Jones Foster, a commercial and private client law firm with offices in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and Jupiter, Florida, is pleased to welcome J.D. candidates Mary E. Byerley and Ryan D. Lantz to the 2025 Summer Associate Program.
Based in the firm’s West Palm Beach office, this competitive 11-week program offers top-performing law students the opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on legal experience through one-on-one mentorship and explore a wide range of practice areas to lay the foundation for their future career growth.
As summer associates, Mary and Ryan will collaborate with experienced attorneys across multiple departments—including Real Estate, Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Trust & Estate Litigation, Private Wealth, Wills, Trusts & Estates, Corporate & Tax, and Land Use & Governmental—while working closely with shareholders and associates on substantive client matters.
Each summer associate is paired with a mentor who will provide the support and direction necessary to gain real-world knowledge of various areas of law, client expectations, and job responsibilities of a practicing attorney. In addition, the program emphasizes professional development by offering exposure to client relations, business strategy, and marketing—key skills for a successful legal career.
We asked Mary and Ryan what they are hoping to take away from the Summer Associate Program as they begin this next important step in their career journey.
Law School
University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, FL
J.D. Candidate 2026
Honors
Journal of Law & Public Policy
Alternative Dispute Resolution Team
Federal Bar Association, Vice President
Professional Experience
Real Estate Law Clerk, McCarty Focks, PLLC; Summer Associate, Kanner & Pintaluga; Adult Protective Investigator, Department of Children and Families; Intern, Defender Association of Philadelphia
Undergraduate
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
B.A., Criminal Justice, cum laude
Why did you choose Jones Foster for your Summer Associate experience?
I chose Jones Foster because of its strong reputation, deep roots in the Palm Beach community, and the caliber of its attorneys. The firm’s commitment to mentorship and its collaborative culture made it a clear choice for my summer experience. The number of attorneys who have spent their entire careers at Jones Foster speaks volumes about the professionalism, quality of work, and sense of community the firm fosters.
What inspired you to pursue law school?
I’ve always been drawn to problem-solving and advocacy. Law school felt like a natural path to use those skills to help others and contribute to my community.
What are you most looking forward to experiencing as a Summer Associate at Jones Foster?
I’m hoping to gain exposure to as many areas of law as possible. The attorneys at Jones Foster bring an incredible range of experience across diverse practice areas, and I’m excited to learn from their depth of knowledge.
What areas of law are you currently interested in, and are there any practice areas you’re especially excited to explore during your time at Jones Foster?
I’m currently interested in real estate law but I’m also excited to learn more about the firm’s trusts and estates practices, both estate planning and litigation. During the school year, I worked under a board-certified real estate attorney, where I primarily assisted with matters involving condominium and homeowner associations. I also developed an interest in trust and estates through my prior role as an Adult Protective Investigator, where I handled cases involving the exploitation of vulnerable adults and guardianship issues. However, I’m open and excited to see if anything else captures my interest by the end of the summer.
Law School
University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, FL
J.D. Candidate 2026
Honors
Chesterfield Smith Scholarship (Full Tuition, Merit-Based Scholarship)
UF Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Competition Finalist
Professional Experience
Research Assistant, University of Florida; Legal Intern, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Case Manager, Kanner & Pintaluga
Undergraduate
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
B.S., Business Administration - Finance
Why did you choose Jones Foster for your Summer Associate experience?
Growing up in North Palm Beach I developed a strong connection with and appreciation for the community and culture of Palm Beach County. After interviewing with the team here, I felt that Jones Foster shared my enthusiasm for the area and was committed to serving the community in a way that I am proud to be associated with. I am thrilled to be part of the team that has established such a stellar reputation in my home of South Florida.
What are you most looking forward to experiencing as a Summer Associate at Jones Foster?
In my first couple of days, I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many members of the team and I look forward to continuing to connect with and learn from the people here. Another fantastic part of being at a firm like Jones Foster is the ability to see a variety of different practice areas, like complex civil litigation, private wealth, land use, real estate, and more. My undergraduate degree is in finance, so I am especially excited to work on projects in the Private Wealth, Wills, Trust & Estates and Corporate & Tax groups and merge my interests in finance with my passion for the legal field.
Is there a specific type of guidance or advice you’re hoping to receive from the experienced attorneys?
This summer, I am hopeful to shadow the attorneys, observing the practices and habits the team utilizes to provide such excellent representation to their clients. In law school, many courses teach the law and its application in a bubble, insulated from other areas of the law that may not directly affect the concept at hand. I hope to receive guidance from the attorneys at Jones Foster about navigating and adapting to cases with convoluted sets of facts and intricate connections to multiple different areas of law.
What have you heard or observed about the JF Summer Associate Program that you’re most eager to experience for yourself?
One aspect of the JF Summer Associate Program that appealed to me is the willingness of the experienced attorneys at Jones Foster to offer advice, feedback, and learning opportunities. The hands-on experience is something that I believe will greatly benefit my development early in my legal career. This advantage is evident by the attorneys’ genuine efforts to allow summer associates to observe depositions, hearings, and other experiential events.
Jones Foster is a full-service commercial and private client law firm headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with offices in Palm Beach and Jupiter. Tracing its roots back to 1924, the firm has served as an integral part of South Florida’s growth and prosperity. Through a relentless pursuit of excellence, Jones Foster delivers original legal solutions that help clients, colleagues, and the community to move forward. A significant number of attorneys have received the designation of Board-Certified Specialist by The Florida Bar in their specific practice area. The firm’s practice groups include Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution; Corporate & Tax; Land Use & Governmental; Private Wealth, Wills, Trusts & Estates; Real Estate; and Trust & Estate Litigation. For more information, please visit www.jonesfoster.com.
