Krista leads Emerald Law's Land Use & Real Estate Development practice. 

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After serving as a Florida local government attorney for 38 years, Krista recently retired from her position as a Senior Assistant County Attorney for Martin County where she spent 25 years specializing in land use and comprehensive planning.  Martin County has a long history of environmental protection and stringent growth management rules often resulting in conflict with property owners over the extent of their property rights. Over the years, this led to intense public involvement, litigation, with Krista being at the forefront in representing the Growth Management Department.

 

Krista has decades of experience in the drafting/interpretation/enforcement of land development regulations and comprehensive plan policies, the negotiation/drafting of development agreements, planned unit development zoning agreements and other types of development orders including right-of-way use permits, excavation and fill permits.

 

After working for three different local government entities, Krista has an exceptional understanding of the processes and procedures used by and required of local governments including the Sunshine Law and Public Records Law.  In addition to serving three times as the acting county attorney for Martin County representing the Board of County Commissioners, Krista has represented numerous other boards and committees including the Local Planning Agency, Board of Zoning Adjustment, Code Enforcement Board, Community Redevelopment Agency, Construction Industry Licensing Board, Historical Preservation Board, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.

 

Although not a litigator, Krista has served as the land use subject matter “expert”, assisting both in-house and outside counsel in land use, comprehensive planning litigation or in working with them to avoid litigation, and has assisted in the negotiation of settlement agreements for Bert Harris claims.

 

In addition to the land use practice areas, Krista focused on code enforcement, contractor licensing and matters related to the Florida Building Code. Negotiated settlement agreements in code enforcement matters.

 

Interaction with constitutional officers resulting in a familiarity with the operations of the Clerk of Court, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections.

 

Prior to working for Martin County, Krista was the City Attorney for the City of Edgewater in Volusia County.  She started her local government career as an assistant county attorney in St. Lucie County. 

 

Krista grew up in Longwood, Florida (Seminole County), received her undergraduate degree from Florida Technological University, now the University of Central Florida.  Krista taught high school math and chemistry for two years and then attended Florida State College of Law, graduating in 1983.

 

Krista is the mother of three sons and has resided in Fort Pierce since 1997.