Attorney John C. “Skip” Randolph was recognized by the Town of Palm Beach with a proclamation honoring his 44 years of dedicated service as Town Attorney to Palm Beach, following his retirement from the position last month.
At the Town Council meeting on Jan. 9, Mayor Danielle Moore read the proclamation and declared the day as “John C. Randolph Day,” in recognition of Mr. Randolph’s exceptional commitment to the Town and its residents. Mr. Randolph was also presented with a plaque to commemorate the honor.
During council member remarks, Town Council President Pro-Tem Bobbie Lindsay said, “Skip, I’ve said this before, it’s just been a great pleasure for me being the daughter of a lawyer to have an attorney of your caliber…You and Jones Foster have had a long history with this Town and very productive times with us. We’ve been extraordinarily well-represented in all aspects of Town business because of you and your firm, and I just don’t know how else to thank you.
Town Council President Margaret Zeidman also addressed Mr. Randolph, “I thank you for your friendship, it’s a deep and abiding friendship that you’ve had with each of us and with me, and it means the world to me. And you are so admirable and honorable and we will miss you very much.”
Mr. Randolph became Town Attorney for Palm Beach on Sept. 19, 1979, and during his tenure worked closely with 7 mayors, 6 town managers, 41 elected officials, and dozens of department heads and staff on a wide range of complex matters that impacted residents and shaped the Town including land use and zoning, contracts, ordinances and regulations, personnel, and the enforcement of laws by police and code enforcement.
Town Council Member Ted Cooney echoed the sentiments of the Council, “The longevity of your service here in Town has been such a gift to this community that I think really can’t be overstated. Those of us who sit in this chair come and go, town managers and staff have come and go, but for over 40 years, you’ve provided consistent, stable legal advice, that I think really has a direct correlation with the community and who we are today.”
Mr. Randolph followed the Town Council remarks with his own, reflecting on his tenure and longstanding relationships, “I will miss working with the Council, staff, and residents I have come to know and represent throughout my career with the Town.
And, I will miss the challenges which this position has offered during these many years…I want to thank the Mayor, Town Council, and staff for contributing to the full enjoyment of my career with the Town. It has been my sincere pleasure to serve the Town during the past 44 of my 53 years as a practicing attorney.”
In 2019, Mr. Randolph received a proclamation from then-Palm Beach Mayor Gail Coniglio in recognition of 40 years of service as Town Attorney and has been the recipient of many legal awards throughout his career. Those distinctions include The Florida Bar City, County and Local Government Section’s Ralph A. Marsicano Award, one of the most widely respected industry awards presented to a lawyer who has made “significant and outstanding contributions to the development of Local Government in Florida,” and the Paul S. Buchman Award for Municipal Attorney of the Year, presented by the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association.
Mr. Randolph has personal ties to the Palm Beach community, serving as the longtime chairman of the Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians and Jews, an organization dedicated to promoting fellowship, understanding, and respect among all religions and cultures. An award was established in his name to honor persons or organizations in the community who exemplify the mission of the Fellowship. Mr. Randolph is also a past president of the Royal Poinciana Chapel and the Rehabilitation Center for Children and Adults.
Following the December announcement of Mr. Randolph’s retirement as Town Attorney, a formal resolution was adopted by the Town designating Jones Foster Shareholder Joanne M. O’Connor as the incoming Town Attorney to succeed Mr. Randolph, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Jones Foster is celebrating its Centennial year as a commercial and private client law firm headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. 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. Notably, the majority of the firm’s Shareholders have received the designation of Board-Certified Specialist by The Florida Bar in their specific practice area. The firm’s attorneys focus their practice in 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.
