Attorney Profiles

Cara Higgins joined the firm as an associate in December 2004 and became a partner in 2007.  Cara received her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from West Virginia University in 1995 where she was honored as a University Honors Scholar and as Outstanding Freshman of the Year, 1993.

After graduating from Villanova School of Law in 1998, Cara served as a judicial law clerk in the Family Division of the Superior Court, Trenton, New Jersey.  While serving as a judicial law clerk, Cara assisted the judges in civil cases, including divorce and custody cases.  During her clerkship, Cara was also certified by the State of New Jersey in Civil Mediation and Conciliation Skills by the Administrative Office of the Courts and has served as a mediator in Civil and Matrimonial cases.

In 1999, Cara joined the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office in Trenton, New Jersey where she successfully tried numerous criminal felony cases including mid-to-upper level narcotics cases, violent offenses, and high profile rape and attempted murder cases.  While serving as an Assistant Prosecutor, Cara was also named Coordinator of the Mercer County Drug Court Program and was honored by her office as Distinguished Assistant Prosecutor of the Year, 2002. 

As an attorney in our firm, Cara has handled a variety of state and federal cases including but not limited to civil litigation, criminal defense, marital and family law, probate, administrative law matters, personal injury, construction law, animal law and real estate transactions. 

In March 2006, Cara was elected by her peers in the legal community to the Florida Bar Board of Governors, Young Lawyers Division.  Cara represents the 16th Judicial Circuit on the statewide board, which includes Monroe County and all of the Florida Keys.  Among its various duties and responsibilities, the YLD Board assists the Florida Bar's 52-member Board of Governors, which consists of the president and president-elect, the president and president-elect of the young Lawyers Division, representatives elected by members of the Bar from each of the state's 20 judicial circuits, four out-of-state representatives elected by Florida Bar members who reside outside of Florida, and two public members appointed by the Florida Supreme Court.  The Board of Governors has exclusive authority to formulate and adopt matters of policy concerning the activities of the Bar, subject to limitations imposed by The Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.

Cara also serves as the President of the Monroe County Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) and the President-Elect of the Monroe County Bar Association. Cara is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, The American Bar Association and The American Association for Justice.

Throughout her career, Cara has lectured on topics including criminal law, animal law and law office management and procedure.  Cara has been an Adjunct Professor at the Florida Keys Community College as well as a featured lecturer and panel moderator for various organizations.

In addition to her participation in professional associations, Cara is involved in various civic and community outreach organizations. Cara has recently been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce, she was nominated and elected to serve on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County and she is an active member of the Key West Rotary Club.

Cara resides in the Florida Keys with her husband, Michael.