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Markendia was born in Miami, Florida to Haitian immigrants, Marie Lydia and Maxon and raised in Polk County. After graduating from Winter Haven High School, Markendia attended Florida State University. While attending FSU, Markendia worked with the Florida Law Related Education Association. Markendia assisted the executive director in executing many law related education programs, such as the Florida High School Mock Trial Competition, the Florida Supreme Court Teacher Institute, and also created law related and civic education materials and resources for K-12 grades and adults. She also served as a student representative on FSU's Academic Honor Policy Hearing Panels. Following her love for reading and research, Markendia worked as a library assistant at FSU's Strozier Library. In 2016, Markendia graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Public Relations with cum laude honors.
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After undergrad, Markendia relocated to Atlanta, GA to work as an entertainment publicist and substitute teacher during her gap year. In the fall of 2017, Markendia moved back to Florida to attend Florida State University College of Law. While attending law school, Markendia worked as a law clerk for the Knight Law Firm and served as a Student Ambassador. Markendia was also involved in the Black Law Students’ Association, the Children’s Advocacy Clinic, and the Business Law Clinic. Markendia gave birth to her first born, Makhari Haven, in 2019 during her 3L year. Proving her intelligence, dedication, and resilience, Markendia graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree and received cum laude honors in 2020.
After graduating law school, Markendia continued to work as a Special Deputy/Hearing Officer for the Department of Economic Opportunity. She mediated reemployment and tax hearings, conducted extensive appeals research, and wrote legal decisions. After wanting to move closer to her family, Markendia became an Associate Attorney with Landau and Associates, P.A., a Personal Injury Protection litigation firm, in Tampa, Florida. At Landau, Markendia secured thousands of dollars in unpaid PIP benefits for medical providers. Making her way back to Polk County, Markendia accepted a position as Associate Attorney at Hardin & Ball, P.A. in Lakeland, Florida. At Hardin & Ball, Markendia worked on a variety of civil litigation matters such as probate and guardianship matters, real property litigation, real estate litigation, residential foreclosures, homeowner’s association litigation, and contracts. Markendia gave birth to her baby girl, Marsai Faith, in 2022.
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Markendia currently is running her law firm, Geffrard Law, P.A., and raising her two children. She enjoys reading, listening to 90's R&B, and working to ensure her clients have a voice and are protected.