GET TO KNOW Your YLD Board

Remember what it was like on your first day at college? Fresh clothes, a heavy bookbag and classrooms full of unfamiliar faces... For brand-new lawyers, starting an entry-level firm position or taking the first step toward building a local, professional network can feel much the same.

That’s one reason why the Lee County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD) team invests copious amounts of time and energy into supporting newcomers in the legal arena. If you are a rising star who is just starting out in Lee County, the four board members featured here are the advocates you need to know!

CASEY GARTLAND, ESQ. YLD President

Casey serves as a litigation and trial attorney at the Pendas Law Firm’s Fort Myers Office. He practices the plaintiff side of personal injury law, insurance bad faith, property damage and Hurricane claims, and breach of contract. Following his undergraduate work at Florida Gulf Coast University as well as the University of Cincinnati, Casey attended the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Not one to choose just one internship, Casey worked at both Lusk, Drasites & Tolisano in Cape Coral as well as at eClat Law in Orlando during his 1L year. During his 2L year, Casey took an internship with Kubicki Draper in Fort Myers.

During his time as a first-year lawyer, Casey’s mentor Dale Swope gave him some great advice. “Any decent lawyer can read a case and analyze it, but the best lawyers are the ones who can weaponize the law for their client’s cause. Having the ability to dissect and breakdown a complex opinion or doctrine is great, but to truly become a master of your craft, you need to take it a step further and turn the law into a sword or shield for your client depending on the situation. The best attorneys are the ones that get results and never stop learning. Always be thirsty to learn more.”

JOSEPH “JOEY” COLEMAN, ESQ. YLD President-Elect

Now a managing shareholder at Coleman Litigation, Joey started out by earning a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, followed by Florida State University College of Law. For his internship, he worked at a boutique civil litigation firm in Southwest Florida, called Woodward, Pires & Lombardo. Today, he practices in the areas of commercial litigation, copyrights and trademarks.

Joey would offer the following advice to those just starting out in law. “Don’t try to re-invent the wheel. There is almost always a form or a template around to help you get started, or someone you can ask for help. Remember, everyone is a potential client or referral source, including the opposing party or opposing counsel. Keep that in mind while you litigate.”

To connect with our Young Lawyers Division and learn about opportunities available for our members, please visit LeeBar.org or contact YLD President Casey Gartland at cgartland@pendaslaw.com.

DIANA “DAWN” MASELLI, ESQ. YLD Treasurer

Dawn attended Florida Gulf Coast University, where she received her bachelor’s in legal studies. She then joined the first class to complete all three years at Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida. During college, Dawn started at Associates & Bruce L. Scheiner’s office as a file clerk. In law school, she was permitted to return during summers and gained the incredible opportunity to assist with trials. Dawn fell in love with the profession and has continued working with the firm for the past 16 years.

Her advice to young lawyers? “Hold yourself accountable. Don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know the answer to a question, and don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong. With determination and diligence, you can do anything and achieve any goal you pursue.”

KATHERINE “KATI” COOK, ESQ. YLD Secretary

An associate at Boy Agnew Potanovic Miller, Kati practices in the field of labor and employment law. She obtained a bachelor’s from Florida Gulf Coast University before pursuing her law degree at Ave Maria School of Law. Kati’s very first internship took place at the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Florida. She also served as a summer associate at Henderson Franklin in Fort Myers.

Kati’s advice for up-and-coming lawyers is to be patient. “Make living your life with absolute integrity and kindness your first priority. The best is yet to come!”