Experience:
Kim Hernandez Vance is a commercial litigation attorney, and a Shareholder in the firm's Tampa office. She represents clients in cases involving creditors' rights, banking regulation and defense, real and personal property rights, foreclosures, replevins, landlord-tenant disputes, uniform commercial code litigation and other matters. She is an "AV" rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating given by this service.
Background:
Kim is a second generation Tampa native and great granddaughter of Casimiro Hernandez, the founder of the world famous Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. She was born in Tampa, Florida and attended local schools, earning a B.A. in Accounting, in 1985. She passed the CPA exam and began a career in public and corporate accounting as an auditor, specializing in banking and financial institutions, with the firm of Hacker, Johnsen, Cohen & Grieb, CPA's.
In 1987, Kim went in-house with Barnett Banks, Inc., as an internal auditor supervisor for the holding company. During her tenure with Barnett, she was responsible for financial and compliance audits of almost every functional area of the bank, along with corporate accounting, the corporate money desk, the student lending division, and the mortgage banking company.
In 1995, Kim entered Stetson College of Law, graduating in the top 5% of her class. Since passing the Florida Bar, her experience has encompassed a diverse commercial litigation practice. Most recently, Kim earned her certification as a Circuit Civil Mediator. Her civic activities include the Kiwanis Club, Key Club Liaison - Jesuit, Boyscouts of America and Gulf Ridge Council Hispanic Outreach Committee. Prior to joining GrayRobinson, Kim was a partner with the Tampa firm of Cohn, Cohn, P.A.
Professional:
· The Florida Bar
· Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA)
· Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar
· Barney Masterson Inn of Court, 1997-1999
· Ferguson-White Inn of Court - Barrister Member
· AV Rated - Martindale-Hubbell (2004)
· Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (2006-2012)
· Admitted to Practice:
- State of Florida (1998)
- United States District Court, Northern District of Florida
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
- United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
· Professional Certifications:
- Certified Public Accountant, State of Florida (1987)
- Certified Civil Circuit Mediator - Supreme Court of Florida (2004)
Publications and seminars:
· Co-Author and Lecturer - Consumer Lending Regulatory Compliance, National Business Institute, 2002.
· Co-Author and Lecturer - Florida Foreclosure, Bankruptcy and Title Issues, National Business Institute, 2004.
· Co-Author and Lecturer - Successful Judgment Collections in Florida, National Business Institute, 2004.
Civic:
· Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
· Leadership Tampa, 2009
· Kiwanis of Tampa
· Key Club Liaison - Jesuit High School
· Rotary - Presidential Citation, 2005-2006
· Boy Scouts of America
· Gulf Ridge Council Hispanic Outreach Committee