Litigation Shareholder Joanne M. O’Connor was among several distinguished speakers who presented at The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section continuing legal education (CLE) seminar “Civil Trial Update & Board Certification Review” in Tampa.
Joanne, a Board Certified Business Litigation specialist and immediate past chair of The Florida Bar’s Business Litigation Certification Committee, presented “Business Litigation in Florida – An Overview.” The presentation discussed a variety of topics including the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practice Act (FDUTPA), business torts and other statutory claims, the economic loss rule and independent tort doctrine, attorney’s fees, Florida’s arbitration code, and recent noteworthy decisions by Florida District Courts of Appeal. Attendees of the two-day seminar are preparing to take the board certification exam in Civil Trial or Business Litigation or are considering the exam.
The Florida Bar Board Certification recognizes an attorney’s experience, knowledge, and proficiency in a specialty field of law (27 certification fields are available) in addition to a heightened level of excellence through professionalism, ethics, and credibility in the practice of law. Only about 7% of Florida’s lawyers have earned the designation, the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar.
The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section provides a forum for discussion leading to the improvement of individual trial ability. The Section is comprised of both plaintiff and defense attorneys as well as prosecutors and serves to assist the courts in improving the administration of justice, promote advocacy, and preserve and protect the jury system.
Joanne 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. Joanne has experience defending actions seeking certification of nationwide and statewide classes, including consumer claims brought under the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). She counsels governmental entities on statutory, constitutional, and civil rights claims and both governmental and private entities on Florida’s Public Records Act and Sunshine Law. Joanne is an experienced litigator who advocates for her clients in jury and non-jury trials and appeals in state and federal courts and before private arbitration panels.
Joanne currently holds several notable leadership positions and is actively involved in the legal community. She recently served as the court-appointed Defendants’ Liaison Counsel in the federal multidistrict litigation alleging personal injury relating to the medication Zantac, In re Zantac (Ranitidine) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2924. Joanne is the past president and current board member of the Federal Bar Association Palm Beach County Chapter, a voluntary bar organization that serves as the catalyst for communication between the federal bar and bench. She also serves on the West Palm Beach Federal Courthouse Committee, organized to address the Southern District of Florida's facilities in Palm Beach County.
Jones Foster is a commercial and private client law firm headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. Established in 1924, the Firm has served as an integral part of South Florida’s growth and prosperity for nearly a century. Through a relentless pursuit of excellence, Jones Foster delivers original legal solutions that help clients, colleagues, and the community to move forward. The Firm’s attorneys focus their practice in Real Estate, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Private Wealth, Trusts & Estates, Corporate & Tax, and Land Use & Governmental. For more information, please visit www.jonesfoster.com.
