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President
Veronica A. Hazzard, Esq.
Veronica A. Hazzard is an experienced trial attorney with a strong background in both civil and criminal litigation. She has tried more than 50 jury trials to verdict, demonstrating a high level of courtroom skill and strategic advocacy. Her litigation experience spans a wide range of complex legal matters, making her an advocate in high-stakes cases.
Before joining Conrad & Scherer, Veronica served as in-house trial counsel for a major homeowners insurance company, where she handled complex litigation and played a key role in trial strategy. Prior to that, she spent nearly seven years as an Assistant Public Defender in Palm Beach County, representing clients in cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital felonies. Her extensive trial experience and ability to manage intricate legal issues have shaped her approach to litigation, emphasizing preparation, precision, and results.
Beyond her legal practice, Veronica is deeply involved in the legal community. She serves as President of the F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association and is an active member of the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, the Broward County Bar Association, and the Palm Beach County Bar Association, where she serves on the Bench and Bar Planning Committee. She is also a member of Florida’s Bar Seventeenth Circuit UPL Committee “C,” where she helps investigate unauthorized practice of law matters within the circuit. Additionally, Veronica was appointed to the Florida Bar Civil Procedure Rules Committee, where she will contribute to shaping the rules governing civil litigation in Florida. She also serves on the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “E,” which reviews complaints against attorneys and helps maintain the integrity of the legal profession.
Veronica earned her law degree from Howard University School of Law and is admitted to practice in Florida and before the Supreme Court of the United States. She is known for her strategic approach to litigation, strong advocacy skills, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT / AFFILIATIONS
- F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association, President
- Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “E”
- Florida Bar, Civil Procedure Rules Committee
- Florida Bar, Seventeenth Circuit UPL Committee “C”
- Palm Beach County Bar, Bench and Bar Planning Committee
- Broward County Bar, Bench and Bar Committee
President-Elect
Freddie Menard, Esq.
mailto:president-elect@fmcba.com
Freddie Menard, Esq. is a Haitian-American attorney from Miami, Florida. She attained her Bachelor of Science degree with Summa Cum Laude honors from Florida A&M University and her Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law where she graduated Cum Laude.
Freddie has worked at the State Attorney’s Office in the 15th Judicial Circuit since 2020 where she currently oversees the Conviction Review and Hate Crime Units and chairs the Palm Beach County Hate Crimes Task Force.
Aside from her dedication to justice, Freddie makes it an endless mission to give back to the community and assist young lawyers by connecting them with legal and judicial mentors while providing them with tools that will ensure their smooth transition into the legal profession. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of many organizations including the F. MalcolmCunningham Sr. Bar Association, Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association, Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, and Palm Beach County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section. Freddie proudly serves as a governor for the 15th Judicial Circuit on the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors, is a pupil of the Craig S. Barnard American Inn of Court, part of Class XII of the Florida Bar Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy, a member of the inaugural leadership academy of the National Black Prosecutors Association, and a Florida Bar Criminal Law Section Fellow.
Treasurer
Kemar Thomas, Esq.
Mr. Thomas is a skilled trial attorney dedicated to advocating for individuals and families in personal injury, medical malpractice, premises liability, and wrongful death cases. He currently litigates and tries cases at Goldberg & Rosen, P.A., bringing a wealth of courtroom experience and a proven record of success.
Before joining Goldberg & Rosen, Mr. Thomas served as General Counsel of Operations for one of Florida’s largest insurance companies, where he managed the trial department and served as chief trial counsel. In that role, he advised the Chief Legal Officer and Vice President of Litigation on potential exposure and oversaw risk management in high-stakes trials. His experience on the defense side provides him with invaluable insight into how insurance companies operate—an advantage he now uses to fight for injured plaintiffs.
Beyond his courtroom work, Mr. Thomas is deeply engaged in the legal community. He current serves on the Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar, a Past President of the F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association, a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, and served as Co-Chair of the Palm Beach Bench Bar Conference 2025. In 2024, Mr. Thomas was honored by St. Thomas University School of Law with the prestigious Legal Luminary Award.
Secretary
Derrick Gaither, Esq.
Derrick S. Gaiter is an Assistant Attorney General residing in Palm Beach, Florida.
In 2015, Gaiter earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Political Science, and Latin from Howard University in Washington, DC. There he was a Presidential Pathways Fellow at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In 2017, Gaiter earned his Master of Arts in the History of Design and Curatorial Studies from Parsons School of Design / Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian in New York. There he was a Smithsonian Institution Fellow. Gaiter, in 2023, earned his Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University, College of Law. There he was a Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellow. In 2025, the United Kingdom’s Design History Society recognized Gaiter as a Design Historian shaping careers related to the arts. Through Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (“VLA”), Gaiter also provides pro-bono legal assistance to income-eligible artists, creative entrepreneurs, and arts organizations.
Immediate Past President
Cheo Reid, Esq.
mailto:pastpresident@fmcba.com
Cheo Reid is the Deputy Executive Director and Chief of the Juvenile Division at the Office of State Attorney in the 15th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Palm Beach County and has served as a prosecutor since 2009. He currently works on recruitment and retention, professional development, legislative affairs, fiscal management, information technology, and oversees the juvenile division. Cheo is a member of the Florida Bar’s Criminal Rules Procedure Committee and a past chair of the Juvenile Court Rules Committee. He also represents the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association on the Florida Supreme Court’s Steering Committee on Children and Families in Court.
He is also a past president of the F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association. In addition to his involvement and leadership in the legal field, community engagement is also high on his list of priorities. He regularly speaks at schools, churches, and seminars educating parents and the public on internet safety and educating youth on the consequences of crime. Cheo also serves on the Community Engagement Team for Palm Beach County’s Criminal Justice Commission where he strives to create a culture of transparency and accountability between the community and the criminal justice system. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Cheo is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and Florida A&M University College of Law. He has a demonstrated passion for protecting and serving the community.
Advisor
Hershley Hughes, Esq.