Alexa Penalta is an Associate Attorney in The Cook Group’s Fort Lauderdale office. Her practice includes toxic tort, products liability, and general liability. Alexa brings a broad and diverse background shaped by litigation experience across multiple jurisdictions, including hearings, depositions, and trial preparation. Her legal career began at a civil litigation firm practicing general litigation and intellectual property. In her last year at the firm, she directed the intellectual property department and litigated cases filed throughout the country. Alexa has also supported regulatory compliance and administrative law matters in both public and private sector roles. Prior to joining The Cook Group, she practiced at an insurance defense firm focusing on general liability, automotive negligence, and premises liability.
Alexa obtained her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad College of Law in Davie, Florida. In law school, she served on the Moot Court Society and competed in the Dean Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Moot Court Competition in Brooklyn, NY. She also received the Second-Best Brief Award in Nova's Upperclassman Moot Court Competition. Additionally, she was President of Nova's Animal Law club, Director of Public Relations for the Hispanic Student Bar Association, Community Service Co-Chair for the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and a Law School Ambassador for the College of Law admissions. She received an Excellence in Pro Bono Award for completing more than 75 pro bono service hours while in law school. Alexa held summer internships with the Honorable Judge Robert Diaz, 17th Judicial Circuit, and the State of Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of General Counsel.
Prior to law school, Alexa obtained her Bachelor of Science at the University of Florida, majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Innovation. She was in the inaugural class of the Innovation Academy at the University of Florida. The exclusive minor curriculum focused on ethics, creativity, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and leadership.
Alexa is a native Floridian and is admitted in Florida, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Florida, and Northern District of Florida. She is a member of the Broward County Bar Association and the Florida Defense Lawyers Association. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, with her family, or volunteering with animals.