With a legal career spanning more than four decades, Hapner is widely respected for her experience, integrity, and long standing commitment to client service and access to justice.

For the past 25 years, Ms. Hapner has served as attorney and principal of Hapner Law in Tampa, Florida. In this role, she manages all aspects of her practice, including court appearances, client consultations, and the preparation and oversight of complex legal documentation. Her attentive and responsive approach to representation has been a defining element of her professional philosophy and has contributed significantly to her continued success.

Ms. Hapner previously served as a county judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Tampa from 1997 to 1998. During her tenure, she presided over a wide range of cases and was assigned to one of the busiest county criminal divisions in the state of Florida, gaining valuable insight into judicial process and courtroom decision making.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Hapner operated as a sole practitioner at Elizabeth L. Hapner PA in Tampa from 1986 to 1996. During this period, she built a comprehensive general practice with a focus on family law, estate planning, and probate matters, emphasizing strong advocacy and thoughtful legal strategy.

Ms. Hapner began her legal career as an assistant public defender with the Public Defender’s Office for the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida in Bartow in 1980. She later served as an assistant state attorney with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office from 1981 to 1986. In this capacity, she worked within the juvenile, felony, and sex offender divisions and held leadership roles including special prosecutor, felony division chief, and chief of county courts.

Ms. Hapner earned a Bachelor of Arts in English language and literature and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1978 and 1980. She further expanded her expertise by completing a certificate in organizational leadership from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 2020 and a certificate in elder tax law from Stetson Law at Stetson University in Gulfport, Florida, in 2025.

Her professional affiliations include membership in the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar, where she serves on the technology committee and previously on the military and veterans affairs committee and on the juvenile court rules committee. Ms. Hapner is also a founding member of Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers and a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association.  She is a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Economic Club of Tampa, where she was also twice president and a board member. She has held leadership roles with DUI Counterattack Hillsborough Inc. as treasurer since 1985, P.R.E.P. as both longtime member and president, and the Centre for Women, where she is in her third year as president and has served on the board of directors since 2019.  She has also volunteered with The Chiselers since 2000 and is a member of USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy.

Pro bono service remains one of Ms. Hapner’s proudest professional contributions. She continues to serve as a pro bono attorney for Crossroads for Florida Kids, Bay Area Legal Services, the American Bar Association, and the Florida Bar Association. From 1990 to 1996, she also served as a pro bono attorney for the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office. Her service has been recognized through numerous state and local level awards honoring her commitment to public service and legal advocacy.

Looking ahead, Ms. Hapner remains dedicated to expanding access to justice through pro bono work, mentoring younger attorneys and college students, and continuing her long standing involvement in community service.