BELKIS PLATA

Belkis Plata is a champion of human and civil rights and works tirelessly to defend Florida’s most under-served and marginalized citizens. She is described by various members of the legal community and her clients as someone who exhibits professionalism, courtesy, diplomacy, compassion, humility, and patience, bringing both strength and purpose to every case she handles.

Belkis was born in the Bronx, New York to a Puerto Rican father and Colombian mother. She moved to Jacksonville during her early childhood where she attended Paxon School for Advanced Studies and Mandarin High. She went on and graduated cum laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology in 2007. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010.

In 2014, Belkis opened Plata Schott Law, becoming the youngest Latina to own her own law firm in Northeast Florida. Today, she is a trial lawyer, business owner, and nationally recognized advocate, known for representing individuals and families in wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury, civil rights litigation, and criminal defense cases, especially those involving children and victims of sexual assault. As a Board-Certified Specialist in Juvenile Law, she brings a rare combination of courtroom experience, strategic litigation, and real trial advocacy to high-stakes cases.

She began her legal career as a trial attorney at the Public Defender’s Office in Jacksonville, where she defended thousands of adults and children facing charges ranging from misdemeanors to life felonies, including attempted murder, sexual offenses, and other serious violent crimes. During her time there, she was nominated as 2011 Employee of the Year, 2012 Trial Lawyer of the Year, and 2013–2014 Trial Team of the Year.

Belkis also served as a Hearing Officer in the Fourth Judicial Circuit for five years where she presided over thousands of cases, ruling on evidence, evaluating witness credibility, and issuing legal decisions, experience that gives her a clear strategic advantage in litigation today.

Recognition & Awards

Belkis’s work has been recognized across the legal, business, and civic communities:

• 2015 Take Stock in Children Alumni of the Year - Alumni of the Year by Take Stock in Children

• 2016 National Excellence in Mentoring - Excellence in Mentoring Awards

• 2017 Juvenile Board Certification - Board Certified in the Area of Juvenile Law

• 2018 Finalist for Board Certified Attorney of the Year

• 2019 Urban Empowerment Award – Year Up Jacksonville

• 2020 Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Award

• 2021 Gator 100 Honoree

• 2022 First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year

• 2023 Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Board Certification

• 2023 Gather for Goodwill Honoree

• 2024 JWLA Breaking Barriers – Building a Better Legal Community recipient

• 2024 Jacksonville Chamber Small Business Leader of the Year

• 2025 University of Florida Gator 40 Under 40

• 2025 Gator 100 Honoree

• 2025 Jacksonville Business Journal 40 Under 40

• 2025 Think Bold Justice & Advocacy Trailblazer Award

• 2026 Gator 100 Honoree

She has also been recognized as a Fourth Judicial Circuit Exceptional Pro Bono Service Honoree in multiple years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, and 2026.

Belkis holds the prestigious AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review rating available, and has also earned:

• Super Lawyers Recognition

• Client Champion – Martindale-Hubbell

• Jacksonville Magazine Legal Expert (2018)

• Excellence in Mentoring Award – National Mentoring Partnership (Library of Congress)

 Service to Country

In February 2025, Belkis was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, where she currently serves as an Assistant Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the Air Force Reserve. In this role, she provides legal counsel, supports military operations, and strengthens her expertise in litigation, constitutional rights, and high-level legal decision-making.

 Leadership & Community Impact

·       American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Ambassador (Current)

·       Diocese of St. Augustine Review Board Member (Current)

·       First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Member (2023)

·       Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Member (Current)

·       Florida Bar Juvenile Law Certification Committee, Vice Chair (2024)

·       Florida Bar Juvenile Rules Committee Member (Current)

·       Florida Justice Administration (Current)

·       Goodwill Industries, Board Member (Current)

·       Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Chair (2024)

· Human Rights Coalition Member

·       Jacksonville Justice Association (Current)

·       Mariposa Initiative Steering Committee Member (2022)

·       National Juvenile Defender Center Member (Current)

Belkis is a member of the Florida Bar and is licensed to practice law in all Florida State Courts, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, United States Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals and United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.