Meet the Staff

Whether you are contemplating divorce, fighting over custody, drafting a will or a trust, or adopting a child, our Brandon, Florida, family law and estate planning firm can help. We are a small practice that can attend to your unique legal situation, and have the experience to stand up for your interests.

Mary L. Greenwood, A.A., B.A., J.D.

Mary L. Greenwood is a Michigan native who earned her undergraduate degrees in History and English from Hillsdale College in 1983, and is a 1986 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Since 1989, she has been providing legal advice and counsel to individuals and families throughout the Tampa Bay area and the State of Florida, as a sole practitioner. Her practice includes personal client services in the areas of adoption and surrogacy, elder law, estate planning, probate and guardianship. Mary also has extensive experience advising clients in family law matters, including pre-marital and post-marital planning.

Mary is a member of the American Bar Association, Florida Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Brandon Bar Association, the Florida Adoption Council, and the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys. She is also proud to offer service to the Brandon, Florida community through the Brandon Foundation, and as President of the Board of Directors for Apostles Village, an affordable housing community for seniors.

Karen A. Howe, B.A., J.D., M.B.A.

Karen A. Howe is a 2001 graduate of the Florida State University, and a 2004 graduate of the Stetson University College of Law.  Since her admission to the Florida Bar Association in  2005,  Karen’s practice has focused on family law litigation. She previously worked for the Office of the Attorney General of Florida, Child Support Enforcement, practicing child support establishment, enforcement and modification, as well as establishment and dis-establishment of paternity.

Karen’s current practice includes advising clients and litigating divorce and related issues, including paternity, parenting plans, time-sharing disputes, child support, alimony, and the equitable division of marital assets and liabilities.  She is a member of the Florida Bar Association Family Law Section and the Brandon Bar Association.

Linda A. McDermott, A.A., A.S., Senior Paralegal

Linda A. McDermott has been a paralegal with Ms Greenwood’s law practice since 1990.  She is a native of Sayreville, New Jersey, and served honorably as a communications specialist with the United States Air Force for eight year before joining the law practice.

Linda started out her paralegal career in family law and adoptions practice, but now serves as the senior paralegal in the probate and guardianship department, as well as the office manager.

Linda authored several portions of the teaching material used in NBI’s  Basic Probate Practices course, and has lectured on this topic.

Alyce K. Morotti, Adoption Coordinator

Alyce K. Morotti is a graduate of Branell College, and has fifteen years experience as a family law paralegal.  The last ten years have been devoted exclusively to adoption and surrogacy law.  Once a single mother to three daughters, Alyce is uniquely able to relate to a birth mother’s emotions and daily struggles. Alyce has devoted her career to helping women, children and families.

What sets her apart from other paralegals in this field is her true compassion for birth parents and her desire to help them through the adoption process while also encouraging them to become successful and productive in their future. She also finds it completely rewarding to be a part of creating families through adoption, and experiencing the joy of parents who have waited so long to have children.