TALLAHASSEE, FL— Shutts & Bowen announced today that Ben Gibson, a senior member of the firm’s Governmental Law Practice Group, has been appointed Managing Partner of the Tallahassee office. Gibson succeeds Jason Gonzalez who departed the firm, January 13, 2023.
“Ben has been one of the firm’s most trusted Partners, and he will bring a skilled and steady hand to his role as Managing Partner of the Tallahassee office,” said Firmwide Managing Partner Jack C. McElroy. “Shutts will benefit from Ben’s incredible judgment and highest-level legal experience. He is a tested leader, and just the person Shutts needs as we look forward to the opportunities our Tallahassee office has in the coming years.”
“I am also grateful for Jason’s exceptional service and his dedication to the firm,” McElroy added. “His counsel, judgment, and leadership have been invaluable to our work in the litigation and government affairs arena, and I congratulate him for his many years of service.”
Gibson, who joined Shutts in 2018, represents clients facing high-stakes legal issues at the intersection of business, politics, and government. His statewide practice focuses on representing corporate, political, and government clients in appellate, litigation, and administrative matters as well as government affairs.
"I am very grateful for Jason’s leadership of the Tallahassee office, and I appreciate the guidance and support he has given to me and his colleagues," said Gibson. "I am honored to be asked to serve the firm in this new role. Thanks to strong leadership, there is no state in the nation better positioned for opportunity and growth than Florida.”
“After nearly nine years of practicing at Shutts, it is time for me to pursue new and different challenges and opportunities,” stated Gonzalez. “It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to work with so many exceptionally talented and dedicated people throughout the firm to contribute to the success of Shutts’ mission of providing the highest caliber of legal service for our clients and community.”
Gibson, throughout his career, has fostered deep, meaningful relationships throughout the highest echelons of Florida’s government. This includes serving as general counsel to Florida Governor-elect Ron DeSantis’ Transition Team, where he advised the new administration on legal issues and Governor DeSantis’ appointment of three Florida Supreme Court Justices. Additionally, for the past several election cycles he has served as Chief Counsel to the Republican Party of Florida, leading all of the party’s legal efforts. He also has served as legal counsel to numerous political committees and presidential and statewide campaigns in Florida, and most recently served as counsel to Governor Ron DeSantis’ successful re-election campaign for Governor. Gibson’s experience also includes representing numerous state agencies, the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and the National Republican Congressional Committee, all in various high-profile state and federal litigation.
“Shutts’ Tallahassee office will continue to help our clients meet their legal needs by leveraging the resources of one of Florida’s largest statewide law firms with our own appellate, litigation, state government, and political expertise,” Gibson added. “I am excited about the future and the opportunity to serve our great clients and work with my outstanding Shutts colleagues throughout the state.”
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.
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"Gov't Law Atty to Lead Shutts & Bowen's Tallahassee Office," Law360 Pulse (January 17, 2023)