Jones Foster Shareholder Joanne M. O’Connor Named to Florida Trend Legal Elite Notable – Women Leaders in Law for Third Year

Jones Foster, a commercial and private client law firm with offices in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and Jupiter, is proud to announce that litigation shareholder Joanne M. O’Connor has been recognized in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite Notable Women Leaders in Law special section, featured in the magazine’s November 2025 issue. This marks the third consecutive year that Ms. O’Connor has been honored with this prestigious distinction.

“Joanne is a respected leader and talented board member at our firm who gracefully balances a high-profile public service role as Town Attorney to the Town of Palm Beach with a demanding complex litigation practice,” said Chairman Scott G. Hawkins of Ms. O’Connor’s recognition. “She is an exceptional attorney and a dedicated mentor to our associates, often seen championing their development in client meetings and the courtroom alike. I am proud to call her a partner and even prouder to support her continued recognition as one of Florida’s most notable women in law.”

Ms. O’Connor was among only 145 women attorneys statewide selected for inclusion on this year’s list, and notably, one of just 10 honorees from the West Palm Beach metro area. Honorees are chosen for their exceptional leadership in the legal profession and their communities, outstanding professional achievements, and dedication to mentoring other attorneys, among other criteria. Ms. O’Connor was also featured in both the inaugural and 2024 editions of this distinguished list of Florida attorneys.

A Florida Bar Board Certified Business Litigation attorney, Ms. O’Connor focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation including contracts and business torts, partnership and corporate disputes, civil RICO, real estate and land use litigation, and lawyer and law firm defense. She also frequently serves as an expert witness in state and federal courts on the reasonableness of attorneys’ fees and costs.

As Town Attorney for Palm Beach, Ms. O’Connor advises on contracts, land use and zoning, ordinances, and regulatory matters, and oversees all Town litigation. She also counsels other governmental entities on statutory, constitutional, and civil rights claims, and both governmental and private entities on Florida’s Public Records Act and Sunshine Law.

Ms. O’Connor has held significant and wide-ranging leadership roles within the legal community and was most recently appointed by the Chief Judge to the inaugural Local Professional Panel of the 15th Judicial Circuit Court. She previously served as vice chair of The Florida Bar's Federal Court Practice Committee, chair and member of the Business Litigation Certification Committee, and president of the Federal Bar Association Palm Beach County Chapter. Ms. O’Connor is an immediate past co-chair of the Palm Beach County Bar Association's Diversity Internship Program, where she helped create meaningful opportunities for law students to connect with attorneys and judges through workshops, panels, and networking events designed to foster long-term career success.

She was previously appointed by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg as Defendants’ Liaison Counsel in the Zantac (Ranitidine) multidistrict products liability litigation in which summary judgment was granted in favor of the brand-name drug makers.

Florida Trend magazine is a leading source of Florida business news and reaches more than 270,000 executives, civic leaders, and government officials each month.