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Walk a mile in my shoes.
Your marriage is falling apart. Or maybe it ended a while ago and you and your "ex" still fight about the place and time of every pick up and drop off of the kids you share. Or maybe you and your spouse have substantial assets and simply want to divide them equitably and peacefully without taking out a third mortgage to pay your lawyers.
I've been there. On your side of the fence. I've practiced law for thirty-one years. I've also been divorced twice and happily married for 28 years. I've been disappointed in my lawyer during a nasty post judgment custody battle many years ago. I've dealt with the anger and frustration of being a non-custodial parent and the welcome relief of putting the past behind me and learning to "co-parent" (a word that wasn't used back them) with the father of my children. My second husband and I quickly, quietly and civilly split up substantial real estate and investment holdings and went from filing to final judgment in a matter of days and remained good friends. And my third husband, law partner and life partner and I are still going strong after all this time.
Few life events are more challenging than those that relate to family relationships. Few situations generate the emotional and financial turmoil than the break up of a marriage. Few legal conflicts are more intense, have higher stakes or demand from a lawyer more than conflicts over children.
Walk a mile in my shoes.
I have. I've been on your side through the good, the bad and the ugly.
I have the credentials and legal experience to represent your interests. I have the battle scars, the tears and the personal experience to understand what you've been through.
That's what makes me care. And I do - and will.
Year Joined Firm
- 1982
Areas of Practice
- Civil Rights Litigation
- Business Litigation
- Divorce Litigation
- Child Custody Litigation
- Sexual Harassment
- Sex Discrimination/Gender Discrimination
- Age Discrimination
- Whistleblower and Retaliation
- Employment Contract Litigation
- Non-Compete Litigation
- Administrative Litigation
- Professional Licensing and Disciplinary Proceedings
Litigation Percentage
- 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Certified Legal Specialties
- Marital and Family Law, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, 1989
- Labor and Employment Law, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, 2001
- Civil Trial Law, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, 1992
- Business Litigation, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, 1998
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1979
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, 1983
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
- Southern District of Florida Trial Bar, 1985
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 1995
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1987
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1998
Education
- Nova University Center for the Study of Law, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- J.D. - 1979
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) - 1968
- Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
- Honors: Won a Full Scholarship
- Major: Art History
Representative Cases
- Glickstein v. Sun Bank/Miami, N.A., 922 F.2d 666 (11th Cir. 1991)
- Stockett v. Tolin, 791 F.Supp. 1536 (S.D. Fla. 1992)
- In Re: Pearlman, 15 Fam. Law Rep. 1355 (BNA No. 30) (1989)
- Zamora v. Fla. Atl. Univ Bd. of Trs., 969 So.2d 1108 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008)
- Menke v. Broward County Sch. Bd., 916 So.2d 8 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005)
- Taylor v. Martell, 893 So.2d 645 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005)
- Snow v. Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., 896 So.2d 787 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2005)
- Gore v. Community Blood Centers of South Florida, Inc., 890 So.2d 520 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005)
- Selim v. Pan Am, 889 So.2d 1459 (Fla. 4th DCA 2004)
- Martell v. Dubner, 885 SO.2d 469 (Fla. 4th DCA 2004)
- Dahl v. Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc., 843 So.2d 956 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2003)
- Boulis v. Boulis, 754 So.2d 810 (Fla. 4th DCA 2000)
- Boone v. Etkin, 771 So.2d 559 (Fla. 4th DCA 2000)
- Lofton v. Butterworth, 93 F. Supp.2d 1343 (S.D. Fla. 2000)
- Coleman v. Primeau, 698 So.2d 356 (Fla. 4th DCA 1997)
- Strysick v. Strysick, 673 So.2d 190 (Fla. 4th DCA 1996)
- Caddy v. Department of Professional Regulation, 595 So.2d 205 (Fla. 4th DCA 1992)
- Florida Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services v. V.M.R., Inc., 591 So.2d 944 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1992)
- Glickstein v. Sun Bank/Miami, N.A, 922 F.2d 666 (11th Cir. 1989)
- Mantis v. Hinkle, 547 So.2d 292 (Fla. 4th DCA 1989)
- Arthritis Medical Center, Inc. V. Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services, 543 So.2d 1304 (Fla. 4th DCA 1989)
