Christian Peterson
Reporter@riverbendnews.org
Sheena Holland Rickerson is a very well-known name throughout the Suwannee Valley. She is an attorney with offices in both Jasper and Lake City. Rickerson had a rough upbringing in Jacksonville, but turned her hardships into triumphs. Currently, Rickerson lives in Jasper with her husband, Jasper Police Chief, Anthony “Tony” Rickerson and her three children.
Rickerson started proving her incredible will at Ed White High School in Jacksonville, where she became the first in her family in two generations to graduate from high school. Not only was she the first to graduate she was also student government president and editor of the year. Rickerson had more to prove though and graduated as a member of the honors society other clubs and extracurricular activities. After high school Rickerson moved to Florida State University, however after freshman year she left to care for her family. She began working at a law firm and attending University of North Florida at night graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She continued, after graduation, working as a paralegal and her reputation began to grow.
In the fall of 2010, Rickerson made a decision to go even deeper into the law career. She headed back to school to attain a Law Degree and make an attempt at the Florida Bar. She went to Florida Coastal School of Law for a three year degree, Rickerson isn’t your average person though and graduated in 2012, accomplishing the degree in only two years. In 2013 she passed the Florida Bar.
From there Rickerson began working hard and her list of accomplishments only grew. She is the town attorney of Jennings and the first female attorney the town has had. She is the president of the local Third Circuit Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and has been a commissioner on the Florida Judicial Nomination Commission for the Third Judicial Circuit. Then the true cap to her list of accomplishments she goes home to take care of her three children.
Recently, Rickerson made another addition to her accomplishments list, becoming Florida Bar board certified in criminal trial law. The certification recognizes an attorney’s special knowledge, skills and proficiency in their respective areas of law, professionalism and ethics in practice. “Florida’s legal ranks currently feature over 5,000 board-certified attorneys, offering expertise in 27 areas of law,” the Florida Bar website says. “With just one in 20 Florida Bar members able to call themselves “board certified,” it clearly is a crucial component in the career of any attorney looking to emerge from the crowd.”