Meet Linette | Proven Leader and Devoted Public Servant
Award-Winning Attorney | Hearing Officer | Trusted Servant Leader | Proven Track Record of Excelling in the Courtroom, Inspiring in the Classroom, and Making a Difference in Our Community
From Our Community. For Our Community.
- 4th Generation Tampa Native
- Jefferson High School Graduate - Salutatorian of the Magnet Academies & Valedictorian of the Law & Criminal Justice Magnet Academy
- University of Tampa Graduate in three years with magna cum laude distinction
- Joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. at The University of South Florida
- Girls State, American Legion Auxiliary Department of Florida
Honors & Accolades:
- Leader in the Law, Florida Association for Women Lawyers
- President's Award, Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers
- Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch
- Tampa Bay G.I.R.L.S. Rock Honoree – Civic Award
- Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Awards Nominee
- Pro Bono Teen Court Award
- Judge Carol E. Draper Teen Court Service Award, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida
- Exceptional Pro Bono Service Award
- Outstanding Attorney Award, Children’s Legal Services
- Finer Woman Award, Epsilon Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
- The Guardian of Justice Pro Bono Award, Community Legal Services
- Anne Frank Humanitarian Award
- Graduated from The George Washington University Law School as a Presidential Merit Scholar
Expertise & Well-Rounded Experience:
- Hearing Officer for Hillsborough County (quasi judicial/neutral arbiter role), for six (6) years: Presides over hearings and renders decisions
- Tried and true trial attorney (both bench trials before judges and jury trials) who knows the courtroom inside and out
- Appellate attorney
- Educator: Teaches middle and high school students about having healthy relationships with themselves and others
Current Leadership & Community Engagement:
- Incoming President, Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers [dedicated to giving women a voice in our justice system and promoting gender equality in the legal profession and under the law]
- Vice President, Guardian Ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay [advocate for and support children and youth impacted by abuse and neglect]
- Co-Chair, Young Women of Promise - The Athena Society [honor extraordinary young women that are juniors in Hillsborough County public and private schools]
- Board Member, The Regent [we aspire to meet the needs of the Greater Brandon community in Eastern Hillsborough County by forging connections and building a sense of civic pride]
- Board Member, The Athena Society [Tampa professionals who have demonstrated leadership in the community and committed themselves to promoting equality and opportunity for women]
- Board Member, Tampa Bay Tiger Club [non-partisan political forum]
- Board Member, The University of Tampa Board of Counselors [serve as Ambassador for the University and help mentor students via Speed Networking, lecturing, tutoring, etc.]
- Member, Rotary Club - Ybor City
- Member, Indo Chamber of Commerce
- Volunteer Judge, Teen Court (delinquency diversionary program)
- Immediate Past Chair, Human Relations Board - Hillsborough County [we encourage equality among all people by reviewing complaints filed under Hillsborough County's Human Rights Ordinance promoting fair treatment and equal opportunity for all]
- Immediate Past Chair, Hillsborough County Black Chamber of Commerce
- Former Historical Committee Chair, George Edgecomb Bar Association [dedicated to the promotion and recognition of African Americans within the legal profession and judiciary]
- Former Criminal Justice Committee Member, NAACP
- Former Scribe, Code & Rules of Evidence Committee, Florida Bar
