Ms. Lias earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Florida State University in 2010. After graduation, Ms. Lias returned home to central Florida, where she attended Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando. There, Ms. Lias garnered the title of “Best Advocate” in oral arguments and earned a Book Award in Civil Procedure in her first year. Following her admission to The Florida Bar in 2013 and after gaining two years of litigation experience at a boutique law firm in Kissimmee, Ms. Lias joined the legal department at the Department of Children and Families in Fort Myers, Florida. For three years, Ms. Lias independently managed over 100 active cases and zealously litigated as lead counsel in numerous contested hearings, including several bench trials.
In 2018, Ms. Lias returned home to central Florida, where she joined Telan, Meltz, Wallace & Eide, P.A. as an Associate. Ms. Lias’ extensive legal experience has proven vital to her demonstrated success as a passionate advocate and competent defense attorney for various attorneys, accountants, and government agents. Ms. Lias is proficient with complex legal research and writing, including motion practice to compel non-responsive litigants. Ms. Lias is also well-versed in facilitating document production and subpoena compliance. Through hands-on experience interfacing with third-party ESI vendors, Ms. Lias has gained considerable knowledge of ESI software and discovery protocols. Since joining the Firm, Ms. Lias has had the occasion to defend the interests of clients in several large-scale state court appeals. This experience at the appellate court level has further-enhanced Ms. Lias’ ability to develop comprehensive, issue-driven defense strategies early on and achieve favorable outcomes for the clients she represents.
Ms. Lias’ dedication to her work is only matched by her passion for community service and civic involvement. As a central Florida native and graduate of Orange County Public Schools, Ms. Lias makes it a priority to give back to her local community. Currently, Ms. Lias serves as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, a pro bono attorney with Project H.E.L.P., and a Committee Chair for the Paul C. Perkins Bar Association. In 2019, Ms. Lias was dubbed a member of the “2019 Pro Bono Honor Roll” by the Legal Aid Society of Orange County Bar Association for her exemplary pro bono service. In her spare time, Ms. Lias enjoys spending time with her family and friends and she is active in her local church.
Education
- Florida State University, B.A., 2010
- Florida A&M University College of Law J.D., 2013
Core Practice Areas
- Professional Liability and Malpractice
- Accounting Liability and Malpractice
- Government Law and Civil Rights Litigation
- Appellate Practice
Legal Experience
- 2013-2015 Associate Attorney JD Kerr, P.A., Kissimmee, Florida
- 2015-2018 Senior Attorney Children’s Legal Services, Fort Myers, Florida
- 2018-Present Associate Attorney Grower, Ketcham, Eide, Telan and Meltz, P.A., Maitland, Florida
Admissions, Membership and Affiliations
- The Florida Bar
- Orange County Bar Association
- Paul C. Perkins Bar Association
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Orlando Seminoles
Honors and Awards
- OCBA Legal Aid Society 2019 Pro Bono Honor Roll