Experience
Colleen has experience in litigation, with an emphasis in commercial and securities litigation and arbitration proceedings. Her experience includes representation of securities industry clients, including broker-dealers, registered representatives, financial planners and investment advisors in arbitration proceedings conducted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA") and the American Arbitration Association, as well as in state and federal courts. Additionally, Colleen represents securities industry clients in connection with investigations and administrative proceedings initiated by state, federal and self-regulatory agencies and organizations.
Background
Colleen was born in Bethesda, Maryland and has lived in Florida since 1990. She received her B.A. degree in Political Science with high honors from the University of South Florida in 1995. She then received her Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law in 1999. While in law school, Colleen earned the Book Award in her Trial Practice and Legal Drafting classes. Additionally, she worked as a Certified Legal Intern authorized to try cases with the State Attorney's Office for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. After gaining several years of experience in land use, commercial and securities litigation, Colleen originally joined GrayRobinson in 2003 and has returned in 2010 as a Shareholder in the Tampa office.
Professional
· American Bar Association
· The Florida Bar
- Trial Lawyers Section
- Eminent Domain Committee, 2007-2009
· Hillsborough County Bar Association
· Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association ("SIFMA") Compliance and Legal Division
· Florida Securities Dealers Association, Inc.
· Florida Super Lawyers "Rising Star," 2009, 2011
· Hillsborough County Land Use Appeals Board (2007-2010)
· Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Leadership Tampa Class of 2008
· Chair, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee 13D (2004-2007)
· HAWL of Fame, Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, 2005
· Up and Coming "Legal Elite," Florida Trend Magazine, 2004
· Tampa Bay Review "Top 40 Under 40" Attorney, 2002
Civic:
· Co-Chair, Scholarship Committee, Kiwanis Club of Tampa (2007-2010)
· Team Captain and Top Walker, American Heart Association Heart Walk (2008-2009)
· Director, Tampa Kiwanis Foundation (2006-2008)
· Vice Chair, Suncoast Section, Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (2007-2008)
· Director, Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County (2006-2007)
Representative decisions:
· Peninsular Properties Braden River, LLC v. City of Bradenton, Florida, 965 So.2d 160 (Fla. 2d DCA 2007); rev. den'd, 974 So.2d 386 (Fla. 2008)
· Boyd v. Halstead, 817 So.2d 1092 (Fla. 2d DCA 2002)
· Hughes v. Slomka, et al., 807 So.2d 98 (Fla. 2d DCA 2002)
Presentations and Publications:
· "Mediating Land Use Disputes," Florida Chamber of Commerce 2009 Growth Management, Energy, Climate Change and the Environment course
· "Litigating with Government Entities," Florida Bar Annual Meeting, 2007
· Author, Takings Jurisprudence Clarified, Association of Eminent Domain Professionals Newsletter, 2006
· Co-Author, Rent Cap on Dealers is Not a Taking, 2006