Paola Stay, a native of Guayaquil, Ecuador, moved to the Bradenton area in 2003 to pursue her passion for law.Ms. Stay earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of South Florida, graduating with the prestigious distinction of Magna Cum Laude. Her exceptional academic performance during this period earned her acknowledgment from the esteemed National Honor Society. Subsequently, she pursued a J.D. from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, receiving her Juris Doctorate with Cum Laude Honors in 2022. During her tenure at law school, Ms. Stay's outstanding academic performance was consistently recognized, earning her a place on the Dean's List, Honor Roll, and several Certificates of Merit in areas such as Law Practice, Zoning, and Land Use Planning. Her commitment to professional development is further demonstrated by her completion of the Negotiation Mastery certificate program at Harvard Business School Online in 2024.Ms. Stay is strongly committed to giving back to her community. As a volunteer with the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Office, she is making a real difference in the lives of those around her.