Archives: Team Members

Jennifer (Jen) Normand graduated from the University of Maine before earning her Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts in 2004. After originally being barred in Massachusetts, Ms. Normand went on to become barred in several different states and practiced extensively in various state and federal courts in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, and the United States First Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ms. Normand has litigation experience in a variety of legal areas, including real estate, creditor’s rights, construction, domestic relations and medical malpractice. Ms. Normand has a proven and successful track record in drafting and arguing complex motions, including a high success rate on motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment in many areas of law. Ms. Normand has successfully defended clients against appeals in Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts during her career and has appeared for oral arguments twice in the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

When not working, Ms. Normand spends time with her family and pets and works to help her community as a Town Meeting Member.

• Suffolk University Law School, JD, 2004
• University of Maine, B.A. Political Science

• Construction
• Creditor’s Rights
• Domestic Relations
• Medical Malpractice
• Real Estate
• Subrogation

• Massachusetts (2004)
• New Hampshire (2012)
• Florida (2005)
• Rhode Island (2010) (inactive)
• S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (2007)
• S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire (2012)
• S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island (2012)
• S. Court of Appeals First Circuit (2008)

• New Hampshire Bar Association
• Rhode Island Bar Association
• 2022 Top Lawyer, Boston Magazine

• Cruz v. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., 108 A.3d 992 (R.I. 2015)
• MIT Federal Credit Union v. Cordisco, 506 F.Supp.3d 135 (D. Mass. 2020)
• MIT Federal Credit Union v. Cordisco, 501 F.Supp.3d 17 (D. Mass. 2020)
• MIT Federal Credit Union v. Cordisco, 470 F.Supp.3d 81 (D. Mass. 2020)
  • In re Jackson, 622 B.R. 321 (Mass. 2020)
  • Mack v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2012 WL 3854952 (Sup. Ct. Mass, July 13, 2012)
  • Gilbert v. Federal Nat. Mortg. Ass’n, 81 Mass.App.Ct. 1128 (2012)
  • Rosa v. Mortgage Electronic Systems, Inc., 821 F.Supp.2d 423 (D. Mass. 2011)

Candy Cure is a skilled litigation attorney with over 30 years of experience in civil and criminal law. She has a proven track record of success in prosecuting and defending complex cases in various areas including fraud, personal injury, products liability, premises liability, contracts and subrogation. She is licensed to practice law before New Jersey State and Federal Courts, including the United States Supreme Court.

She began her legal career interning during college with the Women’s Law Project in Philadelphia and in law school, worked with her school’s Street Law program allowing her to appear in court as a law student.

She attended LaSalle College in Philadelphia earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a certificate in Women’s Studies. She then attended the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University in D.C. where she was a member of the Moot Court Trial team. Out of school, she clerked for a Superior Court Judge in NJ and has also successfully completed the Inns of Court trial program in Camden, NJ.

Outside of the law Candy is the Chair of the Planning Board and an active member of the Green Team. She is passionate about her work and advocating for her clients both in and out of the courtroom. She has expertise in a variety of legal matters that allows her to handle her client’s needs efficiently and effectively. Candy is a highly motivated and results-oriented attorney with a strong commitment to justice.

• Columbus School of Law at Catholic University – Juris Doctorate
• LaSalle College – B.S. in Psychology

• Insurance Defense
• Insurance Coverage
• Fraud
• Subrogation

• New Jersey
• US Supreme Court

Kelly is a dedicated attorney with a passion for advocacy and justice. She graduated cum laude from the University of Florida Honors Program in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in both Political Science and Spanish Language. Her commitment to academic excellence saw her graduate in the top 10% of her class. Kelly’s educational journey continued at Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law Honors Program, where she earned her Juris Doctorate degree cum laude in 2022. During her time in law school, Kelly served as the Chief Justice of the NSU Law Moot Court Honor Society, competing in various advocacy competitions, including the prestigious ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition. Her advocacy skills were recognized when she received a Top 8 Overall Advocate award in the 2021 ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition and was a pivotal member of the 2022 Regional Champion team. Kelly also received additional accolades, including the 2022 National Best Brief for the Respondent.

Kelly’s dedication to legal studies extended beyond her competitive achievements as well. She simultaneously held a position as a Faculty Research Assistant in the NSU Law Legal Research and Writing Program and remained an active member of the ILSA Journal of International and Comparative Law bilingual team, showcasing her commitment to academic and practical legal excellence. In recognition of her leadership and involvement during her law school career, Kelly was inducted into the President’s 64, a group of elite on-campus leaders that is selected by the President of Nova Southeastern University.

