Bay Area Legal Services Swears In 2026 Board of Directors
Bay Area Legal Services Swears In Officers and Welcomes New Members to 2026 Board of Directors
At Bay Area Legal’s February 24th Board of Directors meeting, the nonprofit law firm proudly announced the appointment of James (Jim) D. Thaler to serve as 2026 Board Chairperson.
Jim is an experienced attorney in St. Petersburg whose practice focuses on real estate transactions, business law, and estate planning. A past President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association and former Visiting Professor and Director of the J.D./M.B.A. Dual Degree Program at Stetson University, he has demonstrated longstanding leadership in both the legal profession and higher education. He also co-founded the Hope, Health and Sunshine Foundation and has supported numerous nonprofit and civic organizations, and is honored to serve as Board Chair of Bay Area Legal Services in 2026.
Honorable Claudia Isom and Board Chair Jim Thaler
Joining Jim as 2026 Board Officers are Craig E. Rothburd as Chairperson-Elect (Craig E,. Rothburd, P.A.), Alex Sarsfield as Treasurer (Adams & Reese) and Christine Derr (Harris Hunt & Derr, P.A.) as Secretary.
Jason Mehta (Foley & Lardner), Tamara Sires (mctlaw), and Ramell Johnson were also instated as our newest board members. Judge Claudia Isom, Retired Senior Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit, officiated the swearing-in ceremony on February 24, 2026. Judge Isom commended the board members for their service and advocacy.
In this time when justice is being challenged, your oath matters. I love the motto ‘Creating Pathways to Justice’ because we see it in court every day. When someone needs help outside the divisions we serve, we give them the number for Bay Area Legal Services. I am proud to say I’m from Tampa and that this agency is here.”
Meet Your 2026 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: James D. Thaler
Chairperson-Elect: Craig E. Rothburd
Treasurer: Alex M. Sarsfield
Secretary: Christine L. Derr
Michael A. Bedke
Rebecca C. Bell
Cynthia Davis-Gryce
Bruce H. Denson
Vivian Cortes Hodz
Valorie Hoppenworth
Ramell Johnson
Yolanda V. Lee-George
Evan M. Malloy
Paul Martinez
Jason P. Mehta
Giesi Oller
Andrew M. O'Malley, Chairman Emeritus
Yohance A. Pettis
Eladio Ramirez
Tamara J. Spires
J. Coy Stull
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