survivors through the complexities of the legal system to secure the protection they desperately need. She has also led various community outreach and training initiatives to increase awareness of domestic violence and the injunction for protection process. Michelle serves as a Supervising Attorney at Florida Legal Services, Inc., a nonprofit organization that operates a statewide domestic violence hotline and offers legal representation to crime victims across Florida. Michelle extends her commitment to justice through her involvement with the Hate Crimes Task Force for the Office of the State Attorney and her contributions to the Domestic Violence Committee of the Florida Bar’s Family Law Section, where she served as Co-Secretary last year.

Yineth S. Aslan works as staff counsel for GEICO General Insurance Company at the Law Office of George L. Cimballa III in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Prior to joining GEICO staff counsel, Yineth worked as an assistant state attorney at the Broward State Attorney’s Office handling hundreds of misdemeanor and felony criminal cases.

Yineth received her bachelor’s degrees in Legal Studies and Philosophy from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and her law degree from NSU Shepard Broad College of Law. Presently, Yineth is a member of the Broward County Bar Association, the Broward County Young Lawyers Section, and a mock trial instructor at NSU Shepard Broad College of Law. Yineth heads the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association’s annual Bilingual High School Conference hosted in partnership with Broward County Public Schools.

Born in Managua, Nicaragua. In 1978, Mario came to the United States with his family and has lived in South Florida since arriving from Nicaragua. He was raised in Miami Florida and graduated from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, Florida. His litigation experience in the fields of Personal Injury Litigation, Premises Liability, Construction Law, Medical Malpractice, Property Litigation, Nursing Home Litigation, Products Liability (which includes Chinese/American Drywall cases) and First Party Property Hurricane Damage, Water Damage and Personal Injury Protection (P.I.P.) Litigation has given him the ability to handle clients’ issues with efficiency and effectiveness to obtain successful outcomes.

Francisco Tschen is set to bring his extensive expertise and personal dedication to the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association (BCHBA) as the incoming Treasurer. Raised in Guatemala, Francisco moved to the United States to pursue his studies in engineering at Texas A&M University, with pivotal support from his family, who have always emphasized the importance of education. While working at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office as a Primary Patent Examiner he earned his law degree from FIU.

Currently, he serves as an International Patent Program Analyst at the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), where he contributes to the development of international patent standards and fosters collaboration with global IP offices. Additionally, Francisco is an adjunct professor at Florida International University College of Law, where he teaches courses on patent law, trade secret law, and international patent law, incorporating real-world examples to prepare future legal professionals. His dedication to education and mentorship aligns perfectly with BCHBA’s mission to promote diversity, cross-cultural appreciation, and equality in the legal profession.

Michelle Rodriguez was born in Queens, NY. Both of her parents immigrated to the United States from Colombia. She attended Florida International University where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. She went on to earn her Masters of Science in Higher Education Administration also from Florida International University. Ms. Rodriguez earned her Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University in Miami, FL where she graduated Cum Laude. Ms. Rodriguez is currently in-house litigation counsel for an insurance carrier.

Jacklyn O’connor is a graduate of the Florida International University College of Law, where she participated in the Carlos A. Costa Immigration and Human Rights Clinic. While in law school, she served as President of the Women’s Law Society and Vice President of the American Constitution Society. She has volunteered to provide legal services to the immigrant community through numerous deferred action and naturalization drives throughout the state of Florida. She has also volunteered for the CARA Pro Bono Project in Dilley, Texas, assisting women and children who recently entered the U.S. to prepare for their credible fear interviews. As an immigration attorney, Ms. O’Connor practices before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Immigration Courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals. She also represents clients in detention, specifically at Krome Detention Center, Glades County Detention Center, and Broward Transitional Center. Ms. O’Connor is admitted to practice law in the State of Florida. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and Broward County Bar Association. She has been appointed as a member of the AILA South Florida Wellness Committee and has previously served on the Immigration Law Update Planning Committee, DMV Committee, and USCIS Committee for AILA South Florida. She is also active in the Young Lawyers Section of the Broward County Bar Association.

Stefani is an associate attorney at Mary Ann Ruiz, P.A. in Coral Gables, Florida. Stefani specializes in complex condominium matters, community association law, real estate litigation, and construction law. She represents local, domestic, and international clients in the real estate sector, including property owners, developers, community associations, and construction professionals. Outside of work, Stefani loves to travel, learn new cooking recipes, and spend time with her family and friends.

To be determined…

Florence M. Andalib is a Liability Litigation Attorney for Publix Super Markets, Inc., focusing on defending premises liability claims. Originally from El Salvador, Florence has called South Florida home since 1998. In 2008, Florence graduated from the University of South Florida with a major in Political Science. She earned her Juris Doctor cum laude from St. Thomas University in 2013. While in law school, Florence served as a member and a mentor of St. Thomas Law Review. She was also an active member of the trial team for which Florence credits her love of trial work. Prior to joining Publix, Florence worked for Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer where she represented clients in areas of commercial and general civil litigation. She also served the community of Broward County as an Assistant State Attorney for the 17th Judicial Circuit where she handled misdemeanors and felonies. Outside of work, Florence loves to travel and spending time with her family and friends.

Brian M. Andino is an Associate with Gerson & Schwartz, P.A. He is dedicated to helping those who have been injured through the negligence of others or defective products, with a concentration in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, negligent security, and maritime and admiralty cases. Brian is originally from Brooklyn, New York, but moved to Florida at an early age. Brian enjoys exercising through running and weightlifting. He also relishes spending time with family and close friends by cheering on the University of Florida Gators and the New York Football Giants. Brian is bilingual and is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Marta spent the first 16 years of her career working in public service for Coast to Coast Legal Aid South Florida, where she rose to the level of Deputy Director. While at Legal Aid, Marta specialized in helping survivors of intimate-partner violence navigate the injunction for protection and divorce processes. Her compassionate nature, coupled with an incisive legal mind, make Marta an ideal advocate to handle complex divorce and child-custody proceedings.

A native Floridian, Marta received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Nova Southeastern University. She is a first-generation Cuban-American, and is fluent in Spanish.

Possessed of a strong sense of community service, Marta is a member of the Broward Victim’s Rights Coalition, the Florida Statewide Fatality Review Team and is an appointed member of the Broward County Commission’s Human Rights Advisory Board.

Carla Lowry practices marital and criminal law. She has owned Lowry at Law, P.A. since 2008. Ms. Lowry is a former prosecutor and public defender. She attended Stetson University Law School.

Fernanda Pedroso is an experienced and collaboratively trained family law attorney with years of representing clients in South Florida. Her experience and approach to family law matters provides clients with efficient and effective resolutions that promote the best interest of her clients and their families. Fernanda believes families are better served when they are encouraged to find common ground rather than turning their lives into a battleground. Fernanda is a Board Member of the Collaborative Family Law Professionals of South Florida; a member of the team heading the Pro-Bono Collaborative Process Pilot Program in Broward County; a member of the Florida Family Law Section and she is also the Assistant Director of the National Association of Divorce Professionals’ West Broward Chapter.

Vanessa Thomson is an associate attorney at Robinson Pecaro & Mier, P.A., in Sunrise, Florida. Vanessa focuses her practice on Third Party Insurance Defense Litigation. Vanessa received her J.D., summa cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. Vanessa has also served as a volunteer for the Guardian Ad Litem program in Broward County since 2017.