When did you first know you wanted to be an attorney? What drew you to this career?

• My parents are both attorneys. As a teenager, the very last thing I wanted to do was to be an attorney. After having a few years of college behind me and some interesting political science and constitutional classes, I decided it might be something that I would really enjoy.

What personal trait most aided you in your career?

• Overall, my work ethic and loyalty have aided me most in my career. As an appellate attorney, there are some additional traits that certainly help. I’m a bit of a research nerd and truly enjoy tracing a particular holding or facet of caselaw back to its origins.

What do you find most rewarding about your practice?

• I love that I can take on issues of first impression. Additionally, appellate practice allows advocates the time to really delve into an issue and flesh out the arguments.

What do you find particularly challenging about your practice? How do you overcome these challenges?

• Before joining Boyd & Jenerette, I had the honor of clerking for a Florida District Court of Appeal judge. That was a one-of-a-kind experience but writing for the court as a clerk is completely different than writing as an advocate. As a clerk, the writing and legal analysis come from a completely objective perspective. In private practice, the writing is different because arguments are written in a persuasive manner instead of from an objective standpoint. Figuring out the transition from law clerk to advocate has been a challenge. I’ve relied on the partners I work with to help me develop a more persuasive voice for advocacy.

What drew you to Boyd & Jenerette?

• The number one draw of Boyd & Jenerette was that it had a thriving appellate group that works remotely. Once I had spoken with the appellate group, I knew that I would have great mentor-attorneys who would be able to help me grow as an attorney. In addition to meeting with the appellate group, I had the opportunity to meet with many of the Boyd & Jenerette shareholders. I knew after I met with the shareholders that my future was not only important to the appellate group, but the Firm would be behind me and want to help me achieve my career goals.

Thus far in your career, what are you most proud of accomplishing?

• This is a hard one. There are so many cases I have worked on in my career at the court and in private practice, that I have done work on that I am very proud of. I have felt very proud of my work. It is hard to pick a specific thing, but I would have to say I am most proud of having a case that has made it to the Florida Supreme Court and is set for oral argument.

What do you most hope to accomplish in the future? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?

• I would like to be a board-certified appellate attorney in five years. Overall, I believe it’s important to try to find and maintain a work-life balance. I hope that in 5-10 years I’ll be a shareholder, I’ll have the opportunity to help younger attorneys figure out their paths, and I’ll have a very happy home/family life.

What is your favorite sports team?

• GO GATORS!

What is your favorite movie?

• I don’t have a favorite. I watch all types of movies but usually enjoy independent films because I’m less likely to predict the ending.

What is your favorite TV show?

• Lately, I've been watching Doom Patrol.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

• New Smyrna Beach. It’s where the locals went when I grew up in central Florida.

Do you have any pets?

• I have a brother-sister pair of tuxedo short-hair cats. Nermal (the cutest kitten in the world, if you’re a Garfield fan) and Demon.

Are you a morning person or a night-owl?

• Usually I’m a morning person. I’m up before the sun rises and I like to start work when there will be few interruptions.

Do you have a hidden talent?

• I play French Horn.