15th Judicial Circuit Guest

Biography

EDUCATION

• University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1995
  Associate Editor, Comparative Labor Law Journal
• University of Florida College of Law, visiting student, 1994-1995, honors
  Book Awards:  Trial Practice and Environmental Law
• College of William and Mary, B.S. (double major in Biology and History), 1992, cum laude and with honors      

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS

• Circuit Judge, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit (assigned to head up Foreclosure Division, June 2009-Oct. 2010; Circuit Civil Division, August 2010-present);
• Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart (Shareholder 2002-09, Associate 1995-02)

JUDICIAL & BAR ACTIVITIES

• Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions--Contract and Business Cases, 2009-2013;
• Faculty member:  National Judicial College, Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies (AJS), Florida Judicial College Phase II,  and Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges' Annual Meeting;
• Conference of Circuit Court Judges' Education Committee;
• Palm Beach County Bar Association (President 2007-08, Board of Directors 2004-09, Bench Bar Conference Chair 1999, Jud. Relations Committee Co-Chair 2002-03, Membership Committee Chair 2002-03, Professionalism Committee 2004-11);
• Florida Bar Civil Rules Committee, 2011-12;
• Florida Bar Standing Committee on Professionalism, 2008-11;
• American Inns of Court (Membership Chair 2004-05, Programming Co-Chair 2003-04);
• Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Palm Beach County Chapter (Board of Directors 2002-04).

HONORS & AWARDS

• "Jurist of the Year", Palm Beach County Justice Association, 2011
• "Leader in the Law" honoree, FAWL, 2011
• Board Certified in Business Litigation, 2001-16;
• AV-rated as practicing attorney by Martindale-Hubbell;
• South Florida Business Journal, selected as one of the recipients of the Influential Business Women Award, 2009;
• South Florida Legal Guide, selected as a Top Up and Comer, 2009;
• Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches Athena Young Professional Award, finalist, 2007-08;
• South Florida Business Journal, recipient of the Up and Comer in Law Award, 2005  
• Selected as a Florida Super Lawyer, 2006-2008.

OTHER CIVIC ACTIVITIES

• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Palm Beach County Business Mentoring Program (2011-present)
• Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, 2008-present.

PUBLICATIONS

• “Discovery in Other States and Countries” chapter in Business Litigation in Florida (2012);
• “Defining the Hourglass:  When is a Claim Under the Florida Civil Rights Act Time Barred?” 73 Fla. B. J. 68 (Dec. 1999)