A Fighter Who Overcomes Obstacles

Born in Batavia, NY to working class parents, Chelsie was determined to be the first person in her family to graduate from college. Due to her family’s financial struggles and frequent moves searching for work, Chelsie decided to leave high school two years early and obtain her GED so that she could start college immediately. On her own since age sixteen, Chelsie worked as a waitress and in doctors’ offices to put herself through college. She obtained an academic scholarship from the University of Tampa and graduated cum laude with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology in only two and a half years. After graduating from University of Tampa, Chelsie worked as an automobile and general liability claims adjuster for a large insurance company. Chelsie was trained by the insurance company to evaluate and settle the claims of injury victims.

While working as an adjuster, Chelsie put herself through law school. It was during this time that her interest in personal injury law was sparked. She and her first husband of twenty years, David, were involved in a high-speed, head-on crash. As Chelsie recovered from knee and back injuries, she also cared for her then husband who was permanently disabled with a brain injury. This accident taught Chelsie how the carelessness of a stranger can inflict serious physical and financial damage to a family.

After the crash, Chelsie continued with her studies and earned her Juris Doctor (law degree) at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida. Despite working two part-time jobs while managing a full-time course load, Chelsie was the recipient of the prestigious Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award and twice was a top four finalist in Phi Alpha Delta’s Opening Statement and Closing Argument competitions.