News

We are pleased to share that Kandace E. Rudd is now a Florida Supreme Court Certified Civil Circuit Mediator, expanding our ability to assist families and individuals in resolving disputes outside the courtroom.

As a Florida Board Certified Elder Law attorney with a master’s degree in social work and years of experience in probate, trust, guardianship, long-term care, public benefits, and special needs planning, Ms. Rudd brings a deep understanding of both the legal and emotional complexities these cases often involve. As a certified mediator, she now offers neutral, confidential mediation services designed to help families find common ground and avoid costly, drawn-out litigation.  Whether representing clients or serving as a neutral mediator, Ms. Rudd is committed to helping parties reach practical, respectful, and forward-looking resolutions.

Jana McConnaughhay has been named a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in the area of Estate Planning & Probate. Fewer than 5% of the licensed attorneys in Florida achieve this designation. Jana has been named to this list each year since 2011.

Kandace Rudd has been named a Rising Star for 2025 by Thomson Reuters in the area of Estate Planning Elder Law.  To be considered a Rising Star an attorney must be either under 40 years-old or in practice for less than 10 years.  Only 2.5% of the Florida licensed attorneys are selected as Rising Stars each year.

Waldoch & McConnaughhay, P.A. is proud to announce that Kandace E. Rudd has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Catherine Chapman Pro Bono Service Award, presented by Tallahassee Women Lawyers (TWL).

This prestigious honor recognizes Ms. Rudd’s exceptional commitment to pro bono legal service through her longstanding work with Legal Services of North Florida, Advanced Directives Clinics in both Tallahassee and Quincy, Florida, as well as her contributions to the Second Judicial Circuit Family Law Division Guardian Ad Litem program.

The award is named in memory of Catherine Chapman, a former President and devoted Board Member of Tallahassee Women Lawyers. Ms. Chapman was a passionate advocate for women in the legal profession and a tireless servant for equal justice. Among her many accomplishments, she founded the Tallahassee Women Lawyers Foundation to enhance the organization’s charitable reach and championed the creation of a Lactation Room at the Leon County Courthouse.

A distinguished attorney and community leader, Ms. Chapman was known for her generosity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to public service. The award bearing her name honors members of the Florida Bar who exemplify her legacy of pro bono advocacy and community impact.

We congratulate Kandace on this meaningful recognition and commend her ongoing efforts to promote access to justice and legal support for underserved populations.

Kandace Rudd received the FSU College of Law, Public Interest Law Center, Community Advocate of the Year Award. This award is for outstanding pro bono services to the clients and clinical programs of the Public Interest Law Center.

Kandace E. Rudd, JD, MSW, will speak on April 16 (8:30am, FSU Tallahassee Senior Center) at the Capital Area Coalition on Aging. Ms. Rudd will discuss long-term planning for in-home, assisted living and skilled nursing care.

Kandace E. Rudd, JD, MSW, will speak on February 15 (8:30am, FSU College of Medicine) at the Annual Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Training Conference.  During her session “Elder Law for Everyone” she will discuss basic estate and incapacity planning documents,  guardianship proceedings, and long-term planning for in-home, assisted living and skilled nursing care.

Breakfast and lunch will be included with the ticket and a respite room will be available for those who need support. Tickets are free, but registration is required.  Please visit the Alzheimer’s Project website for additional information.

Jana McConnaughhay has been awarded the 2025 Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Services Award for the Second Judicial Circuit. This Circuit includes Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding attorneys across Florida’s 20 judicial circuits for their pro bono contributions. The award ceremony takes place in January 2025, hosted by Florida’s Supreme Court Justices.

Each year Florida Bar members report donating millions of hours and dollars towards civil legal matters, for which many Floridians could not afford representation otherwise. These hours provide services to children, the elderly, the poor and countless others. Waldoch & McConnaughhay’s attorneys are proud to be a part of this good work each year.

Jana McConnaughhay has been named a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in the area of Estate Planning. Fewer than 5% of the licensed attorneys in Florida achieve this designation. Jana has been named to this list each year since 2011.

Kandace E. Rudd recently graduated from the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy – Class XI, a training program administered by The Florida Bar. This honor is bestowed upon a select group of lawyers who demonstrate exceptional promise as future leaders in the legal profession. The Leadership Academy is designed to enhance the professional development and leadership skills of its participants. Each year, a new class is chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, and Kandace’s selection is a testament to her commitment to personal and professional growth and her readiness to take on more prominent roles within the legal community.

Kandace E. Rudd recently achieved the distinguished status of board certification in the field of Elder Law from the Florida Bar, a significant accomplishment in the legal profession. This voluntary program, administered by The Florida Bar and officiated by The Florida Supreme Court, was established in 1982 to help the public identify lawyers who are experts in particular areas of law. The rigorous and thorough certification process ensures that only highly qualified lawyers receive this distinction, marking Florida’s official recognition of a lawyer’s expertise in a specialty field.

As of 2023, fewer than 5,000 lawyers, or about 5% of eligible Florida Bar members, have achieved board certification in one or more of the 27 specialty areas. Kandace’s board certification not only represents a significant personal achievement but also provides her clients with the assurance that they are receiving the highest level of legal expertise and professional standards. Her commitment to excellence and her specialized knowledge will undoubtedly continue to benefit her clients and the legal community at large.