- December 14, 2025
What is an example of a tough decision you’ve had to make that would illustrate your abilities as a judge?
I have made tough decisions in my capacity as a court-appointed attorney ad litem in several contested family law matters.
In (that) capacity, I am required to make a recommendation to the court on what time-sharing schedule would be most appropriate for a family going through a divorce or custody situation. This requires me to perform a thorough investigation, including speaking with both parents and children in each household, reviewing school, medical, psychological and other records, speaking with counselors, and (collecting) any others with information on the family. Then I am required to submit a comprehensive report, going through all factors in Florida Statute 61.13.
This process essentially requires me to act as the Judge and apply the analysis they would use to make a recommendation. I have testified in court in my capacity as an attorney ad litem. I find this work necessary and rewarding, and this experience allows me to understand and appreciate the tough decisions that judges make on a daily basis.
What evidence can you provide that shows you have the right demeanor to be judge?
By the nature of my career work, I adjust to the needs of my clients, whether as a prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office or as a private attorney.
The demeanor needed to represent the wishes of the citizens of the state and the wishes of private clients require different skills and can pose a challenge for some attorneys. I feel I have performed my duties in both situations properly and justly. In addition, I have been selected to be a leader of many organizations, both in my personal and professional capacity.
Personally, I was selected as a den leader for my son’s cub scouts troop and team mom for my son’s PAL baseball team. Professionally, I have been on the Executive Board of the Flagler County Bar Association for over five years, and I am currently President. I have also been invited onto the Board of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida and the Legal Advocacy Center — I’m currently Vice-President of both.
When others in the legal and local community seek me out for these positions, it reflects their confidence in my demeanor to handle all types of situations encountered by leaders: organizational skills, the ability to resolve conflicts or disputes effectively and, most importantly, an exemplary demeanor to represent the organization in an appropriate manner.
Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
Residents of Flagler County should vote for me because of my extensive experience.
With 14 years practicing law, including 11 years specifically in Flagler, I have the most experience both as an attorney and working in our Flagler County court. I also have a more varied experience, having been a prosecutor for 2.5 years and now owning a local law firm, at which I practice family law, criminal defense, and some general civil litigation.
I am the only candidate who is Board Certified in any area of law; my certification in Criminal Trial makes me an expert in that area of law, which constitutes most of this docket. I am the only candidate who has been a volunteer in our local school system for the past four years, through the Justice Teaching Program. I am also a Mentor through the Flagler Education Foundation. I am member of our local Elks #2709, Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW; the Flagler Business Women Association; and my husband and I have chosen to make Palm Coast our home for the past 12 years.
A Judge must be a resident and public servant of the highest quality. A Judge must be ready on day one to serve our community and our country. I firmly believe I am the candidate that best represents those traits.
Following the questionnaire, we had each candidate come in for a follow-up interview, a sample of Stens' responses is compiled below.
“(I’ve) done both sides of criminal law, whereas Attack has done one-half of it. He’s only done the defense side; he’s never been a prosecutor.”
Stens has also worked in family law and for the Department of Revenue for 11 years — experience she feels demonstrates that she “knows what the legal standards are.”
“I haven’t done just one-half of one area of law. … I do feel my criminal background is superior to Atack’s. … Having done both sides of an area of law makes you more well-rounded. It makes you able to understand what (one side) is going through and understand what (the other) side is going through.”
On the issue of client “relatability,” Stens said the following:
“I relate to them now because I represent them. … I have so many clients who are trying to help me win this position because they know that I look at things as a real person … they know that I know the law, but they also know that I’m a real person and I’m reasonable and I want people to have some control over what happens to them. … Fortunately, I have accomplished a lot. … I have a very thriving practice because of the connections I make with my clients.”
