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Profile

 

JUDICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Year elected: 2016
Judicial Assignment:    County Civil Division M

  County Criminal Division A

EDUCATION
Law School:                Stetson University College of Law (2001)
Undergraduate:           University of South Florida (1994)


PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Valkenburg & Velez, PA
Isaac & Zwirn, PA
Office of the State Attorney, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit – Assistant State Attorney
Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration - Intelligence
Department of Corrections Probation & Parole – Probation & Parole Officer
Salvation Army Correctional Services – Probation Officer

 

INTERNSHIPS:
Office of the State Attorney, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit – Certified Legal Intern
Judge A. Paskay, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, Middle District of Florida - Intern
United States Department of Justice, Trustees Office, Tampa, Florida – Intern

 

HONORS AND AWARDS:
James M. “Red” McEwen Memorial Award, 2019
Raymond Fernandez Award Recipient, HCSO Hispanic Advisory Board 2018
Tampa Hispanic Bar Association, 2017 Appreciation Award
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2015 NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award 2015
Florida Legal Elite Award – Recognized as a Top Lawyer in Florida 2015
Are You Safe, Inc. Board of Directors Civic Award 2014
Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2015
Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2014
Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2013
Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2012
Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2011
Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2010
Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2009 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES(Past & Present)
Florida Supreme Court Standing Committee on Fairness & Diversity 2018-2020
Florida Bar Diversity & Inclusion Committee 2018-2019
Florida Bar Grant Committee 2018-2019
Conference of County Court Judges of Florida Sentencing Committee, Professional Relations Committee and Criminal Rules Committee.
Goldburg-Cacciatore Criminal Law Inn of Court (2017-Present)
Supervisor of Election Canvassing Board Appointment, 2017-2019
Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association (Member 2008- 2016)
Florida Justice Association (Member 2008 – 2016)
Hillsborough County Attorney Ad-litem 2009-2014
Leadership Tampa Bay, Class of 2014


Tampa Hispanic Bar Association:

  • Advancement Committee 2018-2020
  • Advisory Board 2016-2017, 2018-2020
  • Immediate Past President 2016
  • President 2014-2015
  • Treasurer 2011-2013
  • Board of Directors 2010-2011
  • Latina Leaders’ Summit

Hillsborough County Bar Association: (Member 2008 – Present)

  • Judicial Pig Roast & 5k River Run Committee Co-chair (2016-2020)
  • Judicial Pig Roast & 5k River Run Committee Member (2010 – 2016)
  • HCBA YLD Law Week (2015-2018)
  • Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Pro-Bono Committee Member (2012-2015)
  • Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee (2015-Present)
  • Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers: (Member 2011- Present)
  • Board of Directors 2013 - Present
  • Chair of the Diversity Committee (2014-2015 )
  • Chair of the Pro-bono committee (2013-2014 )
  • Co-chair of the Pro-bono committee (2012-2013 )
  • Judicial liaison for the YLD Coffee at the courthouse (2017, 2018)

Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers:

  • Vice-President 2011
  • Board of Directors (2009- 2013)

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS/CLE PRESENTATIONS:

  • Florida Bar Voluntary Bar Conference, Tampa, FL (2019)
  • George Edgecomb Bar Association:  Judicial RoundTable Luncheon:
    “So You Want to be a Judge: Perspective on the Process.” (2019)
  • 2019 International Women’s Day Panelist:  “Finding Your Voice”
  • HCBA  Bar Bench Conference Criminal Law Panel (2018 )
  • Gunster’s Women’s Leadership Forum: Perspectives on the Profession from Women Judges (2018)
  • Key-note Speaker at MSU Cooley Law School Graduation (2018)
  • Latina Leaders’ Summit (2018)
  • George Edgecomb Bar Association tips from the Bench lunch and learn (2018)
  • Young Lawyers CLE  at the Courthouse (2017.)
  • HCBA  Bar Bench Conference Criminal Law Panel (2017 )
  • HCBA YLD Law Week (2017, 2018)
  • THBA lunch and  learn CLE at the courthouse (2017)
  • HAWLS Jury Selection Seminar (2016)
  • The Nuts and Bolts of Domestic Violence (2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: (Past & Present)
Fox Ask-A Lawyer
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Attorney Ad litem
Volunteer Pro Bono Attorney with Family Justice Center
Volunteer Pro Bono Attorney with Bay Area Legal Services
Volunteer Pro Bono Attorney with Are You Safe, Org.
Tampa Hispanic Bar Association en Espanol Family Forms Clinic
Leadership Tampa Bay, Class of 2014
Hillsborough Education Foundation, 2011 School for tools Breakfast.