About Amanda
Board Certified Attorney in Marital and Family LawCollaborative Law AttorneyFlorida Supreme Court Certified Family MediatorGuardian Ad Litem serving the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Circuits *AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating; SuperLawyer; Rising Star; Florida Association of Women Lawyers Leader in the Law Older Lundy Koch & Martino (04/20 – present)Tampa and Trinity, FLOf counsel – Board Certified Specialist in Marital and Family Law; Adoption, Dissolution, Paternity, Enforcement and Modification, Collaborative Law Law Office of Amanda Colón, P.A. (10/06 – 03/20)Trinity, FLBoard Certified Specialist in Marital and Family Law.Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator.Guardian Ad Litem for the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Circuits.Qualified Parenting Coordinator in the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Circuits.Owner/operator of a sole-practitioner law firm handling Marital and Family Law matters at the Trial and Appellate level, trained practitioner in Collaborative Law.Pasco-Hernando State College (01/08 – 05/09)New Port Richey, FLAdjunct Professor – instructed paralegal certificate students in Legal Issues in Information Technology and Family Law. Developed course syllabus, lesson plans, lectures, tests, and projects. Juvenile Arbitration – (01/07 – 12/08)New Port Richey, FLHearing Master – Pasco County Juvenile Arbitration Program. Heard testimonyand reviewed police reports regarding juveniles who have been diverted from delinquency court. Ordered sanctions for the offenses committed and conducted follow-up hearings at the halfway point of the programs. Attridge, Lucas, Green, Jefferis, Magee and Magazine (06/06 – 10/06)New Port Richey, FLAssociate in mid-sized law firm handling Criminal and Family Law matters.Office of the Attorney General (05/04 – 05/06)Tampa, FLSenior Assistant Attorney General – assigned to the Criminal Appeals Division. Later selected to act as the reviewing attorney for State Appeals, to select, approve and oversee the filing of State Appeals from the Circuit Courts within the Second District Court of Appeal, and monitor their progress through the system. Drafted Appellate Briefs, Responses to Motions for Post-Conviction Relief and participated in Oral Arguments at the Second District Court of Appeal. Was selected to be a part of a limited number of attorneys who handled appeals and responses for Jimmy Ryce cases (Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators).Office of the State Attorney – Sixth Circuit (01/03 – 05/04)New Port Richey, FLFelony Assistant State Attorney – Managed caseload in excess of 200 various felony cases at any given time. Participated in cases involving Murder, DUI Manslaughter, Capital Sexual Battery, Robbery, Burglary, Prison Releasee Reoffenders, Habitual and Habitual Violent Offenders.Assisted in the training of Misdemeanor Assistant State Attorneys. Developed a system of case preparation and office organization as a model to be adopted by newer attorneys. Office of the State Attorney – Sixth Circuit (05/01 – 01/03)New Port Richey and Clearwater, FLMisdemeanor Assistant State Attorney – Managed a County Court Division in its entirety. Ran all court calendars, argued all motions and trials and performed all reviews for reduction of charges for a caseload of over 800 cases at any given time.Assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit for seven months. Assisted in the training of all new attorneys in the unit, developed training packets and informational worksheets, created and shared efficient systems for each stage of the prosecution process. Assisted the Division Leader in making decisions regarding the reduction of charges, Division assignments and training systems.EDUCATION: University of Florida College of Law (08/98 – 05/01)Gainesville, FLJuris Doctorate with HonorsTeaching Assistant for Legal Writing and Appellate AdvocacyReceived Honors in Legal Research and WritingReceived grade of ‘A’ in Advanced Appellate Advocacy University of Florida (08/94 – 08/98)Gainesville, FLBachelor of Arts in Criminology with HonorsPresident’s ListDean’s ListPhi Alpha Delta Pre-law Fraternity/Florida Academic ScholarMEMBERSHIPS, COMMITTEES, VOLUNTEERISM:Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee Attorney Member; Sixth Circuit (02/14 – 2/14/20)New Port Richey, FLPast Chair. Investigate cases of local unlicensed practice of law, and report on the facts of the case to the committee members. Advise the