Professor of Law, Director of the Center for Trial Advocacy

(434) 592-5300

Education

  • B.A., Stetson University
  • J.D., Stetson University College of Law

Experience

  • Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Trial Advocacy
  • AV Preeminent-rated attorney, which is the highest rating available from Martindale-Hubbell
  • Florida Bar Member – Inactive
  • Trial Advocacy Fellow, 2002-2005
    • Advisor of Stetson’s nationally ranked Trial Team
    • Coordinated all competitions and trained the Trial Team in advocacy techniques, skills and strategy
  • Adjunct Professor at Stetson University College of Law, 1991-2011
  • Served as a Certified Mediator for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Florida from 1995-2003
  • Taught in the Paralegal Program at St. Petersburg Junior College (now St. Petersburg College), 1988-1993
  • Served as a Special Master for the Value Adjustment Board of the Board of County Commissioners in Pinellas County, Florida
  • Began her private practice career in 1983 in the areas of criminal law, personal injury, and family law

Biography

After earning her Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, Bell began her private practice career, where she practiced in the areas of criminal law, personal injury, and family law.  She gained extensive experience in client representation, case presentation, case management, pleadings preparation, mediation, and all aspects of litigation and jury trials. Professor Bell also served as a Special Master for the Value Adjustment Board of the Board of County Commissioners in Pinellas County, Florida, and also served as a Certified Mediator for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Florida for eight years.

Bell has spoken or lectured at the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Bench and Bar Conference, the Florida Department of Transportation Annual Conference, Florida Bar/Stetson Employment Law Trial Skills Conference, the Pinellas County Schools Speakers Bureau, the Florida Shorthand Reporters National Conference, and much more. Her scholarship interests include justifiable use of force and the Second Amendment. Bell published Stand Your Ground Laws: Mischaracterized, Misconstrued, and Misunderstood, which was published by the Memphis School of Law Review in the Winter 2015 edition.

Bell earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Stetson University and her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. She is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and is an active member of the Florida Bar.