Cynthia was born and raised in Michigan where she attended Kingswood School Cranbrook. After graduation, she attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. While there, Cynthia served as a student peer tutor at the Rollins College Writing Center and as a member of the college’s Orientation Team. She also spent a semester in Washington, D.C., at American University, where she studied journalism and interned in the press office of The Smithsonian Museum of American History. Prior to her graduation, Cynthia also spent a semester abroad at Sydney University in Australia.
After graduating from Rollins with a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, in American Studies, Cynthia lived in Japan where she participated as an inaugural member of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, or JET Program, and taught English in elementary, junior high, and high schools located throughout the Saitama Prefecture.
After returning to the United States, Cynthia gained employment with Northwest Airlines as a flight attendant where her assignments included both domestic and international travel. In 1992, Cynthia moved to Florida to attend Stetson College of Law. After receiving her Juris Doctorate with Honors, Cynthia worked as an Assistant State Attorney in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, where she prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases including those involving charges of driving under the influence, burglary and theft, aggravated battery, stalking, kidnapping, and vehicular homicide.
Subsequently, Cynthia moved to Coral Gables where she served as an Assistant Staff Counsel with The Florida Bar, during which time she presented oral argument before the Florida Supreme Court in The Florida Bar v. Jose Canal. Cynthia then joined The Department of Children and Families representing the State of Florida in matters pertaining to alleged abuse, neglect, and abandonment of children. Most recently, Cynthia served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the State of Florida where she litigated complex cases involving healthcare and provider fraud, as well as cases involving alleged abuse or neglect occurring in state funded residential facilities.
Since joining Vernis & Bowling, Cynthia’s areas of practice include community based care, condominium and homeowners’ association litigation, director and officer liability, and employment law. She takes pride in her abilities as a trial lawyer as well as her ability to successfully collaborate with clients and claims professionals. She focuses on the effective and efficient resolution of matters during the course of her representation and believes that client communication is a key component of successful litigation.
In her free time, Cynthia enjoys spending time outdoors. Her interests include DIY projects, scuba diving, travel, and gardening.