committee as to any recommendations, and vote on potential dispositions. Commission on the Status of Women – Pasco (01/17 – 2019)Pasco County, FLFormer Chair (2017-18) Current Member. Serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners, the community and all agencies and persons in the County in respect to all matters pertaining to the status of women, and act as a liaison between the community and the Board of County Commissioners and County Administration. Tampa Bay Academy of Collaborative Professionals (09/16 – present)Tampa Bay, FLMember and Current Co-Chair Elect. By application and invitation only, this group of interdisciplinary professionals seeks to raise the level of practice in the Tampa Bay Area, while educating the general public of the advantages of Collaborative Law. Sixth Circuit Professionalism Committee – (08/13 – present)Pasco and Pinellas Counties, FLMember and Contact Attorney. Appointed via the Chief Judge for the Sixth Circuit, to serve on the Committee and act as a Contact Attorney for the resolution of professional disputes, in accordance with the Florida Supreme Court’s Order In Re: Code for Resolving Professionalism Complaints. The Committee receives and resolves professionalism complaints informally, develops Continuing Legal Education on Professionalism, and issues an annual report to the Chair of the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Family Law Board Certification Appeals Committee (2016)FloridaMember – Selected to serve on the Committee responsible for reviewing Board Certification Applicant’s exam answers to determine whether points appealed by the applicant should be granted. Reviewed exam questions, model answers, conducted research, and reviewed applicants’ exams. Attended meetings and discussion regarding each topic tested, and every applicant who requested an appeal of their score. Women Lawyers of Pasco – (01/07 – 2020)New Port Richey, FL Past President, Former Vice President and Chapter Representative. Founding member and officer of the Pasco County Chapter of FAWL (2014). The group provides a forum for the development of professional relationships among women of the legal community, promotes the professional image of women lawyers, and upholds the highest standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.Leader in the Law – Statewide award recipient (2018) West Pasco Bar Association – (08/08 – present) New Port Richey, FLPast President, Former positions held: President-Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, and Director. Chair of Law Week 5k Committee which raised funds for Bay Area Legal Services, Inc. for multiple years. Chair of Law Week in 2013; Chair of Installation Banquet in 2012; member of Ethics and Evidence CLE Programs for the last 5 years. Overhauled the direction of the Association by bringing staffing solutions to the Association; transitioned software and website to a more intuitive, cost effective product; changed the location and format of the meetings to increase attendance; and started the development of a strategic plan for the Association. These changes caused an increased interest in new officer positions, for the first time in 6 years.PACE Center for Girls, Inc. – (04/13 – 2021)Hudson, FLPast Chair (2015) Current Co-Chair. Support the efforts of the Pasco PACE Center for Girls through fundraising, bringing increased notoriety to the PACE Program, attending networking functions to advocate for PACE, and general education of the public of PACE’s existence, and the miracles they perform in young girls’ lives. Chair of “Legends of the Knight” Movie and a Message fundraising event.Grievance Committee Attorney Member; Sixth Circuit – (12/10 – 12/13)New Port Richey, FLPast Chair. Investigated complaints against attorneys submitted to the local committee. Recommended findings of probable cause, no probable cause, diversions, and letters of advice. Presided over meetings of the committee, and assigned cases to members.Florida Bar Family Law Section – (08/10 – present)StatewideFormer Secretary for CLE Committee. Continuing member of the CLE Committee. Former Chair of Child Support/DOR CLE, and Former Chair of Special Issues in Timesharing CLE, regarding special needs of children and families. Past member of the Equitable Distribution Committee.Law Library Trustee – (08/08 – 06/11)New Port Richey, FLTrustee – selected to serve on a panel of three trustees, to develop and oversee annual budgets, make subscription selections, and hire law librarian.Canakaris Inn of Court – (10/12 – 