The PCA Team
Tracy Zuluaga
Tracy is a passionate criminal justice and prison reform advocate. In addition to her role as the Executive Director she is personally impacted by the criminal justice and prison system having an incarcerated loved one. Her experience navigating the criminal justice and prison system with her loved one over the years is what prompted her to become a social entrepreneur and staunch advocate for those who are wrongfully convicted and those returning from a period of incarceration, and including speaking in Tallahassee during Legislative Sessions in matters of reform.
Elisabeth Whitmire, Esq.
Staff Attorney
Attorney Whitmire comes with 10 years trial and courtroom experience in criminal defense and appellate law. Attorney Whitmire has worked in both the Public Defender’s Office and in Private Practice. She holds a Juris Doctorate degree with a certification in Legal Research, Writing and Drafting. She has participated in more than 120 jury trials and numerous evidentiary hearings during the course of her career.
Attorney Whitmire’s experience in criminal defense, appellate and post-judgment cases and law makes her an excellent addition to the Post-Conviction & Returning Citizens Alliance team.
Rook Ringer, Esquire
Direct of Legal Services
Florida native Rook Ringer is a highly accomplished appellate lawyer whose exceptional skill at writing appeal briefs and motions has earned her numerous awards as well as recognition from her peers. Before attending law school, she was a military intelligence analyst in the US Army and afterward worked as a private investigator.
Rook refined her talent for writing compelling and persuasive legal arguments while working for various law firms and assisting in numerous criminal trials as she was earning her degree. She has a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in Criminal Forensic Studies from Florida Gulf Coast University and earned her law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law, which she attended on a full academic scholarship.
She has authored briefs and motions for many appellate courts, including the Florida Supreme Court and New Jersey Supreme Court. In addition to being a member of the Florida Bar, Rook is licensed to practice federal law in several United States District Courts, the Eleventh and Fifth United States Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
The National Trial Lawyers named Rook one of the Top 10 Civil Rights Trial Lawyers in Florida, citing her “superior qualifications, leadership skills, and trial results as a trial lawyer.” She has also been named one of the Top 10 Women’s Rights Trial Lawyers and Top 25 National Women Trial Lawyers.
Rook is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association, the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, the American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, the Jacksonville Bar Association, and the National Police Accountability Project. She is a board member of the National Trans Bar Association, as well as a member of the National LGBT Bar Association.
In addition to her professional memberships, Rook is a member of Jewish War Veterans, a life member of Hadassah, a life member of Disabled American Veterans, and a member of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism.
Rook speaks German and Hebrew and holds a Master’s Degree in Classical and Ancient History from American Military University. In her free time, she can usually be found riding motorcycles, going to her synagogue, or spending time at the beach with her family.
Jenifer Lockwood
Director of Intake & Case Management
Jenifer is a certified paralegal and a former law clerk. She earned her Paralegal Certificate from Blackstone University and her associate degree in Paralegal Studies from South University.
Jennifer is also a member of the NALA (National Association of
Legal Assistants), Jenifer is a staunch advocate and public speaker and utilizes every opportunity to share her story and experiences with the criminal justice and prison system.
In the early 2000’s Jenifer found herself addicted to pain medication prescribed after surgery. This addiction led Jenifer to a criminal conviction under Florida’s harsh Minimum Mandatory Sentencing Scheme under Drug Trafficking. Picking up one bottle of pills (60 tablets) from a pharmacy, Mr. Lockwood faced a 25-year minimum mandatory sentence. While incarcerated, she worked as a law clerk in the prison law library, helped many others earn post-conviction relief, mentored others, served as President of Toastmasters International, and received public recognition as a role model by the staff and Warden. Ms. Lockwood excelled in legal studies and working as a law clerk assisting others and was named the “GOAT” for her diligence, understanding of the law and successes.
Jenifer’s case was taken to the Florida Supreme Court and was largely featured as one of the cases that led to the change in the Drug Trafficking Statute in 2012 revising the gram weight and sentencing scheme. Jenifer is an active criminal justice and prison reform advocate with a special focus on abolishing Florida’s
Minimum Mandatory drug laws. Her story has been told in several national publications, including Rolling Stones Magazine. Jenifer is also a freelance writer for The Human Rights Defense Center, Prison Legal News, and Criminal Legal News.
