Christina LaMaida - Dade City, FL

Christina LaMaida attended Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania for her undergraduate degree in Political Science. After receiving many of the top grades in the department, she was asked to tutor for one of the Department Chairs, which she did for two years. In addition to her studies, she worked three different jobs, held a scholarship, and participated in a national sorority. After completing Lock Haven, she moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where she started in sales and was able to perfect her negotiation tactics that became useful in today’s practice. Christina started her legal career in 2005, working as a legal assistant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, ultimately working her way up to managing partner of this firm.

Christina graduated from Barry University Law School where she was a night student and worked a full- time job during the day at a law office. Not only was she successful in maintaining her job and receiving accolades in school, she was invited to the George C. Young Inns of Court as a law student, received a focus in Children and Families Concentration Program, and completed an internship with the Juvenile Delinquency Law Clinic. During that time, Christina also volunteered for several different organizations including Guardian Ad Litem and GoodWill’s youth mentorship program. Due to the opportunities that were available to her in undergraduate and in law school, she was able to obtain skills and knowledge that exceeds all expectations.

Christina became an attorney because from an early age she was taught to “be a voice, not an echo.” She believes that phrase has resonated with her and helped encourage her to become the attorney she is today. She quickly realized that not everyone could stand up and speak for themselves, let alone be heard at times where it really matters. This gave Christina a new purpose and goal to not let voices go unheard. From that point forward, Christina made a promise that she would put all efforts into those that needed her – her client’s would always be heard.

Christina chose to become a criminal attorney because she felt she could make the most impact in the criminal field. She started with the Public Defender’s Office, here in Dade City, where she learned what it was truly like to defend those during their worst moments and let them know that someone will always be on their side. Working at the Public Defender’s Office taught her how to defend her clients with a passion and she gained invaluable experience that other’s don’t have. During her tenure at the Public Defender’s Office, she had two orders published in Florida Law Weekly, won Pasco County Attorney of the Year for the Public Defender’s Office, and received an Award from the Criminal Section of the Florida Bar Association at the State Attorney/Public Defender yearly conference.

Christina’s current focus is Criminal Defense – State Level, State Appeals and Post Conviction Motions. Christina is currently has bar admission to the State of Florida, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11 th Circuit, U.S. District Court – Middle District of Florida, and U.S. District Court – Southern District of Florida. She is currently a licensed notary and has recently been selected as “Rising Star – SuperLawyers 2023”.