Based on my experience growing up in a multi-generational family business, I approach each of my clients as if they were my family’s old business, taking a holistic approach to assist them with resolving their legal or business concerns.
About Jon
Jon advocates for and advises clients with complex litigation and counseling needs, drawing on skills and experiences acquired in the private and public sectors. With extensive federal government and public policy sector experience, Jon applies deep practical knowledge to his client’s federal and state court litigation needs and business issues. Additionally, Jon advises and represents closely held and family-owned companies, as well as secondary schools and public and private colleges and universities, on a variety of business matters.
Jon also is a court-certified arbitrator for Florida’s Thirteenth, Twelfth, and Sixth Judicial Circuits and a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit civil mediator and a U.S. District Court for Middle District of Florida certified mediator. As a former federal judicial law clerk and seasoned civil and commercial litigator in a large firm and in boutique firms, Jon brings pragmatic and sensible ideas and well-honed skills to narrow issues and empower parties to find collaborative solutions to end their litigation.
He represents and advises clients in business litigation matters, as well as, defamation, First Amendment, antitrust, and intellectual property disputes. Jon regularly serves as local counsel for businesses sued or pursuing claims in all federal courts in Florida, particularly in the Middle District of Florida. He has assisted clients in a wide range of industries and areas, including traditional business contract disputes, shopping center development disputes, multimillion-dollar insurance coverage disputes, Florida derivative suits, ADA disputes, product labeling class actions, and small business disputes and legal matters.
Prior to entering private practice, Jon served as a law clerk to then-Chief Judge Anne C. Conway of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and as a congressional aide to Congressman Jim Davis and press intern to U.S. Senator Patty Murray.
Jon graduated first in his class and Order of the Coif from University of Florida College of Law where he served as Editor in Chief of The Florida Law Review, was an officer in Florida Blue Key, and was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame. Jon received his undergraduate degree in economics and romance languages from Washington & Lee University, where he graduated fifth in his class and was a Rhodes Scholar finalist.
Jon is an active member of the Board of Directors of WEDU-PBS, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida’s Grievance Committee, and the Federal Bar Association. He also previously served on the boards of All Saints Academy and The Florida House on Capitol Hill.
JD, University of Florida Levin College of Law, Summa Cum Laude
BA, Washington & Lee University, Summa Cum Laude
Represented multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate and serving as local trial counsel, obtained a bench trial decision involving a disability discrimination claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Represented international animal rights organization in ongoing litigation.
Represented and advised employers in employment disputes and EEOC proceedings and pre-suit proceedings.
Handled breach of contract disputes on matters involving airplane leases, employment disputes, commercial loan disputes, multimillion-dollar earnout disputes, subcontract agreements.
Advised corporation and trade association on possible antitrust claims.
Advised national corporations on strategic messaging and risk management assessments and strategies involving various business initiatives and legal risks.
Represented closely held corporations and limited liability companies in derivative and direct disputes and records inspections.
Zimmerman v. Fulton et al., (Fla. 2d Jud. Cir. 2022). Obtained a dismissal with prejudice of a libel suit brought by George Zimmerman against Ben Crump and HarperCollins Publishing arising out of Mr. Crump’s book ”Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People.”
Russell v. Waterman Broadcasting Corp, et al. (Fla. 20th Jud. Cir. 2019). Won summary judgment for reporter in public official defamation lawsuit brought by state attorney.
CNN v. Broward County Sheriff’s Office (Fla. 17th Jud. Circ. 2018). On behalf of a consortium of media companies, obtained the release of surveillance video recordings over asserted exemptions in a high-profile criminal case.
Vette TV Productions et al. v. Discovery Communications LLC (N.D. Fla. 2017). Won dismissal of copyright claims and state law claims under the Florida Idea statute of frauds.
Bond Safeguard Ins. Co. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, 2014 WL 5325728 (M.D. Fla. 2014). Obtained summary judgment in favor of Directors & Officers Liability carrier in a $40 million-plus Coblentz enforcement action involving the application of an “arising out of” contract liability exclusion to a business dispute and a discussion of the Daubert deficiencies of a Coblentz expert opinion.
