Meet Talhia S. Rangel

Founder and Managing Attorney

Born in Bolivia and raised in South Florida, Talhia earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University, where she majored in Criminal Justice. Following her commitment to community service, she attended Nova Southeastern University, where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree, where she found a passion for oral advocacy and competed in the Domenick L. Gabrielli National Family Law Moot Court Competition in Albany, New York, where her team became quarter finalists out of 26 law schools.

In her last semester of law school, she was one of seven certified legal interns that were granted a provisional law license by the Florida Supreme Court to practice law prior to graduation. Through the NSU Children and Families Law Clinic, Talhia was permitted to represent indigent clients in family law matters, where she also received the Honorable Charles I. Kaplan Outstanding Service Award for her dedication and commitment to children and families through the clinic.

After becoming licensed to practice law in Florida and gaining experience in family law, Talhia returned to her alma mater as a clinical fellow and adjunct professor. She now educates and mentors future lawyers at the Disability Inclusion and Advocacy Law (DIAL) Clinic, formerly known as the Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (AIDD) Law Clinic until the end of her fellowship in 2025. During her tenure at the DIAL Clinic, Talhia has led the guardianship alternatives division and established the clinic’s annual pro bono project, where law students and attorneys guide families on how to apply for guardian advocacy of the person without needing an attorney. Additionally, Talhia has handled disability-related discrimination cases at both the administrative and federal levels.

Strong Legal Foundation

Talhia Rangel is fluent in Spanish and actively participates in sections and committees within the Florida Bar. She is licensed to practice in Florida and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and United States Circuit Court for the Eleventh Circuit. Talhia also serves on the advisory board for the Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization, which aims to enrich the lives of individuals with Down syndrome through educational, medical, and social support.

Community Leadership

Talhia has presented extensively on guardianship and alternatives to a wide range of audiences, including parents and adults with developmental disabilities, law school faculty, ESE specialists, and other organizations dedicated to supporting adults with developmental disabilities. She has also presented at The Family Café conference in Orlando, FL for two consecutive years, focusing on alternatives to guardianship.

Outside of her clinical and legal practice, Talhia enjoys staying active, spending quality time with her husband and two toddlers, discovering gluten-free recipes on social media (that she may never make), and competing in Fantasy Football—even though she admits she knows nothing about football.