Ama Appiah primarily represents those seeking representation in immigration, appeals, and entertainment law.
Ms. Appiah earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the State University of New York College at Buffalo, cum laude. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Appiah worked as a legal assistant and paralegal in the Legal Department of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office - Disaster Assistance Office in Niagara Falls, NY. The Disaster Assistance Office provided federal grants and loans to those who suffered physical and/or economic damage to homes and/or businesses as a result of a natural disaster.
Attorney Appiah earned her law degree from Albany Law School in Albany, NY in 2003. It was there that she gained extensive appellate experience. She interned for a substantial time in the Albany County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Appeals Division. Ms. Appiah also interned for the Hon. Thomas J. McAvoy in the U.S. Northern District Court of New York, and in the Corporations Division of the New York State Department of State.
Upon moving to Florida in 2003, Ms. Appiah worked for a solo practitioner whose focus was criminal and civil litigation. Since 2005, Ms. Appiah has contracted with the Tenth Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office, as a Special Assistant Public Defender on felony criminal appellate cases. In 2005, Ms. Appiah also became a Program Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program. The Guardian ad Litem Program represents the best interest of children in cases alleging abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Ms. Appiah represented the Program in the juvenile dependency division of the circuit court, in cases resulting in reunification, adoption, or other alternatives. Ms. Appiah became an Appellate Senior Program Attorney for the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program. She represented the Guardian ad Litem Program in District Courts of Appeal throughout the state of Florida through 2009.
Ms. Appiah has participated in several pro bono activities throughout central Florida for those who are indigent and low income. She has participated in family law clinics for Florida Rural Legal Services in Polk county. She has participated in “Community Law Day” clinics and a “Citizenship Day” immigration law clinic Pinellas county. Additionally, Ms. Appiah has been trained in human trafficking representation from the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association in Orange county.
Ms. Appiah's private practice includes representation of clients in immigration, appellate, and entertainment matters.
Attorney Appiah is admitted in Florida state courts, and the U.S. Middle District Court of Florida.
Practice areas
Emphasis on Florida state civil, criminal, and family appeals.
17 years
Emphasis on green card applications and citizenship.
14 years
Transactional entertainment, creative arts, and sports law.
9 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
FL | Member in Good Standing | 2004 | 12/20/2020 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Leaders in the Law | Pinellas Chapter of Florida Association of Women Lawyers | 2018 |
2017 Pro Bono Service Award Honorable Mention | Sixth Judicial Circuit | 2017 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | Law Office of Ama N. Appiah, P.A. | 2008 - Present |
Special Assistant Public Defender | Tenth Judicial Circuit Public Defender's Office | 2005 - Present |
Program Attorney | Statewide Florida Guardian ad Litem Program | 2005 - 2009 |
Associate | Maura J. Kiefer, P.A. | 2003 - 2004 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
St. Petersburg Bar Association | Member | 2017 - 2019 |
Clearwater Bar Association | Member | 2017 - 2019 |
Fred G. Minnis Sr. Bar Association | Member | 2017 - 2019 |
Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Pinellas County chapter) | Member | 2016 - 2019 |
Gulf Coast Legal Services | Board Member | 2015 - 2019 |
Florida Bar, Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section | Member | 2013 - 2015 |
---|
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The Champion magazine | We, the Jury | 2019 |
Juris Publishers | Cultural Issues in Criminal Defense | 2015 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Albany Law School of Union University | law | 2003 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Florida Label Fest | Roundtable Discussion | 2013 |
Sunscreen Fim Festival | Under the Gun: Should the Film Industry Limit Gun Violence in Movies | 2013 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Swilley v State of Florida | Reversed and remanded for new trial |
McFarlane v State of Florida | Reversed in part and granted in part |
Hemingway v Hemingway | Affirmed. |
German Pito Ayala v State of Florida | Reversed and remanded for new trial. |
[C. J. W.] v State Dep't of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement Program, et al. | Order quashed, case remanded |
J.M. v Dep't of Children & Family Services | Petition quashed in part, and order quashed in part |
---|---|
A.L.G. vs. J.F.D. | reversal and remand |
Posted by Thomas
Wed Jan 03 2018
Posted by Camila
Sat Dec 30 2017
I endorse this lawyer for always showing dedication to clients.
Carolyn Tran, Immigration Attorney on Feb 2, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. She is an excellent attorney. Very reliable, dedicated and hard-working.
Carin Constantine, Family Attorney on Dec 29, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. Excellent attorney
Wendy Doyle, Family Attorney on Nov 24, 2008
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer's work. I worked with Ms. Appiah for several years. She is a very dedicated diligent, ethical attorney. I highly recommend her as an attorney.
Kelly Spegon, Appeals Attorney on Oct 15, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ama Appiah has always exhibited good judgment and excellent character. She is an intellectual who has rapidly excelled in her career. When a client has a question outside of my specialty, I feel confident calling on Ms. Appiah for sound legal advice. I endorse this lawyer's work.
Linda Ramirez, Appeals Attorney on Sep 30, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Appiah is a person of great skill and integrity. She is extremely conscientious. I highly recommend Ms. Appiah.