Summary of Qualifications:

Suzanne Bass, Attorney at Law
Toll Free: 877-227-7721
bass@jaxlawyer.com

Skilled litigation attorney with extensive jury and non jury trial experience in state and federal courts drawing on expertise in diverse areas of the law, including criminal defense, personal injury, dissolution of marriage, child custody, adoption and administrative matters before governmental agencies; consistent performance in the efficient and effective case management from inception through completion; provides close and attentive relationship with a diverse clientele.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Private Practice, 1984 to present
 

Extensive civil and criminal defense litigation experience with an emphasis on pre-suit negotiations; adoption representation of individuals in independent, step-parent and agency placements; represented the Code Enforcement Boards of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach, Florida; local counsel for Walton Bondurant, Attorney, Portsmouth, Virginia specializing in the representation of Federal Employment Liability Act claims of injured railroad personnel.

Since 1990 the firm has achieved Martindale-Hubbell’s AV rating indicating the highest level of legal ability and ethics. The AV rating is the pinnacle of professional excellence. The firm is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

Assistant State Attorney, 1982 – 1984
Ed Austin, State Attorney, 330 East Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL

Duties: prosecution of felonies and misdemeanors in the county, circuit and juvenile courts of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida; lead attorney in hundreds of prosecutorial decisions; lead attorney in approximately 50 jury trials and numerous non jury trials including all phases of pre-trial case management.

Assistant Public Defender, 1980 – 1982
Milo Thomas, Public Defender, Lake City, FL

Duties: Defense of individuals charged with felonies and misdemeanors in the county, circuit and juvenile courts of the Third Judicial Circuit, Madison County, Florida; aggressively defended clientele at trial and at all pre trial court appearances; lead attorney in approximately 15 to 20 jury trials.

Staff Attorney, Tidewater Legal Aid, Norfolk, VA, 1978 – 1980
 

Duties: Representation of income eligible clientele in the areas of family, housing and consumer law; litigation experience in chancery, general civil and juvenile courts of Norfolk, VA and Federal Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor, 1977 - University of Richmond, T. C. Williams School of Law, Richmond, Virginia.

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, 1974 – graduated magna cum laude – Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Honors Thesis Topic: Attitudes of Organizational Women to Women Seeking Elected Office

Associate of Arts, Liberal arts, 1972 - Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, Georgia

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Member, Florida Bar

Member, Virginia State Bar

Admitted to Practice: Eastern District of Virginia, Federal Court

Admitted to Practice: Middle District of Florida, Federal Court

Member, Jacksonville Bar Association

Member, Jacksonville Women’s Bar Association

President, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Jacksonville, FL, 1994; leadership of the organization during resignation of former Executive Director of 20 years; hiring of current Executive Director.

Member, Board of Directors, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, 1988 to 1994; participated in leading JALA during significant budget cuts which involved finding alternative sources of funding.

Member, Florida Adoption Council, 2001 to present