Cara Anne Higgins

  Horan, Wallace & Higgins, LLP
  608 Whitehead Street
  Key West, FL 33040-6549
  Phone : (305) 294-4585
  Fax : (305) 294-7822
  Email : Cara@horan-wallace.com

  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 represented the 16th Judicial Circuit on the statewide board.  Cara served two terms on the YLD Board and was appointed to a third term culminating in five years of service on the Board. Among its various duties and responsibilities, the YLD Board assists the Florida Bar's 52-member Board of Governors, in formulating and adopting matters of policy concerning the activities of the Bar.

Cara is also the current President of the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce.  Cara is the past President of the Monroe County Bar Association.  Additionally, in 2010 Cara received a gubernatorial appointment by Governor Charlie Crist to serve on the Board of Commissioners, Lower Florida Keys Hospital District, Monroe County.  She is also an active member of the Key West Rotary Club.

 Cara’s past involvements include serving on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County and as the President of the Monroe County Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL). Cara has also been a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and The American Bar Association.

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.

       Current Employment Position:   Partner

       Admissions:

         United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 2011

         Florida Bar, 2004

         U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2005

         New Jersey Bar, 1998

         U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, 1998

         Pennsylvania Bar, 1998
 

        Practice Categories:

          Administrative Law

          Animal Law

          Business Law

          Civil Litigation

          Construction Law

          Criminal Law

          Family Law

          Landlord/Tenant

          Litigation & Appeals

          Probate & Estate Administration

          Real Estate Law
 

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        Litigation Percentage:

85% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

        Education: