BELKIS PLATA

Belkis Plata is a champion of human and civil rights and works tirelessly to defend Jacksonville’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, firmness, compassion, humility, patience, and selfless.

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.

Belkis began her legal career as a trial attorney at the Public Defender’s Office.  During her time at the Public Defender’s Office Belkis defended thousands of adults and children charged with various crimes from petit theft to attempted murder. While at the Public Defender’s Office she was nominated as 2011 Employee of the Year, 2012 Trial Lawyer of the Year, and 2013-2014 Trial Team of the Year.

In 2014, Belkis opened Plata Schott Law, becoming the youngest Latina to own her own law firm in Northeast Florida. In 2015, she was honored at the State Capital and named Alumni of the Year by Take Stock in Children. In 2016, she was presented with the annual Excellence in Mentoring Awards by the National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR) at the Library of Congress in D.C.

In 2017, Belkis became Board Certified in the Area of Juvenile Law. The following year, in 2018, Belkis was nominated for Board Certified Attorney of the Year. In 2019, Belkis was presented the Urban Empowerment Award by Year Up Jacksonville for her impact on urban young adults. In 2020, Ms. Plata was unanimously selected to receive the Young Lawyer’s Division (YLD) Pro Bono Award at the Florida Supreme Court.

Belkis is accomplished, driven, and an experienced litigation attorney. She holds an AV Preeminent Rating, the highest rating possible from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the most prestigious attorney-peer-review system.

Belkis is a member of the Florida Bar and is licensed to practice law in all Florida State Courts and in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.