Recognitions
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
- Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars
- 2019 Tampa Magazine Top Lawyers, Commercial Litigation & Transactions/UCC Law
- University of Florida Alumni Association’s Twenty Under 30 Gators to Watch
- University of Florida Hall of Fame
- Florida Blue Key
- ABA James Boskey Award recipient
- Best Lawyers in America
- Tampa Bay Federal Bar Association's Mentor of the Year (twice)
Appearances
Moderator, Federal Bar Association’s Tampa Bay Chapter: Mentoring from a Judicial Perspective (July 20, 2023)
Panelist, Federal Bar Association’s High School Summer Program-Practitioner Panel (June 7, 2023)
Panelist, Federal Bar Association-Cooley Law Student Division: Judicial Law Clerk Panel (March 8, 2023)
Panelist, Federal Bar Association’s Tampa Bay Chapter: Staying in the Game—Put Me in Coach (Dec. 15, 2022)
Panelist, Federal Bar Association’s Tampa Bay Chapter, The Mentor-Mentee Relationship: Keys to Success (March 8, 2022).
Panelist, Federal Bar Association’s Tampa Bay Chapter, How to Build Your Professional Network (July 27, 2021).
Speaker, Stetson University College of Law: Campus to Career Conference, How to Lose a Job in 10 Days (January 14, 2021).
Media Interview, WTSP-TV 10-News, Reporter Katie McCall, Compelled Speech and Sheriff’s Signs on Halloween (October 30, 2019).
Media Interview, WTSP-TV 10-News, Reporter Katie McCall, First Amendment Issues in Suit Against a Georgia Sheriff (October 22, 2019).
Media Interview, WTSP-TV 10-News, Reporter Katie McCall, First Amendment, Free Speech and the Tweets by O.J. Simpson on Twitter (June 17, 2019).
Media Interview, WTSP-TV 10-News, Reporter Katie McCall, Privacy Law and the Recent Amazon Lawsuit (June 14, 2019).
Moderator, “Florida’s Constitutional Revision Commission: a Panel Discussion among Current Chairman, past Commissioners, and Scholars,” The Florida House, Ponte Vedra, FL (Fall 2017).
Moderator, “Transportation: Florida’s Next Economic Engine,” The Florida House, Washington, DC (April 2015).
Moderator, “National Security in a Changing World: From the perspective of an academic, a general, a spy and Florida statesmen,” Florida Law Review: The 2013 Allen L. Poucher Lecture Series, Gainesville, FL (October 2013).
Speaker, U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida 50th Anniversary Symposium (2012).
Speaker, Florida Second District Court of Appeal Swearing-In Ceremony (2011).
Speaker, University of Florida College of Law Graduation Speaker (2011).
Moderator/Interviewer, Marshall M. Criser Distinguished Lecture: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (2010).
Commencement Speaker, All Saints Academy Commencement (2006)
Publications
Author, Inn the News: C.H. Ferguson-M.E. White American Inn of Court, The Bencher (July/Aug. 2021).
Fla. Cir.: Florida Prosecutor’s Libel Complaint Barred by Fair Report Privilege and Lack of Actual Malice, MLRC Media Law Letter (May 31, 2019)
Judge Orders Release of Exterior Video Recordings in Parkland School Shooting, MLRC Media Law Letter, (March 28, 2018)
Second Order Logrolling: The Impact of Direct Legislative Amendments to State Constitutions, 41 Nova L. Rev. 23 (January 2017).
Why I Took Paternity Leave—And More Dads Should, TIME’s Motto.com (September 8, 2016).
Secure Communications: How a Monthly Lunch Can Protect Your Company in a Data Breach, Public Relations Tactics PRSA (September 2015) (co-author).
A Kickstart to Business: Florida Joins Other States in Passing Intrastate Crowdfunding Exemption, JDsupra (July 2015).
The Efficient Market Theory—§10(b)’s Double-Edged Sword, JDsupra (May 2015).
Crisis Management: Five Steps to Take Before Providing That Comment, Expect Focus Vol. IV (Fall 2014) (co-author).
When the Battle Zone Comes Home: The Adjudication of American Citizens in Terrorism Cases, 15th Annual Conference on Legal & Policy Issues in the Americas, Center for Governmental Responsibility (April 2014) (co-authored with then-Chief Judge Anne C. Conway).
Co-Author, ”Introduction to the Symposium: Fifty Years of Central Florida History Through the Lens of the Federal Courts,” The Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol. 92.2 (Fall 2013).
The Kids are Not All Right: Mandating Peer Mediation as a Proactive Anti-Bullying Measure in Schools, 14 Cardozo J. of Conflict Resol. 81 (2012) (ABA’s James Boskey Dispute Resolution Award Winner).
OWNER BEWARE: OSHA’s Impact on Tort Litigation by Independent Contractors’ Injured Employees against Business Premises Owners, 66 U. Miami L. Rev. 987 (2012).
