Y L D P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E A l e x a n d r a P a l e r m o – S y n i v e r s e T e c h n o l o g i e s
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General ’ s Office , where she was named Florida ’ s 2015 Gang Prosecutor of the Year . The first woman of color appointed to the bench in Hillsborough County in 20 years , Judge Costello has been recognized in Tampa Bay Business Journal ’ s 40 Under 40 , as a Woman of Color Leading Change by the YWCA of Tampa Bay , and as a recipient of University of Florida ’ s Outstanding Young Alumni Award . She serves on the boards of the Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers ( HAWL ), the George Edgecomb Bar Association , the HCBA Trial and Litigation Section , the Community Advisory Board of the Junior League of Tampa , and Academy Prep of Tampa . She also serves as a mentor to lawyers , law students , and at-risk youth .
The Outstanding Young Lawyer Awards recognize attorneys who exemplify professionalism in the practice of law , serve the community on a personal level , and are actively involved in the YLD .
This year ’ s recipients of the Outstanding Young Government Lawyer Award , Christian Katchuk and Lyndsey Siara , both serve as Senior Staff Attorneys at the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit .
Katchuk ’ s strong work ethic has earned her the Legal Eagle award and an assignment to two criminal divisions and two felony trial divisions at the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit , where she also helps mentor and assist other staff attorneys . Prior to working as a staff attorney , she worked as a victim advocate at the State Attorney ’ s Office . During law school , she worked for the Innocence Project , reviewing cases to determine clients ’ eligibility for post-conviction relief . She serves on the Bench Bar Committee , as a Chair for the Young Lawyers Division , and a co-chair and co-founder of the HCBA Govern ment Lawyers Section .
Siara serves as the President-Elect of the HCBA YLD , incoming Leadership Director of the Junior League of
Tampa , and co-chair and co-founder of the HCBA Government Lawyers Section . In 2017 , she and a colleague worked with Chief Judge Ficarrotta and courthouse staff to develop and open two lactation rooms at the Edgecomb Courthouse . They then developed guidelines and handbooks that have helped courthouses across the country follow suit . In the Junior League , upon learning of the overwhelming diaper need within Hillsborough County , Siara helped found the Junior League of Tampa ’ s Diaper Bank . In just three years , the Diaper Bank donated over one million diapers to its community partners across Hillsborough County .
This year ’ s recipient of the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award , Alex Palermo , serves as Corporate Counsel at Syniverse Technologies . She currently serves as President of the HCBA YLD , a Director of HAWL , and as an Executive Board member and Leadership Director for the Junior League of Tampa . Alex previously served on the Florida Bar YLD Board of Governors as an elected member from the Thirteenth Circuit from 2013 to 2019 . She was recognized with The Florida Bar Board of Governors Most Productive Board Member Award and the Kathy Bishop Most Distinguished Board Member Award . Palermo has also served as an Attorney ad Litem with the Crossroads for Florida Kids program since 2019 , where she has represented multiple teens in the foster care system who have picked up delinquency charges .
The YLD is proud to recognize and thank Judge Jessica G . Costello , Christian Katchuk , Lyndsey Siara , and Alex Palermo for their substantial contributions to the legal profession , the YLD , and the Hillsborough County community . n
Author : Harold Holder – Bush Ross , P . A .
YLD Board Volunteers at Metropolitan Ministries
theyld ’ sBoardmemberssetasidetimeforthe greatergoodbyparticipatingatthemetropolitan ministries ’ annualHolidaytentondecember17 .
M a r - a p r 2 0 2 2 | H C B a L a W Y E r
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