TAMPA, FL – Shumaker lawyer Jennie Granahan Tarr has been appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Thirteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. This critical role in Florida’s judicial nomination process ensures the continued strength and integrity of the state’s judiciary.
Jennie is highly respected within the legal community as reflected in her numerous accolades, including the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s James H. Epps, III Award for Longevity of Service to a Community and the 2019 Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Professionalism Award, Government Sector.
“Jennie’s depth of experience, unwavering dedication to public service, and reputation for professionalism make her an exemplary choice for this vital role in the Thirteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission,” said Ron Christaldi, Shumaker Partner and President/CEO, Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC.
Board Certified in City, County, and Local Government Law and a Florida Supreme Court County/Circuit Civil Mediator, Jennie brings over 35 years of distinguished legal experience to her new role. She began her career working alongside her father in civil and criminal litigation before joining the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office, where she served as Chief Assistant of the Countywide Services and Litigation Division for the majority of her career. Her responsibilities included overseeing litigation, eminent domain, social services, and indigent health care.
Among her many achievements, Jennie played a pivotal role in advocating for the quarter-cent indigent health care surtax, traveling to Tallahassee with the County Administrator to lobby on behalf of the initiative. Most recently, she served as Chief Assistant for the Employment and Regulatory Services Division of the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office, where she advised the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, and the County Administrator, who manages a workforce of approximately 5,000 employees.
Jennie’s extensive experience also includes providing legal counsel in critical regulatory areas such as emergency management, public transportation, childcare licensing, fire rescue, and code enforcement. Her leadership extended to serving as legal counsel for entities such as the Hillsborough County Diversity Advisory Council, CareerSource Tampa Bay, and the Hillsborough County Hospital Authority.
In her labor and employment practice, Jennie negotiated high-level employment contracts for key county officials and provided direct legal advice to the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. Her commitment to professional excellence is evident through her leadership roles in the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, where she co-chaired the Judicial Liaison Committee and the inaugural Bench Bar Conference.
Jennie has also served the broader legal community through her work with The Florida Bar Grievance Committee, the Peer Review Committee, and the J. Clifford Cheatwood American Inn of Court. Additionally, she has been appointed by the Chief Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit to the Local Professional Panel.
“It is truly an honor to be appointed by Governor DeSantis to serve on the Thirteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. Throughout my career, I have been committed to serving the legal profession and the community, and this appointment represents a meaningful extension of that service,” Jennie said. “I look forward to working alongside my fellow commissioners to ensure that the most qualified, ethical, and dedicated individuals are selected to uphold the rule of law and the trust of the public in our judicial system.”