Sophia is a member of the Professional Liability Department where she focuses her practice on representing businesses, directors and officers, design professionals, contractors and homeowners' associations in commercial, professional liability, construct defect, architectural, engineering, and employment disputes
Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey, Sophia practiced first-party property defense. In 2024, she was selected to the Super Lawyers© Rising Stars list for her exceptional work in civil litigation defense and was named a Top Lawyer by Palm Beach Illustrated.
Sophia received her juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. During law school, Sophia participated in several student organizations. She served as the Social Media and Marketing Director for the Black Law Student Association. She also gained valuable experience and knowledge as an intern with Legal-Aid Coast to Coast Family law division, where she provided legal information and guidance to Pro Se litigants and a law clerk at an Immigration firm. Further, Sophia also participated in legal clinics including the Dispute Resolution Clinic, where she co-mediated and arbitrated cases and eventually became a Florida Supreme Court County Mediator and a Qualified Arbitrator, as well as the Sharon and Mitchell W. Berger Entrepreneur Law Clinic, where she offered transactional representation and legal advice to entry level entrepreneurs, innovators and start-up businesses under the supervision of the clinic director.
Sophia currently lives in Broward and enjoys spending her spare time at the beach, with family, and working with her non-profit providing support to Haiti.
Thought Leadership
Case Law Alerts
Florida Appellate Court Clarifies the Limits of Condominium Director Immunity
July 21, 2026
A Florida appellate court ruled that a trial court erred in its decision to dismiss a condominium association's lawsuit with prejudice. The King David of Sunny Isles Condominium Association brought a lawsuit against two former board directors. The association alleged that the directors breached their fiduciary duties, violated the condominium's governing documents and the Florida Condominium Act, and engaged in improper financial and governance practices, including failing to maintain financial records, improperly suspending a unit owner's voting rights, and allowing the use of an association-issued debit card. The trial court dismissed the complaint, finding that the association failed to allege compliance with a bylaw requiring approval from 75% of the membership before filing suit and concluding that any amendment would be futile. Under Florida law, directors and officers of non-profit organizations are generally protected from personal liability for monetary damages regarding organizational management, policy, decisions, or omissions. However, this immunity is not absolute. On appeal, the court held that dismissal with prejudice was improper because defects related to pleading a condition precedent are generally curable through amendment. More significantly, the court emphasized that while condominium directors are typically protected from personal liability, allegations involving the improper use of an association-issued debit card could fall within statutory exceptions to that immunity if properly pleaded. Florida courts generally allow plaintiffs an opportunity to amend defective complaints unless it is clear that no amendment could state a valid cause of action and this decision serves as a reminder of that. The case was ultimately remanded to allow the association to amend its complaint and proceed with the litigation.
Case Law Alerts
Appellate Court Applies Business Judgment Rule and Reverses Summary Judgment in Condominium Assessment Dispute
April 1, 2026
An appeals court ruled that the trial court erred in judgement for condo owners in a dispute over association fees. While the court agreed that the association must turn over its financial audits, it was determined that the rest of the case should be reconsidered because courts should generally not interfere in board decisions without clear wrongdoing. The case involved a master condo association that provides shared services (like maintenance and cable) to several smaller associations. The board’s budget included about $248,000 for cable costs, although it had settled a dispute with the cable company for $100,000. One of the smaller associations, Fifth Horizons, argued this was unfair and that they overpaid their share. The trial court ruled in their favor, saying the board acted outside its authority and awarded damages. The appeals court disagreed, explaining that under the Business Judgment Rule, courts usually defer to decisions made by boards as long as they act in good faith. The court also clarified that in Florida, the business judgment rule has been codified by statute for corporations, limited liability companies, and not-for-profit corporations, See § 607.0831(1), Fla. Stat. (2021). This protection applies automatically, even if not specifically raised as a defense. Importantly, the appeals court stated that it was within the board’s authority to create budgets and charge assessments, so although this was a disputed act, it wasn’t illegal.
