Biography
My practice includes handling CERCLA and similar state matters including cost recovery litigation and remediation projects as well as litigation involving environmental justice claims, indoor air quality issues, Legionnaires' disease, and toxic torts. I counsel clients regarding environmental reserve procedures to meet the Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, environmental management systems, and permit requirements.
I also counsel clients in environmental compliance and enforcement actions across multiple states as well as at the federal and local level, regularly negotiating reduced penalties with government agencies such as the USEPA, FRA, DOT, FDEP, Ohio EPA, Michigan DEQ, Georgia EPD and many others, regarding dust, hazardous materials handling and waste permits. Where appropriate, I associate local counsel to assist.
I represent property owners in litigation and transactions involving the purchase, sale and redevelopment of environmentally impacted properties, including due diligence in mergers and acquisitions, property acquisition for significant residential, commercial and condominium developments and condominium conversions. I also counsel clients regarding environmental concerns of foreclosed properties.
As a state certified Circuit Mediator in all judicial circuits of the State of Florida, I facilitate the resolution of disputes, including disputes which have not yet reached the courts. I am a Florida qualified arbitrator and may be appointed by the court or may serve by consent of the parties.”
Prior to starting my own firm, I practiced environmental law with McGuireWoods, CSX Transportation and Holland & Knight. For several years at Holland & Knight, I served as coordinator of their Women's Initiative in the Jacksonville office.
I have served as a guest lecturer at the Florida Coastal School of Law and as a previous Chair and committee member of the Mentor Program of the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Jacksonville.
Education
The John Marshall Law School (Chicago), J.D.
University of Florida, B.A.
- Jacksonville Bar Association - Environmental and Land Use Section
- Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section - Board of Governors 1999-2000
- Northeast Chapter of the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals - Board Member
1999-2001 - The Florida Bar Client Security Fund Committee - Member 2002-2005; Chester Bedell Inn of Court - Associate 1999-2000, Barrister 2010-2012.
Bar Admissions
Florida
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Professional Honors & Awards
Florida Legal Elite "Up & Comer," Florida Trend Magazine, 2007
Speaking Engagements
- 2011 ELULS Annual Update Session: Commercial Lending Update: From Lender Liability in Foreclosures to Current Market; Presentation: “Lender Liability in Foreclosure – Are Lenders Protected?”
- Ethical Considerations in Mediations of Commercial Cases, 4th Annual Northeast Florida Continuing Mediator Education Seminar, June 2011
- How to Respond to an Environmental Audit of Your Facility, ACCA Webcast, September 2007
- Institutional Controls - Florida has RBCA - Does it Need UECA?; Moderator, Florida Chamber of Commerce Annual Summer School Permitting Course, July 2007
- Managing Environmental Liabilities for Residential Development, Including Condominium Conversions, Lorman Seminar, 2006, 2007
- International Environmental Moot Court Competition; Judge, Stetson Law School Annual Competition, November 2006
- The Ethical and Legal Obligation to Disclose and Report Contamination, Florida Bar, Environmental and Land Use Section, Annual Update, August 2006
- Risk-based Closure Assessment and Brownfields, Florida Administrative Code 62-785, Florida Brownfields Conference, October 2005
- Global RBCA in Florida - An Overview of Florida Administrative Code 62-780, Florida Association of Environmental Professionals - Northeast Chapter Annual Conference, May 2005
Published Articles & Books
- "Corporate Compliance Answer Book," Practising Law Institute, June 2010
- "Corporate Compliance Answer Book," Practising Law Institute, January 2009
- "Penalties Are Not Just a Cost of Doing Business," Environment, Newsletter - Fourth Quarter 2007
- "Florida Adopts Global RBCA Rule," Environment, Newsletter - Third Quarter 2005
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