HEATHER D. CHEREPKAI
Senior Attorney
St. Petersburg,FL
Summary
Professional Attorney offering expert legal counsel and representation. Skilled in fostering positive and trusting client relationships. Well-established knowledge of business law and 18 years of experience in litigation and legal drafting. Successful in building relations with client and have obtained numerous repeat clients over the years.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Associate
Denali Law Group P.A.
Saint Petersburg, United States
01.2021 - Current
- Lead attorney handling all aspects of business disputes, including complex civil and commercial litigation over a broad range of legal issues.
- Represented clients in mediations, arbitrations and settlement negotiations.
- Negotiated and drafted confidentiality agreements, settlement agreements.
- Completed case analysis to develop litigation strategy.
- Identified and resolved complex issues by applying advanced analytical and troubleshooting strategies.
- Provided legal advice to variety of small and mid-sized businesses involved in multiple types of litigation.
- Resolved post-judgment litigation settlements and default judgment orders in favor of clients.
- Researched and wrote contracts, agreements and proposals.
- Explained available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to clients.
- Apprised clients of potential risks and costs associated with each course of action.
Associate Attorney
McCullough Legal Services
Saint Petersburg, FL
06.2019 - 01.2021
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
- Provided legal advice to variety of small and mid-sized businesses involved in multiple types of litigation.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Drafted statements of cases and witness lists.
- Resolved post-judgment litigation settlements and default judgment orders in favor of clients.
- Advocated for clients before court in oral argument by presenting facts and evidence in most favorable light.
- Attended hearings as representative of corporate entities and firm clients.
- Analyzed probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Minimized risk exposure through careful advice on business operations and strategic plans.
- Explained available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to clients.
- Drafted motions, petitions and waivers.
- Presented key evidence and exhibits during civil trials.
Associate Attorney
Carpenter Gandhi, PLLC
Tampa, Florida
02.2018 - 06.2019
- Represent clients in a variety of family law matters including temporary and post-judgment custody, time-sharing and child support issues; dissolution and paternity actions
- Educate, counsel and empower clients to make informed decisions about their case based upon a practical risk-benefit analysis with an understanding and application of the law to their unique circumstances
- Communicate regularly with clients to prepared for all court proceedings, discuss case strategy, provide case updates and prepared for mediation
- Develop discovery strategy and draft interrogatories, request to admit, requests for documents and subpoenas
- Prepare clients for depositions and conduct depositions of opposing party and other witnesses including experts
- Manage all trial preparation including creation of exhibits
- Draft all pleadings and motions for timely filing with the court
- Secure contempt rulings, sanctions, and attorney fees for clients.
Senior Attorney
Children's Legal Services
Fort Pierce, Florida
11.2016 - 02.2018
- Managed over 100 active files, including staffed cases with investigators and case managers to provide legal options and directions, drafted and presented motions and petitions before the Court on behalf of the State
- Participated in settlement conferences/case negotiations, mediation, depositions, and represented the State in various proceedings before the court including dependency and termination of parental rights trials.
Junior Partner/Associate
The Ticktin Law Group, P.A
Saint Petersburg, Florida
06.2012 - 09.2016
- Managed a caseload or more than 200 active cases through all stages of civil litigation including discovery proceedings, depositions, drafting and presenting various motions and pleadings, mediation, settlement negotiations and trials
- Handled all aspects of litigation in matters within civil litigation including family law matters, business litigation, contract and asset purchases, probate matters, appellate practice, and personal injury cases
- Reviewed and drafted contracts and settlement agreements
- Participated in appellate practice including drafted briefs, motions, and presented oral arguments.
Senior Attorney
Children's Legal Services
Vero Beach, Florida
06.2006 - 06.2012
- Managed over 100 active files, including staffed cases with investigators and case managers to provide legal options and directions, drafted and presented motions and petitions before the Court on behalf of the State
- Participated in settlement conferences/case negotiations, mediation, depositions, and represented the State in various proceedings before the court including dependency and termination of parental rights trials.
Assistant Public Defender
Public Defender Office
Ft. Pierce, Florida
01.2006 - 06.2006
- Managed over 300 active misdemeanor cases
- Represented indigent clients and provided legal advice on their criminal charges
- Negotiated plea agreements, conducted discovery, including depositions, witness preparation for hearings and trials
- Drafted motions and memorandums of law and presented them before the Court
- Represented clients in jury and non-jury trials as well as Baker Act hearings.
Attorney, Public Defender Office
Viera, Florida
06.2003 - 10.2005
- Managed an average of 150 active criminal cases in felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile court proceedings
- Represented indigent clients and provided legal advice on their criminal charges
- Negotiated plea agreements, conducted depositions, witness preparation, drafted motions and presented them before the Court
- Prepared witnesses for court hearings and trial
- Represented indigent clients in Violation of Probation proceedings and trials
- First chaired more than a dozen jury and non-jury trials in felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile court
- Represented and defended individuals in Baker Act hearings.
Education
Law/ Juris Doctorate -
Ohio Northern University College of Law
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Indiana State University
Skills
Business law
undefinedAffiliations
State Bar of Florida- Family Law Section
United States District Court Middle District of Florida
United States District Court Southern District of Florida
Hillsborough County Bar Association
St. Petersburg Bar Association
Timeline
Senior Associate
Denali Law Group P.A.
01.2021 - Current
Associate Attorney
McCullough Legal Services
06.2019 - 01.2021
Associate Attorney
Carpenter Gandhi, PLLC
02.2018 - 06.2019
Senior Attorney
Children's Legal Services
11.2016 - 02.2018
Junior Partner/Associate
The Ticktin Law Group, P.A
06.2012 - 09.2016
Senior Attorney
Children's Legal Services
06.2006 - 06.2012
Assistant Public Defender
Public Defender Office
01.2006 - 06.2006
Attorney, Public Defender Office
06.2003 - 10.2005
Law/ Juris Doctorate -
Ohio Northern University College of Law
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Indiana State University
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