5415 87th Street E.
Bradenton, FL 34211
P: 941.684.0100
F: 941.684.0109
RH PRACTICE AREAS
Susan joined Rolfes Henry in April of 2025 and serves clients from the Sarasota / Bradenton office. Before joining Rolfes Henry, Susan worked in civil litigation, reviewing insurance claim files for compliance with the Florida Statutes, appellate law, contracts, wills, estate planning, and mediation. After serving as a Law Journal Editor at Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law Center, Susan opened her law practice after law school while assisting at the State Attorney’s Office and teaching paralegal and pre-law students as a college professor. Then, Susan transitioned to working for the judicial system as a staff attorney and later became an Assistant Public Defender. After her time at the Office of the Public Defender, she began reviewing insurance claim files for compliance with Florida Statutes regarding insurance claims.
Susan is originally from New York. She attended the University of South Florida, where she completed her undergraduate studies in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, combining two majors of criminology and political science. In her spare time, Susan enjoys spending time with her family, reading, walking, and volunteering.
EDUCATION
Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, Davie, Florida
Juris Doctor, 2006
University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
Bachelor of Arts, 1999
- Florida Gulf Coast University, approx. summer of 2006 for one dual enrollment semester
- Manatee Community College, one year of enrollment, then transferred to USF August 1992 through May of 1993
FEDERAL COURTS:
- Middle District of Florida
STATE COURTS:
- State of Florida
Publications
- Regional Organizations Chapter of the ILSA Law Journal’s International Citation and Legal Research Guide
- N. v. Dept. of Children & Families, 224 So. 3D 900 (2017), Case No. 2D17-1066
- Porvaznik v. Porvaznik, Case No. 2D17-3425 (Opinion filed July 6, 2018)
Additional Experience
- Associate Producer for WWSB News Department (ABC Affiliate)
- Adjunct Professor for University of South Florida Polytechnic College Criminal Justice Department
- Adjunct Professor of Paralegal Courses for Hodges University
- Volunteered for the homicide division at the Twentieth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office in Charlotte County, Florida
- Volunteered for the homicide division at the State Attorney’s Office in Broward County
- Volunteered for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender
- Volunteered for the Guardian Ad Litem Program in Broward County, Florida
- Assisted with the creation of the Collier County Legal Self-Help Center
Presentations
- Law Changes Regarding Domestic Violence at Broward County Women’s Shelter
- Collier County Clerk of Circuit Court’s Legal Self Help Center Presentation at the Collier County Shelter for Abused Women and Children
Significant Appellate Decisions
- I.N. v. Dept. of Children & Families, 224 So. 3D 900 (2017), Case No. 2D17-1066
- Porvaznik v. Porvaznik, Case No. 2D17-3425 (Opinion filed July 6, 2018)
Significant Cases
- I.N. v. Dept. of Children & Families, 224 So. 3D 900 (2017), Case No. 2D17-1066
- Porvaznik v. Porvaznik, Case No. 2D17-3425 (Opinion filed July 6, 2018)
Community Involvement
- Volunteered for the Food Bank in Collier County, Florida
- Volunteered at the Collier County Shelter for Abused Women and Children
- Volunteered as a Radio Intern / Announcer at WEEJ in Charlotte County, Florida
- Volunteered for the News Department at WWSB in Fort Myers, NBC Affiliate
- Volunteered for the New Department at WTVT, Channel 13 in Tampa, Florida
Memberships
- The Florida Bar Association
- U.S. District Court of Florida, Middle District
Recognitions
Pro Bono Honors Award for volunteer hours at the State Attorney’s Office and Guardian Ad Litem Office in Broward County, Florida