05/14)Clearwater, FLMember of Inn of Court focused on the practice of Marital and Family Law. Clearwater Bar Association – (10/12 – 05/14)Clearwater, FLMember.Nominee for Queen Chasco – 2013 and 2014New Port Richey, FLReceived nomination for service award due to volunteer work done in and outside of the legal community.Marathon Finisher – (2000-09) Completed multiple marathons and half-marathons, former fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society via Team in Training.TEACHING AND SEMINAR EXPERIENCE: FLAFCC Annual Conference (2025) – Plenary speaker: Medical Marijuana in Family Court Matters. West Pasco Bar Association Ethics CLE (2021) – Panelist: Technology, Ethics and the Law. AAML Board Certification Review Course (2021) – Prepared materials on Relocation for the Board Certification Review Course Materials. Clearwater Bar Association (2019) – Panelist:“The Great Debate” Discussion of the advantages of Collaborative Law over traditional litigation. West Pasco Bar Association Ethics CLE (2019) – Panelist: Social Media and Responses to Online Reviews.Advanced Trial Advocacy – Assisted workshop leader in Family Law Section sponsored CLE, critiqued participants regarding their trial technique in a mock family law trial.Adjunct Professor – Taught Legal Issues in Information Technology, and Family Law for Pasco-Hernando State College’s Paralegal Program. Prosecution 101 – Instructed prosecutors on Appellate Procedure and trial level tips that help preserve the State’s case during the appellate process.Justice Teaching and Great American Teach-In – Volunteered time to teach children in public schools about the Bill of Rights and encourage critical thinking skills. Spoke to High School students regarding the dangers of drinking and driving, the penalties associated with a DUI arrest, the myths of DUI investigation, and abuse of prescription narcotics and other illegal substances.ACCOLADES AND AWARDS:SuperLawyers Selection – 2017-22; 2025SuperLawyers Rising Star Selection – 2009Florida Association of Women Lawyers “Leader in the Law” Award – 2018INTERN AND CLINIC EXPERIENCE: Office of the State Attorney – 5th Circuit (2001)Ocala, FLIntern - Managed misdemeanor caseload, participated in arraignments, pre-trials, motions and trials. Performed research for misdemeanor attorneys.Sixth Judicial Circuit (2000)New Port Richey and Dade City, FLStaff Attorney – Researched and responded to 3.850 Motions for Post-conviction Relief. Investigated claims of relief pursuant to Heggs and drafted Orders in Response. Provided memorandums of law to judges faced with suppression issues. Drafted disposition forms for family law cases which were adopted for use by the Family Law Judge and Clerk of Court in Dade City.Office of the Attorney General (1999)Tampa, FLIntern – Drafted and filed response briefs on behalf of the State of Florida. Researched prison releasee reoffender sentencing issues and reviewed case records on appeal.PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Board Certified Attorney in Marital and Family LawCollaborative Law AttorneyFlorida Supreme Court Certified Family MediatorGuardian Ad Litem serving the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Circuits *AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating; SuperLawyer; Rising Star; Florida Association of Women Lawyers Leader in the Law Older Lundy Koch & Martino (04/20 – present)Tampa and Trinity, FLOf counsel – Board Certified Specialist in Marital and Family Law; Adoption, Dissolution, Paternity, Enforcement and Modification, Collaborative Law Law Office of Amanda Colón, P.A. (10/06 – 03/20)Trinity, FLBoard Certified Specialist in Marital and Family Law.Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator.Guardian Ad Litem for the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Circuits.Qualified Parenting Coordinator in the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Circuits.Owner/operator of a sole-practitioner law firm handling Marital and Family Law matters at the Trial and Appellate level, trained practitioner in Collaborative Law.Pasco-Hernando State College (01/08 – 05/09)New Port Richey, FLAdjunct Professor – instructed paralegal certificate students in Legal Issues in Information Technology and Family Law. Developed course syllabus, lesson plans, lectures, tests, and projects. Juvenile Arbitration – (01/07 – 12/08)New Port Richey, FLHearing Master – Pasco County Juvenile Arbitration Program. Heard testimonyand reviewed police reports regarding juveniles who have been diverted from