Our Mission
Our mission is to provide free legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable residents of Seminole County, ensuring equal access to justice in civil matters.
We strive to empower our community by helping individuals understand their rights and navigate critical legal issues, including housing, domestic violence, guardianship, and child custody. Our dedicated team of attorneys, paralegals, and staff work tirelessly to offer compassionate and effective legal support. Our main office is located in historic Longwood, Florida with Satellite offices in Casselberry and at the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford.
Our Team
Attorney McLain, our Executive Director, oversees our operations and strategy, bringing legal expertise and a commitment to promoting equal access to justice for residents of Seminole County. Attorney McLain is bilingual.
silviam@scbalas.com
Shannon Smythe focuses on housing law and is a Barry Law graduate with degrees from UF and UCF. She is a dedicated advocate for vulnerable communities. She is located in our Sanford office, at the courthouse.
shannons@scbalas.com
Denice, paralegal to Sue Selsky, has been with SCLA for over 18 years. Passionate about serving Seminole County residents, she specializes in family law and landlord/tenant matters, ensuring access to justice.
deniceg@scbalas.com
Boris Coronado is attending the University of Central Florida majoring in History and Legal Studies. As an Intake Specialist, he conducts applicant interviews and collects necessary information to ensure all applicant information is complete and accurate.
borisc@scbalas.com
Attorney Selsky has been advocating for clients at Seminole County Legal Aid for over 21 years with family and housing issues. Attorney Selsky manages our monthly Veterans Legal Advice Clinics.
sues@scbalas.com
Abigail, a Central Florida native and Dr. Phillips HS grad, holds an AA and AS in Legal Studies and works as Senior Intake Specialist at Seminole County Legal Aid.
abigails@scbalas.com
Jessica is a Legal Assistant specializing in housing matters. She is currently attending University of Central Florida.
jessicaa@scbalas.com
Kellen Mathews is a Rollins College student who grew up in Seminole County and is passionate about giving back to his community. He is an Intake Specialist conducting applicant interviews.
kellenm@scbalas.com
Yvonne Alonso joined our legal aid team in June of 2007. She currently handles family law and landlord tenant housing matters. Attorney Alonso manages the Casselberry Office.
yvonnea@scbalas.com
For 23 years, she has dedicated herself to non-profit organizations, witnessing the impact of community involvement. With 17 years of experience in accounting, Tunala is trilingual and views numbers as her fourth language, though her true passion lies in serving those in need.
tunalac@scbalas.com
Charity joined SCBALAS in 2011, graduated with an AA in legal studies in 2016, and assists families with guardianship matters and helps manage our IT and Admin issues.
charitys@scbalas.com
Thomas is attending Seminole State College. He assists the Intake department, and aids our staff attorneys as needed. His future goal is to attend law school as assist the community.
thomasr@scbalas.com
Attorney Gripp is a dedicated staff attorney assisting residents of Seminole county in family and housing legal matters. Attorney Gripp oversees the Seminole State Legal Advice Clinics.
matthewg@scbalas.com
Sophia, a bilingual Florida Registered Paralegal since 2021, advocates for clients, bringing a unique perspective and a passion for community service and professional growth.
sophiau@scbalas.com
Chloe, paralegal working alongside Yvonne Alonso, has been a part of our team since 2024. She currently handles family law and landlord tenant housing matters.
chloem@scbalas.com
Audyn is attending the University of Florida and assists the intake department, aids staff attorneys, and designs and manages our website.
audynk@scbalas.com
Staff attorney, Air Force veteran, and UCF alum, passionate about serving Seminole County. She adores being with her husband and dog and loves drinking cortaditos!
bestyc@scbalas.com
Christopher is a Florida registered paralegal. He specializes in family and housing matters. He is located at our Casselberry office.
christopherg@scbalas.com
Public Relations Specialist with a B.F.A. in Communications from Valdosta State University specializing in brand strategy, copywriting, and social media marketing. She manages our college/law student volunteers and interns.
regans@scbalas.com
Julian is a graduate of Auburn University, and Barry University School of Law. He manages our Pro Bono attorney programs, legal education program, and outreach services. He also assists in our housing legal project.