About Jon
Jon advocates for and advises clients with complex litigation and counseling needs, drawing on skills and experiences acquired in the private and public sectors. With extensive federal government and public policy sector experience, Jon applies deep practical knowledge to his client’s federal and state court litigation needs and business issues. Additionally, Jon advises and represents closely held and family-owned companies, as well as secondary schools and public and private colleges and universities, on a variety of business matters.
Jon also is a court-certified arbitrator for Florida’s Thirteenth, Twelfth, and Sixth Judicial Circuits and a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit civil mediator and a U.S. District Court for Middle District of Florida certified mediator. As a former federal judicial law clerk and seasoned civil and commercial litigator in a large firm and in boutique firms, Jon brings pragmatic and sensible ideas and well-honed skills to narrow issues and empower parties to find collaborative solutions to end their litigation.
He represents and advises clients in business litigation matters, as well as, defamation, First Amendment, antitrust, and intellectual property disputes. Jon regularly serves as local counsel for businesses sued or pursuing claims in all federal courts in Florida, particularly in the Middle District of Florida. He has assisted clients in a wide range of industries and areas, including traditional business contract disputes, shopping center development disputes, multimillion-dollar insurance coverage disputes, Florida derivative suits, ADA disputes, product labeling class actions, and small business disputes and legal matters.
Prior to entering private practice, Jon served as a law clerk to then-Chief Judge Anne C. Conway of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and as a congressional aide to Congressman Jim Davis and press intern to U.S. Senator Patty Murray.
Jon graduated first in his class and Order of the Coif from University of Florida College of Law where he served as Editor in Chief of The Florida Law Review, was an officer in Florida Blue Key, and was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame. Jon received his undergraduate degree in economics and romance languages from Washington & Lee University, where he graduated fifth in his class and was a Rhodes Scholar finalist.
Jon is an active member of the Board of Directors of WEDU-PBS, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida’s Grievance Committee, and the Federal Bar Association. He also previously served on the boards of All Saints Academy and The Florida House on Capitol Hill.
Education
JD, University of Florida Levin College of Law, Summa Cum Laude
BA, Washington & Lee University, Summa Cum Laude
Representative Matters
Represented multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate and serving as local trial counsel, obtained a bench trial decision involving a disability discrimination claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Represented international animal rights organization in ongoing litigation.
Represented and advised employers in employment disputes and EEOC proceedings and pre-suit proceedings.
Handled breach of contract disputes on matters involving airplane leases, employment disputes, commercial loan disputes, multimillion-dollar earnout disputes, subcontract agreements.
Advised corporation and trade association on possible antitrust claims.
Advised national corporations on strategic messaging and risk management assessments and strategies involving various business initiatives and legal risks.
Represented closely held corporations and limited liability companies in derivative and direct disputes and records inspections.
Zimmerman v. Fulton et al., (Fla. 2d Jud. Cir. 2022). Obtained a dismissal with prejudice of a libel suit brought by George Zimmerman against Ben Crump and HarperCollins Publishing arising out of Mr. Crump’s book ”Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People.”
Russell v. Waterman Broadcasting Corp, et al. (Fla. 20th Jud. Cir. 2019). Won summary judgment for reporter in public official defamation lawsuit brought by state attorney.
CNN v. Broward County Sheriff’s Office (Fla. 17th Jud. Circ. 2018). On behalf of a consortium of media companies, obtained the release of surveillance video recordings over asserted exemptions in a high-profile criminal case.
Vette TV Productions et al. v. Discovery Communications LLC (N.D. Fla. 2017). Won dismissal of copyright claims and state law claims under the Florida Idea statute of frauds.
Bond Safeguard Ins. Co. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, 2014 WL 5325728 (M.D. Fla. 2014). Obtained summary judgment in favor of Directors & Officers Liability carrier in a $40 million-plus Coblentz enforcement action involving the application of an “arising out of” contract liability exclusion to a business dispute and a discussion of the Daubert deficiencies of a Coblentz expert opinion.
