Southwest Florida Paralegals Association, Inc.

The following members constitute our board of directors for 2025

Chelsea S. Tout | President
Chelsea relocated from Buffalo, New York in early 2021 and currently lives in Cape Coral. Chelsea works as a litigation and probate paralegal for Farr Law Firm in Punta Gorda. Chelsea has 8 years of experience. She founded and manages a book club at her current firm that holds monthly lunch meetings. Chelsea earned an ABA-approved paralegal studies certificate from Daemen University and BA in philosophy and history from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. During her undergrad she served as secretary of the philosophy department’s student club. After graduating and before entering the legal world, she lived and worked in Orlando on an event management contract with the U.S. Army. Chelsea is married and has a four year old son.

Juliet M. Shepard, ACP | Vice President
Juliet completed her A.A.S. Degree in Paralegal Studies from the State College of Florida in Bradenton and attained her Certified Paralegal credential through NALA in 2021. Juliet is currently a paralegal for the Manatee County Attorney's Office. She has over 20 years of legal experience in the areas of family, criminal, and probate law, as well as 10 years of real estate title experience.

Christiane D. de Jonge, FRP | Secretary
Christiane D. de Jonge is a Florida Registered Paralegal at the law firm of Shapiro Delgado located in Sarasota, Florida. She has assisted attorney Jim Delgado in personal injury matters and misdemeanor criminal defense for the past 25 years and is currently studying to become a Certified Paralegal. She was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese. Christiane enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 year old cockapoo and also enjoys reading and cooking.

Christina Bowman | Treasurer
Christina graduated from Keiser University with her associate in paralegal studies and was awarded the Graduate of Distinction for highest GPA in her class. She is currently working towards becoming a Certified Paralegal. Since graduation she has worked mainly in Family Law and most recently in a mixed field law firm of Foreclosures, Probate and Commercial Real Estate Purchase and Sales Agreements. Christina was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. She has been an active member of Southwest Florida Paralegal Association, Inc. for the past 5 years and has served as the associations Secretary, NALA Liaison and currently Treasurer. Christina can be found spending her free time with her son, husband, 5 cats and 1 bunny. She enjoys movies, amusement parks, reading and has recently picked up the craft of crocheting.

Juliet M. Shepard, ACP | NALA Liaison
Juliet completed her A.A.S. Degree in Paralegal Studies from the State College of Florida in Bradenton and attained her Certified Paralegal credential through NALA in 2021. Juliet is currently a paralegal for the Manatee County Attorney's Office. She has over 20 years of legal experience in the areas of family, criminal, and probate law, as well as 10 years of real estate title experience.

Past Presidents:

1998-1999 Susan L. DuBois f/k/a Susan L. Hauck, CP

2000-2001 Laura Herald, CP

2002 Jane Gill, CP

2003-2004 Geraldine "Gerri" Mills, CP

2005-2006 Sarah "Sally” Taylor, CP

2007-2008 MaryLou DiMaggio, CP, FRP

2009-2010 Sonja L. Behn, FRP

2011-2012 Annette Zang, CP, FRP

2013-2014 Ellen Wile, ACP, FRP

2015-2016 Tamara W. "Tammy” Skonie, ACP, FRP

2017-2018 Lisa M. Ellis, CP

2019-2020 Pamala Roberts, RP, FRP

2021 April D. Emery, CP, FRP

2022 Ellen Nicholson, CP

2022 April D. Emery, CP, FRP

2023-2024 Pamala Roberts, RP, FRP

2024 Juliet M. Shepard, ACP