Jacqueline was formally trained in leadership development and conflict resolution, and began facilitating problem-solving groups while working for the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company more than 20 years ago. These experiences served her well throughout her education. Jacqueline graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida with a degree in Psychology before earning her law degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1999. While at Stetson, Jacqueline excelled at trial advocacy and assisted in teaching that discipline. She also earned a position on Stetson's prestigious trial team, worked as a student prosecutor for the State Attorney's office, served as a judicial intern with a circuit court judge, clerked in a private law firm, and provided pro bono mediation services in the Pinellas County courts.
Professional Experience
Jacqueline has worked in the private sector her entire career. After she was admitted to the Bar, Jacqueline joined the litigation group at Grant, Fridkin, Pearson, Athan & Crown, P.A., a highly respected Naples firm, where she began practicing primarily in the areas of commercial construction, real estate, and business litigation. She has handled complex litigation matters and has represented business entities, title insurers, commercial landlords, general contractors, business owners, developers, lending institutions, professional associations, material suppliers, design professionals, and residential home owners, in both the state and federal courts, at the trial court level and in the courts of appeal.
In 2007, Jacqueline left her firm and began a mediation practice. In addition to being a licensed Florida attorney, she is a certified county and circuit civil mediator and a state-qualified arbitrator. Jacqueline provides services for most pre-suit, post-suit and court-ordered matters, including foreclosure mediation and arbitration. Services are generally available throughout the state. [top]
Dedication to Profession
Jacqueline is a member of The Florida Bar, the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers ("FAWL"), the Collier County Bar Association, the Collier County Women's Bar Association ("CCWBA"), the Florida Academy of Professional Mediators, and Thomas L. Biggs Inns of Court.
She presently serves as Chair of the Juvenile Drug Court Advisory Board, and Vice Chair of PACE Centers for Girls, Collier at Immokalee. She is a working member of the Collier County Foreclosure Task Force, and as Chair of its mediation committee, is leading efforts to develop a mediation model for foreclosure actions in Collier County. She also volunteers with the Twentieth Judicial Circuit's Justice Teaching and Dispute Resolution programs. She is a member of FAWL's Nominations Committee, and a former Development Director and Chair of FAWL's Breakfast & Books program (a national award winning, state-wide reading and mentoring program benefiting PACE Centers for Girls). She is also a former president, FAWL Liaison and Judicial Independence Committee Liaison of the local chapter. [top]
Jacqueline At-A-Glance
Education
Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 1999)
University of South Florida (B.A. cum laude - Psychology, 1996)
Edison Community College (A.A. with Honors - Psychology, 1994) [top]
Florida Supreme Court Certified County Court Mediator, 1999; 2007
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Stetson University College of Law, 1999
Understanding the Dynamics of Organizational Change: A Core Course in Leadership Development, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, 1995
Teaming Up for Total Quality Management: Team Facilitation Training, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, 1994 [top]
Professional Memberships
Florida Bar Association, 1999
Collier County Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Section, since 2000; Member Benefits Committee, 2005; Seminar Planning Committee, 2004-2005
Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL), since 2002; Project Chair Breakfast & Books, 2003- 2005; Development Director, 2007-2008; Nominations Committee 2009
Collier County Women's Bar Association, since 2001; Director / Project Chair Voices for Kids, 2002-2005; Vice President, 2002-2004; President, 2004-2005; FAWL Liaison, 2007-2008; Judicial Independence Liaison, 2007-2008
Lee County Bar Association, 2007
Thomas L. Biggs Inns of Court, 1999-2000 / 2002-2003 / 2005-2007 / 2008-2009
Barney Masterson Inns of Court, 1998-1999
Juvenile Drug Court Advisory Board, Chair, 2008-present
Mock Trial, Law Week, and Law Clinic, 1999-2007
Justice Teaching, 2007-2009
Juvenile Drug Court Panel Participant, 2007-2008
Florida Academy of Professional Mediators, 2008-present
Collier County Foreclosure Task Force, Mediation Committee Chair, 2008-present
