Zarra Elias
Tampa, Florida, USA 

zelias.mbb@gmail.com

Zarra Elias received her law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.  She is a also Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of South Florida, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology. Zarra was the Chapter President of MBB’s university chapter at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.  She also served as Chair of MBB’s University Chapter Leadership Committee.

Zarra was born in Manila, Philippines and lived in Hong Kong for eight years before moving to the United States in 2002.  She speaks four languages, including Tagalog, Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.  Her decision to pursue a law degree can be traced back to her childhood.  She was born in the Philippines, a country that has struggled to combat corruption. She grew up with a mindset that lawyers had the most authority to end corrupt practices, and that they were in the best position to help their countries.  At that point, she never thought the practice of law had so many facets.

When she came to the United States in 2002, Zarra learned that she could essentially do numerous positive things with a law degree – a mindset that she still maintains to this day.  Further, she was introduced to the benefits of ADR such as mediation while working at the State Attorney’s Office in Tampa, Florida.  Through that experience, she learned that ADR is a more peaceful and effective means to solve conflicts.  She first discovered MBB through Johann Smith, the founding President of UF Law’s University Chapter.   Because of her desire to learn more about ADR, she was instantly attracted to the organization.  Zarra says she feels extremely thankful to be part of such a philanthropic organization. 

While in law school, Zarra was selected to participate in the Mediation Clinic, a critical step that provided her with the opportunity to become a Certified County Court Mediator.  Further, Zarra was the Research Assistant of the Director of the law school’s Institute for Dispute Resolution, and she also worked closely with University of Florida’s Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution in promoting the university’s mediation services.

Zarra’s past work experience also includes a summer associateship with Ruden McClosky, a clerkship with a federal judge in Tampa, and an internship with a Tampa immigration law firm.