LAUREN YASMIN KOLEILAT, ESQUIRE

Ms. Lauren Yasmin Koleilat, born and raised in Daytona Beach, graduated from Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach in 1993. She attended Florida State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1996. While attending Florida State University, she achieved Dean's List honors and was an active member in Phi Mu Sorority.

After earning her degree from Florida State University, Ms. Koleilat attended Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville. An active member of the student body, she was the Vice President of the Student Bar Association, Vice President of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, a mock trial team member in various competitions, a member of Phi Delta Phi legal Fraternity and a Dean's List honoree.  Ms. Koleilat promoted interest in Florida Coastal by conducting campus tours to prospective students and mentoring those in their first year of law school.  In addition, Ms. Koleilat was one of five interns selected to participate in the Municipal Clinic, where she worked in the Office of the General Counsel, City of Jacksonville.  While at the Office of the General Counsel, Ms. Koleilat researched and helped draft ordinances concerning the homeless population of Jacksonville, as well as assisted in defending the Jacksonville Housing Authority and the Duval County School Board.

Ms. Koleilat was awarded her Juris Doctor degree in May 2000 and was admitted to the Florida Bar in September 2000.  She worked as an Assistant State Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit in Lake City, Florida where she gained valuable experience as a trial lawyer.  She then relocated to her home town of Daytona Beach to accept a position as an Assistant State Attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Volusia County where she became the Lead Trial Attorney for the Misdemeanor Division.  Ms. Koleilat was responsible for, and prosecuted, hundreds of DUI and other misdemeanor cases.  Shortly thereafter, Ms. Koleilat became associated with the Daytona Beach based law firm of Rice Rose & Snell, where she limited her practice to criminal defense, family law, civil litigation and appeals. 

In 2003, Ms. Koleilat formed the Law Office of Lauren Y. Koleilat, where she continues her dedication to family law, injunctions for protection, criminal defense and civil litigation.  Thereafter, Ms. Koleilat founded the Halifax Family Law Center in 2005 to assist parties in amicably resolving their family law disputes.   

In addition to her daily practice, Ms. Koleilat is the contract attorney for the Family Life Center, representing victims of domestic violence and donates her services to the Florida Guardian Ad Litem program.  

Ms. Koleilat is admitted to practice in the Florida state courts as well as the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida.  Ms. Koleilat is also certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Family and County Court Mediator.  Ms. Koleilat is a member of the Florida Bar, Florida Academy of Criminal Defense Lawyers, state and local chapters, the Volusia County Bar Association and the Volusia/Flagler Association of Women Lawyers.  

Ms. Koleilat is a dedicated sports fan.  A member of the Seminole Boosters, she rarely misses a Florida State football game in Tallahassee. In addition to being an avid sports enthusiast, she enjoys traveling, reading, dancing, working out, interior decorating, and spending time with family and friends.