The Law Office of Clarissa E. Harrell, P.A.

She began her legal career as a criminal prosecutor, gaining valuable trial experience in the Juvenile, Misdemeanor, General Felony, and Sex Crimes & Child Abuse Divisions of the State Attorney's Office.  During her tenure there she was awarded the annual "Pride In Excellence" Attorney Award for 1996 and was recognized for her outstanding prosecution of domestic violence cases in 1995.  She has also worked as a Trial Court Staff Attorney for the judges of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, an academic position requiring extensive legal research and writing. 

In addition to her 1993 admission to practice in Florida's state courts, Ms. Harrell was admitted to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 1994. 

Professional Activities and Awards

In October 2010, Florida Institute of Technology (F.I.T) invited Ms. Harrell to join the Advisory Board for its Pre-Law Program.  On this Board she enjoys the opportunity to contribute ideas to the formation of a program designed to enhance students' ability to gain admission to law school, and to acquire key legal skills needed as they go forward in their careers.

Ms. Harrell also presently serves as Vice-Chair of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit's Grievance Committee for The Florida Bar.  As a member of this Committee, she investigates complaints of professional and ethical misconduct which have been lodged against Brevard attorneys, determining with other Committee members whether probable cause exists supporting a finding of professional misconduct in each case.

In October 2009, she was selected by the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit's Judicial Nominating Commission as one of six finalists, out of twenty-six county judge and lawyer applicants, for the position of Circuit Court Judge.  She was not the candidate ultimately appointed by the Governor; however, being selected for the "short-list" upon first application has been a highlight of her legal career. 

In July 2005 Ms. Harrell completed a one-year term as President of the Brevard County Bar Association (BCBA) after being elected to this post by the membership, then comprised of approximately 600 attorneys. She previously served in other officer positions in the BCBA and was named "Board Member of the Year" for 2001-2002.  She chaired many Bar committees including the Mock Trial, Budget and Finance, Continuing Legal Education, Judicial Poll, Lawyer Referral Service, Scholarship Awards, and Professionalism Awards Luncheon Committees. 

From 2007 to 2008, she was the President of the Brevard Bar Foundation, an organization which promotes charitable community causes. She is a past Fellow of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, and she served two years on the Advisory Board of the Academy of Law and Public Safety, during which time she drafted the Constitution and By-Laws governing the operation of this Board.

Ms. Harrell also previously completed a three-year term as a Barrister in the Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court.  The Inn of Court is a limited-membership organization of judges and attorneys who are dedicated to the advancement of the highest level of ethical and academic ideals in the practice of law; it is comprised of year-long programs featuring presentations on a variety of legal topics.  The Inn provides opportunities for in-depth analysis of particular, often current legal issues.  In October 2003, Ms. Harrell compiled a legal outline for an Inn of Court presentation on federal court system practice.  In October 2002, together with attorney Aaron Lyons and other team members, she scripted and participated in an Inn presentation entitled, "The Taking and Defending of Depositions," later voted Best Presentation of the year by the other teams.

Seminars; Continuing Legal Education

Attending legal educational seminars on an ongoing basis is also a priority.  Seminars Ms. Harrell has attended in recent years include: 
     • Family Law and Dependency Matters (July 2010)
     • The American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers 32nd Annual Institute, Florida Chapter (April-May 2010);
        instruction included:
              •"Preparing for and Conducting Successful Family Law Mediations"
              •"Taking and Defending Difficult Depositions"
              •"Judicial Panel on Parenting Plans"
              •"Celebrity Divorce and How to Apply the Same Techniques to Any Case"
              •"Preparing Great Financial Affidavits"
              •"Constructive Cross Examination"
              •"When Does Marital Effort and Investment Create a Marital Interest in a Non-Marital Business?"
              •"Top 10 Family Law Cases of 2009 and 2010"
              •"Legislative/Rules and Forms Update"
              •"Keep Your Client from Drowning:  How to Deal with Bankruptcies and Foreclosures"
              •"Attorney's Fees Workshop"
              •"Alimony Workshop"
     •"Justice Teaching Seminar" (taught by Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Lewis, September 2009)
     •"Avoid Triumph Resulting in Tragedy in Personal Injury Cases" (April 2009)
     •"Dealing With Mental Health Issues in Family Law Cases" (October 2008)
     •"Jury Selection:  Law & Techniques" (September 2008)
     •"Bankruptcy and Divorce" (September 2008)
     •"Crawford v. Washington" (Presented by Fifth District Court of Appeal Judge Vincent G. Torpy, Jr.; Sept. 2008)
     •"Hot Topics in Family Law:  Disestablishment of Paternity and Bridge-the-Gap Alimony" (July 2007);
     •"Creative Financial Tips for Family Law" (April 2007); 
     •"Collaborative Family Law Training" (February 2007); 
     •"Effective Lawyering: A View from the Bench" (November 2005);
     •"Dos and Don'ts for a Successful Appeal" (November 2005); 
     •"Quick Tips for Qualified Domestic Relations Order Preparation" (July 2005); 
     •"Family Law from a Military Justice Perspective" (April 2005);
     •"Family Court Evaluators in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit" (January 2005); and
     •"Drafting Comprehensive Final Judgments in Dissolution of Marriage" (November 2004), among others.