Experience
Currently practicing with Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns in their Creditor / Debtor Rights Department since 2005. Partner since 2008.
Previously practiced in New York with Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson as well as Dewey Ballantine, LLP. Clerked with Hon. Michael G. Williamson, United States Bankruptcy Judge in Tampa, Florida and Hon. Cornelius Blackshear, United States Bankruptcy Judge in the Southern District of New York
Currently I successfully handle all aspects of bankruptcy representation such as creditors’ rights, debtors’ rights, Chapter 11’s for the reorganization of businesses or individuals, experience in Subchapter V, complex Chapter 7’s, foreclosure defense and prosecution and other state court insolvency matters including receiverships and assignments for the benefit of creditors. I’ve represented all sides – debtors, creditors, creditors’ committees, assignees, assignors, chapter 7 and 11 trustees – and worked with all types, from individuals to large corporations and banking institutions. To be effective in this practice, you need attorneys that understand the financing, business models and laws related to each client’s business. This practice also requires creativity, strategic flexibility and strong corporate and litigation skills.
Admissions
- The Florida Bar – 1998
- The New York Bar – 1993
- The New Jersey Bar – 1993
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida – 2005
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida – 2013
- U.S. District Court, Southern Districts – of New York – 1993
- U.S. District Court, Eastern Districts – of New York – 1993
- US District of New Jersey
Distinctions & Memberships
- Florida’s Legal Elite (multiple years) – Florida Trend Magazine
- American Bankruptcy Institute Member (“ABI”)
- Asian Pacific American Bar Association – Founding Member (“APABA”) (current board member)
- Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association Member (“TBBBA”) (current board member)
- Served as member of the 13th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee
- Pro Bono Award from the 13th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee (2021)
- Clearwater Bar Association Member
- International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation Member (“IWIRC”)
- Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees
- Florida Bar Diversity and Inclusion Committee – July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023
- Super Lawyers
Education
- University of Southern California B.S., 1985
- Rutgers University Law School J.D., 1993, High Honors, Order of the Coif; Executive Editor, Women’s Rights Law Reporter
Panels
- CLE Co-Chair for the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association 2020-2021
- Speaker at a panel for Cooley Law School’s Federal Bar Association in September 2021
- Speaker on a panel for the Hillsborough County Bar Diversity and Inclusion in March 2021
- Participated in the liaison meetings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District (various dates – 2014, 2018, 2020)
- Speaker on the Clearwater Bar Diversity Panel in February 2013
- Speaker at APABA SE Regional Conference in June 2013
- Speaker on a panel at the NCBJ-NBA Minority Law Student Outreach in October 2012
- Speaker for Credit Abuse Resistance Education (“C.A.R.E.”)
Significant Cases
- Brasota Mortgage Company (M.D. Fla.) – counsel to the Chapter 11 Trustee
- 1031 Tax Group LLC (S.D.N.Y.) – Florida counsel to the Chapter 11 Trustee
- PenAir (D. Alaska) – counsel to the Chapter 11 Trustee
- Sky King (C.D. Cal.) – counsel to the Chapter 11 Trustee
- Transcontinental Airlines/Louis J. Pearlman (Fla. Cir. Ct.) – counsel to the Receiver
- Petters (D. Minn.) – counsel to fraudulent transfer defendant
- In re Gaime – counsel to Chapter 7 Trustee (successfully argued appeal for Trustee in the Eleventh Circuit)
Pre-Law Prior Employment
- Prior to law school, I was an auditor for the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, the Office of Thrift Supervision (New Jersey).
- In law school, I also interned for the US Attorney’s Office (Philadelphia) and the Attorney General’s Office (NJ)
Articles
- Florida’s 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 28 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- Florida’s 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 22 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- Florida’s 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 18 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- Inherited IRAs in Florida after the Supreme Court’s Decision in Clark
- When is a “Pay Off” Request to a Lender Not a Pay Off?
- Important New Law on Securing Collateral
News
- Florida’s 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 28 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- Florida’s 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 22 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- Florida’s 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 18 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- Florida Super Lawyers Recognizes 23 Attorneys from Johnson Pope
- Florida Super Lawyers Recognizes 24 Attorneys From Johnson Pope