Barbara O'Shaughnessy is a Florida Registered Paralegal who has over 30 years of experience working in commercial real estate, and has been a notary public since 1999.  She joined the firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick at the end of January, 2020, after having worked with only two other law firms in prior 23 years.

Barbara has been a member of TBPA's Board of Directors for over 10 years, including holding the following positions: Director, Secretary, Treasurer, First Vice President, Second Vice President, President-Elect, and now President for the second time!  Barbara was also the Region III Director on the Board of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).  She is actively involved with TBPA and its Pro Bono and Community Service projects, including Wills for Heroes, PACE Center for Girls, End 68 Hours of Hunger and the USO - Central Florida, just to name a few.

In her spare time (LOL), Barbara enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband of over 30 years and three adult children, playing Texas Hold 'Em poker, traveling (especially to Las Vegas), going to the beach, watching movies, reading books, and relaxing in her backyard O'Asis!  Recently, Barbara is most excited about the arrival of her first grandchild, a grandson, who arrived in July of 2018!

Contact Barbara here.

Yvonne Lewis DeAntoneo is a paralegal working in-house for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company at their local trial counsel office, Kevin Korth & Associates in St. Petersburg, Florida.  She has been with State Farm since 2017.  Prior to that, Yvonne worked in a similar position for Nationwide Insurance for several years. Before she worked in-house, Yvonne spent approximately 20 years as a litigation paralegal in the Tampa Bay area and briefly in the Philadelphia areas working for various medical malpractice, nursing home defense and personal injury firms. 

Yvonne obtained her Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from St. Petersburg College and a Bachelor’s in Literature from the University of South Florida.

In addition to currently serving as TBPA’s President Elect, Yvonne is a founding member of TBPA, serving as TBPA’s first President and in various roles on the board and in different committees over TBPA’s 20-year history. 

With a passion for the paralegal profession, Yvonne also served on the national board of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.  With NFPA, Yvonne has previously served as Vice President and Director of Membership (2015-2019) and Region III Director (2013-2015). 

When not working or volunteering her time on the TBPA Board of Directors, Yvonne enjoys spending time with her family, including her two teenage daughters, Katherine and Sarah.  Yvonne is an avid reader and pet lover.

Contact Yvonne here. 

Valerie Cisco grew up outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and made the move to Tampa in 1981.  She graduated from Leto High School with Honors, obtained an Associate in Arts Degree in Commercial Art and Advertising from Hillsborough Community College with a minor in journalism, and an Associate in Science Degree in Paralegal Studies from Tampa College.  During college, Valerie excelled academically and was frequently named on the Dean’s list, graduating Cumma Sum Laude.  She also worked two jobs to pay her tuition; in the service industry as a bartender and as an intern with the RICO Division of the Attorney General’s office.  Valerie has over 25 consecutive years of experience in the legal field ranging from complex litigation in agency, State, Federal, and Supreme Court venues, including bankruptcy, creditors rights, land use, and property rights.  She is a member of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association and the Paralegal Association of Florida, and is also a notary public.  Valerie enjoyed her volunteer work as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Unit Consultant for 8 years, a position that allowed her quality time with her daughter while sharing new adventures together and giving back to the community.  She currently enjoys cooking, physical fitness, and the outdoors.  Valerie is Florida Registered Paralegal employed with Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen.

 Contact Valerie here.

Emily Merlin is an in-house contracts manager at Atos Digital Health Solutions focusing on IT Agreements for McLaren Health Care. Prior to that she was a contracts manager working in-house at HealthPlan Services, Inc., a Wipro company, for five years and with WellCare Health Plans for ten years. She has over 25 years of experience as a Certified Paralegal working in contract negotiations and management, real estate, corporate compliance, mergers and acquisitions, healthcare, telecommunications and complex litigation.

Emily is a founding Officer of TBPA and has been an active member since its inception in the fall of 2000.  She has served in various capacities on the Board of Directors and as Chair on several Committees during her tenure as a member.  In addition, Emily is currently serving as Past President and Voting Officer with the Florida Alliance of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (“FAPA”), which TBPA is an Association Member.

Emily has a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Administration from the University of West Florida (“UWF”) as well as two (2) Associate’s Degrees, one of which is in Paralegal Studies and the other in Music (Opera as the focus).  In addition, Emily achieved and continues to maintain the designation of Certified Paralegal ("CP") from the National Association of Legal Assistants (“NALA”).  During her leisure time, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends, scalloping during the summer, sailing/boating, singing at church, and cheering on the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team and Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.

Contact Emily here.

Melissa Cook is a transplant from Michigan and has been working in the legal field for 13 years.  She received her Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies in June 2002.  Her first law firm was Owens Law Group, P.A. in Sun City Center where she worked until February, 2011.  After leaving Owens Law Group, P.A. she worked for two more firms as well as working as a contract paralegal for a corporation before landing at her current employer, Peterson & Myers, P. A., in Lakeland, Florida where she works in the transactional practice group which consists of Commercial Real Estate, Banking and Finance, Agricultural transactions as well as corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and estate planning, to name a few.

In her spare time Melissa has been involved with the Zephyrhills High School Band Boosters which both of her daughters, Kaitlyn and Amanda, have been involved with the marching band, symphonic band and jazz ensemble.  Melissa also enjoys spending her free time with her husband, Mike, and the girls by going to Busch Gardens whenever possible or spending time at home just relaxing.

Contact Melissa here.

With over five years of civil litigation experience, Frank joined Sessums Black Caballero Ficarrotta PA in 2012 as one of the firm’s paralegals devoting himself 100% to the area of marital and family law.

Frank’s professional certifications and accreditations include Florida Registered Paralegal status through the Florida Bar in 2012. In 2007, Frank was invited to join the Phi Theta Kappa honors society based on his superior academic performance and high moral standards while pursuing his Associate’s degree.

Frank is an active member serving on the Board of Directors of TBPA focusing on its mission to setting the standard for excellence for the paralegal profession through its work on regulations, ethics, and education.

Frank is also an active member of the Knights of Columbus in New Port Richey and he speaks and writes Italian.

Contact Frank here.

Irene Medina is a Core Registered Paralegal employed by Drummond Wehle Yonge LLP. The firm’s focus is Probate, Estate Planning and Formation of Corporations. She is working toward her Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies at HCC and has previously attended Kalan University earning a book award for exemplifying superior research and writing skills and was named on the Dean’s list each semester. She is also studying for NALA’s Certified Paralegal Exam.

Irene is a Tampa native. She enjoys going to the beach, kayaking on the Withlacoochee River and frequents Tampa’s theme parks. She is always looking for new adventures to keep life interesting.

Irene has been a member of TBPA since December 2012 and is looking forward to being more involved in the Organization.

Katie recently received her Certified Paralegal (CP) designation through NALA and is employed at Jennis Law Firm in the litigation department. 

While in graduate school, she worked at the law firm of Motley Rice, LLC, in the Anti-Terrorism and Human Rights Department on the 9/11 Team.  Katie has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree from Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.  

Shortly after graduating, Katie and her chef husband, Bobby, got married in Charleston’s historical district.  She and her husband are avid foodies and enjoy attending local food events, dining in local restaurants and trying new and exotic cuisines.  In her spare time, Katie enjoys offshore and inshore fishing, attending sporting events and spending time with her husband and their golden retriever, Rawlings.