DS News

61 MICHELLE GARCIA GILBERT, ESQUIRE Managing Partner // Gilbert Garcia Group, P.A. / Sapphire Title & Escrow Company Michelle Garcia Gilbert has practiced real estate and business law since 1989, specializing in the default servicing industry. As Founder and Managing Partner of Gilbert Garcia Group, P.A., Michelle has managed the firm's expansion into probate, estate planning, guardianship, business transaction, and corporate law. Michelle also manages Sapphire Title & Escrow Company, a residential and commercial closing company launched in 2015. Michelle is highly active in her legal communities. She is a member of the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors; Bay Area Real Estate Council, Inc., Board of Directors; Hillsborough County Bar Association (Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, Solo and Small Firm, Diversity, and Military and Veteran Sections); Florida Bar (Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, Business, and Solo and Small Firm Sections); American Legal and Financial Network; Legal League 100 (Vice Chairperson, 2016-19; Advisory Council Member, 2014-19; Special Initiatives Working Group, 2017-present); REOMAC/ NADP; Attorney Agent for NACIT/Doma and Westcor Title. She was named one of DS News' 2021 Top 25 Women of Law and selected as one of MReport's 2015 and 2018 Leading Ladies. Michelle places great value on serving her community. She volunteers at St. Lawrence Catholic Church and School, and with Cristo Rey School of Tampa. She serves on the Board of Directors of St. Peter Claver Catholic School, and LifeChoices Family Medical. SALLY E. GARRISON Managing Member, The Mortgage Law Firm sally.garrison@mtglawfirm.com 405.246.0602 Sally E. Garrison received a B.A. in economics, environmental science, and political science from Claremont McKenna College in 1995. She received her J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2000. She also attended the Oxford Summer Program at Queen's College, focusing on the European Union and Intellectual Property. Prior to her work in real estate law, Sally taught as an adjunct professor in the areas of intellectual property, copyright, and law in cyberspace. She also worked as in-house counsel for OU. She is currently a managing member of Œe Mortgage Law Firm, which does business in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Washington. She leads the Client Relations and Compliance teams for the firm and is an active leader of various real estate industry groups. She is a graduate of the Stagen Leadership Academy Integral Leadership Program, earning "Black Belt" distinction for her work in communication, influence, and motivation. She was a finalist for the Women in Housing 2019 Keystone Award for Cultural Leadership. She won the USFN's Member of the Year Award in 2020 and was named one of OKC's Top Attorneys by 405 Magazine in the area of real estate in 2020 and 2021. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the USFN and is licensed to practice law in OK, AZ, HI, and TX. KERI P. EBECK Partner, Bernstein-Burkley, P.C. kebeck@bernsteinlaw.com 412.456.8112 Keri Ebeck knew in middle school that she wanted to be an attorney. Perhaps it was growing up watching Perry Mason and Law & Order, she says. After being the first in her family to graduate from college, then law school, and then practicing law for 18 years, she sees things a little differently. "Now I watch those legal shows and realize that legal TV is nothing like the real practice of law." While proud of her many accomplishments, Keri says a career highlight occurred when she left her comfort zone and changed firms. "I made that decision to better myself as a person, as a lawyer, and as a leader," she said. "Being a part of a great firm is essential to loving what you do. I consider myself very lucky to have joined Bernstein-Burkley, P.C. ‡e firm has truly enriched my career and practice." In addition to Keri's love of the law, her company's excellent representation of its clients really drives her. "Being surrounded by strong partners and staff, I'm in a great position to help clients, as we navigate the fallout from COVID-19 and move forward into a new future." With Keri and her firm's help, hopefully that future will be a bit brighter for clients. Top Women of Law

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