Prior to joining our firm, Kelly gained valuable experience in Personal Injury law, commercial litigation, and matters of probate, broadening her legal expertise. Her passion for studying and mastering the intricacies of the law is unwavering, making her a lifelong learner in her pursuit of justice. As an attorney, Kelly leverages her unique skill set in both written and oral legal advocacy to provide the best possible representation for her clients.

• Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law Honors Program – Juris Doctor
• University of Florida – Bachelor of Arts in both Political Science and Spanish Language

• Subrogation

• Florida

• Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association Rising Star Scholarship Award Recipient (2022)
• Order of Barristers Award Recipient for Oral Advocacy and Brief Writing (2022)
• ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition National Best Brief for the Respondent (2022)
• ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition Top 8 Overall Advocate Award (2021)

Kelly Wark Sharples earned her Juris Doctor degree in 2001 cum laude from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Studying English with a Concentration in Writing, Ms. Sharples received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida in 1999.

Ms. Sharples began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit. During her almost ten years as a prosecutor, Kelly Sharples specialized in the prosecution of sexually motivated offenses and crimes against children, but also prosecuted career criminal, firearm, homicide and domestic violence cases.  Kelly Sharples has tried over 75 felony jury trials to verdict.  In addition to
her vast experience in criminal law, Kelly Wark Sharples has also represented clients in all aspects of family law, from motion practice to trial.

Kelly Sharples has lectured at numerous national and state-wide conferences on the topics of sexually motivated crimes and crimes against children, domestic violence, human trafficking, internet crimes against children and DNA evidence collection.  While Kelly Sharples remains a fierce litigator on behalf of her clients, in her leisure time, Kelly enjoys spending time with her two daughters, swimming, practicing
yoga, and walking her dog on the beach.

• Stetson University School of Law- Juris Doctor
• Florida State University – English with a Concentration in Writing

• Construction litigation
• Civil litigation
• Insurance defense
• Premise liability
• Personal injury
• Criminal law
• Family law

• Florida

• Former Vice President – Volusia/Flagler Association for Women Lawyers
• Former Board Member – Volusia/Flagler Association for Women Lawyers
• Former President – Young Lawyer’s Division/Volusia County Bar Association
• Former Co-Chair – Flagler County Sex Crimes Task Force
• Former Committee Chair for Community Outreach – Rape Crisis Center of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida

• https://www.jacksonville.com/story/entertainment/local/2009/08/28/former-skynyrd-drummer-acquitted/985597007/
• https://www.staugustine.com/story/news/local/2010/06/29/davis-guilty-all-counts/16229029007/
• https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/crime/2010/06/29/man-guilty-sexual-battery-woman-75/15940460007/
• https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/crime/2009/07/23/st-johns-man-convicted-of-sex-battery-on-juvenile/15978769007/
• https://www.baltimoresun.com/os-xpm-2006-10-21-cfbriefs21-9-story.html
• https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2006/12/23/man-gets-life-in-child-abuse/
• https://www.staugustine.com/story/news/local/2011/03/25/nichols-appeal-punishment-2-life-sentences/16207336007/
• https://www.news4jax.com/news/2009/05/22/woman-convicted-in-daytona-beach-murder/
• http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2012-09-27/martinez-sentenced-life-prison-0
• http://www.news4jax.com/news/St-Johns-County-man-gets-life-for-raping-a-7-year-old-child/-/475880/16767700/-/wf01d9/-/index.html
• http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2012-09-27/story/st-johns-man-gets-2-life-sentences-sexually-battery-minor
• http://www.historiccity.com/2012/staugustine/news/florida/martinez-guilty-gets-two-life-plus-90-years-30732

Jackie Roys Clifton grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and received her Bachelor of Science from Florida State University. She then continued her studies at Florida Coastal School of Law, where she took the opportunity to study abroad at University of Oxford in Oxford, England. She is a seasoned litigator with over twenty years of experience. In addition to her admission to the Florida bar, she is also admitted into the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Jackie began her legal career as an assistant state attorney, successfully working her way through the ranks to become a homicide prosecutor. She has tried over a hundred criminal felony trials to verdict. In addition to the expansive criminal litigation, her prior legal experience includes cases in construction defects, ADA compliance, contract law, business law, and family law. Jackie continues to be a fierce advocate for her clients.

