Education
Academy of the Holy Names; University of Florida, cum laude; Stetson University College of Law
Professional Experience
Attorney with over 17 years of experience in private practice based in Tampa with a concentration in family law, probate and guardianship and estate planning.
Public Service
Member of the Hillsborough County court appointed registry in incapacity/guardianship for over 10 years. 2022 through present - the only attorney in Hillsborough County to represent indigent clients with developmental disabilities
Campaign Phone
813-486-6628
Every person entering a courtroom deserves a fair hearing. As a judge, it is paramount to follow and apply the law, with fairness and impartiality. Decisions are made on the facts and background and personal beliefs cannot influence decisions. Ethics and integrity are essential and will continue to guide me as they always have. Judges should promote fairness and justice in the community and must be trusted. I will ensure that everyone who comes before me is respected and treated fairly, no matter their sex, race, status, religion, education or background. Compassion and consideration cannot be lost and, with balance, will be part of decisions I make.
The first step is being prepared as the judge – this means reviewing cases in advance so that hearings can begin timely and preliminary issues can be identified and resolved before a case is set on the docket. Holding case management hearings is an effective way for all parties to be clear about expectations, deadlines and moving cases forward. In certain instances, I believe remote hearings are appropriate to promote efficiency. Expectations should be clear so that parties have adequate time for preparation, but I will hold parties accountable. I will collaborate and communicate with all stakeholders to have an organized courtroom. Efficiency is important but fairness and accessibility are tantamount, so there must be balance.
No. I believe that there are many different barriers that prevent Hillsborough County residents from having equal access to legal help and the legal system. These can be financial barriers, language barriers, transportation barriers or just being generally unfamiliar with the legal system. I think lawyers, judges, legal aid, law firms, interpreters, bar associations, etc. need to make a conscious effort to work together to educate people, provide legal help to those in need and expand access to the legal system. There are approximately 6,600 lawyers in Hillsborough County – many of whom actively participate in pro bono work or events that promote access to legal help, but think of what could be done if all 6,600 made the effort.
Implicit bias is unconscious perceptions, attitudes and/or stereotypes that can influence how we see or interpret people or situations. All people have implicit biases which come from their own life experiences and environment. Throughout my legal career I have represented individuals with diverse backgrounds, including race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, to name a few. I have always been committed to approaching each person with respect and dignity, and meeting people where they are. I will remain committed to making a conscious effort to identify and understand implicit bias to ensure that it does not affect my decision making.
In no particular order: Gideon v. Wainwright, which held that counsel is a fundamental right to a fair trial and states must provide appointed attorneys for criminal defendants who cannot afford their own.
Miranda v. Arizona, which held that law enforcement must advise individuals of their constitutional rights before being interrogated.
Brown v. Board of Education, which held that state sanctioned segregation of public schools is unconstitutional.
Marbury v. Madison, which essentially established judicial review and solidified the concept of the three branches of government.
Loving v Virginia, which held that state bans on interracial marriage are unconstitutional.
Lack of public trust is a pressing issue facing the local judiciary. There is little known or publicized of local judges which creates uncertainty and lack of trust. The way to address this is community engagement- not just during campaign season. Judges need to be involved in our community; develop and foster community relationships/partnerships so that all parties can educate each other on important issues within our community. This is how to build trust. If I am elected, I will remain engaged in our community so that the public will see me as someone who is committed to promoting trust and transparency.
Education
Centre College, BA 2000; Georgetown University Law Center, JD 2003
Professional Experience
Over 23 years of litigation experience, 10 plus in civil litigation and the past ten practicing marital and family law
Public Service
Westchase Rotary; Boy Scout Troop 46 - assistant scout master and committee member; Westchase Community Development District, Board of Supervisors; Volunteer with Metropolitan Ministries and Feeding Tampa Bay
Campaign Phone
813-360-1344
I think one of the most important parts of my judicial philosophy is realizing that judges are there to serve the legal community. If a judge has that attitude, he or she will treat everyone who comes before them with dignity and respect, which is the first step to ensuring everyone is treated fairly.
There are certain judges who have traditionally maintained case dockets that are heavy but well run and managed. I intend to lean best practices from those judges. I also commit to rule from the bench when possible, and if not, to give every litigant a return date for a ruling hearing so that the parties are not waiting on the Court to move forward.
I think much more can be done to improve access to legal help and to the system. Engaging the subject matter professional groups within the Hillsborough County Bar Association and leveraging their talents can be one of the most effective ways to improve access. For example, the Criminal Law Section held an expungement clinic with a number of other groups and were very successful in making a big impact with a population who would not be able to afford these services otherwise.
Implicit bias is that bias that we may not be aware of due to our own upbringing and background. I try to engage in a good amount of self reflection to try to ensure that I am paying attention to any implicit biases, but it is always a work in progress. I try to mitigate these biases by taking a hard look at myself and my decisions and interrogating them both while acting and after the fact.
I think Loving vs. Virginia is one of the most impactful cases from the Supreme Court. Even after de-segregation, interracial marriage was still a huge taboo in society. The Supreme Court was ahead of society in recognizing that equality meant equality in marriage as well, no matter the race of the spouses.
One of the biggest challenges that the courts in Hillsborough County are facing is that we have very few judges who want to serve in the family law division. The family law division handles some of the system's most sensitive cases, and the litigants in that court deserve judges who want to be there. Right now, it is a constant churn, with all of the newest judges being assigned to family and leaving as soon as they have enough seniority. This situation needs to change, and I have told the Chief Judge that if I am elected, I am happy to serve in the family law division for my entire career.