- Murphy v. Malley, 531 So.2d 203 (Fla. 4th DCA 1988)
- Martell v. Kuczkir, 509 So.2d 1357 (Fla. 4th DCA 1987)
- In re: Voltolini, 48 B.R. 199 (Bankr. D. Mass 1985)
- In re: Minor Emergency Center of Tamarac, Inc., 45 B.R. 310 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 1985)
- Kearney v. Unibay Co., 466 So.2d 271 (Fla. 4th DCA 1985)
Classes/Seminars
- Volunteer Faculty, Florida Bar Five-Day Employment Law Trial Skills Workshop, Stetson University, 1997
- Volunteer Faculty, Florida Bar Five-Day Employment Law Trial Skills Workshop, Stetson University, 1999
- Volunteer Faculty, Florida Bar Five-Day Employment Law Trial Skills Workshop, Stetson University, 2001
- Volunteer Faculty, Florida Bar Five-Day Employment Law Trial Skills Workshop, Stetson University, 2002
- Volunteer Faculty, Florida Bar Five-Day Employment Law Trial Skills Workshop, Stetson University, 2004
- Panelist, "What Does the Future Hold for Labor and Employment Law Practice?", The Florida Bar Labor and Employment Section, Advanced Labor Topics, Ponte Vedre Beach, FL, 2006
- Lecturer, "Florida State Court Discovery & Motion Practice", Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Fall Conference, St. Petersburg, FL, 2006
- Presenter, "Graphics 101: A Primer for Lawyers", Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Spring Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2006
- Presenter, "Doing Well by Doing Good: Making Money as Civil Rights Lawyers", Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Spring Conference, Melbourne, FL, 2005
- Presenter, "Sex Discrimination and the Law", American Association of University Women, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2005
- Workshop leader and lecturer, "Using Computer Graphics to Tell a Memorable Story", National Employment Lawyers Association, Fifteenth Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX, 2004
- Presenter, "The (Unwritten) Rules of Engagement: How it Really Works in State Courts in Florida", Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers, Spring Conference, Melbourne, FL, 2004
- Lecturer, "Confronting the Villains, Strategic Use of the Adverse Witness, The Harasser", National Employment Lawyers Association, The Theater of Reality: Trial Skills for the Plaintiffs Employment Lawyer, Atlanta, GA, 2003
- Lecturer, "Visual Story Telling: How to Demonstrate Themes, Liability and Damages", National Employment Lawyers, Fourteenth Annual Convention, Vail, CO, 2003
- Panelist, Round Table Discussion, Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Spring Conference, Melbourne, FL, 2003
- Plenary Session Speaker, "Strategies for Victory: Maximizing Your Client's Recovery in Employment Cases", National Employment Lawyers, Thirteenth Annual Convention, Lake Buena Vista, FL, 2002
- Moderator, "Negotiations: Strategies & Techniques", National Employment Lawyers, Thirteenth Annual Convention, Lake Buena Vista, FL, 2002
- Presenter, "Storming and Blocking the Bates", Georgia Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Negril, Jamaica, 2001
- Lecturer, "Discovery: Practical Tips and Considerations: A No-Muss, No-Fuss Guide to Getting What you Need Even If It Might Not Be Everything You Want", Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Fall Seminar, St. Petersburg, FL, 2001
- Lecturer, "2000-2001 Awards: Employment Discrimination Update", American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Florida Lawyers Conference, Key West, FL, 2001
- Presenter, "Use and Abuse of Expert Witnesses, National Employment Lawyers Association", Litigating Harassment and Hostile Environment Claims, San Diego, CA, 2001
- Presenter, "The Glass Ceiling", American Association of University Women, Boca Raton, FL, 2001
- Lecturer, "Presenting and Defending Against Damage Claims in State Court Actions", Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Labor and Employment Section, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2000
- Lecturer, "Presenting and Defending Against Damage Claims in State Court Actions", Nuts and Bolts of Employment Litigation, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2000
- Lecturer, "How to Recover and Defend Against Attorneys' Fees", Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Fall Seminar, St. Petersburg, FL, 2000
- Lecturer, "So What Is Sexual Harassment Anyway and How Do I Keep From Getting Sued?", PAC Industry Fund (Plumbing Contractors), West Palm Beach, FL, 2000
- Lecturer, "Defining Essential Characteristics of Lawyers", National Conference of Bar Examiners, Chicago, IL, 2000
- Lecturer, "Litigating Sexual Harassment Claims for Love and Money in the Southern District", Florida, Volunteer Lawyers Project, Florida Justice Seminar, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1999
- Lecturer, "The Opening Argument", National Employment Lawyers Association, Trial Practice for the Employment Lawyer, Seattle, WA, 1999
- Lecturer, "Discovery Abuse: Problems and Solutions, Tactics and Techniques", Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Fall Seminar, Clearwater, FL, 1999
