Overview
Kayla is a stockholder in the firm’s Divorce, Marital and Family Law practice area. She handles cases involving dissolution of marriage (divorce), child custody, paternity, child support, adoptions and domestic violence injunctions. Kayla is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a summer associate and was a law clerk for the Honorable David A. Demers in Florida’s 6th Judicial Circuit Court.
Throughout her career, Kayla has received much recognition including being named a “Rising Star” by Florida Super Lawyers® (2016-2020), a “Top Lawyer” by Naples Illustrated magazine (2019), and received a 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for her work in family law. She was also recognized as an “Up & Comer” by Florida Trend magazine, an honor awarded to only 138 Florida attorneys in 2017.
While earning her law degree and Masters in Business Administration at Stetson University, Kayla served as chief of the Ambassador Program, secretary of the Business Law Society and president of the Running Club. She also enjoyed tutoring third graders in the Tampa Bay Area to help them pass the FCAT with Stetson’s Lawyers for Literacy program. It is not surprising upon graduation, Kayla received the Dean’s Award and William F. Blews Pro Bono Award. While a student at the University of South Florida, she was a member of the Honors College Student Council and conducted research on the effects of student leadership on the college campus. Kayla was also a 400 hurdler for the Women’s Track and Field Team.
Kayla is a Fort Myers native and graduated from Fort Myers High School. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, their dog, Adelaide, traveling and running. Kayla is also in the process of getting her private pilot’s license.
Professional and Civic Affiliations
Kayla is active in the community and devotes time to serving on the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida‘s Board of Directors and volunteers as a coach with the Fort Myers High School Track & Field Team. In the legal community, she serves on the Florida Bar’s Young Lawyer’s Division Board as one of two governors for the 20th Judicial Circuit and is chair of the Health & Wellness Committee. Kayla is also a member of the Association of Family Law Professionals and a barrister for the Calusa Inn of Court. She is past-president of both the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers and the Lee County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.
Published Opinions
- Leach v. Kersey, 162 So.3d 1104 (Fla. 2d DCA 2015)