2016 – Suzanne J. DeCopain, an associate of Saxon|Gilmore, was a guest speaker at the Economic and Wealth Empowerment Institute Speaker Series Seminar held on April 14. The topic was “Education for Your Business”. The event was sponsored by the National Black MBA Association. Ms. DeCopain discussed business law as it pertains to government procurement.
The Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Black MBA Association began in 2007 and contributes its success to delivering programs that touch upon the five main channels for the National Black MBA Association: Education, Entrepreneurship, Career, Leadership, and Lifestyle. The goal of the organization is “to effectively enrich the Tampa Bay community by creating economic growth and intellectual wealth enhancement, while effectively becoming the premier local business organization through the utilization of the talents and experience of our chapter’s memberships base”.
Ms. DeCopain concentrates her practice in the areas of affordable and public housing. She provides advice and services to various public housing authorities and other affordable housing providers in such areas as landlord/tenant matters and all associated aspects of state, federal, and HUD related laws, regulations, policies, and compliance; Fair Housing and ADA/504 compliance; Florida Government-in-the-Sunshine law; and public records law. Formerly, Ms. DeCopain worked for over three years as an assistant state attorney for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida, where she gained significant jury and bench trial experience. She received her B.A. degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and her J.D. degree from Florida Coastal School of Law, where she won best brief in moot court and held many positions, including Co-Director of the Pro Bono Society, Chaplain of the Black Law Student Association, and founding President of the Caribbean Law Student Association. While at Florida Coastal, she helped her clients in the Immigration Clinic gain permanent residency.
Ms. DeCopain is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, The Florida Bar, The George Edgecomb Bar Association (secretary), and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay (mentor).
Ms. DeCopain can be reached at 813.314.4528 or via email at sdecopain@saxongilmore.com.