• Florida Coastal School of Law- Juris Doctor
• Florida State University- Criminology

• Construction litigation
• Civil litigation
• Insurance defense
• Premise liability
• Personal injury
• Commercial transactions

• Florida
• U.S. District Court (M.D.Fla)
• U.S. District Court (S.D. Fla)

• Former Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator
• Past President and Board Member of the Volusia/Flagler Association of Woman Lawyers
• Past Board Member Volusia County Bar Association
• Former member Dunn-Blount American Inn of Court
• Volusia County Bar Association

• https://www.staugustine.com/story/news/2014/02/25/prosecutor-jacquelyn-roys-makes-opening-statement-fries-trial/16125676007/
• https://www.staugustine.com/story/news/local/2014/03/01/fries-guilty-pub-shooting/16125249007/
• https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/crime/2011/03/03/couples-killer-convicted-flagler-county-trial/15912296007/
• https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2011/mar/09/jury-recommends-death-gregory/
• https://flaglerlive.com/paul-miller-trial-day-5/
• https://flaglerlive.com/boyls-massey-first-degree/
• https://flaglerlive.com/eric-niemi-sentencing/

Karina Acevedo is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She moved to Miami, Florida with her family as a child and later resided in Gran Canaria, Spain. Ms. Acevedo studied Political Science and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida International University. She decided to continue her education and study law. She received her Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Law Center in 2004. Ms. Acevedo began her legal career by advocating for the immigrant community by practicing Immigration and Naturalization Law. After many years of practicing immigration, she decided that she wanted to expand her horizons and explore other facets of law. Ms. Acevedo is excited to master First Party Property Litigation and become a productive member of the DSB&C Team.

When Karina is not practicing law, she enjoys bargain hunting, traveling, and reading.

• Nova Southeastern University – Juris Doctorate
• Florida International University – Bachelor’s in Arts, Magna Cum Laude

• First and Third-Party Coverage and Defense

• Florida

Vicki A. Knapp began her career utilizing her political science background by working for a state senator in the West Virginia legislature. She decided to further her interest in law by attending Nova Southeastern University and obtained a Juris Doctor degree in 2008. While in law school, Ms. Knapp interned at the Everglades Law Center, where she found another passion in environmental and land use law. In recent years, Ms. Knapp has taught Business Law courses at Indian River State College. While her current focus is on subrogation recovery, she continues an interest in other areas of the law, such as public policy and estate planning.

• Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center – Juris Doctor
• West Virginia University  – Master of Arts in Political Science

• Insurance Subrogation

• Florida

Kristin Bianculli is an accomplished trial attorney who brings significant experience and unwavering dedication to the table. Her passion for justice has motivated her throughout her education and legal experience. Ms. Bianculli concentrates in complex litigation with an emphasis on products liability, catastrophic personal injury, and wrongful death. She has also handled class action cases and litigates in both State and Federal courts.

A native of New Jersey, Kristin attended the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where she graduated first in her class and Summa Cum Laude in 2004, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She then moved to Fort Lauderdale and attended law school at Nova Southeastern University. While at Nova, Kristin was accepted to the distinguished Moot Court Honor Society, where she competed in national tournaments. She also received a number of book awards and was a dedicated member of Nova Law Review, where she served as Associate Technical Editor and taught the Summer Candidacy Program. She earned her Juris Doctorate degree, Cum Laude, from Nova’s Shephard Broad Law Center in 2008, and was admitted into the Florida Bar that same year. Prior to joining the firm in 2022 as Trial Counsel for plaintiff cases, Kristin was a Partner at one of the country’s top civil trial law firms, where she obtained numerous multimillion dollar settlements and verdicts for her clients.

• Nova Southeastern University – Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude
• Saint Joseph’s University – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude

• Personal Injury
• Wrongful Death
• Products LiabilityPremises Liability
• Trucking and Aviation
• Medical Malpractice
• Professional Malpractice
• Plaintiff’s Subrogation

• Florida
• U.S. District Court (S.D. Fla.)
• U.S. District Court (M.D. Fla.)

