Biography
Rossana practices civil litigation and criminal defense in both federal and state court. Rossana’s extensive and varied litigation experience, negotiation skills, and trial tactics have resulted in a track record of exceptional outcomes over many years of practice. Rossana excels at organizing and leading trial teams comprised of lawyers, expert witnesses, investigators and paraprofessionals.
Rossana has experience litigating general business disputes, unlawful competition claims, tortious interference claims, employment disputes, civil rights claims, and a variety of individual and business tort claims. In addition to her civil litigation practice, Rossana has experience defending a broad range of criminal law matters, including healthcare fraud, bank fraud, insurance fraud, wire fraud, felonies involving violent crimes, sexual battery, child pornography, and misdemeanors.
Rossana has an active trial practice and has had multiple lengthy civil and criminal trials involving dozens of witnesses. In 2023, Rossana was one of the lead attorneys who successfully prosecuted a First Amendment retaliation claim against a sitting City of Miami Commissioner, helping the trial team win a $63.5 million judgment for the clients. Notably, during a short break in that seven-week First Amendment retaliation trial, Rossana tried a separate criminal case obtaining an acquittal for her client. In 2019, Rossana was one of the lead attorneys defending the then-largest healthcare fraud case in the nation in a trial that also lasted seven weeks. Rossana developed the theory of defense on the principal count of health care fraud conspiracy. The jury deadlocked, and so her client avoided a conviction on that count.
Rossana honed her trial skills as a Miami-Dade Assistant Public Defender. In that position, she tried a wide variety of cases ranging from first degree murder, burglary, and insurance fraud to driving under the influence. Rossana also successfully argued a Stand-Your-Ground Motion obtaining the dismissal of an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. Additionally, Rossana successfully argued motions to suppress and for judgment of acquittal, as well as defended clients in pre-trial detention and alleged probation violation hearings.
Rossana served as a Law Clerk to U.S. District Judge Marcia G. Cooke and U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres in the Southern District of Florida. She has worked at boutique and large litigation firms. Rossana also taught legal research and writing for three years at the University of Miami School of Law.
Rossana is a Miami native and speaks fluent Spanish. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Friendship Circle of Miami.
Publications:
- “Preparing a Witness to Testify at Trial”, Thomson Reuters Practical Law": https://www.axslawgroup.com/preparingawitness
- “Cross-Examining Witnesses”, Thomson Reuters Practical Law: https://www.axslawgroup.com/crossexaminingtips"Handling Unexpected Situations at a Hearing or Trial", Thomson Reuters Practical Law:https://www.axslawgroup.com/handlingunexpectedsituations
Education
- University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida
- J.D. - 2005
- Honors: cum laude
- University of Miami
- B.A. - 2002
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 2005
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, 2006
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association, Judicial Intern Opportunity Program Volunteer, 2006
- The Florida Bar: Young Lawyers Division, Member
Published Works
Honors
Pro-Bono Activities
References
Ancillary Businesses
Practice Areas
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Insolvency & Creditors Rights
- Hospitality
Past Positions
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida for the Honorable Edwin G. Torres, Law Clerk
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida for the Honorable Marcia G. Cooke, Law Clerk
- Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A., Attorney
Languages
- Spanish