delinquency court. Ordered sanctions for the offenses committed and conducted follow-up hearings at the halfway point of the programs. Attridge, Lucas, Green, Jefferis, Magee and Magazine (06/06 – 10/06)New Port Richey, FLAssociate in mid-sized law firm handling Criminal and Family Law matters.Office of the Attorney General (05/04 – 05/06)Tampa, FLSenior Assistant Attorney General – assigned to the Criminal Appeals Division. Later selected to act as the reviewing attorney for State Appeals, to select, approve and oversee the filing of State Appeals from the Circuit Courts within the Second District Court of Appeal, and monitor their progress through the system. Drafted Appellate Briefs, Responses to Motions for Post-Conviction Relief and participated in Oral Arguments at the Second District Court of Appeal. Was selected to be a part of a limited number of attorneys who handled appeals and responses for Jimmy Ryce cases (Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators).Office of the State Attorney – Sixth Circuit (01/03 – 05/04)New Port Richey, FLFelony Assistant State Attorney – Managed caseload in excess of 200 various felony cases at any given time. Participated in cases involving Murder, DUI Manslaughter, Capital Sexual Battery, Robbery, Burglary, Prison Releasee Reoffenders, Habitual and Habitual Violent Offenders.Assisted in the training of Misdemeanor Assistant State Attorneys. Developed a system of case preparation and office organization as a model to be adopted by newer attorneys. Office of the State Attorney – Sixth Circuit (05/01 – 01/03)New Port Richey and Clearwater, FLMisdemeanor Assistant State Attorney – Managed a County Court Division in its entirety. Ran all court calendars, argued all motions and trials and performed all reviews for reduction of charges for a caseload of over 800 cases at any given time.Assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit for seven months. Assisted in the training of all new attorneys in the unit, developed training packets and informational worksheets, created and shared efficient systems for each stage of the prosecution process. Assisted the Division Leader in making decisions regarding the reduction of charges, Division assignments and training systems.EDUCATION: University of Florida College of Law (08/98 – 05/01)Gainesville, FLJuris Doctorate with HonorsTeaching Assistant for Legal Writing and Appellate AdvocacyReceived Honors in Legal Research and WritingReceived grade of ‘A’ in Advanced Appellate Advocacy University of Florida (08/94 – 08/98)Gainesville, FLBachelor of Arts in Criminology with HonorsPresident’s ListDean’s ListPhi Alpha Delta Pre-law Fraternity/Florida Academic ScholarMEMBERSHIPS, COMMITTEES, VOLUNTEERISM:Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee Attorney Member; Sixth Circuit (02/14 – 2/14/20)New Port Richey, FLPast Chair. Investigate cases of local unlicensed practice of law, and report on the facts of the case to the committee members. Advise the committee as to any recommendations, and vote on potential dispositions. Commission on the Status of Women – Pasco (01/17 – 2019)Pasco County, FLFormer Chair (2017-18) Current Member. Serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners, the community and all agencies and persons in the County in respect to all matters pertaining to the status of women, and act as a liaison between the community and the Board of County Commissioners and County Administration. Tampa Bay Academy of Collaborative Professionals (09/16 – present)Tampa Bay, FLMember and Current Co-Chair Elect. By application and invitation only, this group of interdisciplinary professionals seeks to raise the level of practice in the Tampa Bay Area, while educating the general public of the advantages of Collaborative Law. Sixth Circuit Professionalism Committee – (08/13 – present)Pasco and Pinellas Counties, FLMember and Contact Attorney. Appointed via the Chief Judge for the Sixth Circuit, to serve on the Committee and act as a Contact Attorney for the resolution of professional disputes, in accordance with the Florida Supreme Court’s Order In Re: Code for Resolving Professionalism Complaints. The Committee receives and resolves professionalism complaints informally, develops Continuing Legal Education on Professionalism, and issues an annual report to the Chair of the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Family Law Board Certification Appeals Committee (2016)FloridaMember – Selected to serve on the Committee responsible for reviewing Board Certification Applicant’s exam answers to determine whether points appealed by the applicant should be granted. Reviewed exam questions, model answers, conducted research, and reviewed applicants’ exams. Attended meetings and discussion regarding each topic tested, and every applicant who requested an appeal of their score. Women Lawyers of Pasco – (01/07 – 2020)New Port Richey, FL Past President, Former Vice President and Chapter Representative. Founding member and officer of the Pasco County Chapter of FAWL (2014). The group provides a forum for the development of professional relationships among women of the legal community, promotes the professional image of women lawyers, and upholds the highest standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.Leader in the Law – Statewide award recipient (2018) West Pasco Bar Association – (08/08 – present) New Port Richey, FLPast President, Former positions held: President-Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, and Director. Chair of Law Week 5k Committee which raised funds for Bay Area Legal Services, Inc. for multiple years. Chair of Law Week in 2013; Chair of Installation Banquet in 2012; member of Ethics and Evidence CLE Programs for the last 5 years. Overhauled the direction of the Association by bringing staffing solutions to the Association; transitioned software and website to a more intuitive, cost effective product; changed the location and format of the meetings to increase attendance; and started the development of a strategic plan for the Association. These changes caused an increased interest in new officer positions, for the first time in 6 years.PACE Center for Girls, Inc. – (04/13 – 2021)Hudson, FLPast Chair (2015) Current Co-Chair. Support the efforts of the Pasco PACE Center for Girls through fundraising, bringing increased notoriety to the PACE Program, attending networking functions to advocate for PACE, and general education of the public of PACE’s existence, and the miracles they perform in young girls’ lives. Chair of “Legends of the Knight” Movie and a Message fundraising event.Grievance Committee Attorney Member; Sixth Circuit – (12/10 – 12/13)New Port Richey, FLPast Chair. Investigated complaints against attorneys submitted to the local committee. Recommended findings of probable cause, no probable cause, diversions, and letters of advice. Presided over meetings of the committee, and assigned cases to members.Florida Bar Family Law Section – (08/10 – present)StatewideFormer Secretary for CLE Committee. Continuing member of the CLE Committee. Former Chair of Child Support/DOR CLE, and Former Chair of Special Issues in Timesharing CLE, regarding special needs of children and families. Past member of the Equitable Distribution Committee.Law Library Trustee – (08/08 – 06/11)New Port Richey, FLTrustee – selected to serve on a panel of three trustees, to develop and oversee annual budgets, make subscription selections, and hire law librarian.Canakaris Inn of Court – (10/12 – 05/14)Clearwater, FLMember of Inn of Court focused on the practice of Marital and Family Law. Clearwater Bar Association – (10/12 – 05/14)Clearwater, FLMember.Nominee for Queen Chasco – 2013 and 2014New Port Richey, FLReceived nomination for service award due to volunteer work done in and outside of the legal community.Marathon Finisher – (2000-09) Completed multiple marathons and half-marathons, former fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society via Team in Training.TEACHING AND SEMINAR EXPERIENCE: FLAFCC Annual Conference (2025) – Plenary speaker: Medical Marijuana in Family Court Matters. West Pasco Bar Association Ethics CLE (2021) – Panelist: Technology, Ethics and the Law. AAML Board Certification Review Course (2021) – Prepared materials on Relocation for the Board Certification Review Course Materials. Clearwater Bar Association (2019) – Panelist:“The Great Debate” Discussion of the advantages of Collaborative Law over traditional litigation. West Pasco Bar Association Ethics CLE (2019) – Panelist: Social Media and Responses to Online Reviews.Advanced Trial Advocacy – Assisted workshop leader in Family Law Section sponsored CLE, critiqued participants regarding their trial technique in a mock family law trial.Adjunct Professor – Taught Legal Issues in Information Technology, and Family Law for Pasco-Hernando State College’s Paralegal Program. Prosecution 101 – Instructed prosecutors on Appellate Procedure and trial level tips that help preserve the State’s case during the appellate process.Justice Teaching and Great American