A native of Natchez, Mississippi, Mary Ann Sharp has been practicing law in Florida since 1995. After obtaining her Juris Doctor from Stetson College of Law, Ms. Sharp moved to Sarasota, FL, to work for the Office of the Public Defender, 12th Judicial Circuit. Her responsibilities included misdemeanor and felony jury trials, supervisor of misdemeanor divisions in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and juvenile defense. She was also attorney liaison for Drug Court, DUI Court and Mental Health Court.
During her tenure as juvenile defense attorney, she noticed a number of children charged with crimes because, at the time, there were no social services in place or funding for their special needs. Taking a sabbatical, she worked pro bono for the Guardian Ad Litem.
Prior to moving to Florida, Ms. Sharp obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Master’s degree in Comparative American History at Seaver College, Pepperdine University. She was awarded the Outstanding Humanities Graduate Award for being the most likely to make a contribution to society.