She received a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Vanderbilt University in 1987 and her Juris Doctor with honors from the Fredric G. Levin College of Law at the University of Florida in 1990.

Howard was in private practice in Jacksonville from 1990 to 2003 as a civil litigator concentrating in labor and employment law, and was a member of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel.

From 2003 to 2007, she served as a United States magistrate judge in the Middle District of Florida.

On January 9, 2007 she was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as a judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Her nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 15, 2007.