Jonathan J. Ellis

Partner, Community Associations Business Sector Chair

Shumaker Professionals Jonathan J. Ellis
Jonathan J. Ellis
Jonathan J. Ellis

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Education
  • J.D., Vanderbilt University, 1990
  • B.A., magna cum laude, with honors, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1987
Service Lines
Business Sectors

Jonathan is board certified in condominium and planned development law by The Florida Bar and his clients turn to him for his experience in the many complex areas of community association law (Condo and HOA). The foundation of his practice stems from the fact he is a past president of his own homeowners association and he can relate to the issues his clients are facing. Jonathan represents associations from general collections and enforcement of covenants to revitalizations of covenants and general corporate matters. He serves as general counsel for numerous community associations. His litigation experience ranges from foreclosure of liens, even through bankruptcy, to defending the Association’s officers and directors when sued. He has handled Housing Urban Development (HUD) and Americans with Disabilities (ADA) inquiries, construction defect cases, Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA) issues, turnover, injunction hearings, determination of covenant validity, contested elections and corporate control disputes to name just a few. Most importantly, Jonathan views the role of the attorney, as just that, the attorney. He understands the role of the board of directors, the property manager and other professionals, and he recognizes that for an association to run well, each needs to respect the role of the other.

Renowned for being both tough and client-oriented, Jonathan’s litigation experience also includes handling matters in general commercial litigation, arbitration, business disputes,  professional malpractice, real estate litigation, collection, and appeals.

Jonathan graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1990. He is an Equity Partner with the firm of Shumaker Loop & Kendrick, LLP. He is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell indicating he has reached the height of professional excellence, practiced law for many years and is recognized for the highest levels of skills and integrity. Jonathan has been selected as a Florida Super Lawyer in the business litigation law category. The Super Lawyers designation is based upon the results of independent research performed by Law & Politics, including peer review and professional achievement. Only five percent of Florida lawyers are named Super Lawyers. Additionally, he has been named to the Legal Elite by Florida Trend Magazine, a designation based on peer review. 

Media Mentions:

  • Successfully defended members of various non-profit boards of directors from liability.
  • Successfully litigated the enforceability of Declarations of Covenants.
  • Successfully litigated countless claims of lien.
  • Obtained an award in arbitration for a developer client in the seven figure range.
  • In a difficult professional malpractice case, resolved the matter in mediation, prior to any depositions or discovery taking place and substantial attorney fees being incurred.
  • Obtained a summary judgment revolving around complex but fraudulent scheme perpetrated against a factoring company.
  • Represented a major airline in a case where they prevented the discharge of more than $150,000.00 in debt from a vendor; secured a judgment against the vendor that would not allow them to discharge the debt.
  • Obtained a $26 million nondischargeability ruling for an international insurance group.
  • Prevailed on appeal on a nondischargeability issue before the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal, a case that was later cited favorably by the U.S. Supreme Court in determining a conflict among the circuits.
  • Prevailed in appeals on behalf of clients at the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, as well as Florida’s Appellate courts.

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  • Business Sectors
  • Service Lines
  • Education
    • J.D., Vanderbilt University, 1990
    • B.A., magna cum laude, with honors, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1987
  • Bar and Court Admissions
    • Florida, 1990
    • United States Supreme Court, 2002
    • United States District Court, Northern District of Florida, 1999
    • United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1997
    • United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit 1994
    • United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1990
  • Professional and community affiliations
    • Community Foundation Tampa Metro Area Council, Council Member
    •    Gasparilla International Film Festival, Board Member
    • Jewish Community Relations Council, Chair
    • Jewish Council of Public Affairs, Treasurer
    • Tampa Bay American Inn of Court, Inc., Member, Former Executive Director
    • Tampa-Orlando Pinellas Jewish Federation Alliance, Chair
    • The Tampa Club Downtown, Inc., President  
    • The Tampa JCCs/Federation, Inc., Board Member, Former President
  • Honors
    • AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
    • Florida Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine, 2006, 2012 - 2023
    • Florida Legal Elite by Florida Trend magazine
    • Tampa Top Lawyers, Community Association Law, Tampa Magazine, 2016, 2019, 2023
    • Top Author:  2024 JD Supra Readers' Choice Award, Real Estate

JD Supra Readers Choice Top Author 2024

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