Employee of the Month:
Logan Smith:
Logan has done exemplary work in both departments she has worked in; especially in the Intake Dept, in which her training of the new hires has led them to go beyond their potential. She is a person that can always be counted on to be helpful and to thrive. She has an excellent work ethic and personality, and is excelling in her new role in Client Engagement. Congrats, Logan!
Honorable mentions:
Surrenda Lefranc:
"Surrenda has been picking up weekend shifts to help out with the department and has a willingness to work a flexible schedule when it comes to covering the night shift. She is one of the top-ranking file creators as well, which is a personal achievement for her, while making minimal mistakes! "
Jericho Williams:
"Jericho has always been super helpful, patient and sweet with all of our IT and computer needs; I think he always goes above and beyond to help and has a fantastic attitude!"
Ashley Rodriguuez:
Work Anniversaries:
Thomas Jones - June 1st - 5 Years
Thomas is a strong asset to HLG. He holds himself accountable and continually looks for opportunities to improve his team. He cares deeply about his department and consistently strives to improve his role.
Mandy Sisto - June 12th - 1 Year
In her first year with the firm, Mandy has made an excellent transition to the Bankruptcy department, quickly establishing herself as a detail-oriented, reliable, and professional legal assistant. She consistently completes assignments accurately and ahead of deadlines, communicates effectively, and contributes positively to the team and overall success of the firm.
Savannah Torreano - June 30th - 1 Year
HLG in the Community: Continuing Bankruptcy and Collections Defense Education in Sarasota County
11/04/2022: In most consumer debt collection actions, the parties must attend a mediation to attempt to resolve the dispute before trial. In November 2022, Holland Law Group attorneys, J. Edward Richards and Elyssa Harvey Tenenblatt, worked with the Florida 12th Judicial Circuit's Citizen Dispute Settlement Program to provide continuing mediation education to many of the Circuit's volunteer mediators. Along with another local attorney, Edward and Elyssa provided valuable information and answered questions regarding legal issues surrounding the many consumer debt cases that are filed each year.
Edward, a senior associate attorney in HLG's debt defense department and appears every week in Manatee and Sarasota County courts. He first spoke about debt consolidation and settlement companies as well as the pitfalls many consumers encounter as they try to use those services to settle their accounts. He then spoke about the different kinds of debt, from credit card accounts to automobile deficiencies and medical debts – each with their own defenses and issues.
Elyssa, a senior associate attorney in HLG's bankruptcy department, who is authorized to practice in Florida's Northern, Middle, and Southern district Federal courts, discussed how bankruptcy can assist someone struggling with debt. She discussed the different kinds of bankruptcy, what those bankruptcies can do for different debtors, bankruptcy asset exemptions, timing of filing, and other bankruptcy nuances. She also suggested questions for mediators to ask regarding bankruptcy when conducting a civil dispute mediation.
The Citizen Dispute Settlement Program (CDSP) provides free mediation and referral services for the citizens of Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto Counties across a wide variety of disputes. CDSP uses Florida Supreme Court certified mediators who volunteer their time and are specially selected for the program, and the program can be utilized by parties prior to filing a case with the court.
If you are interested in our attorneys providing a similar seminar for your classroom or department for your community, please reach out to our office.
Managing Bankruptcy
09/15/2025: As featured in SRQ Magazine, in September 2025, Laurie Blanton, managing bankruptcy attorney was awarded the 2025 Elite Top Attorneys award. Laurie has managed Holland Law Group's Bankruptcy Department since November 2019. Laurie is a seasoned bankruptcy attorney, practicing in the Bankruptcy Federal Court since 2009. If you are considering bankruptcy, contact us today for a free consultation.
