GIANNA LASTARZA

Legal Assistant/Paralegal

My Story:

Growing up as a child caught in the middle of my parents’ high-conflict divorce shaped not only my childhood, but also the direction of my life. Those experiences left me with a deep understanding of how overwhelming and isolating the process can feel—for both children and parents. However, at just 12 years old, I met the person who would later change the course of my life: my Guardian ad Litem, Emily DeSantis (then, Emily Cochran). When I was a child, Emily was my advocate in the courtroom, ensuring I had a voice in the process and that my best interests were protected. Years later, I had the opportunity to reconnect with her—not as a child in need of representation, but as a professional stepping into the legal field. Today, I have the privilege of working alongside Emily, my boss and mentor, which has brought my journey full circle in a truly meaningful way.

credentials

Biography

From an early age, Gianna experienced firsthand the challenges, uncertainty, and emotional weight that come with navigating family court disputes. As a child who was at the center of her parents’ high-conflict divorce, Gianna’s experiences have equipped her to have compassion and insight into every case she works on. She knows what it’s like to feel caught in the middle, and how much it matters to have someone in your corner who genuinely understands.

Gianna’s focus is simple: to use her life experiences and professional training to support, guide, and empower families as they work towards stability, resolution, and brighter futures for themselves and, most importantly, their children.

Gianna lives in Northern Kentucky with her dog, Anna. Whether she is volunteering at church, babysitting, or spending quality time with family and friends, she finds solace in life’s simple pleasures. Always willing to lend a helping hand, she is an overachiever by trade and an empath by heart.

As Legal Assistant/Paralegal of DeSantis Family Law, Gianna implicitly believes in the firm’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and having a holistic approach. Her pristine memory and superior organization skills help clients more easily navigate the legal process, while her positive attitude and empathetic nature bring a sense of calm and order to the most chaotic situations. She is the cornerstone to our work family.

Expertise

  • Law Office Experience 2 years
  • Family Law 1 year
  • Certifications Notary Public Certification

Memberships / Affiliations

  • Current
  • Northern Kentucky Bar Association Paralegal Member
  • Previous
  • 7 Hills Church Children’s Ministry Volunteer
  • Immanuel Church Children’s Ministry Volunteer

Fun Facts

Gianna was homeschooled starting in middle school and graduated high school via homeschooling while nannying full-time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gianna and her family are originally from Rhode Island (and she somehow managed to escape the wonky Northeastern accent).

Gianna lived with a total fifteen (15) snakes over her childhood – “compliments of” having two brothers. She escaped that experience with only minimal trauma.

FAVORITE QUOTE: “Now, when storms of Fate o’ercast Darkly my Present and my Past, Let my Future radiant shine, with sweet hopes of thee and thine” ~ Edgar Allan Poe

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