Cheryl Forchilli, Esq.

Personal Introduction

Cheryl Forchilli began her diverse legal career in 2001 when she started her practice in Washington, D.C. as a litigator at one of the largest law firms in the United States, Jones Day. After several years at Jones Day, she decided to move home to Florida. She completed a clerkship for Federal District Judge James J. Whittemore in the Middle District of Florida. As a solo practitioner for more than a decade, she focused on elections law and campaign finance compliance for Florida Democratic candidates and political organizations. During that time, she also worked as a campaign manager and political consultant to several successful legislative campaigns. She was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to the Florida Commission on Ethics, where she served for more than four years and was elected Chair by her colleagues. Several years ago, Cheryl went through the complex process of getting recognition of her Italian citizenship. To successfully complete the process, she had to file a lawsuit against the New York State Department of Health to acquire the vital records necessary to prove her Italian ancestry. She has since learned there are many Americans of Italian and Irish descent who need representation in U.S. courts to overcome various stumbling blocks to having their birthright citizenship successfully recognized. She opened an office in New York City to offer affordable assistance to these individuals and families. Cheryl was a founding board member of freeFall Theatre, a non-profit professional Equity theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida, and has served as Board President since 2012. She graduated with high honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and is licensed to practice in Florida, D.C., and New York. Cheryl currently resides in New York City and Tampa.