Kate joined the firm as an Associate in September 2012 as Chief Knowledge Officer. She coordinates appellate and litigation support functions, including all external facing written work product. She is a strong advocate for the positions of the firm’s clients, and she routinely assists her colleagues in coordinating complex research assignments. Kate focuses her practice on civil appeals and commercial litigation with an emphasis on issues relating to land use, development, and regulation. She is a member of the Administrative Law, Appellate Practice and Advocacy, and City, County, and Local Government Law Sections of the Florida Bar, as well as a member of the Third District Court of Appeal Historical Society, Dade County Bar Association, and Florida Association for Women Lawyers. Prior to her admission to the Florida Bar, Kate worked full time with the firm as a paralegal and law clerk supporting our litigation and appellate practices. She has been with us since March 2007.

Kate earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Florida International University College of Law (Miami, Florida). While in law school, she interned at Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal, researched international criminal law issues as a faculty research assistant, and edited articles selected for publication as a member of the College’s law review. Kate was recognized for excellence in a number of courses, including legal research and writing, contracts, international criminal law, and Islamic law. 

Before enrolling in law school, Kate attended the United States Coast Guard Academy (New London, Connecticut) and Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), where she earned a Bachelor of Science, with distinction, in Legal Studies and Psychology. As an undergraduate, Kate joined (and captained) the college’s mock trial team, completed advanced coursework as a member of the honors program, and was inducted into the Alpha Chi College Honor Society. In 2006, a faculty committee selected Kate to deliver a commencement address on behalf of the graduating class. Kate was also a recipient of the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences’ Outstanding Student Achievement Award. 

Kate was born in Florida but, being the proud daughter of a retired naval officer, was raised throughout the United States and in Seoul, Korea and London, England. Kate returned to Florida in 2002 and made Miami her home in 2006. She enjoys kickboxing and classical music (especially Chopin) and has studied ballet and piano since she was a child.