Brittany Mullins
Legal Research Specialist
Brittany Mullins is a wonderful addition to the Post-Conviction Alliance team. She likes to say, “I’ve been there—in prison. I spent 5 years behind bars after falling into a terrible cycle of trauma and addiction, but that didn’t define me.” After prison, she focused on improving her life and taking advantage of every opportunity available. She worked for three years in one of Tampa Bay’s top restaurants where she quickly moved up the ladder. While incarcerated Brittany had the privilege of meeting Jenifer Lockwood. They quickly became friends and Brittany enjoyed learning from her and viewed her as a mentor.
They vowed then that we would one day work together on the outside and never forget those left behind. They would use their voice and experience to advocate for criminal justice and prison reform. So, Brittany decided to take a leap of faith and go to college. She earned her associate degree in legal studies from Saint Petersburg College.
Jen and Brittany remained friends and kept in touch and kept their vow to work together! Now she is ready to share her experience, knowledge and education and help right some of the wrongs that occur in the criminal justice systems. Brittany shared, “I’m always trying to find something new to learn”. One of my favorite quotes is by Socrates, who said, “I know that I know nothing.” To me, this conveys the message that as we learn and experience life, we realize there is much more to learn and experience than we can ever imagine, and I like to live by those words. And when it comes to post-conviction law and advocacy, count me in- I won’t turn down an opportunity to make a difference and help others!
Philip Mosier
Senior Paralegal
Philip is a dedicated professional with a rich educational background, having studied Criminal Law at California Coast University and Business Administration at Ashland University. His certifications in Procedures in the Justice System and Forensic Science exemplify his commitment to understanding justice. With 15 years of experience in post-conviction and civil litigation as a paralegal, he has been instrumental in helping many individuals restore their rights and achieve justice.
At just 16 years old, Philip faced a daunting challenge when he found himself on the wrong side of the law, confronted with the possibility of two life sentences. Instead, he received a 30-year prison sentence, but he refused to let this define him. Philip took full advantage of opportunities for self-improvement while incarcerated, earning certifications in Information Technology, Microsoft Office, and Logistics, among others.
His determination enabled him to successfully litigate his own case before the Second District Court of Appeal, where he advocated for the retroactive application of a 2014 change in juvenile sentencing law to juvenile offenders who had received term-of-year sentences. Through hard work and resilience, Philip demonstrated his rehabilitation and was granted early release after serving 21 years of his sentence. His journey stands as a powerful testament to the potential for change and the pursuit of justice.
Susan Hawkins
Research Assistant
Susan Hawkins is a 20-year veteran in the background check industry. She spent most of her career doing court research on a national level, pulling records, and reviewing case files. Developed by her passion for tracing biological family members and reuniting post-adoption families, she has strong skills in locating witnesses and victims.
Susan’s analytical skills, attention to detail, order and organization make her an awesome addition to the team.
Melanie Rosa
Legal Assistant
Melanie Rosa is a proactive and highly skilled Legal Assistant with a solid background in social work. Her passion for helping others drives her exceptional performance in case management, legal document preparation, and client communication at the Post-Conviction & Returning Citizens Alliance. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Melanie excels in facilitating effective communication and building strong client relationships. With a determination to make a meaningful impact, she combines her legal and social services expertise to deliver compassionate and efficient support to clients and legal teams.
Zayrimar "Zazy" Morales
Grant Writer
Zayrimar Morales is joining our team as a Grant Writer, bringing a strong educational background and a passion for nonprofit work. She holds both a BA and a BS in Spanish and Education from the University of Central Florida (UCF) and is currently pursuing a dual MA in Nonprofit Management and Public Administration at UCF. In her role as a Grant Writer, Zayrimar will be responsible for researching, drafting, and submitting grant proposals to secure funding for our organization’s projects and initiatives. Her academic training in nonprofit management and public administration gives her a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges within the nonprofit sector, enabling her to create compelling proposals that align with our mission and goals. With a solid foundation in education and language skills, Zayrimar excels at communicating our organization’s vision and impact to potential funders.