- Lecturer, "Using the Courts to Change the Law", Broward Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1998
- Lecturer, "Sexual Harassment and Employment Discrimination", Broward County Trial Lawyers, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1998
- Lecturer, "Psychological and Legal Methods for Evaluating Claimed Psychological Injuries, American Bar Association Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee, Mid-Winter Meeting, Tuscon, AZ, 1998
- Lecturer, "Beware of ADA Mixed Motive Exposure: Ensuring that a Jury Believes a Termination was Solely for a Non-Discriminatory Reason and Rotting Roses: Protecting your Organization from the Escalating (and Expensive) Consequences of Sex and Violence in Today's Workplace", Council on Education Management, Personnel Law Update 1997, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1997
- Lecturer, "Use of Experts", Florida Bar Labor & Employment Section, Orlando, FL, 1997
- Lecturer, "Combating Discovery Abuse in Employment Discrimination Case", Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Annual Meeting, St. Petersburg, FL, 1997
- Lecturer, "Litigating Sexual Harassment Cases for Fun and Profit", Hispanic National Bar Association, Miami, FL, 1996
- Lecturer, "Current Issues in Sexual Harassment Litigation", American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law, Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, 1996
- Lecturer, "When the Lawyer is the Employer: Gender Discrimination in Hiring, Compensation and Promotion", Florida Bar Labor and Employment Law Section and the Gender Equality in the Profession Committee, Orlando, FL, 1996
- Lecturer, "Overview of Employment Law", National Association of Securities Dealers, Employment Law Seminar, Boca Raton, FL, 1995
- Lecturer, "Damages", Florida Bar Labor and Employment Law, Litigation Seminar, Orlando, FL, 1995
- Lecturer, "Sexual Harassment in the Work Place: Remedies and How to Prove Damages", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Orlando, FL, 1995
- Lecturer, "Indecent Exposure: Proof and Defense of Punitive Damage Claims", Southern Methodist University, Thirteenth Annual Multi-State Labor and Employment Law Seminar , Tuscon, AZ, 1995
- Lecturer, "Selection and Use of Expert Witnesses: Strategies for Calculating Damages and Employing Psychological Experts", Florida Bar Labor and Employment Section, Advanced Current Labor Topics Seminar Amelia Island, FL, 1994
- Lecturer, "Gender Equality", The Florida Bar, Bridge the Gap Seminar, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1993
- Lecturer, "Sexual Harassment", Florida Bar Labor and Employment Section Seminar, Miami, FL 1992, 1992
- Lecturer, "Sexual Harassment", Roller Coaster Ride: The New Wave of Employment Litigation under the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, Miami, FL 1992, 1992
- Lecturer, "Sexual Harassment", Federal Civil Rights Act of 1991, Miami, FL, 1992
Honors and Awards
- AV Peer Review Rated through Martindale-Hubbell
- Top Law Firms in South Florida, South Florida Legal Guide, 2002 - 2008
- Super Lawyers Top Lawyer in Florida, Employment and Labor, 2007 - 2008
- Feminists Who Changed America: 1963 to 1975, 2006
- ABA GP-Solo Small Firm Practitioner of Merit Award, 2004 - 2005
- Palm Beach NOW Appreciation Award, 2004
- Chambers USA's Leading Business Lawyers, 2003 - 2004
- FastTrack Magazine, One of South Florida's Fifty Most Successful Business Women, 2002
- Florida NELA President's Award, 1999
- Florida NOW Glass Ceiling Award, 1998
- Broward County Women's Hall of Fame, 1995
- Broward County NOW, Women's Equality Day Award, 1993
- Florida NOW, Woman of the Year, Government Category, Women in Communications, 1975
- Outstanding Democrat of the Year, Young Democrat Club of Broward County, 1974
- NOW, National Board of Directors, 1972
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Broward County Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- National Employment Lawyers Association, Member
- American Association for Justice, Member
- The Florida Bar, Member
- Florida Board of Bar Examiners, Member, 1995 - 2000
- Florida House of Representatives, Member, 1974 - 1976
- State of Florida Commission on the Status of Women, Member, 1993 - 1996
- Broward County Charter Review Commission, Member, 1994 - 1996
- Broward County Commission on the Status of Women, Member, 1992 - 1994
- Florida Justice Association
- Florida Bar, Communications Law Committee, 1985 - 1987
- Florida Bar, Family Law Rules Committee, 1987 - 1988
- Florida Bar, Labor and Employment Section, Judicial Education Committee, 2004
- Broward County Planning and Zoning Board, 1978 - 1979
- Broward County Health Planning and Development Council, Member, 1975 - 1982
- Florida House of Representatives, 1974 - 1976
- Broward County, Charter Commission, Law Enforcement Subcommittee, 1974
- Florida Chapter of National Employment Lawyers Association
Past Employment Positions
- Holmes & Holmes, P.A., Shareholder, 1980 - 1982
Fraternities/Sororities
- Pi Beta Phi
- Phi Beta Kappa
