Several Jones Foster attorneys have been appointed or reappointed by Florida Bar President-Elect F. Scott Westheimer to serve on Standing Committees for the 2023-24 term effective July 1. The attorneys will use their experience to further the committees’ goals and enhance the important work of The Florida Bar.
Shareholder Joanne M. O’Connor is the newly appointed vice chair of the Federal Court Practice Committee which acts as the Bar’s liaison to the federal courts, federal bar organizations in Florida, the Eleventh Circuit Judicial Conference, and others interested in federal practice. It distributes to Bar members proposed changes to the federal rules, including local rules for Florida's federal courts, and publishes the Guide to Judicial Practices in Florida’s Federal Courts.
Joanne is the immediate past chair of the Business Litigation Certification Committee and will continue to serve as a committee member. The Business Litigation Certification Committee oversees the certification of qualifying applicants practicing in the business litigation area of law. Candidates must meet requirements including a written examination and peer review to ensure they possess the special knowledge, skills, and proficiency, as well as the character, ethics, and reputation for professionalism to receive the designation.
Shareholder Roberto M. Vargas and Of Counsel H. Adams Weaver have been reappointed to the Eminent Domain Committee. The committee seeks to study and stay informed about recent developments in the field of condemnation of private property for public use by governmental agencies or private companies that have the power of eminent domain. Adams is a former chair of the committee.
Associate Travis J. Foels has been newly appointed to serve on The Florida Bar Journal/News Editorial Board to advise and assist the editorial staff. The board works closely with the Journal and News staff to develop articles of interest and concern to the profession and, as a reviewing board, selects for publication only the worthiest manuscripts.
Associate Zachary M. Rothman has been reappointed to both the Code & Rules of Evidence Committee and the Florida Probate Rules Committee. The function of these court rules committees is to carry out the mandate of Rule 2.140, Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, concerning the proposal of new rules of procedure and changes to existing rules.
Joanne O’Connor is a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice group and a Florida Bar Board Certified specialist in Business Litigation. She focuses her practice in complex commercial litigation including business torts, partnership, and corporate disputes, non-compete agreements, civil RICO, real estate and land use litigation, and lawyer and law firm defense. 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.
Rob Vargas, Vice Chair of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice group, practices statewide in the areas of complex commercial litigation, business torts, real property litigation, and eminent domain. He advises property owners throughout Florida in all eminent domain-related proceedings and is admitted to practice before Florida state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels.
H. Adams Weaver is a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice group and has maintained a statewide practice in eminent domain and related land use litigation for over thirty-five years. In addition to his eminent domain and land use practice, Adams has successfully litigated numerous complex commercial and contested matters and is responsible for one of the largest condemnation awards in the history of Florida in the amount of $110 million and has been counsel of record in cutting-edge cases impacting Florida law.
Travis Foels is a member of Jones Foster's Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice group. He represents businesses, individuals, and municipalities in civil litigation with an emphasis on commercial litigation, real estate litigation, product liability, premises liability, and personal injury matters.
Zachary Rothman is a member of the Litigation and Private Wealth teams and represents clients in litigation involving estates, trusts, guardianships, and fiduciary disputes, as well as commercial litigation matters. Zack also counsels personal representatives, trustees, court-appointed administrators, beneficiaries and creditors in all facets of probate, trust, and guardianship administration.
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.
