Norma Wendt

Norma Wendt joined Shoemaker Law in 2022, bringing three decades of experience as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney in St. Johns, Putnam, and Flagler counties. She has handled juvenile delinquency, misdemeanor, and felony matters on both sides of the aisle. Before pursuing law, Norma earned a master’s in speech-language pathology from the University of Florida and spent five years working with United Way and the Hillsborough County public schools. Returning to UF for her J.D., she served as President of the John Marshall Bar Association, competed on the Trial Team, interned in medical-malpractice law, clerked for Judge Benjamin Tench, joined Florida Blue Key, and was a student member of the Chester Bedell Inn of Court. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1988, Norma began her legal career in product-liability and medical-malpractice defense, then served as a prosecutor from 1993–2005 before moving to the Public Defender’s Office, where she rose to Division Chief until retiring in 2020. Two months later she joined Gennusa Law, briefly practiced family law, but remains passionate about criminal justice. An avid rancher, pilot, Civil Air Patrol Major, fencer, and competitive pistol shooter, Norma also supports astronaut scholarship foundations and has a daughter in criminal defense.