Representative Experience Awards and Recognitions
Litigation Experience
- Regularly represented private employers in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies in matters involving discrimination claims, retaliation claims, wage and hour issues, and contract and tort claims.
- Defended manufacturers and distributors involved in asbestos-related personal injury and wrongful death litigation on local, regional, and national levels.
- Represented and advised health care entities in breach of contract claims against nursing staff.
- Regularly handled a wide variety of high-stakes litigation between and for large and small corporate entities and individuals in partnership, share holder, and breach of contract disputes.
- Successfully represented former NFL player in a breach of contract claim.
- Defended investment banking firm in multiple multimillion-dollar claims alleging breach of contract and professional negligence for alleged failure to properly advise and allegations of securities fraud.
- Defended individual in a multiple-million-dollar intentional tort claim and obtained a $100,000 settlement for the client
Representative Awards and Recognitions
- Recipient of the 2021 American Bar Associations’ Pro Bono Publico Award. This award is presented to three attorneys nationwide and an organization in the legal profession who have enhanced the human dignity of others by improving or delivering volunteer legal services to our nation’s poor and disadvantaged.
- Recipient of the Best Lawyers in America Ones to Watch in 2021 and 2022awardin areas of Commercial Litigation and Trust and Estates. These awards are recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
- Recipient of the National Black Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 in the State of Florida award in 2019.The National Black Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 is a professional honorary organization composed of the Top 40 lawyers age 40 or younger in each state or region who represent individuals and businesses in the American legal system. Membership into the organization is by invitation only and is extended exclusively to attorneys who excel in their profession or promote diversity.
- Created the TerryAnn S. Howell Book Award for low-income law students who demonstrate a commitment to the community and delivery of services to low-income individuals.
- Founder and President of the Grow, Glow, Give back Corporation, a non-profit formed to assist low-income individuals overcome all barriers to an education, ranging from school supplies to proper meals.
Pro Bono Experience
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Regularly represent low-income individuals referred by Legal Services of Greater Miami in eviction lawsuits filed in state court. Tasks range from filing responsive pleadings, filing dispositive motions and appearing at hearings, engaging in settlement discussions and drafting settlement agreements.
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Regularly provided free legal advice at Legal Services of Greater Miami’s Tenants’ Equal Justice Clinic, to low-income individuals whose landlord has not returned security deposits or clients who are living in unsuitable, unsafe, or unhealthy living conditions. Also assists with initiating pro se Small Claims Court case or drafting letters to assist the client in curing legal issues that impede stable housing or habitability.
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Facilitated a Nelson Mullins and Legal Services collaboration to run a state wide COVID-19Small Business and Non-profit Clinic through Lawyers for Good Government. This collaboration grew into a three state Nelson Mullins initiative with twenty-two (22)attorneys from Nelson Mullins Florida offices volunteering and the recruitment of twelve (12)additional large firms. This project has helped over 100 Florida business and nonprofits.
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Represented defendant in the Southern District of Georgia-pro hac vice-to reduce his life sentence after being found guilty of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in 1997, while having two prior convictions. Motion for reduction filed pursuant to the First Step and Fair Sentencing Acts.
- Organized the “Representation for Low-Income Miami Protestors Project” in partnership with the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association to represent indigent individuals arrested during the Black Lives Matter protests for non-violent misdemeanor crimes such as trespass, violation of curfew, and disorderly conduct.
- Assisted with cases referred by Americans for Immigrant Justice (AIJ)by filing habeas petitions for those children who have aged out of the juvenile centers where they were being held and sent to adult correctional facilities.
- Successfully placed trademark pro case with trademark attorney oversaw the trademark of newly formed production company’s logo.