Meet Rachael Reese
How long have you been an attorney?
I graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2014 and passed the Florida Bar Exam shortly thereafter on my first attempt. I immediately began practicing at my prior law firm, where I spent the last decade learning everything there is to know about post conviction and appellate criminal matters before deciding to start my own firm.
What made you want to be an attorney and choose criminal defense?
I cannot imagine a time in my life when I wanted to be anything other than attorney. But my true passion and desire to pursue this path started when I was in high school, after my family went through what many families unfortunately experience - divorce. I knew after that I wanted to be in a position where I could help individuals who were going through something and help take some of the pain and negativity out of an already terrible experience. I started law school with my focus and goal set on being a family law attorney. However, during my second year of law school that changed when I was hired as an intern at my previous law firm.
I often joke that I did not choose criminal defense, it chose me. I truly fell in love with the area of practice after one summer as an intern. My prior desire to help families quickly shifted into something more - a desire to help those that individuals who unfortunately, not many could help. Appellate and post conviction work is emotionally and mentally exhausting, which is why many attorneys choose not to practice in that area. However, I find emotional connections with my clients, and their families, and use that as a baseline to provide the most effective representation that I can. Instead of helping families, I am helping so much more.
What made you want to start your own law firm?
My clients. For the last decade I worked in a small firm, focusing only on appellate and postconviction cases. With every client that retained me, I tried to learn their story - who they were, why they ended up where they had, who was important in their life. With every client I gained, my passion to help others in similar situations grew. In law school you are taught to keep your emotions out of cases because the lines become blurred, and it affects your ability to be professional. I have learned that I am the exception to that rule. I lead with my professionalism always, but my emotions and relationships with my clients and their families are what drive me to work my hardest to get them a desired result.
Education:
- Florida State University, Bachelor of Science in
Criminology & Psychology - Stetson University College of Law, Juris Doctor, Cum Laude
Bar Admissions
- Florida
- Supreme Court of the United States
- 11th Circuit Court of Appeal
- 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida