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 from Stetson University College of Law, Florida’s first law school.

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

Ms. Mussallem and her partner, Raymond Forbess Sr., have spent their legal careers defending the accused.

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