Bar Admissions
Recognitions
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
- Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars
- 2019 Tampa Magazine Top Lawyers, Commercial Litigation & Transactions/UCC Law
- University of Florida Alumni Association’s Twenty Under 30 Gators to Watch
- University of Florida Hall of Fame
- Florida Blue Key
- ABA James Boskey Award recipient
- Best Lawyers in America
- Tampa Bay Federal Bar Association's Mentor of the Year (twice)
Appearances and Publications
Appearances
Moderator, Federal Bar Association’s Tampa Bay Chapter: Mentoring from a Judicial Perspective (July 20, 2023)
Panelist, Federal Bar Association’s High School Summer Program-Practitioner Panel (June 7, 2023)
Panelist, Federal Bar Association-Cooley Law Student Division: Judicial Law Clerk Panel (March 8, 2023)
Panelist, Federal Bar Association’s Tampa Bay Chapter: Staying in the Game—Put Me in Coach (Dec. 15, 2022)
Panelist, Federal Bar Association’s Tampa Bay Chapter, The Mentor-Mentee Relationship: Keys to Success (March 8, 2022).
Panelist, Federal Bar Association’s Tampa Bay Chapter, How to Build Your Professional Network (July 27, 2021).
Speaker, Stetson University College of Law: Campus to Career Conference, How to Lose a Job in 10 Days (January 14, 2021).
Media Interview, WTSP-TV 10-News, Reporter Katie McCall, Compelled Speech and Sheriff’s Signs on Halloween (October 30, 2019).
Media Interview, WTSP-TV 10-News, Reporter Katie McCall, First Amendment Issues in Suit Against a Georgia Sheriff (October 22, 2019).
Media Interview, WTSP-TV 10-News, Reporter Katie McCall, First Amendment, Free Speech and the Tweets by O.J. Simpson on Twitter (June 17, 2019).
Media Interview, WTSP-TV 10-News, Reporter Katie McCall, Privacy Law and the Recent Amazon Lawsuit (June 14, 2019).
Moderator, “Florida’s Constitutional Revision Commission: a Panel Discussion among Current Chairman, past Commissioners, and Scholars,” The Florida House, Ponte Vedra, FL (Fall 2017).
Moderator, “Transportation: Florida’s Next Economic Engine,” The Florida House, Washington, DC (April 2015).
Moderator, “National Security in a Changing World: From the perspective of an academic, a general, a spy and Florida statesmen,” Florida Law Review: The 2013 Allen L. Poucher Lecture Series, Gainesville, FL (October 2013).
Speaker, U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida 50th Anniversary Symposium (2012).
Speaker, Florida Second District Court of Appeal Swearing-In Ceremony (2011).
Speaker, University of Florida College of Law Graduation Speaker (2011).
Moderator/Interviewer, Marshall M. Criser Distinguished Lecture: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (2010).
Commencement Speaker, All Saints Academy Commencement (2006)
Publications
Author, Inn the News: C.H. Ferguson-M.E. White American Inn of Court, The Bencher (July/Aug. 2021).
Fla. Cir.: Florida Prosecutor’s Libel Complaint Barred by Fair Report Privilege and Lack of Actual Malice, MLRC Media Law Letter (May 31, 2019)
Judge Orders Release of Exterior Video Recordings in Parkland School Shooting, MLRC Media Law Letter, (March 28, 2018)
Second Order Logrolling: The Impact of Direct Legislative Amendments to State Constitutions, 41 Nova L. Rev. 23 (January 2017).
Why I Took Paternity Leave—And More Dads Should, TIME’s Motto.com (September 8, 2016).
Secure Communications: How a Monthly Lunch Can Protect Your Company in a Data Breach, Public Relations Tactics PRSA (September 2015) (co-author).
A Kickstart to Business: Florida Joins Other States in Passing Intrastate Crowdfunding Exemption, JDsupra (July 2015).
The Efficient Market Theory—§10(b)’s Double-Edged Sword, JDsupra (May 2015).
Crisis Management: Five Steps to Take Before Providing That Comment, Expect Focus Vol. IV (Fall 2014) (co-author).
When the Battle Zone Comes Home: The Adjudication of American Citizens in Terrorism Cases, 15th Annual Conference on Legal & Policy Issues in the Americas, Center for Governmental Responsibility (April 2014) (co-authored with then-Chief Judge Anne C. Conway).
Co-Author, ”Introduction to the Symposium: Fifty Years of Central Florida History Through the Lens of the Federal Courts,” The Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol. 92.2 (Fall 2013).
The Kids are Not All Right: Mandating Peer Mediation as a Proactive Anti-Bullying Measure in Schools, 14 Cardozo J. of Conflict Resol. 81 (2012) (ABA’s James Boskey Dispute Resolution Award Winner).
OWNER BEWARE: OSHA’s Impact on Tort Litigation by Independent Contractors’ Injured Employees against Business Premises Owners, 66 U. Miami L. Rev. 987 (2012).