Bertrand, Jasmine Blossom

Susan J. Best is a shareholder in the law firm of Cohen & Best, P.A. A fourth-generation native of Lakeland, Ms. Best graduated from Lakeland High School in 1982. Ms. Best earned her Bachelors of Science in Business Management degree from the University of Central Florida in 1986, where she majored in Accounting. Ms. Best then earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1989. Between 1989 and 1995, Ms. Best served as a Judicial Staff Attorney for the judges of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court in Bartow, Florida.

While a staff attorney, Ms. Best was first assigned to the Family Division and then was promoted to work with the Chief Judge handling appeals and probate matters. In 1995, Ms. Best was again promoted to the position of Senior Deputy Court Administrator. While in Court Administration, Ms. Best was responsible for many areas of court management including having supervisory responsibility over 11 staff attorneys and the due process areas of the court including court appointed attorneys, court reporting and court interpreting.

Since leaving the Court in the summer of 2008 and entering private practice, Ms. Best has concentrated her practice in the following areas: family law, probate – including wills, estate planning, and guardianship, and appellate law.