Teach-In – Volunteered time to teach children in public schools about the Bill of Rights and encourage critical thinking skills. Spoke to High School students regarding the dangers of drinking and driving, the penalties associated with a DUI arrest, the myths of DUI investigation, and abuse of prescription narcotics and other illegal substances.ACCOLADES AND AWARDS:SuperLawyers Selection – 2017-22; 2025SuperLawyers Rising Star Selection – 2009Florida Association of Women Lawyers “Leader in the Law” Award – 2018INTERN AND CLINIC EXPERIENCE: Office of the State Attorney – 5th Circuit (2001)Ocala, FLIntern - Managed misdemeanor caseload, participated in arraignments, pre-trials, motions and trials. Performed research for misdemeanor attorneys.Sixth Judicial Circuit (2000)New Port Richey and Dade City, FLStaff Attorney – Researched and responded to 3.850 Motions for Post-conviction Relief. Investigated claims of relief pursuant to Heggs and drafted Orders in Response. Provided memorandums of law to judges faced with suppression issues. Drafted disposition forms for family law cases which were adopted for use by the Family Law Judge and Clerk of Court in Dade City.Office of the Attorney General (1999)Tampa, FLIntern – Drafted and filed response briefs on behalf of the State of Florida. Researched prison releasee reoffender sentencing issues and reviewed case records on appeal.PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Board Certified Attorney in Marital and Family Law
Collaborative Law Attorney
Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator
Guardian Ad Litem serving the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Circuits
*AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating; SuperLawyer; Rising Star; Florida Association of Women Lawyers Leader in the Law
Older Lundy Koch & Martino (04/20 – present)
Tampa and Trinity, FL
Of counsel – Board Certified Specialist in Marital and Family Law; Adoption, Dissolution, Paternity, Enforcement and Modification, Collaborative Law
Law Office of Amanda Colón, P.A. (10/06 – 03/20)
Trinity, FL
Board Certified Specialist in Marital and Family Law.
Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator.
Guardian Ad Litem for the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Circuits.
Qualified Parenting Coordinator in the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Circuits.
Owner/operator of a sole-practitioner law firm handling Marital and Family Law matters at the Trial and Appellate level, trained practitioner in Collaborative Law.
Pasco-Hernando State College (01/08 – 05/09)
New Port Richey, FL
Adjunct Professor – instructed paralegal certificate students in Legal Issues in Information Technology and Family Law. Developed course syllabus, lesson plans, lectures, tests, and projects.
Juvenile Arbitration – (01/07 – 12/08)
New Port Richey, FL
Hearing Master – Pasco County Juvenile Arbitration Program. Heard testimony
and reviewed police reports regarding juveniles who have been diverted from delinquency court. Ordered sanctions for the offenses committed and conducted follow-up hearings at the halfway point of the programs.
Attridge, Lucas, Green, Jefferis, Magee and Magazine (06/06 – 10/06)
New Port Richey, FL
Associate in mid-sized law firm handling Criminal and Family Law matters.
Office of the Attorney General (05/04 – 05/06)
Tampa, FL
Senior Assistant Attorney General – assigned to the Criminal Appeals Division. Later selected to act as the reviewing attorney for State Appeals, to select, approve and oversee the filing of State Appeals from the Circuit Courts within the Second District Court of Appeal, and monitor their progress through the system. Drafted Appellate Briefs, Responses to Motions for Post-Conviction Relief and participated in Oral Arguments at the Second District Court of Appeal. Was selected to be a part of a limited number of attorneys who handled appeals and responses for Jimmy Ryce cases (Involuntary Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators).
Office of the State Attorney – Sixth Circuit (01/03 – 05/04)
New Port Richey, FL
Felony Assistant State Attorney – Managed caseload in excess of 200 various felony cases at any given time. Participated in cases involving Murder, DUI Manslaughter, Capital Sexual Battery, Robbery, Burglary, Prison Releasee Reoffenders, Habitual and Habitual Violent Offenders.
Assisted in the training of Misdemeanor Assistant State Attorneys. Developed a system of case preparation and office organization as a model to be adopted by newer attorneys.