julians@scbalas.com
Attorney McLain, our Executive Director, oversees our operations and strategy, bringing legal expertise and a commitment to promoting equal access to justice for residents of Seminole County. Attorney McLain is bilingual.
silviam@scbalas.com
Yvonne Alonso joined our legal aid team in June of 2007. She currently handles family law and landlord tenant housing matters. Attorney Alonso manages the Casselberry Office.
yvonnea@scbalas.com
Staff attorney, Air Force veteran, and UCF alum, passionate about serving Seminole County. She adores being with her husband and dog and loves drinking cortaditos!
bestyc@scbalas.com
Attorney Selsky has been advocating for clients at Seminole County Legal Aid for over 21 years with family and housing issues. Attorney Selsky manages our monthly Veterans Legal Advice Clinics.
sues@scbalas.com
Attorney Gripp is a dedicated staff attorney assisting residents of Seminole county in family and housing legal matters. Attorney Gripp oversees the Seminole State Legal Advice Clinics.
matthewg@scbalas.com
Shannon Smythe focuses on housing law and is a Barry Law graduate with degrees from UF and UCF. She is a dedicated advocate for vulnerable communities. She is located in our Sanford office, at the courthouse.
shannons@scbalas.com
For 23 years, she has dedicated herself to non-profit organizations, witnessing the impact of community involvement. With 17 years of experience in accounting, Tunala is trilingual and views numbers as her fourth language, though her true passion lies in serving those in need.
tunalac@scbalas.com
Charity joined SCBALAS in 2011, graduated with an AA in legal studies in 2016, and assists families with guardianship matters and helps manage our IT and Admin issues.
charitys@scbalas.com
Chloe, paralegal working alongside Yvonne Alonso, has been a part of our team since 2024. She currently handles family law and landlord tenant housing matters.
chloem@scbalas.com
Sophia, a bilingual Florida Registered Paralegal since 2021, advocates for clients, bringing a unique perspective and a passion for community service and professional growth.
sophiau@scbalas.com
Christopher is a Florida registered paralegal. He specializes in family and housing matters. He is located at our Casselberry office.
christopherg@scbalas.com
Denice, paralegal to Sue Selsky, has been with SCLA for over 18 years. Passionate about serving Seminole County residents, she specializes in family law and landlord/tenant matters, ensuring access to justice.
deniceg@scbalas.com
Julian is a graduate of Auburn University, and Barry University School of Law. He manages our Pro Bono attorney programs, legal education program, and outreach services. He also assists in our housing legal project.
julians@scbalas.com
Public Relations Specialist with a B.F.A. in Communications from Valdosta State University specializing in brand strategy, copywriting, and social media marketing. She manages our college/law student volunteers and interns.
regans@scbalas.com
Abigail, a Central Florida native and Dr. Phillips HS grad, holds an AA and AS in Legal Studies and works as Senior Intake Specialist at Seminole County Legal Aid.
abigails@scbalas.com
Audyn is attending the University of Florida and assists the intake department, aids staff attorneys, and designs and manages our website.
audynk@scbalas.com
Jessica is a Legal Assistant specializing in housing matters. She is currently attending University of Central Florida.
jessicaa@scbalas.com
Kellen Mathews is a Rollins College student who grew up in Seminole County and is passionate about giving back to his community. He is an Intake Specialist conducting applicant interviews.
kellenm@scbalas.com
Boris Coronado is attending the University of Central Florida majoring in History and Legal Studies. As an Intake Specialist, he conducts applicant interviews and collects necessary information to ensure all applicant information is complete and accurate.
borisc@scbalas.com
Thomas is attending Seminole State College. He assists the Intake department, and aids our staff attorneys as needed. His future goal is to attend law school as assist the community.
thomasr@scbalas.com
BOARD MEMBERS
| Erin Greene, J.D. | President |
| Matthews Bark, J.D. | Vice President |
| Thomas G. Freeman, J.D. | Treasurer |
| Maria Espinosa, J.D. | Secretary |
| A. Bryant Applegate, J.D. | Director |
| J. Marc Jones, J.D. | Director |
| Julianna Ross J.D. | Director |
| Nancy Freeman J.D. | Director |
| Robert McIntosh, J.D | Director |
| Scott Ballou | Director |
| Steven Kramer, J.D. | Director |
