Shutts & Bowen LLP welcomes Donna C. Valin to the firm’s Orlando Office. Valin joins the firm as a Partner in its Business Litigation Practice Group. Also a member of the firm’s Hospitality Practice Group, she focuses her practice on complex commercial disputes, consumer protection and related investigations, regulatory compliance and governmental affairs.

Prior to joining Shutts & Bowen’s Business Litigation and Hospitality Practice Groups, Donna’s tenure with the Florida Attorney General’s Office put her in charge of complex large-scale investigations into companies engaged in unscrupulous business practices.  Her advocacy role as a Bureau Chief in the Consumer Protection Division allowed Donna to develop a perspective into regulatory, civil and policy-related issues.

“Donna is no stranger to rolling up her sleeves and digging in. She’s really made a difference for individuals and companies alike while working with regulators and enforcement agencies across the country,” said Bud Bennington, Senior Litigation Partner who heads the Shutts Orlando Hospitality Team. “Her attitude, experience and vast knowledge of the industry instantly makes Donna incredibly valuable to our team, and we are excited about her future with Shutts & Bowen,” Bennington added. 

Valin is likewise highly experienced in handling matters involving the Federal Trade Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule, Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, the Florida Vacation Plan and Timesharing Act, the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, as well as the Timeshare Resale Accountability Act. She has worked in cooperation with state and federal regulators, enforcement agencies and law enforcement, advocating for the enforcement of timeshare-resale violations as well as in filing complex ex-parte multi-party actions involving the litigation of equitable and emergent relief.

Twice appointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott, Valin has served as a member of the Eighteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission since 2015. In 2020, she was selected by Attorney General Ashley Moody for the White Hat Award in recognition of her extraordinary service for the investigation and enforcement of charitable scams affecting veterans’ charities.

“I look forward to collaborating with the firm’s Business Litigation lawyers to help consumers and companies avoid scams, and most importantly to be made whole again after an injustice,” said Valin.  “Shutts has a stellar reputation for its work in the hospitality industry and I am thrilled to be a member of such a successful team.”

About Shutts & Bowen LLP

Shutts & Bowen, established in 1910, is a full-service business law firm with approximately 300 lawyers in offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. Learn more about Shutts & Bowen at www.shutts.com.