My 25+ years of experience as a local government attorney in the Tampa Bay region has given me the necessary experience, skill, and contacts to help people when they find it necessary to interact with local governments.

I began a career of helping people when I joined the US Coast Guard out of high school.  After several years of service, I went to college, attaining my bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and my law degree from the University of Wisconsin.

I started my legal career with the State of Florida Attorney General’s Office as a civil litigator.  I left the AG’s Office in 1999 to begin working for the City of St. Petersburg, followed by the City of Tampa, and finally the City of Temple Terrace.  In that time, I have gained practical experience in land use, code enforcement, business regulation, foreclosures, bankruptcy, employment law, and risk management.  I have also served as board advisor for code enforcement, nuisance abatement, variance review, and historic preservation boards.  Presently, I am serving as a special magistrate for three Tampa Bay communities.

I have taught as an Adjunct Professor at Thomas Cooley Law School teaching Local Government Law and have been a guest speaker for a local government clinics at Stetson Law School.  I have been a speaker at continuing legal education seminars, focusing on code enforcement topics.  Finally, I am admitted to and have practiced in the state appellate, circuit, and county courts, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.