Family: Husband, Matt, and two daughters.
Pets: A hamster named Bear.
Education: Ohio State University, bachelor's degree in journalism; Florida Coastal School of Law
Admitted to the Bar: 2004
Employed by: Office of The Public Defender 4th Circuit
Field of practice: Criminal defense
Professional organizations:Â Jacksonville Bar Association and Northeast Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Community involvement: Take Steps Be Heard for Crohn's and Colitis, the largest fundraising event for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.
How did you get involved?
My oldest daughter was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease last year at age 5 and quickly ran through the recommended medications with little relief. When we started looking at different treatment options, I realized how woefully underfunded research is for Crohn's and Colitis.
How can someone else get involved?
The walk is held each spring at the University of North Florida. Everyone is welcome and, while the goal is to raise money, the event itself is free. It's a family-friendly atmosphere with live bands, food trucks and bounce houses for the kids. A date for the 2014 is still being finalized, but more information on the North Florida Chapter is available at ccfa.org/chapters/nfl
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
We got our team together at the last minute, less than two weeks before the walk. We put the word out through our family and friends, really thinking we'd check it out and get more organized for next year. We were shocked to raise close to $5,000 in no time. It really taught me how lucky we are to have such phenomenal support here in our adopted hometown – and it motivated me to seek out a larger role to raise awareness and funds for the CCFA.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
"The Financial Lives of the Poets" by Jess Walter