Samantha Stevins, Esq. graduated from the University of Miami in 1995 with two degrees -- a BA in Broadcast Journalism & Creative Writing, and a BS in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy. After working for Herzfeld & Rubin as a legal secretary/paralegal doing pharmaceutical defense in Miami, Florida, she decided to attend law school.
Prior to earning her JD, Ms. Stevins clerked at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa, Florida in the civil division, criminal division and appellate division. While clerking at the office, she assisted with creating press releases for the public relations section of the office. She earned her JD from Thoma M. Cooley Law School with a concentration in Litigation in 2000 and became admitted to practice law in all Florida state courts in 2001.
Early in her legal career, Ms. Stevins worked as a part-time Assistant Public Defender while being an adjunct professor at what is now Hodges University teaching degree-seeking students of all ages Legal Research and Writing; Business Law; Torts; Constitutional Law; and Criminal Law. During her career, she has served as an Assistant Public Defender in 5 different Florida counties: Collier, Duval, Glades, Hendry and Lee. Ms. Stevins has handled every type of criminal case from arrest up through and including appeal.
Ms. Stevins is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida; the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida; Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals; and the United States Supreme Court.
Ms. Stevins is a former board member of Project HELP in Naples, Florida -- a non-profit organization staffed by professional counselors and advocates committed to providing hope, empowerment, and healing to those affected by sexual violence, sudden death, and other crimes. She is a current member of the Collier County Women's Bar Association; the Collier County Bar Association; Inns of Court; and is a 2002 graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College.
She is actively assisting doctors, business owners and investors with understanding the laws surrounding the up-and-coming medical cannabis industry in Florida. It is her goal to assist local and state governments with drafting and implementing laws in this area that will create a win-win situation for all parties involved.