our team
Attorney Maeder practices appellate law in a wide range of civil subject areas, with a focus on family law, dependency law, adoption law, and contract disputes. She offers attorney clients litigation support and trial preparation, including consulting on complex cases, drafting intricate motions, and performing extensive research.
A native Floridian, Attorney Maeder grew up in south and central Florida. She graduated from Dr. Phillips High School and earned her undergraduate degree summa cum laude from University of Central Florida, concentrating in interdisciplinary studies with a blend
of English literature, journalism, mass communications, and sociology.
Attorney Maeder previously worked in civil liability defense, insurance defense, and employment law. She graduated from Florida State University College of Law where she gained valuable experience as a Certified Legal Intern at the Public Interest Law Center. There, she represented indigent clients and children in prison. Attorney Maeder
also received the Distinguished Pro Bono Service certificate for her legal education efforts and her pro bono litigation and trial work. She was a teaching assistant in the school’s Juris Master program, where she worked in both Health Care Fraud and Abuse, and Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance courses.
In 2023, Attorney Maeder became a member in good standing of the Washington, D.C. Bar. Her favorite U.S. city, she is passionate about assisting Washington, D.C. attorneys and residents alike in appellate services and trial support.
Attorney Maeder serves on the Florida Bar Journal editorial board and is a member of the Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section, where she was the 2020-2022 appellate fellow. She is a Florida Supreme Court certified family law mediator. She also volunteers at the pro bono family clinic through Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. Attorney Maeder teaches legal writing at Florida International University as an adjunct professor.
Contact
Dayna Maeder
Attorney
EDUCATION
• Florida State University College of Law, J.D., 2019
• American College of Education, M.Ed., 2019
• University of Central Florida, B.A., summa cum laude, 2014
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
• The Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section member (2020-present)
• The Florida Bar Family Law Section Appellate Committee member (2024-present)
• The Florida Bar Family Law Section Publications Committee member (2024-present)
• The Florida Bar Family Law Section Rules & Forms Committee member (2024-present)
• The Florida Bar Family Law Section Continuing Legal Education Committee member (2024-present)
• The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Section member (2020-present)
• The Florida Bar Journal editorial board member (2020-present)
• Florida Association for Women Lawyers member (2020-present)
PAST PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
• The Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section appellate fellow (2020-2022)
• Palm Beach County Bar Association member (2021-2023)
• Craig S. Barnard American Inn of Court (2021-2022)
• Florida Rural Legal Services volunteer family law consultant (2020-2023)
• Bar Association of Montgomery County (2022-2023)
• Women’s Bar Association of Maryland (2022-2023)
• American Bar Association publication team member (2018-2022)
• American Bar Association negotiation competition judge (2020-2023)
• American Bar Association moot court competition judge (2020-2023)
ADMISSIONS
• The Florida Bar
• The Washington, D.C. Bar
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
• Florida Supreme Court certified family law mediator
Ms. Otero, paralegal at Law Offices of Dayna Maeder, is the heart and soul of the firm. Ms. Otero works with clients to ensure their legal needs are being met, conducts legal research, reviews records, assists with analyses and strategy, and handles all administrative work for the firm.
Ms. Otero was born in Puerto Rico, but at the age of 1 moved to North Florida, where she lived until graduation from Orange Park High School. She currently resides in the State of Hawaii but works exclusively in the Florida legal community. She recently graduated with honors with her bachelor’s in psychology and a minor in criminal justice. Her relevant coursework included classes in the following: Violence Toward Women, Women Throughout History, Criminal Law, Criminal Justice System, and Addressing Power and Inequity.
Ms. Otero is now pursuing her master’s in clinical psychology. Her goal is to become a clinical therapist and expert witness who focuses on domestic violence and sexual assaults. As a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault who fought within the judicial system for 8 years, Ms. Otero understand the importance of advocacy, attention to detail, and delicacy toward clients and their cases. Her hope is to help support clients and the firm in obtaining justice and closure.
Emy Otero
Paralegal
Jen Hritz is our dedicated and reliable office assistant, with more than 20 years of experience in management within a fast-paced environment. Known for her excellent customer service, organizational skills, and strong work ethic, Mrs. Hritz plays a key role in ensuring the office runs smoothly on a daily basis. From managing appointments and scheduling meetings to maintaining filing systems and handling client communications, she is responsible for a wide range of tasks that keep the office operations efficient and organized.
Mrs. Hritz is a proactive team player who is always ready to lend a hand to both the legal staff and clients, contributing to the overall productivity of the firm. With a keen eye for detail and a friendly, professional demeanor, she helps create a positive and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that every client feels well-cared for. Her dedication to providing exceptional administrative support makes Mrs. Hritz an invaluable asset to the team, helping the firm continue to deliver outstanding service and maintain a high standard of professionalism. She can be reached directly at 407-536-8644.
Jen Hritz
office assistant
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Address
- 450 S. Orange Ave, Third Floor, Orlando, FL 32801
- 1629 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20006