The following women were nominated to be featured in this special issue by their peers. Each year, Attorney at Law Magazine focuses one issue exclusively on the women who are excelling in the profession of the law. They are not exceptional as women lawyers, they are standout practitioners of the law. These women are among some of the rising stars in the Jacksonville legal community. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for this issue.
Janeen Kirch
A trial attorney at Coker, Schickel, Sorenson, Posgay & Iracki, Janeen Kirch focuses in personal injury and wrongful death. She has tried more than 100 criminal and civil jury trials in her career. She is a member of the Florida and Jacksonville Justice Associations, the American Association for Justice and the Jacksonville Bar Association.
Lindsay Tygart
Lindsay Tygart started her practice in 2006 and is currently heading the medical malpractice division at Coker, Schickel, Sorenson, Posgay & Iracki in Jacksonville. She does extensive pro bono work and has served on the board for multiple legal organizations. She’s been selected as a Rising Star or Super Lawyer every year since 2010.
Allison Stocker
After devoting 500-plus pro bono hours toward creating permanent, supportive housing for disabled homeless veterans, Allison Stocker received the 2018 Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Service Award. Also recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star, and a Florida Trend Legal Elite Up and Comer, Stocker represents financial institutions, public and privately held businesses, and professionals in actions involving contracts, corporate governance and valuation issues, fiduciary relationships, torts, and other business-related disputes.
Kelly DeGance
Kelly DeGance is a founding shareholder of Alexander DeGance Barnett. She has extensive experience in labor and employment law, including litigating claims for employers in both state and federal courts. DeGance also regularly represents educational institutions and has in-depth knowledge of the unique issues faced by these organizations. Outside of the office, she loves to spend time with her husband and two children.
Julie M. Harrell
Julie M. Harrell has specialized in personal injury litigation since graduating law school. Harrell has considerable expertise handling trials, negotiating and litigating cases. Harrell has served on the board of directors for the Florida Justice Association, and as a barrister member of the Chester Bedell Inn of Court. In 2016, she was honored as a First Coast Top 10 Attorney Under 40 by Attorney at Law Magazine. She was nominated in 2016 and 2017 as one of the Ten Best Personal Injury Attorneys by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys and as a Top Lawyer in 2017 by the Legal Network.
Kate Mesic
Kate Mesic focuses on criminal defense, DUI and business transactional cases. Mesic is a former prosecutor, past president of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, Leadership Jacksonville alumni, and has served on multiple committees with the Florida Association of Women Lawyers. Mesic is fluent in Russian. She is married and has a son, named Aiden.
Susan Z. Cohen
Susan Z. Cohen practices criminal and appellate law as well as addressing issues related to driver’s license suspensions. Cohen serves on the Florida Bar’s juvenile rules committee and is president of the board of directors for both the local chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and River Garden Hebrew Home. Cohen has been named as an Ultimate Attorney by the Jacksonville Business Journal and Florida DUI Gladiator of the Year.
Iana D.J. Benjamin
As an attorney and shareholder at Darlington Jordan Law P.A., Iana Del Darlington Jordan Benjamin has experience in family law, immigration, residential real estate closings, and civil litigation. Prior to forming her firm, Benjamin clerked for former Judge Kenneth G. Macleay of Maryland and for U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, senior member of the House Judiciary Committee. Benjamin also interned for Former President Bill Clinton. Benjamin is an active member of The Jacksonville Bar Association, D.W Perkins Bar Association, and The Orange County Bar Association. Benjamin is also a me
