Ralph A DeMeo, Esq.
Ralph A. DeMeo has been practicing law in Florida for 40 years. He received his B.A. and M.A. with honors from Stetson University and his J.D. with honors from FSU Law. His primary practice includes environmental, land use, administrative, constitutional, and animal law. He has represented private and public sector clients and human and animal welfare organizations throughout his career. He is recognized in virtually all lawyer rating services as a “leading lawyer,” in particular Martindale-Hubbell (AV-Preeminent, 30 years), Florida Super Lawyers (15 years), Chambers USA (Tier 1- top 10 Florida environmental lawyers, 15 years), and USA Today Who’s Who Lawyers/Lexology index (15 years).
Ralph is active with The Florida Bar (Bar), having chaired the Bar’s Environmental & Land Use Law Section, The Animal Law Section, and The Florida Bar News and Journal Editorial Board; he served on the Executive Council of The Administrative Law Section; and he currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at FSU Law, Stetson Law, and Tallahassee State College. He has authored over 35 articles and chapters in law reviews, journals, and treatises, and speaks regularly at Bar and private industry seminars. He has served as an advisor to Bloomberg News, The Miami Herald, Florida Trend, The Florida Specifier, and other news sources.
He serves on a number of local boards, including the City of Tallahassee (COT) Community Human Services Partnership (Team Leader), COT Bridge Committee (Chair), COT Animal Crimes Task Force, Tallahassee Police Department Citizen’s Advisory Council, and Pets Ad Litem (CEO).
Samantha Joles
Samantha Joles is a 3L at Florida State University College of Law. While pursuing her J.D., Samantha owns and manages Feline Fine Animal Rescue, a nonprofit animal rescue based in Tallahassee Florida. She has co-authored numerous articles on animal law, including “Legal Battles Against Animal Abuse, Puppy and Kitten Mills, and Other Inhumane Activities,” and “Horseracing: The Unbridled Truth.” Next year, Samantha will serve as a lobbyist for the Animal Law Section of the Florida Bar while completing her final semester at FSU Law.
