PFAWL in Action: How Two Leaders Are Advancing Women in Law and Community

Posted on September 18, 2025, by Massey Law Group

The Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (PFAWL) is more than a professional organization. It’s a movement. It’s a place where women attorneys find mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a strong sense of community.

At its heart, PFAWL is powered by its members. Among them, Starlett Massey, Founder of Massey Law Group (MLG), and Jordan Baer, Attorney at MLG, have taken on leadership roles as committee chairs. Their stories show how PFAWL inspires attorneys to grow, give back, and lead with purpose.

Finding Connection and Building Visibility

When Starlett first heard about PFAWL, she had been practicing law for a decade. She was introduced to the chapter by fellow women attorneys who invited her to an event. “I was enthralled with how genuine, welcoming, and supportive all of the PFAWL members were,” Starlett recalls.

That first impression became the start of something lasting. Over the next eight years, PFAWL became integral to her professional and personal life. Starlett has seen firsthand how PFAWL changes careers and lives. She’s hired attorneys she met through the chapter, mentored younger lawyers, and supported colleagues in judicial campaigns. Along the way, she has built friendships that make her work with PFAWL a gift, offering her the opportunity to feel a close connection with like-minded women attorneys.

One of her most memorable experiences came this year at FAWL Lobby Days in Tallahassee, where she joined other leaders advocating for legislative change to advance women’s interests in the state. “It was an incredible opportunity to learn more about the state legislative process from inside the Capitol. The new connections I made there continue to impress me with their advocacy, dedication, and wisdom as we look toward Florida’s future,” says Starlett. 

As Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Chair, Starlett works to organize events to expand PFAWL’s network and community outreach. For her, the work is about making the organization’s values visible to the community. She sees PFAWL’s growing visibility in Pinellas as one of the chapter’s proudest achievements. In the role, Starlett also leads PFAWL’s PRIDE Parade Committee, which she finds immensely rewarding. Since PFAWL has substantially increased its footprint at the St. Pete PRIDE Parade, it has created a significant opportunity for the non-lawyer community to learn about PFAWL, its values, and recognize PFAWL as the lady lawyers who are active in the community and make things happen. 

Lifting Up the Next Generation

For Jordan, becoming a lawyer was always her dream. Equally clear was her decision to get involved in bar associations. “Not only are bar associations, such as PFAWL, important to the legal profession, but they are also such a great way to enjoy the best parts of being a lawyer,” she says.

Jordan also believes that leadership is a natural extension of being an attorney, not only having a responsibility to advocate for clients but also to contribute to the legal profession and community as a whole. As Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Chair, Jordan dedicates her time to empowering new women attorneys in Pinellas County, uplifting and connecting women in a profession driven mainly by men. 

“My main goal for this year is to be a resource for any young woman who needs me and to work toward bettering the profession for all future young women,” shares Jordan. She describes PFAWL as a source of both mentorship and friendship. It has helped her immensely in her career growth, connecting her with women who are great resources for every area of law and great role models and friends.

Like Starlett, Jordan lights up when talking about PFAWL’s role in the PRIDE Parade. “Every PRIDE event I have had the privilege to be part of leaves a lasting impression. From the excitement of planning to the joy of attending, it’s a powerful reminder of PFAWL’s commitment to celebrating and supporting everyone.

The Power of PFAWL

Both Starlett and Jordan describe PFAWL as greater than a professional association. It’s a community that stands firmly for its values and creates opportunities for attorneys at every stage of their careers. Starlett reflects that, “The organic relationships built upon our collective labors of love are solid foundations for personal and professional development of young attorneys.”

Together, these two leaders and the many others who give of their time and talents make PFAWL a force for change, visibility, and connection in the legal profession and the community. 

Learn more about how you can get involved in and support the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.