I spent 18 years of my 26 plus years at the U. S. Attorney’s Office in the prosecution of civil and criminal Asset Forfeiture cases and White-Collar criminal cases. As the sole Asset Forfeiture AUSA in the Jacksonville U.S. Attorney’s Office I handled nearly every civil and criminal Asset Forfeiture case brought in the office. This included filing and litigating Civil Forfeiture cases brought against personal and real property and handling all aspects of Criminal Forfeiture cases contained in Criminal Indictments, Informations, and Complaints. I also was the coordinator of the local Suspicious Activity Review Team which essentially reviewed violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. I also served for a time on the Committee at the Department of Justice in charge of revising the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Policy Manual. Additionally, I conducted various Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering training presentations at local federal agencies, such as the DEA, ATF, ICE and the FBI, as well as at state counterparts, such as the FDLE. This included conducting some training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLTC) in Glynco, Georgia. I also was a member of the local Bank Fraud Prevention Organization and presented training on topics such as Bank Secrecy Act violations and Money Laundering Violations. Finally, I also prosecuted federal crimes, primarily financial crimes involving wire fraud, mail fraud and Bank Secrecy Act Violations, such as structuring financial transactions.
There have been two defining moments during my career. First, serving as an Assistant United States Attorney for 26 years was very gratifying. I began my career at the U.S. Attorney’s Office as an AUSA in the Civil Division. I defended the United States in Federal Tort Claims Act cases, such as slip and fall, motor vehicle accidents and medical malpractice, and brought cases involving the False Claims Act.
Later, for nearly two decades I served as an AUSA in the Criminal and Asset Recovery Divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. I took pride in prosecuting civil and criminal Asset Forfeiture claims and White-Collar crimes. Almost without exception, when the federal government seized assets in northeast Florida, I was the one who handled forfeiture, from 2003 until 2021.
Second, it is an honor to put the skills I honed at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to work on behalf of injured people, survivors of people killed wrongfully, individuals accused of financial crimes, and those whose money and property were seized by the government. Experience working for the government is invaluable in defending people’s rights when the government harms them.
Finally, while government service was worthwhile and gratifying, there is nothing better than helping individual people with difficult legal problems. Coming to work each day is rewarding because I am getting to know my clients as humans, and I am helping them resolve problems that have created great hardships in their lives.
Working at Glober+Glober is also fun, because my law partner is the person I’ve been married to for over 30 years.
Our spare time is spent on family activities with our three young adult children who are all happily establishing families and careers for themselves. Some of this time includes babysitting our young grandson while providing needed rest for his parents. Apart from family time, Jim and I are outdoor and exercise enthusiasts and try to combine these activities by hiking and exploring mountainous destinations. I also am a voracious reader and like to try my hand at cooking from time to time.
AWARDS & AFFILIATIONS
Top 100 National Trial Lawyers in the field of Criminal Defense
Career Achievement Award presented by the United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida
Award for Outstanding Contraband Smuggling Investigation presented by Homeland Security Investigations (ICE)
Award for Outstanding Assistance to Victims in the Creative Allocation of Seized Assets, presented by the United States Attorney’s Office
Award for Exceptional Service in the Public Interest, presented by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation
Award for Outstanding Service in the Civil Division, presented by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General (DCIS)
Jacksonville Bar Association
Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association
Florida Association of Women Lawyers
American Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
BAR ADMISSIONS
Florida
Texas
EDUCATION
Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts, B.A., English
Tulane University School of Law, J.D.