Office of the State Attorney – Sixth Circuit (05/01 – 01/03)
New Port Richey and Clearwater, FL
Misdemeanor Assistant State Attorney – Managed a County Court Division in its entirety. Ran all court calendars, argued all motions and trials and performed all reviews for reduction of charges for a caseload of over 800 cases at any given time.
Assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit for seven months. Assisted in the training of all new attorneys in the unit, developed training packets and informational worksheets, created and shared efficient systems for each stage of the prosecution process. Assisted the Division Leader in making decisions regarding the reduction of charges, Division assignments and training systems.
EDUCATION:
University of Florida College of Law (08/98 – 05/01)
Gainesville, FL
Juris Doctorate with Honors
Teaching Assistant for Legal Writing and Appellate Advocacy
Received Honors in Legal Research and Writing
Received grade of ‘A’ in Advanced Appellate Advocacy
University of Florida (08/94 – 08/98)
Gainesville, FL
Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with Honors
President’s List
Dean’s List
Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law Fraternity/Florida Academic Scholar
MEMBERSHIPS, COMMITTEES, VOLUNTEERISM:
Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee Attorney Member; Sixth Circuit (02/14 – 2/14/20)
New Port Richey, FL
Past Chair. Investigate cases of local unlicensed practice of law, and report on the facts of the case to the committee members. Advise the committee as to any recommendations, and vote on potential dispositions.
Commission on the Status of Women – Pasco (01/17 – 2019)
Pasco County, FL
Former Chair (2017-18) Current Member. Serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners, the community and all agencies and persons in the County in respect to all matters pertaining to the status of women, and act as a liaison between the community and the Board of County Commissioners and County Administration.
Tampa Bay Academy of Collaborative Professionals (09/16 – present)
Tampa Bay, FL
Member and Current Co-Chair Elect. By application and invitation only, this group of interdisciplinary professionals seeks to raise the level of practice in the Tampa Bay Area, while educating the general public of the advantages of Collaborative Law.
Sixth Circuit Professionalism Committee – (08/13 – present)
Pasco and Pinellas Counties, FL
Member and Contact Attorney. Appointed via the Chief Judge for the Sixth Circuit, to serve on the Committee and act as a Contact Attorney for the resolution of professional disputes, in accordance with the Florida Supreme Court’s Order In Re: Code for Resolving Professionalism Complaints. The Committee receives and resolves professionalism complaints informally, develops Continuing Legal Education on Professionalism, and issues an annual report to the Chair of the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism.
Family Law Board Certification Appeals Committee (2016)
Florida
Member – Selected to serve on the Committee responsible for reviewing Board Certification Applicant’s exam answers to determine whether points appealed by the applicant should be granted. Reviewed exam questions, model answers, conducted research, and reviewed applicants’ exams. Attended meetings and discussion regarding each topic tested, and every applicant who requested an appeal of their score.
Women Lawyers of Pasco – (01/07 – 2020)
New Port Richey, FL
Past President, Former Vice President and Chapter Representative. Founding member and officer of the Pasco County Chapter of FAWL (2014). The group provides a forum for the development of professional relationships among women of the legal community, promotes the professional image of women lawyers, and upholds the highest standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.
Leader in the Law – Statewide award recipient (2018)
West Pasco Bar Association – (08/08 – present)
New Port Richey, FL
Past President, Former positions held: President-Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, and Director. Chair of Law Week 5k Committee which raised funds for Bay Area Legal Services, Inc. for multiple years. Chair of Law Week in 2013; Chair of Installation Banquet in 2012; member of Ethics and Evidence CLE Programs for the last 5 years. Overhauled the direction of the Association by bringing staffing solutions to the Association; transitioned software and website to a more intuitive, cost effective product; changed the location and format of the meetings to increase attendance; and started the development of a strategic plan for the Association. These changes caused an increased interest in new officer positions, for the first time in 6 years.
