Age: 39
Family: My “furry” family.
Pets: Female dog, Mich. Female cat, Tigger.
Education: Attended Florida Coastal School of Law while employed as a paralegal at Schutt, Schmidt & Noey.
Admitted to the Bar: 2009
Employed by: Schutt, Schmidt & Noey
Field of practice: Insurance defense
Professional organizations: The Florida Bar, The Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville Association of Defense Counsel, Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, Florida Defense Lawyers Association.
Community involvement: I stay actively involved with my neighborhood. However, I am currently involved with the Law Week Committee.
How did you get involved?
I wanted to be part of Law Week because this is an event that is not just for attorneys but is open to the community to learn more about how the law can help people who need it. The theme this year is “No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom.”
How can someone else get involved?
We are still seeking attorneys to volunteer to assist with immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship on Citizenship Day, Saturday, April 14. Those interested can contact Kathy Para at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. You also can attend the Naturalization Ceremony April 19 at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse, welcoming our new citizens. And don’t forget to come to River City Brewing Company for great food, music and fun while we celebrate the 4th Annual Rendezvous on the River, which benefits Jacksonville’s own “Dreams Come True.”
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
I have learned that businesses and the people in our community are very generous. Every year we exceed our expectations of donations in the bins placed throughout the city benefiting various local causes. Also, I have been attending Rendezvous on the River every year and can tell you that not only is it a fun time, but raises money for a worthwhile cause. This year we will be granting “wishes” for children, many of whom have life-threatening illnesses. It is such a pleasure to know I live in a city with so many caring citizens.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
Believe it or not, I still like to read legal books, such as “In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action” by Ellen Alderman and Caroline Kennedy, and any book about the Supreme Court. But, I did just read a fiction book, “Thirteen Reasons Why” by new novelist Jay Asher. It is a short novel but will make you think about yourself and others in your world.