Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Ms. Mussallem attended Bishop Kenny High School and Jacksonville University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and her honors include the International Business Student Scholarship Award and Departmental Honors in International Business. Ms. Mussallem attended and earned her law degree in 2001 from Stetson University College of Law, Florida’s first law school.

In 2004, Ms. Mussallem accepted a position as an Assistant Public Defender for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Florida. She served the citizens of Jacksonville for three years by providing legal services for indigent clients. As a Public Defender, Ms. Mussallem represented thousands of clients and handled all types of criminal cases involving life felonies, felonies, misdemeanors, and municipal ordinance violations. She was awarded the “TRIAL GOD” award as an Assistant Public Defender. Ms. Mussallem also worked in the specialized Repeat Offender Court (ROC) division handling Habitual Offender cases exclusively.

In 2007, Ms. Mussallem went into private practice specializing in criminal defense. She has spent her entire legal career defending the accused.

Ms. Mussallem is a former Board Member of the Jacksonville Humane Society and former Trustee on the Jacksonville University Board of Trustees.