This is My World. My Clients, My Colleagues and My Friends.
Where I work, give back and hang out. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Foundation of the Federal Bar Association (“FFBA”)
The FFBA is Chartered by U.S. Congress and allows legal practitioners to give back to the Federal legal community, in the form of grants, scholarships and programming. The FFBA provides life-changing civics fundamentals education to high schoolers and the public—one of my favorite programs. I am a Director of the FFBA and being a Legacy Life Fellow of the FFBA means providing monetary as well as voluntary support in changing lives—something we want to do as lawyers.
St. Thomas University College of Law
The College of Law at St. Thomas University in Miami (STU Law) is where all the firm’s full-time attorneys went to law school and have given back to their alma matter. STU Law is part of a Catholic University and a law school where values matter. After many years of acting as a visiting maritime law lecturer, I now teach at STU Law as an adjunct professor in Maritime Law and regularly involves the students in other causes dear to the firm, such as Seafarers House and the Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club.
Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (“WISTA”)
WISTA promotes gender diversity as a force for positive change across the maritime, trading and logistics industry. WISTA develops connections, communities and strategies to empower women to reach their goals and their full potential as leaders, managers and mentors. Working with members, industry and representative bodies worldwide, WISTA sets the agenda for change and seeks to close the gender gap. I am a former President of WISTA Florida and worked to grow the Chapter to the largest in the United States. The firm regularly sponsors WISTA USA AGMs and other such events to promote WISTA.
Professional Women in Yachting (“PWY”)
PWY is a community-based organization of like-minded professionals in the yachting industry, including yacht crew, entrepreneurs, CEOs, yacht brokers and maritime attorneys like me. PWY’s goal is to help make the marine industry and world a better place and this is accomplished by philanthropic events, seminars, fundraisers, community-building events, and in-depth training sessions for members to empower each other. The firm sponsors this organization, as I believe in lifting up women in the yachting space.
Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club (“FLMC”)
The FLMC is where South Florida’s marine community comes together to collaborate, learn and grow. From its monthly luncheons and social gatherings to the Annual Marine Insurance Seminar, FLMC provide opportunities for fun, to network, exchange ideas, give back and strengthen the maritime industry. After rising to the rank of Skipper of FLMC, I have served on the Seminar Committee, acting as the Publicity Contact for the committee that puts on the Annual Marine Insurance Seminar, which is attended by more than 600 marine insurance professionals from around the world. The firm sponsors the app for the event yearly. The Annual Marine Insurance Seminar allows FLMC to give back to the community by making the Seafarers House the beneficiary of the FLMC’s yearly Golf Tournament.
The American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (“ACMF”)
The ACMF funds scholarships, grants, equipment, facilities and infrastructure for maritime training and education in the Caribbean. ACMF extends scholarships and grants to students attending or planning to attend one of its academic partners, with its mission of meeting the critical need for maritime workers in our sector by meeting the need for jobs in the Caribbean as a basis for economic growth. In addition, the ACMF has the Caribbean Maritime Career Exchange (CAREX), which is the first of its kind jobs board exclusively for the Caribbean. CAREX links job seekers/candidates in the region with prospective employers anywhere in the world. the site who are looking for job opportunities. I am on the Board of ACMF, as I am committed to careful stewardship of the funds entrusted to the ACMF and in its mission in transforming lives in the Caribbean through maritime education and employment.
Miami Rowing Club (“MRC”)
The Miami Rowing Club (“MRC”) was founded in 1973 by a group of veteran Cuban exiles passionate about rowing. They were soon joined by U.S. collegiate rowers and local novices, forming the foundation of the club. In 1979, MRC relocated to a site between the Miami Marine Stadium and MAST Academy on Virginia Key and with support from the City of Miami, a permanent boathouse was constructed. This facility supported the club's growing youth and Masters programs, which have won numerous state and national championships, gaining national and international recognition. I am in the Masters program, regularly compete on the MRC Masters team and contribute to the Miami International Regatta, hosted by MRC, which brings together elite youth and masters athletes from across the country and abroad to promote the sport of rowing and advance youth development and scholarship programs.