Merribeth Bohanan Email & Phone Number

107 West Gaines Street

Assisted the Florida Supreme Court in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) commissions, boards, and sub-committees. Managed and implemented the mediator disciplinary process and the Mediator Ethics Advisory Committee. Assisted circuits with obtaining an Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) with the FBI. Provided legal interpretation of statutes, rules, and case law and developed policies regarding court-connected ADR in Florida. Reviewed and analyzed ADR-related legislation.

Defended personal injury auto accident cases. Regularly conducted depositions, Examinations Under Oath (EUO's), and participated in mediations. Handled civil cases by evaluating and investigating claims from inception to trial. Admitted to practice in the Northern and Middle District Federal Courts.

Tallahassee, Florida Area

Prosecuted Real Estate Agents and Brokers throughout the state of Florida. Evaluated cases and prepared administrative complaints, letters of guidance, or closing orders for the review and approval of the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). Prepared and prosecuted cases at the Division of Administrative Hearings. Coordinated the administrative and criminal prosecutions with State Attorneys throughout the state. Mentored law clerks and new attorneys.

Florida

Assisted in interviewing experts, law enforcement, family members, doctors, teachers, and former employment personnel. Collected, evaluated, and analyzed records: medical, corrections, law enforcement, school, and criminal. Prepared and presented reports relating to the clients life and recommendations to attorneys, experts, and judges. Drafted or edited whole life history memos. Traveled extensively, gathering records and interviewing witnesses for Miller and Hurst re-sentencing cases, as well as first juvenile and death penalty cases.

I drove litigation for causes and claims including administrative prosecutions, bid protests, rule challenges, and appeals to the Division of Administrative Hearings. I acted as the Director of the Public Records Unit. Litigated personnel cases at PERC, arbitration, and circuit court. Served as a hearing officer for administrative appeals and drafted and executed proposed recommended orders, written reports, and recommendations, as well as final orders. Litigated cases across Florida in the Circuit, Federal, and District Court of Appeals. Some of my key contributions are as follows:♦Enhanced performance of 25 new attorneys by training and coaching them on litigation tools and best practices; participated in three-year professional development LEX program.♦Built positive and trusting relationships with witnesses, communicating effectively to prepare them for depositions and trials and guiding them through legal processes.♦Assist in enhancing lives as panel member on subscriber assistance panel. ♦Generated hundreds of dollars in cost savings by switching to letter-sized folders for legal files. ♦Won Davis Productivity Award twice.

Here, I gained and applied comprehensive knowledge and expertise in criminal law to defend misdemeanor and felony cases including capital and first-degree murder. I investigated cases, demonstrating high-level analytical skills and supervised a team of 10 individuals comprised of attorneys, support staff and investigative staff. Additionally, I litigated post-conviction motions and statewide prosecution cases. Some of my key contributions are as follows:♦Represented and counseled thousands of clients to help them achieve optimal outcomes. ♦Attained favorable results by researching, filing, and arguing hundreds of motions, and negotiating plea bargains.♦Created first Mental Health Court in Leon County by writing and implementing grant, and personally created a misdemeanor drug court.

During this time, I helped communities in need by implementing a community economic development project in three rural north Florida counties. Applying expertise in growth management and land-use issues, I educated county commissioners and facilitate their success. Some of my key contributions are as follows:♦ Improved plans and assisted with decision making as member of two state housing initiative programs and advisory councils.♦Created affordable housing opportunities in three counties for low-income families and the elderly.♦Demonstrated seasoned communication skills and legal expertise to represent clients in administrative hearings, as well as presented at the 2000 Florida Bar Conference.

Juris Doctorate, Law

Bachlor Of Arts, Political Sciene And A Minor In Ethinic And Womens Studies