• Recognized in Best Lawyers in America® 2011-2021 for work in Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation (Plaintiff’s Categories), with additional Best Lawyers honored awards as published in Yahoo Finance:
• “Lawyer of the Year: Products Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Fort Lauderdale,” 2021
• “Best Lawyers: Women in the Law – Top Peer Nominated Lawyers” 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
• “Lawyers of the Year in America: Florida” 2017
• Best Lawyers in South Florida as published in The Wall Street Journal 2016-2019, with additional honored awards:
• “Lawyers of the Year in South Florida” 2017
• Lawyers of Distinction “5 Star Award: Civil Litigation,” 2021
• National Trial Lawyers “Top 100 Attorneys in America – Civil Plaintiff,” 2020
• Super Lawyers® “Top Rated Plaintiff Personal Injury Attorney – Florida,” 2019, 2020
• Fort Lauderdale Illustrated “Top Lawyers Award,” 2020
• Lawyer Monthly Magazine’s winner of “Women in the Law Award”, 2019
• Top Verdict™ “Top 20 Truck Accident Jury Verdicts,” 2017 (Federal)
• Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation’s “Cy Pres Award,” 2017
• Daily Business Review’s “Professional Excellence Award: Top Attorneys to Watch & Rising Star,” 2016
• Top Attorneys in the Miami Area, as published in The SL, 2015
• Florida Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2015
• South Florida Business Journal’ “People on the Move” Award, 2014
• Daily Business Review’s award for “Most Effective Lawyers in Personal Injury,” 2013
• Best Lawyers Magazine, “One of the Best Attorneys in Florida – Young Lawyers,” 2012
• AVVO Rating: 10/10 Superb

• American Association for Justice
• Florida Justice Association
• Broward County Bar Association
• Membership Committee Chair 2019
• Broward County Trial Lawyers Association
• Executive Board: Secretary 2021-22, Treasurer 2020-21, Newsletter Editor 2019-20, Case Evaluator 2018
• Co-Chair of Women’s Caucus
• Florida Association of Women Lawyers
• Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association
• American Inns of Court, Stephen R. Booher Chapter
• Florida Bar Association; Trial Lawyers Section
• Dive Bar – The Underwater Bar Association

• Friends of Jack & Jill: Board Member, By-laws Committee Chair, Teacher and Administrative Appreciation Outreach Committee
• Legal Aid Service of Broward County
• Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation
• Cypress Run Education Center as part of KAPOW/Learning for Success (Kids and the Power of Work) MFIN (My Future is Now) Program
• POSSE Foundation, volunteer student counselor, writing coach and mentor

Jim, a graduate of St. John’s University School of Law and undergraduate of Villanova University, is admitted to practice in New York and North Carolina.  During his over twenty years of practice, Jim has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in all phases of litigation through trial and is a graduate of the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Group Trial Academy.

Jim primarily pursues casualty subrogation recoveries on behalf of clients, and he is experienced in several areas of law: products liability, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, aviation, architects & engineers, workers’ compensation, and commercial disputes (contracted for goods & services).  Jim is mindful of the costs associated with litigation, and he regularly advises clients about the benefits and limitations of pursuing a pretrial recovery through negotiation, arbitration, and mediation.

Personally, Jim is married with two children, regularly performs as an acoustic musician at local venues, and is an avid college basketball and professional baseball fan.

• St. John’s University School of Law – Juris Doctorate
• Villanova University – B.A., Political Science

• Subrogation & Recovery

• New York
• North Carolina
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court
• New York (Southern & Eastern Districts)

• National Association of Subrogation Professionals

• Co-authored Products Liability Case Law Update (Defense Research Institute Products Liability Annual Meeting Materials, 2011).
• Co-authored “Current Observations of the Fair Use Doctrine” (Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting Materials, 2006).
• Co-authored “Grokster v. MGM: Why Is My Teenager Being Sued?” (Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting Materials, 2005).
• “Hand and Power Tools: Selected Cases” (DRI Products Liability Annual Meeting Materials, 2004).

Michelle Smith Lambert is a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2008. Michelle obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2011. Prior to joining the firm, Michelle was an attorney at a prominent insurance defense firm wherein she specialized in insurance coverage analysis, determination and defense; first and third-party insurance defense, bad faith, and commercial general liability.

Michelle was previously in-house counsel at a large Florida homeowners insurance carrier wherein she handled the litigation of first and third-party insurance claims and bad faith.

Michelle currently concentrates her practice on first and third-party insurance defense.

In her free time, Michelle enjoys traveling with her husband throughout the United States and abroad.

• Nova Southeastern University – Juris Doctorate
• Florida State University – Bachelor of Arts in English

• First-Party Property Defense
• Third-Party Property Defense

• Florida
• U.S. District Court (S.D. Fla.)