The Paralegal Certificate Program Planned with You in Mind

Dr. Anita N. Blowers is a Teaching Professor and Director of Legal Studies in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University, and Associate Professor Emerita in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She earned her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany, State University of New York.

Dr. Blowers’ research explores elder abuse and neglect, older adults in the criminal justice system, sentencing practices, and criminal justice policy. She also engages in scholarship on teaching and learning, with a particular focus on student outcomes and assessment in higher education. Her work has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals in the fields of criminal justice and law, and she has written book chapters published in collaborative academic works.

In addition to her scholarly work, Dr. Blowers has held numerous administrative and academic leadership roles, focusing on curriculum design, program innovation, and efforts to improve student outcomes. She has played a key role in developing cross-campus collaborations that align academic and student affairs, promoting a cohesive and student-focused educational experience.

Alejandra Quintero serves as the Program Coordinator for the Legal Studies Paralegal Program at Florida Atlantic University, bringing over 20 years of experience in academic support services. With a strong background in administration and management, she plays a key role in guiding students and supporting the program’s day-to-day operations.

Alejandra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Santo Tomás de Aquino in Colombia and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership from Florida Atlantic University.

Outside of her professional life, Alejandra enjoys spending time with her family and pets, as well as exploring new places through travel and hiking.

Samantha Angel began working in the legal field after earning a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Central Florida in 2012. She attended Florida Atlantic University’s Paralegal Studies Program, graduating in July of 2016. She was hired by the Office of the Attorney General in December of 2016, where she continues to work in the Criminal Appeals unit. Samantha graduated with an M.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida in 2019, is a Florida Registered Paralegal, and an active member of the FRP Enrichment Committee and Palm Beach County Bar Paralegal Committee.

Samantha teaches the Paralegal Professionalism class for FAU Paralegal Certificate Program. As an alumna of that program, Samantha provides a unique and valuable perspective for students.

Kenneth B. Dion, J.D. has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and a J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law in Boston. He has been a practicing attorney for over twenty-five years representing clients in Criminal Law, Contract Law, Immigration Law, Personal Injury Law, Traffic Law, and Corporate Law. He was formerly an Assistant Public Defender at the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office. Ken instructs the LSAT course in the Test Preparation Department at FAU and also teaches Criminal Law and Business Entities for the FAU Paralegal Certificate Program.

Elise Gross, Esq., LL.M., has focused her legal practice on trusts and estates for nearly thirty years, which includes the drafting and administration of wills and trusts as well as probate administration. Additionally, Elise Gross has been serving other law firms as Of Counsel since 2011 where she handles estate planning and administration as well as represents individuals and businesses in connection with integrating estate planning with asset protection plans.

Elise Gross graduated with a B.A. from the Florida International University. She went on to receive her law degree from New York Law School in 1992 and her Masters in Law (LL.M.) in the Heckerling Program in Estate Planning from the University of Miami, School of Law in 1993. Elise is currently admitted to the New York and Florida bar.

Elise serves on the B&P Cabinet and PAC of the South Florida Jewish Federation and serves on several Jewish Federation committees and one for JARC and the Trustbridge Hospice Foundation of Broward Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Greater Boca Raton Estate Planning Counsel.

Elise teaches the Probate & Estate Planning class for the FAU Paralegal certificate Program.

Lyle Long is a personal injury lawyer and one of the founding partners of Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A. He has served as an attorney for over a decade and has recovered millions for his injured clients in that time. In addition, after receiving his Juris Doctor from Nova Southwestern University, Lyle worked as an associate attorney for a prominent South Florida criminal law firm. Looking to expand his trial skills, he spent time as an Assistant Public Defender in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Broward County, FL. After gaining extensive trial experience in the public sector, Lyle decided to transition into private practice. In 2015, he joined what at the time was a civil litigation firm aggressively fighting insurance companies and has recovered millions for his injured clients. Lyle teaches the Personal Injury course in the FAU Paralegal Certificate Program.

Laura M. Reich, Esq. is an attorney and arbitrator focused on complex civil litigation with specializations in art, commercial, communications, and international law. She is a partner at the law firm of Harper Meyer LLP in Miami, Florida, and her clients include U.S. and international businesses and individuals whom she represents on a wide variety of issues, including breach of contract, violations of consumer protection statutes, breach of fiduciary duties, antitrust, garnishment, business torts, regulatory matters, and more. Ms. Reich also serves as a frequent arbitrator and is listed with the American Arbitration Association and the Court of Arbitration for Art, located in The Hague, Netherlands. Her educational background includes the University of Florida College of Law (JD) and University of Florida (BA), both with honors. Ms. Reich also serves as an adjunct professor at Florida International University School of Law, and she is currently an officer of the International Law Section of The Florida Bar. She also teaches the Introduction to Law, Legal Research & Writing and Civil Litigation classes for the FAU Paralegal Certificate Program.

Ms. Sverdlova has attained her LL.M specializing in Taxation from The Boston University School of Law. Yelena established her law firm, Capital Planning Law, PLLC, in 2016.

Mrs. Sverdlova has a true passion for the law and has obtained extensive experience in many facets of business law including, but not limited to: business start-ups, business agreements, general business counsel, and asset protection. She also provides legal representation in the areas of estate planning, probate administration, guardianship and real estate law.

Mrs. Sverdlova teaches Contract Law in the FAU Paralegal Program.

Samantha Vacciana is an alum of Florida Atlantic University, where she received a Bachelor’s and Master's degree. She then graduated Cum Laude from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor. Samantha’s legal career has involved both civil and criminal work, and in 2012, she opened the doors to her own law firm, Trial Lawyers of Florida representing clients in criminal defense, probate, personal injury and family law. Samantha serves on the board of various organizations, including the Florida Bar Foundation, the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, Florida Legal Services, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Gang Alternative’s Project Renew, and the Caribbean Americas Soccer Association.

Samantha teaches the Domestic Relations class in the FAU Paralegal Program.

Javier Zuniga is a Florida licensed attorney since 2008. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.) at Nova Southeastern University with a major in Paralegal Studies in 2003. For Law School he attended the evening program at Nova Southeastern University, while working full time. Javier obtained his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) in 2008 and became a member of the Florida Bar that same year.

Prior to law school Javier worked for many years at a non-profit organization in Palm Beach County assisting distressed consumers with debt related matters. As a lawyer Javier started practicing as an associate attorney in a consumer defense law firm in 2008. In 2010 he opened his own practice Zuniga Law, P.A., in Boca Raton, Florida, with a concentration in Immigration Law, Bankruptcy Law and Debtor/Creditor Relations with an emphasis in Debtor representation. Javier was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He is fully bilingual, and a large portion of his practice is dedicated to serving the legal needs of the Spanish speaking population of South Florida.

Javier teaches the Immigration Law class for the FAU Paralegal Certificate Program.