As Managing Partner & Chair of the Management Committee at Shumaker, Jennifer leads the firm with a clear focus on strategic growth, operational excellence, and a commitment to client service. In her leadership role, she is responsible for guiding the firm's overall vision, driving collaboration across service lines and offices, and fostering a culture of innovation, inclusion, and accountability. Her approach is rooted in thoughtful leadership and a deep understanding of the legal industry's evolving landscape.
With more than two decades of experience practicing employment law, Jennifer brings to her leadership role a grounded perspective shaped by years of counseling clients through complex legal, economic, and organizational challenges. Her legal practice has been defined by a client-focused mindset and a reputation for offering pragmatic, business-savvy advice. She has successfully represented employers in a broad spectrum of litigation matters, including those involving discrimination, leave, wage and hour laws, whistleblower protections, trade secrets, and non-compete enforcement. She also regularly advises executives navigating separation, severance, and restrictive covenant issues.
A Sarasota native, Jennifer is deeply committed to her community. She is proud to serve on the board and executive committee of The Bay Park Conservancy, a transformational initiative to develop 54 acres along Sarasota's bayfront for generations to come.
Jennifer's leadership style—marked by integrity, communication, empathy, and vision—continues to shape Shumaker's future while honoring its legacy of excellence.
Education
J.D., with honors, Cumberland School of Law of Samford University, 1997
B.A., University of Florida, 1994
Professional Associations
- The Bay Park Conservancy (The Bay), Chair of the Board of Directors
- Sarasota County Bar Association
- City of Sarasota, Hearing Officer
- Diversity Law Institute, Member
- Gulfside Bank, Founding Board Member and Vice-Chair
- International Women's Forum, Florida Suncoast
- Leadership Sarasota, Class of 2011
- Girls Inc., past Board member and past President
- Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, past Board of Directors, past Executive Committee Member
Honors
- AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
- Florida Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine, 2013-2024
- Legal Elite Notable Managing Partners, Florida Trend magazine, 2023
- Sarasota Magazine’s Women of Influence, 2023
- SRQ Magazine: Elite Top Attorneys, Labor and Employment, 2020-2022
- Florida Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine, 2011-2012
Representative Matters
- $59 million trade secret judgment against a former employee who misappropriated trade secrets and set up manufacturing out of the country
- Defense judgment in a racial discrimination claim by a terminated employee of a large manufacturer
- Enforcement of non-competes by way of injunction and damages against former sales representatives
- Resolution and compliance under an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Consent Decree for alleged disability discrimination against a large health care facility.
- Successful defense of gender discrimination and pay disparity claim against a multi-state employer