Attorneys

Partner

Octavia Brown

Octavia attended Florida A&M University graduating in 1995 with a degree in History/Political Science, Cum Laude.  She then went on to attend Florida Coastal School of Law, graduating in 2003. During her law school studies, Octavia took an interest in the needs of families and children. 

Octavia’s foray into law began with the Department of Children and Families, Children’s Legal Services in Jacksonville as a contract attorney, and quickly rising up the ranks to become a Senior Attorney.  This position provided Octavia with the immeasurable experience and knowledge of advocating in the courtroom for the needs and permanency of abused, abandoned or neglected children.  During this time, Octavia became intimately familiar with the internal processes of the Department of Children and Families, their contract agencies and the required services and supports to be provided to families and children during a time of crisis. 

Next, Octavia moved on to a position with the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel (OCCCRC) also in Jacksonville, Florida.  As an attorney with the OCCCRC, Octavia represented mothers and fathers in the juvenile dependency system after their children were removed from their care.  Octavia’s fierce advocacy for her clients, and their families, led to the appointment of Octavia to become the Lead Attorney of the Civil Division for the 4th Circuit.  In this position, Octavia defended her clients against removals and termination of parental rights both in the circuit and appellate court. Octavia wrote and filed briefs on behalf of her clients to successfully reverse the termination of their parental rights; and because of her tenacious advocacy, Octavia was awarded the Parents’ Dependency Attorney of the Year in 2011. 

In 2012, Octavia and her family returned to her hometown of Plant City in Hillsborough County, Florida.  Her relocation led Octavia to continue her dedication to public service working as a Senior Attorney and Lead Trial Attorney with the Guardian ad Litem Program in the 13th Circuit in Tampa Florida.  Octavia used her extensive knowledge of the dependency system from her roles with DCF and OCCCRC to ensure that the most vulnerable children were provided with the dignity, care, and services they required.  

In 2016, Octavia opened her law office, Community Law for Families and Children.  Octavia is driven to provide legal representation for families and children in the greater community.  Octavia built her practice to focus on the legal needs of the average family who may be intimidated by the legal system.  Octavia is driven to provide representation to your family in the areas most important to the average family: their jobs and their children.

Education

FLORIDA COASTAL UNIVERSITY Juris Doctor, 2003

FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY B.S., History and Political Science, 1995, Cum Laude

Activities & Affiliations

• Member of Family Law Section, Florida Bar

• Member of Labor and Employment Law Section, Florida Bar

• Admitted to practice in the United States District of Court, Middle District of Florida

• Admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida

• Member of Florida Justice Association

Partner

Valentina Villalobos

Valentina graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 2012.  While there she did multiple semesters interning with the Public Interest Law Center in both the Child Advocacy Clinic and Children and Prison Project.  She also received a competitive public service fellowship which enabled her to work at Gulfcoast Legal Services working with victimized immigrants.  It was these first experiences in law school that began her passion for helping those who had been victimized, especially children and women who had been sexually or domestically abused.

From there Valentina went to work for the Guardian ad Litem Program, both in the 2nd and 13th Circuit as a Senior Child’s Best Interest Attorney advocating for children involved in the dependency system.  She then went to work for the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence representing victims of sexual violence with a wide variety of civil legal needs in various counties throughout the state.  In August 2019 Valentina became board certified in juvenile law.

Education

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
Juris Doctor, 2012

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
B.A., Criminology, Minors in History and Anthropology, 2009

Activities & Affiliations

• Board Certified in Juvenile Law

• Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers

• Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA)

• Hillsborough County Bar Association Leadership Institute (HCBLI)

• Public Interest Law Section of the Florida Bar

• Admitted to practice in the United States District of Court, Middle District of Florida

• Member of Florida Justice Association