PACE Center for Girls, Inc. – (04/13 – 2021)
Hudson, FL
Past Chair (2015) Current Co-Chair. Support the efforts of the Pasco PACE Center for Girls through fundraising, bringing increased notoriety to the PACE Program, attending networking functions to advocate for PACE, and general education of the public of PACE’s existence, and the miracles they perform in young girls’ lives. Chair of “Legends of the Knight” Movie and a Message fundraising event.
Grievance Committee Attorney Member; Sixth Circuit – (12/10 – 12/13)
New Port Richey, FL
Past Chair. Investigated complaints against attorneys submitted to the local committee. Recommended findings of probable cause, no probable cause, diversions, and letters of advice. Presided over meetings of the committee, and assigned cases to members.
Florida Bar Family Law Section – (08/10 – present)
Statewide
Former Secretary for CLE Committee. Continuing member of the CLE Committee. Former Chair of Child Support/DOR CLE, and Former Chair of Special Issues in Timesharing CLE, regarding special needs of children and families. Past member of the Equitable Distribution Committee.
Law Library Trustee – (08/08 – 06/11)
New Port Richey, FL
Trustee – selected to serve on a panel of three trustees, to develop and oversee annual budgets, make subscription selections, and hire law librarian.
Canakaris Inn of Court – (10/12 – 05/14)
Clearwater, FL
Member of Inn of Court focused on the practice of Marital and Family Law.
Clearwater Bar Association – (10/12 – 05/14)
Clearwater, FL
Member.
Nominee for Queen Chasco – 2013 and 2014
New Port Richey, FL
Received nomination for service award due to volunteer work done in and outside of the legal community.
Marathon Finisher – (2000-09)
Completed multiple marathons and half-marathons, former fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society via Team in Training.
TEACHING AND SEMINAR EXPERIENCE:
FLAFCC Annual Conference (2025) – Plenary speaker: Medical Marijuana in Family Court Matters.
West Pasco Bar Association Ethics CLE (2021) – Panelist: Technology, Ethics and the Law.
AAML Board Certification Review Course (2021) – Prepared materials on Relocation for the Board Certification Review Course Materials.
Clearwater Bar Association (2019) – Panelist:“The Great Debate” Discussion of the advantages of Collaborative Law over traditional litigation.
West Pasco Bar Association Ethics CLE (2019) – Panelist: Social Media and Responses to Online Reviews.
Advanced Trial Advocacy – Assisted workshop leader in Family Law Section sponsored CLE, critiqued participants regarding their trial technique in a mock family law trial.
Adjunct Professor – Taught Legal Issues in Information Technology, and Family Law for Pasco-Hernando State College’s Paralegal Program.
Prosecution 101 – Instructed prosecutors on Appellate Procedure and trial level tips that help preserve the State’s case during the appellate process.
Justice Teaching and Great American Teach-In – Volunteered time to teach children in public schools about the Bill of Rights and encourage critical thinking skills. Spoke to High School students regarding the dangers of drinking and driving, the penalties associated with a DUI arrest, the myths of DUI investigation, and abuse of prescription narcotics and other illegal substances.
ACCOLADES AND AWARDS:
SuperLawyers Selection – 2017-22; 2025
SuperLawyers Rising Star Selection – 2009
Florida Association of Women Lawyers “Leader in the Law” Award – 2018
INTERN AND CLINIC EXPERIENCE:
Office of the State Attorney – 5th Circuit (2001)
Ocala, FL
Intern - Managed misdemeanor caseload, participated in arraignments, pre-trials, motions and trials. Performed research for misdemeanor attorneys.
Sixth Judicial Circuit (2000)
New Port Richey and Dade City, FL
Staff Attorney – Researched and responded to 3.850 Motions for Post-conviction Relief. Investigated claims of relief pursuant to Heggs and drafted Orders in Response. Provided memorandums of law to judges faced with suppression issues. Drafted disposition forms for family law cases which were adopted for use by the Family Law Judge and Clerk of Court in Dade City.
Office of the Attorney General (1999)
Tampa, FL
Intern – Drafted and filed response briefs on behalf of the State of Florida. Researched prison releasee reoffender sentencing issues and reviewed case records on appeal.
