1. How do you define your legal practice and typical clients?
I serve as outside general counsel to new and established businesses and individual professionals across a variety of industries. My practice spans entity formations, corporate governance, contract architecture, trademark protection, mergers and acquisitions, and equity structuring. I focus on building forward-looking legal infrastructure – not litigating disputes.
While I am industry-agnostic, I am not mindset-agnostic. My typical client understands that engaging experienced legal counsel is a strategic advantage – not a cost to negotiate. They value thoughtful planning, enforceable agreements, and long-term strategy over quick fixes or generic templates.
2. Tell us about your legal career journey. What made you become a lawyer?
Having a strong background in math and majoring in Accounting from the University of Florida, I always planned to become a CPA like my father. However, after a last-minute application to the University of Miami School of Law, thinking I would become a tax attorney, the course of my future took an unexpected turn. Thanks to my tax law professor, I switched courses again and set out to become a business attorney, which turned out to be the best decision. Practicing business law has afforded me the opportunity to pull from my accounting background while helping clients with all aspects of running a business and selling or buying businesses.
And how did you get to Practus?
I was in search of an alternative to the often rigorous and unreasonable demands of the traditional law firm setting. When I was introduced to John Lively (Managing Partner and Founder of Practus), I loved his enthusiasm and found the Practus model to be innovative and refreshing. Having full autonomy now to run my practice and being able to offer my clients more resources with a deep bench of partners who specialize in other areas of law is fantastic and has afforded me a much better work-life balance, void of politics.
3. What is your definition of professional success?
Professional success is forming long-term partnerships with clients who value strategic counsel, engaging in sophisticated work, and developing a practice structured intentionally rather than reactively. There is nothing more rewarding than a client referral or a client who says to me (after being told I was leaving my last firm): “We will follow you anywhere you go. Our relationship is not with the firm – our relationship is with you.” That level of trust and support is immeasurable!
4. What is the one thing you wish people about to hire a lawyer with your expertise knew?
Invest early in well-drafted contracts and clear partner agreements – because clarity on the front end is always cheaper than conflict on the back end. I’ve written a whole blog about this – check it out.
5. When you’re not working at Practus, what’s keeping you busy? Any cool hobbies or hidden talents we don’t know about?
I serve on the Board of Directors of Seamark Ranch, located on 465 acres in Northeast Florida. Anyone who is close to me knows that I am very passionate about Seamark Ranch’s mission and the phenomenal work it does to change the lives of the children who come to live on the Ranch. Offering a traditional home environment, the Seamark Ranch approach is therapy-based and individualized, striving to heal wounds and help children prosper in faith, in school, and in the community.
I am also involved in other charitable work throughout the community and will join the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Fleming Island later this year. In my free time, I love hosting and entertaining family and friends. I’m also drawn to the arts and have been a supporter of Jacksonville’s Broadway performances for many years. And whenever possible, you’ll find me at the beach or my pool to reset and recharge.
6. What would you do if you weren’t an attorney?
Without question, I’d be an interior designer. I realized my passion for interior design and decorating (and love of HGTV) after I graduated law school and bought my first home in Dallas, Texas. I enjoy transforming a home’s aesthetics into something meaningful, beautiful, and functional – all while expressing one’s personality. Truthfully, it’s not that different from my transactional practice. Whether I’m structuring contracts or protecting a brand through trademark strategy, I’m still building architecture. It just happens to be legal. Fortunately for my clients, I channel my design instincts into contracts and trademarked logos instead of throw pillows.
Bonus Question:
If you had a bumper sticker that defines your basic philosophy for how you live your life, what would it say. And please don’t tell us, “If you can read this you’re too close.”
“Live Life Unapologetically Apologetic”
In other words, I will not apologize for who I am, but I will apologize when I am wrong.
So, does that mean you’d like some people to apologize for their bad interior decor?
Haha – yes! While I appreciate that everyone has his or her own taste, not everyone’s taste is for me. A cheese-themed bathroom or rooster wallpaper? That’s not my jam. Likewise, I’m sure the coastal vibe of my current Florida home is not for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine with me. But seriously – rethink the cheese-themed, anything.
The editor feels compelled to also apologize for the dead, potted tree that’s been on a certain patio for far too long. It may or may not have Christmas lights from last year.
Apology accepted, but living life unapologetically just means honoring my values and boundaries without seeking permission or approval from anyone. Sometimes this involves speaking my truth or asking questions even when it’s uncomfortable and not welcomed by the other person, and making decisions that align with my own happiness, values, and purpose. At this point in my life, I understand the importance of saying “no” to obligations that don’t align with my purpose, values, and enjoyment, and disassociating myself from toxic or negative people and situations, without feeling guilty. I strive to only say “yes” to things that genuinely matter to me and add value to my life, and definitely “no” to a dead tree on your patio.
Got it. (Get rid of the dead tree)
